12 Must-See Destinations on a Baja Motorcycle Trip
There's no better place to find freedom and solitude on a bike than in Baja.
7. Punta San Francisquito
About 85 miles south of Bahia de Los Angeles is the site of a remote airfield on the Sea of Cortez called Punta San Francisquito. It’s a rugged ride in on a dirt road, which makes the cold beer and tacos taste even better when you arrive. Here you can rent palapas, equipped with cots, and sleep right on one of the most beautiful remote beaches in Baja Norte. The place is so remote, you are likely to have the beach to yourself. At this latitude, you begin to notice the sea change to a deeper blue, the sand gets lighter and the air begins to feel more tropical. The sunrise over the Sea of Cortez will stay with you. Flush toilets and showers are available, making this a great place for a rest day before continuing on your journey south.
8. Sierra de San Francisco Cave Paintings
The Sierra de San Francisco is considered one of the most important rock art regions in the world. About 80 miles into Baja Sur there exist several spectacular rock art sites created between 100 B.C. and 1300 A.D. Cueva del Ratón can easily be visited without hiking, but requires a guide. Some of the other cave paintings in the area require hiking and a mule ride to get to them. If you have the extra time, it’s well worth the journey. The Sierra de San Francisco was put on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1993.
9. San Ignacio
You drive through an endless desert, passing into Baja Sur, then suddenly come upon an oasis of water and palm trees. The town of San Ignacio was founded here by Jesuit priests who built a mission in 1728 and grew date palms. The Mission and date palm farms still stand today. The old cobblestone streets and shops give you a feel of what it was like in colonial times. From San Ignacio, you can explore the surrounding areas, including the Lagoon, where Gray Whales give birth from January through May. Whale tours in the lagoon take tourists out on small boats and give you a chance to actually touch a whale! This is the real Baja: remote, underpopulated, and pristine. ‘Rice and Beans’ is a popular stop with great food and margaritas, but my favorite place to stay is run by a couple of Canadian expats who maintain a tastefully done yurt-style inn: Ignacio Springs Bed and Breakfast.
10. Scorpion Bay
On the Pacific Coast, Scorpion Bay (also known as San Juanico) offers one of Baja’s most amazing surf spots. It is awesome to see it going off, when the Surf is at it’s best! There’s a small taco shack on the hill overlooking the beach that offers the perfect place to relax for awhile and enjoy the view. When you are finished with lunch, take a ride on the beach and surf the sea foam with your bike!
11. San Javier Mission
Tucked away 25 miles in the mountains above Loreto is a small remote village called San Javier. If you want history in out of the way places, here you go! Considered the Mother of all of Missions in Baja California, Mision San Javier was founded by Jesuits in 1699 and is still in use today. Due to lack of water, the mission was actually moved about a mile to its present location in 1710, but the mission was eventually deserted in 1817. The church has been restored in recent years and is an excellent example of a 17th century Spanish Mission. Once you are done checking out it’s domed ceilings, the trail down the hill to Highway 1 is a thrilling ride with several deep water crossing over the the Arroyo Santo Domingo.
12. Punta Mechudo
Punta Mechudo is a beach on the Sea of Cortez about 70 miles north of La Paz. It’s everything you’d want in a Baja beach, isolated, calm turquoise water, views of small islands to the East and colorfully striped mountains to the West. It’s your own personal paradise, the perfect place to check out for a few days. Getting there is easy on a graded dirt road from the South. Or the more adventurous can take the rugged dirt road through the mountains from Ciudad Constitución. Stop by the Mission of San Luis Gonzaga on the way and don’t forget to bring plenty of supplies, because there’s nothing around for miles.
Baja Motorcycle Destinations Map
Just Scraping the Surface…
For those who have not yet been to Baja, this list should keep you busy for awhile but it’s really just a taste of what awaits you. Those that ride Baja regularly know I have not even scratched the surface, so feel free to share your favorite Baja motorcycle destinations in the comments below. Whether it’s your first time to Baja or you’ve been many times before, there is always more to explore. Baja just keeps calling you back!