Baja Sur isn’t the only destination on the peninsula that blossoms in the winter, there are plenty of great places to explore in Northern Baja that are best explored in cooler months. Here are some of our favorites that make for easy and quick escapes this season.
Tecate
Why We Love It: This small town is the only Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) in the state of Baja California. Influences from nearby Valle de Guadalupe mean that Tecate has its own wineries and a great developing food scene (try a meal at El Lugar de Nos or Restaurante Amores). While temperatures can get hot in the summer, winter is the perfect time of year to visit this charming border town.
What to Do: Spend some time soaking in the lovely town plaza, Parque Hidalgo, centered around a pretty zocalo, before heading over to the famous namesake Tecate brewery where you can enjoy a free beer at the beer garden. The local Museo Comunitario de Tecate community museum is a well-curated presentation on the local region and native Kumeyaay. Don’t leave without getting some tasty treats at El Mejor Pan de Tecate bakery.
Where to Stay: For a truly indulgent getaway, a stay at the famous Rancho La Puerta Spa Retreat is an all-inclusive escape. For a stay in town, Santuario Diegueño offers a luxurious stay at an affordable price with acclaimed restaurant ASAO on property.
DBTC Insider Tip: If you’re up for heading a little bit out of town, a visit to the nearby El Vallecito cave paintings is a fun excursion.
Mexicali
Why We Love It: As the capital of the state of Baja California (Norte), this business-centered town offers cheap rates for nice hotels on the weekends where visitors can enjoy a robust craft beer scene and the unique taste of Chinese food in Baja California. With the heat of summer gone, Mexicali opens up in the winter months.
What To Do: Check out La Chinesca, Mexico’s largest Chinatown and take an underground tour of the basements of Chinatown. When you’re finished, enjoy Mexicali-style Chinese food at one of the hundreds of Chinese food restaurants in town. Craft beer aficionados will appreciate Mexicali as one of the best spots on the peninsula to enjoy beer from one of the numerous micro-brewers in the city.
Where To Stay: The Hotel Lucerna is a lush sanctuary in the city. Hotel Araiza is another popular option for those looking for upscale accommodations at reasonable rates.
DBTC Insider Tip: Mexicali is home to the Clamato cocktail, a clamato and vodka cocktail invented as a hangover cure at the Lucerna Hotel circa 1970. The famous cocktails is still served in the Piano Bar at the hotel today. To enjoy the sister beverage to the Clamato, the Chavela (made with beer instead of vodka) head to La Conga bar.
Cañon de Guadalupe
Why We Love It: Nestled in the Sierra de Juarez mountain range, this remote canyon is accessed between Tecate and Mexicali. There are two campgrounds here and campsites at both all come with their own personal hot spring tubs. The surrounding area boasts natural swimming pools, waterfalls, and palm trees. Only open seasonally (they close for summer, when the temperatures are too hot), winter is a perfect time of year to enjoy the warm natural waters.
What to Do: Aside from relaxing and enjoying the hot springs, there are plenty of interesting hiking to oases and waterfalls to check out.
Where to Stay: There are two campsites with hot springs, both offering similar services—Guadalupe Canyon Los Manantiales and Guadalupe Canyon Oasis.
DBTC Insider Tip: Getting to the hot springs is half the adventure. You’ll need to take dirt roads for the last 35 miles and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Be sure to inquire with the campsite directly about current conditions and directions, especially after any winter weather.
Valle de Guadalupe
Why We Love It: While winter is considered the “off-season” for Valle de Guadalupe, it can actually be the best time of year to visit. The weather is temperate and you’ll get easy access to all of the wineries and restaurants without having to deal with any crowds. Since it’s a slower time for wineries with harvest and production over, at many of the smaller wineries you may have a good chance of getting to interact with the owners and winemakers in the tasting room.
What to Do: Mexico’s premier wine region is now home to nearly 200 wineries. A few of our favorites are mentioned here. And just as impressive as the wines is the incredible food. There are multiple Michelin-rated restaurants in Valle. Bundle up, as many are outdoor campestre-style restaurants.
Where to Stay: We love La Villa del Valle for its intimate hospitality and Tuscan charm, or Casa Mayoral for its affordable chic cabins. See our full list of Valle hotels.
DBTC Insider Tip: If you’re itching for the beach, stay along the coast in Ensenada (a 30-minute drive from Valle) where you can indulge in seafood, craft beer, and relatively empty beaches.
San Pedro Mártir
Why We Love It: If you’re looking to fully embrace winter and hopefully get a peek at some snow, take a trip to Baja’s Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. The 170,000-acre National Park will give you a mountain experience full of pine trees, wildlife, astronomy, and hiking.
What to Do: Within the national park is the National Observatory, home to the second-largest telescope in Mexico. On a clear day, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez from the grounds of the observatory. Also in the park are the endangered California Condors, which are being rehabilitated. There are plenty of trails for hikers around the park, and lots of viewpoints of El Diablo, the highest mountain on the Baja peninsula at 10,154 feet. If you’re visiting on the weekend, the small museum in the park may be open. Read our guide to the San Pedro Mártir.
Where to Stay: While there are rustic cabins for rent just at the entrance to the Parque Nacional, the most popular spot in the region for accommodations is Rancho Meling, 34 kilometers outside of the park. This rustic working ranch—where the power is turned off at night and all meals are served family-style in the lodge—is a beloved Baja classic.
DBTC Insider Tip: When there’s snow in the park, this is an extremely popular day trip for local Baja Californians who drive from all around to come see the snow. Plan accordingly.