Baja California Norte

Population: 2,500,000
Size: 27,608 square miles
Location: Baja California Peninsula
Borders: U.S., the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Cortez, and the states of Sonora and Baja California Sur
Important cities/sites within the state: Bay of San Quintin, Ensenada, La Bufadora, Mexicali (capital), Tijuana
Major airport(s): Abelardo L. Rodr’guez Intl. aka Tijuana Intl. Airport (TIJ), Ensenada Airport (ESE)
Time zone: Pacific Standard Time
Official State Web site: www.baja.gob.mx

Baja California, sometimes referred to as "Baja California Norte" is located on the Baja California Peninsula in the far northeastern region of Mexico. Its shores are brushed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Sea of Cortez to the east. The state is bordered by Sonora on the northeast, Baja California Sur on the south and the state of California on the north. Baja is one of the least humid areas in the world, nurturing a contrasting landscape of untouched beaches, arid deserts, fertile valleys and steep, cacti-covered mountain ranges, all found on one strip of land.

Popular cities in Baja California include Tijuana, just south of the border. Tijuana is the gateway to several resorts along the border and the closest point to the renowned spa in the city of Tecate, the lunar landscape of la Rumorosa and the spectacular Sierra de Juarez. The city also continues to serve as the stopover point for travelers on the way to the beaches and cliffs on the California coast, and is the ideal starting point for travelers interested in exploring the diverse Baja California Peninsula. But Tijuana is also a popular getaway in its own right, and is currently transforming itself into a destination famous for its haute cuisine.

Just 65 miles east of Tijuana is the capital of Baja California, Mexicali, an authentic Mexican city in the center of a rich farming region. Mexicali is not a traditional tourist attraction, so many tourists go there for its authentic feel. An interesting feature about this city is its more than 50 Chinese restaurants. Also worth visiting in Baja California are the charming cities of Ensenada and Rosarito just south of Tijuana along the Pacific coast.

The region was formerly inhabited by nomadic groups who left their remarkable cave paintings as proof of their existence. These, coupled with the remains of Jesuit missions, are some of the state's major historical attractions.

Baja's stunning beaches are by far the stateÕs main attraction, and due to their proximity to California, quick weekend getaways are quite popular among California residents. Aside from relaxing at the beach, Baja also offers visitors several recreational options and tourist facilities, including scuba diving, sport fishing, whale-watching, bullfights, grey hound races, delightful restaurants with exquisite seafood, bars, discotheques and cabarets.

Baja California is Mexico's wine country. The mission grape brought over and planted by the Jesuits in the 18th century found its perfect home in an area that compares in climate to California's Napa Valley and France's Rhone Valley. In 1834, Dominican priests began growing grapes at the nearby Northern Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mision de Nuestra Seora de Guadalupe del Norte), now known by the abbreviated name of the Guadalupe Valley (Valle de Guadalupe). The Guadalupe Valley is one of the few places in the world where premium wine grapes can be grown.

Today, Mexico's largest wineries can be found in three regions conveniently located near the town of Ensenada, 70 miles south of the U.S. border: San Antonio de las Minas, the San Vicente Valley and the Santo Tomas Valley. Guadalupe Valley is located in San Antonio de las Minas. The varieties of red wine produced in Baja California are Cabernet Sauvignon, Ruby Cabernet, Zinfandel Grenache and Mission. The white wines are Chenin Blanc, Palomino, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Saint Emilion and Milaga.

Baja California Sur

Population: 430,000
Size: 28,551 square miles
Location: Baja California Peninsula
Borders: Pacific Ocean, Sea of Cortez, and Baja California Norte State
Important cities/sites within the state: El Vizca’no whale sanctuary, La Paz (capital), Loreto, Los Cabos, Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio
Major airport(s): Manual Marquez de Leon Intl. aka La Paz Intl. (LAP), San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD), La Paz International Airport (LTO)
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time
Official State Web site: www.bsc.gob.mx

Baja California Sur is one of the least populous states in Mexico with less than 450,000 inhabitants. Originally occupied by nomadic groups, the area was named a state in 1974 when tourist resorts like Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo were developed in the area. Today, the stateÕs diverse landscape is one of its major attractions, with stunning narrow canyons, hot spring lakes, the majestic mountain range of Sierra de la Giganta and the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, with lush vegetation and endemic fauna.

The state's capital, La Paz, is a world-class tourist destination offering a wealth of natural resources nestled in an authentic small town ambiance. The unspoiled and inviting city is home to a variety of activities including sport fishing, snorkeling with playful sea lions, diving with hammerhead sharks and giant manta rays, kayaking next to the dolphins and whales or just lounging in the peaceful bays of Espiritu Santo Island. Visitors can also explore its many historic museums and authentic handicraft shops throughout the city.

Los Cabos, on the other hand, is one of Mexico's most breathtaking beach destinations, which include Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and the stretch of beach in between. As one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, the area features world-class lodging and recreational facilities, including five-star hotels, luxury condominiums, impressive golf courses, charismatic marinas and exquisite restaurants. The city's location and functionality is ideal for a variety of water sports and outdoor activities including fishing, swimming, sailing, diving in Playa Chileno and surfing in Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo.

Just north of La Paz is the fishing village of Loreto, located along the Sea of Cortez. While Loreto is still a quiet fishing village, a sustainable development project is underway to develop this area. Loreto is located near Magdalena Bay, one of the most highly recommended lagoons for spotting gray whales and their calves between the months of January and March. Loreto also offers a variety of outdoor activities, everything from water sports to exploring magnificent cave paintings and colonial missions. Its major attractions are undoubtedly its beautiful beaches, preserved marine life and semi-desert niches that shelter numerous endangered species.

The laid back town of Todos Santos, just north of Cabo on the Pacific coast, is another up-and-coming spot that's becoming a popular destination for visitors seeking a low profile, relaxed vacation. But contrary to popular legend, the Hotel California in this sleepy town has nothing to do with the EagleÕs song.

Baja California Sur is an ideal place for travelers interested in discovering ancient cave paintings, venturing into challenging mountain bike terrains, or just relaxing on an unspoiled beach.