Oh, The Places We’ll Go: Puerto Nuevo and Baja Mexico
Are you anxious to hop on a plane and take a vacation? Even though the pandemic has put most leisure travel on pause, we can still plan and dream for the future.
Baja California is the northwestern Mexico peninsula, and it has so much to offer. You’ll find a perfect mix of beautiful beaches, fishing, adventure, wineries, and amazing food throughout Baja – but you don’t have to head all the way down to Cabo. Many of the towns in northern Baja are still a little bit under the radar, making it a perfect place to plan a vacation, whether in real life, or virtual. Here are some of our favorite Baja highlights:
Puerto Nuevo – the “Lobster Village” of Baja
This tiny beach town is at the top of the Baja peninsula, not far from California, so it’s a great place to start your adventure. It’s famous for its lobster and has an annual wine and lobster festival every October to celebrate the start of lobster season, which runs through April. You can enjoy variations of Puerto Nuevo lobster at most restaurants in town. With over 40 restaurants, it’s a foodie paradise.
While you’re there, visit some of the area’s wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe region. You might not associate wine with Mexico, but northern Baja is home to more than 100 wineries that produce 90% of the wine from Mexico. The region is often compared to Napa, California – but it’s far more affordable.
No trip to Mexico would be complete without a few days at the beach, and the Baja peninsula has plenty to offer. The beaches in and around Puerto Nuevo are ideal for lounging or surfing. A few others that are an easy drive from Southern California you might want to explore include:
- Just 10 miles from the U.S. border and 20 minutes north of Puerto Nuevo, Rosarito Beach is a must-see for movie buffs. It’s home to Baja Film Studios, where scenes from movies like Titanic and Pearl Harbor were filmed. If you’re a scuba diver, check out the Underwater Park and the sunken ship Uribe 121.
- Estero Beach is in nearby Ensenada. Here you can kayak and watch sea lions, dolphins, and seals.
- Continuing south from Ensenada, you’ll find the 10-mile stretch of San Quintin Beaches, where you can search for clams, mussels, and oysters at low tide.
Central and South Baja
If time allows, explore some of the town