Our 10 day Baja adventure delivered an unforgettable mix of wildlife, road trips, great food, and good company. We escaped the Spring Break crowds of Cabo San Lucas by heading out on an early morning whale watching tour while most revelers were still sleeping off the night before, and were rewarded with several humpback whale sightings. From there, we tackled a marathon 12 hour drive north to San Ignacio Lagoon – a long day on the road, but one that proved well worth the effort. We spent four nights with Kuyima on a three day whale camp package that included comfortable tent accommodations, hearty meals, and six whale watching excursions. Although El Niño had brought unusually warm water to the region and most gray whales had already begun their migration back to Alaska a week before our arrival, we still enjoyed several wonderful encounters, including one magical day with nearly two dozen spyhopping whales curiously popping their heads above the surface around our boat. We like to think these inquisitive whales were making a brief stopover from Magdalena Bay as they journeyed north. From San Ignacio, we backtracked to La Paz, where we filled our days with delicious street tacos, cold drinks, and an incredible excursion featuring playful sea lions, gentle whale sharks, and the turquoise waters of stunning Balandra Beach. As we made our way south, we explored the charming town of Todos Santos (home to the famous Hotel California and a collection of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants), before finishing our trip in the historic district of San José del Cabo. There we enjoyed lively nightlife, plenty of shopping, and quite possibly the best burgers of our entire round-the-world journey at B Bites & Burgers. Sharing this adventure with family made it even more special, and by the end of the trip we were already looking forward to wherever the four of us wander next.
Marco from Cabo SUV Rentals smiles after picking us up from the airport
Funny souvenir t-shirt in Cabo San Lucas
Colorful handmade talavera tiles on a restaurant in Cabo San Lucas
Sign outside a tequila shop in Cabo
Taking a photo in front of the colorful Cabo sign
Happy captain on our Whale Watch Cabo tour
Brown pelican in the Sea of Cortez
This small, distinctive rock formation in Cabo is commonly referred to as the "Window to the Pacific"
Visiting the Arch of Cabo San Lucas with Frannie and Cam
Humpback whale surfacing off the coast of Cabo San Lucas
Detail of a humpback whale's dorsal fin
Tail fluke of a humpback whale surfacing in the water
A pair of humpback whales swimming near the shore in Cabo San Lucas
Becky taking a photo with Oscar, our whale watching tour guide. He submits thousands of whale fluke photos to the Happy Whale database!
The friendly staff at Tacos Guss, a taco shack just off the marina strip in downtown Cabo San Lucas
The youngest member of Tacos Guss
Margarita time at Tacos Guss
"Juan's Deere Cabo San Lucas" parody t-shirt
Enjoying our time in Cabo San Lucas with Frannie and Cam
A vibrant "Day of the Dead" mural in Cabo San Lucas
Illuminated palm trees at Estancia Real Los Cabos hotel in Cabo San Lucas
Coastal view of Baja California Sur which known for its arid climate, native cacti, and hidden bays
Bahía Concepción in Baja California Sur, a popular destination for camping and RVing
A long road trip as we drove from Cabo San Lucas to San Ignacio
Rancho Grande restaurant on San Ignacio town square
An old man singing and playing guitar at Rancho Grande restaurant
Enjoying the ambiance at Rancho Grande restaurant in San Ignacio
Rancho Espinoza was a cute place to sleep in San Ignacio
Ceramic wall plaque of Kuyima San Ignacio
Taking a photo in San Ignacio
The rough dirt road leading to San Ignacio Lagoon
Strong winds and high waves meant we struck out on our first day of whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon but we still have a few more days to go!
Our tent accommodation at Kuyima
Gray whale mural painted on the side of the Kuyima Gift Shop
Dorsal hump of a gray whale
Two gray whales swimming past each other
Becky and Frannie enjoying fresh oysters from San Ignacio Lagoon
Star gazing at San Ignacio Lagoon
Gray whale bookmark for sale at the Kuyima Gift Shop
Captain Jesus taking us on our own private boat ride to see some spy hopping gray whales in San Ignacio Lagoon
Gray whale spyhopping (lifting its head above the water to orient itself with its surroundings)
Today was full of spyhopping gray whales...we saw about two dozen whales spyhopping!
