Top Things to Do on Our Next Trip to Baja California Sur: Fishing, Food, Whales and More

Travel

Jan 20

Our first trip to Baja California Sur could not have gone better – perfect weather, great food and alcohol, exceptional company and a true taste of the best striped marlin fishing in the world. Magdalena Bay delivered bigtime with over 80 of the pointy-beaked fish, plus a couple of sailfish and wahoo. That’s what we were there for, and we’ll certainly return for more of the same, but we also got a taste of the many other things the south end of Baja has to offer.

Both on and off the water it’s one of the premier vacation spots on earth because of all that it has to offer in relatively close proximity. In our research, during our time in Cabo, and then on the drive to and from San Carlos, we learned about some things we’d like to do on future trips – possibly as soon as next year.

Here are a few that stand out to me:

Roosterfish drawing — **Catch a Roosterfish**

El Gallo has been one of my favorite species to chase and catch in Panama, but I know that they grow extra big in the waters of the Gulf of California near La Paz. I’d love to tangle with one of 60 pounds or more. There are also opportunities to catch them by sight fishing in the surf on beaches near Cabo.

Hotel California in Todos Santos BCS — **Spend Time in Todos Santos**

We stopped on Todos Santos, home of the Hotel California – *no, not officially that Hotel California* – on our drive up the peninsula. We stopped in an art gallery and bought some fishy sculptures, but I’d like to have more time in this little artsy, slow-moving burgh, outside of the chaos of Cabo,

Gray Whale Tours in Magdalena Bay BCS — **Swim with the Gray Whales**

We timed our trip to Mag Bay for mid-November to intercept the prime portion of the marlin migration, and we hit it perfectly. But if we’d come a bit later, we would’ve had a chance to experience some of the best gray whale watching in the world. They usually arrive in late December and stay for three or four months.

Baja style shrimp tacos — **Sample the Local Taquerias and Tortillerias**

We ate like kings and queens, particularly in San Carlos where the staff of the Hotel Mar y Arena served us plate after plate of local seafood. Most of that was curated, though, either in gringo-oriented restaurants or in the context of a fishing camp. I want some street tacos. I want to pick up tortillas in the morning and use them that day.

drawing of a yellowtail sportfish — **Catch a Yellowtail**

We don’t have yellowtail here in the east, but all of my friends from California on down south seem to treasure them. They grow big, but not so big as to be overwhelming and debilitating, and I’m sure as member of the jack family they don’t give up easily.

Tent Glamping in Magdalena Bay Baja — **Camp on the Beach**

We stayed in a resort in Cabo, at a fishing hotel for two nights, and on a sportfishing boat for three nights. It was a perfect mix, but in Mag Bay, I think I’d enjoy a little glamping, waking up to the National Geographic sounds and scenes all around me.

Selection of Cabo Wabo Tequilas — **Sample Some Tequilas**

I drank some Mexican beer on the water and on land, along with a few umbrella drinks during lunchtime interludes ashore. We didn’t have time to visit a tequila distillery but I hope that on the next visit we take a more leisurely pace, including a tasting tour and a nap thereafter.

What am I missing? I feel like the area draws so many visitors because it meets just about everyone’s needs – whether you want to set a world record offshore or just sit on a beach and relax.