[photos of Bahia Concepcion below.]
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The Peninsula from South to North, 1061 miles condensed -
Driving northward, out of Todos Santos, I pass the state capital city of La Paz, a charming port town on the Sea of Cortez. A few hours north, Bahia Magdalena on the Pacific provides migrating whales a perfect place to birth their young in the protection of sandy spits and shallow inlets. Motoring across the mountains to the Sea of Cortez again, I pass the first established mission town of Loreto with its marina, pretty Spanish church and plenty of expats, then I follow the spectacular curving coastline of Bahia Concepcion, careful to keep one eye on the road, as I whiz past aquamarine coves dotted here and there with beach huts. Next comes the oasis river town of Mulege, with its lighthouse, panga boats and quad-riding snowbirds. Here, the date palm-lined river banks feel tropical with high humidity and clouds of mosquitoes. Up the coast a bit is my favorite town of Santa Rosalia, a most unique place on the peninsula, with its French style wooden houses (much like New Orleans' Bourbon Street with second story balconies overlooking the narrow streets), famous Boleo Bakery, Eiffel-designed church, and constant hustle bustle.
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| Church in San Ignacio |
Now the highway climbs rapidly through steep bluffs, and inland once again through the dizzying Las Tres Virgenes volcano lands. San Ignacio, another palmed oasis town, is home to a truly special mission, and I never fail to pull off the highway just to gaze at its beauty. Further up the peninsula I pass the vast whale sanctuary coastline of Guerrero Negro, and closer to the border, irrigation and flat lands make for superb agriculture and a growing wine industry.
Just 60 miles south of the border, Ensenada's happy and lively marina attracts sailors and tourists. The border town of Tijuana and La Frontera aren't far...
Bahia Concepcion images -
