Baja Peninsula Feature

It would be a farce to claim that Bahía de los Angeles is representative of Baja culture; the vast majority of its 600 residents work in the local tourism industry. And yet, it's not a "touristy" place—at least not in the dirty sense of the word. For decades, outdoorsman have come to Bahía de los Angeles for fishing, boating, and diving in the warm and placid bay, which owes its tranquillity to the islands that separate it from the Sea of Cortez. And although there are now as many hotels as campgrounds in the region, Bahía de los Angeles continues to attract the adventurous set, giving the entire town a cool and distinct vibe, even if it's not Mexican vibe, per se.

Traveling north on the Carretera Transpeninsular from Guererro Negro, the turnoff for the Bay of Los Angeles (Parador Punta Prieta) is about 3 km (2 mi) after Punta Prieta proper, around Km 480. This side highway is about 64 km (40 mi) long and dead-ends at the town.

The islands of the Bay of Los Angeles provide some of the best opportunities in Baja for observing seabirds and marine life. Boat rentals are available in town. Many of the islands are also accessible by kayak, though most such trips require careful planning and experience on the water. The Isla Angel de la Guarda, or Guardian Angel Island, is about 68 km (42 mi) long, and is credited with maintaining the placidity of the Bay of Los Angeles. At 19 km (12 mi) from shore, Isla Angel de la Guarda seems like an easy trip, but the safest anchorages can take a full day to reach.

Between August and November, experience the whale sharks in the Bay of Los Angeles which come to this coastal region to feed (primarily on plankton). Snorkelers have the unique opportunity to swim alongside and even touch these gentle behemoths, the largest species of fish on the planet. Guided snorkeling trips in the Bay of Los Angeles may well also yield sea lion and sea turtle sightings; all this in a body of water that can feel like a heated swimming pool.