The Baja Peninsula was originally named California by Spanish explorers who believed it was an island. They named it after the mythical paradise of Calafia, where beautiful Amazonian women ruled. Between 1832 and 1853, Mexico lost a big part of its northern territory during the Mexican–American War, and the ensuing Mexican Cession, under then-President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. America held on to the northern part of the western region which is now California.
In 1930, the Mexican territory of Baja California was split into two states, Baja California and Baja California Sur. The Baja California peninsula is a long, thin piece of land surrounded by water. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west and south, while the Gulf of California (also called the Sea of Cortez) lies to the east, across from mainland Mexico.
The capital city in the northern part of Baja is Mexicali, while La Paz is the southern area's capital. The largest city in Northern Baja is Tijuana and the state's population is estimated at 3.7 million, while the population in Southern Baja is roughly 800,000. The two distinct states possess their own geographic and cultural characteristics.
If you like to snorkel or scuba dive, you’ll want to head south. The Isla Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the Sea of Cortez. The Northern Baja economy is diverse, with strong industries in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism from nearby San Diego and Los Angeles who head south of the border to Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada to party hearty. The economy in BCS is heavily reliant on tourism, with popular destinations that attract people from all over the world visiting Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Visitors are attracted to the beautiful, pristine beaches offering water sports, whale watching, and other marine adventures. Fishing has made Cabo the most famous fishing destination on the planet. The year-round warm climate and laid-back atmosphere make Baja California Sur a very special place.
Los Cabos has a hurricane season every September and October while Northen Baja does not experience such storms. While Tijuana has Ensenada as its neighboring tourist attraction, Los Cabos has Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, La Paz, Loreto, and Cabo Pulmo. In Baja Norte, visitors can indulge in wine-tasting experiences at Valle de Guadalupe, surf along the Pacific Coast in Rosarito or immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Tijuana. The southern region's charming towns and pristine beaches provide an idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.
"I wasn’t a huge fan of Tijuana when I made my first-day trip there from San Diego years ago, because it felt very Americanized in 'safe' parts of town like Avenida Revolucion or Zona Rio. Most people that I talked to prior to my trip warned me against going off the beaten path for safety reasons, which left me a bit disappointed, but it seemed like once you start getting away from the tourist zone, some areas would start looking sketchier," said Florencio Perez, a Los Angeles property manager. "I felt totally safe in Los Cabos everywhere I went."
Places like Mulege and Loreto are among the safest in all of Mexico, with low crime and a tourism-based economy. Baja California Norte has one of the highest homicide rates in Mexico because of the drug violence along the U.S./Mexico border, especially in Tijuana.
"But once you get outside the border region, Baja Norte is relatively safe, with plenty of scenic and tranquil places like San Felipe, San Quintin, and Bahía De Los Angeles, where you can enjoy fun adventures by day and stargaze by night," added Perez.
BCS is statistically one of the safest states in Mexico, with relatively low crime.
"Speaking from personal experience, Baja Sur has more amenities and infrastructure, particularly when it comes to accommodations, camping, and availability of supplies including stores and gas stations," added Daniel Kaysom, who resides in Palm Desert. "I never experienced sketchy situations on my trips to Baja, but I also avoided overly remote places, and never hiked or camped alone."
The prices in Southern Baja are considerably higher than elsewhere in Mexico. Popular places like Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos are among the most expensive in the region, and accommodation, food and gas in Rosarito, Ensenada, and Valle De Guadalupe are higher than in mainland Mexico. When visitors plan to travel around Baja, they better be ready to pay extra. And even though you can pay with credit cards in restaurants, stores, tour agencies, and gas stations, street vendors and taco stands operate with cash.
If you don’t speak Spanish, whether you're in Tijuana or Cabo, many people speak English. ''Tijuana was my first destination in Baja California when I decided to take a quick day trip from San Diego to see what this border city was about. Although I didn’t fall in love with it, it sparked my curiosity about Baja, and I ended up returning shortly afterwards to see more of the region,'' said Monica Lopez, a retired administrator with AT&T.
"I later discovered the delicious steak and lobster at Puerto Nuevo and La Bufadora of Ensenada. I loved spending time on Ensenada beaches in December. Although mornings were a bit chilly, afternoons were great for strolling around and enjoying the sun. It was also low season when prices on accommodations were pretty low."
Cabo offers a very different side of Baja, with luxury hotels, expensive restaurants and curated tours, so it’s hardly a surprise that it’s become one of the most popular destinations in Mexico for bachelorette parties, honeymoons and other special events, as many travelers come here to enjoy the mix of outdoor adventures and luxurious stays and amenities.
The downside of La Paz is that it can be extremely hot, especially from May through August, but if you can visit in late fall or spring, the weather is more enjoyable. Loreto is a historic town with a picturesque waterfront. It offers a mix of culture and history with the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, one of the oldest missions in Baja California, and the nearby museum where you can learn the history of Baja California.
So, while these two states share similar geographical features, they offer very different experiences when it comes to travel. ,