Meeting Bea, an artist who was painting her interpretation of gray whales communicating with each other
A gray whale approaching our boat
A barnacle-encrusted whale swims close to our boat
Posing with a gray whale statue at Kuyima campsite
Coyote investigating a dolphin carcass at San Ignacio Lagoon
Pelican flying over San Ignacio Lagoon
A local fishing in San Ignacio Lagoon
Mexican marines patrolling in a Ford pickup truck
Las Tres Vírgenes volcanic mountain visible from the Mexican Federal Highway 1 on the Baja California Peninsula
Cam meets a fellow Los Angeles Dodgers fan
Enjoying drinks in La Paz
Bronze sculpture of a humpback whale breaching from the water along the boardwalk in La Paz
"Convergencia Armónica" mural in La Paz
"Memorias de El Manglito" mural in La Paz
"Frente al Color" mural lizard in La Paz
Teatro Juárez is a historic theater (inaugurated in 1910) located in the historic center of La Paz
"Luminarias" light installation consisting of multiple rows of street lamps located behind the Museo de Arte de la Ciudad de La Paz
Frannie and Becky in front of a large owl mural in La Paz
Bird mural at La Paz's La Mentita restaurant
Colorful building in the historic district of La Paz
Historic building in central La Paz
"Choir in Harmony" fountain at the Stones and Birds Park (Piedras y Pájaros) in La Paz
Clay art masks on display at the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur
This painting is part of a large timeline mural by artist Victor Cauduro titled "The Color of Time" located at the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur in La Paz
Artwork on display at the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur
Portrait on display at Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur
La Paz sign in the city center
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de La Paz is a historic Roman Catholic cathedral located in the center of La Paz
The best tacos can be found at Tacos de Pescado El Estadio in La Paz!
Becky and Frannie showing off their shrimp and fish tacos at Tacos de Pescado El Estadio
Large saguaro cacti are commonplace in Baja California Sur
A prominent painting of a fisherman in a hat at the Hotel Catedral in La Paz
Enjoying a stroll along the malecon at sunset in La Paz
"Mermaid with Dolphins" statue on the malecón boardwalk in La Paz
Night view of the illuminated street lamps in front of the Baja California Sur Art Museum in the historic downtown area of La Paz
Taking a photo at the La Paz sign on the malecon
Pelicans at San Rafaelito Island
Sea lions at San Rafaelito Island
3 of the 60 member sea lion colony at San Rafaelito Island
A sea lion zooms in for a close up
Sea lion posing for a photo at San Rafaelito Island
Sea lions soaking up the sun at San Rafaelito Island
Balandra Beach has been dubbed Mexico's prettiest beach!
Iconic "mushroom rock" formation at Balandra Beach
Juvenile whale shark eating plankton in La Paz Bay
Only 14 licensed boats are allowed in the designated whale shark protection zone at any one time and each boat gets its own whale shark (all boat captains agree to this and will not poach each other's shark)
Whale shark season in La Paz runs from October to April (or until the sharks migrate)
La Paz is an excellent place to swim with whale sharks because they congregate to feed on the rich plankton blooms and zooplankton that get trapped in the bay
Enjoying our full day excursion to see sea lions and whale sharks with On Board Baja
Sculpture built from decommissioned/seized firearms on display at the malecon in La Paz
Jaguar sculpture by artist Alvaro Cuevas. It is made entirely out of donated and confiscated firearms!
Illuminated palm trees along the malecón in La Paz
Turquoise waters of Playa Balandra from a lookout point
Bésame Mucho Bazaar in Todos Santos
A massive Aztec Calendar near the town square in Todos Santos
Frannie and Becky next to a lion made from recycled scrap metal in Todos Santos
Bar scene in Todos Santos
Huichol beaded bull skull souvenir for sale. This is a form of Mexican indigenous folk art
Cacti decor in Todos Santos
Dresses for sale at a boutique in Todos Santos
The best tacos in Todos Santos can be found at this taco shack!
The iconic Hotel California in Todos Santos was built in 1947. While many people connect it to the Eagles' hit song, the band denies it is "the Hotel California"
Free samples of flavored tequila at Hotel California
"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave" - Hotel California
Massive Mexican flag in San José del Cabo
Hotel Colli's outdoor courtyard
Taking a photo at the San José del Cabo sign
Charming street scene in San José del Cabo
Handmade woven bags and straw hats for sale in San José del Cabo
Don Sanchez Restaurant in San José del Cabo
Frannie is thrilled with her handmade leather huarache sandals
Interior of a popular restaurant or shop in the historic Art District of San José del Cabo
Embroidered table runners for sale in San José del Cabo
Artisan boutique shop in San José del Cabo
Boutique shop in San José del Cabo
Taking a photo in the historic center of San José del Cabo
Baja Brewing Company in San José del Cabo
Vibrant street scene in the historic center of San José del Cabo
Day of the Dead mural in San José del Cabo
North Alvaro Obregon Street in the historic center of San José del Cabo
Whale sculpture on display in San José del Cabo
Metal artwork for sale in San José del Cabo Art District
The historic Parroquia San José in the main square of San José del Cabo
Interior of "Cubano Shop - Cuba Cigar y Smoke" in the historic center of San José del Cabo
Mural at Garage Coffee & Bar in San José del Cabo
Enjoying our spicy ojos rojos beer cocktails at Garage Coffee & Bar
The best burgers in all our travels around the world can be had here - B Burger & Bites in San José del Cabo
Funny t-shirt at the Los Cabos International Airport
Goodbye Los Cabos! Until next time!
