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Jonny often recommends starting in Valle de Guadalupe, an hour and a half south of the U.S.–Mexico border. Known as “the Napa of Mexico,” this rugged valley produces over 70 percent of the country’s wine. The Mediterranean-style climate, shaped by Pacific breezes and arid heat, favours varietals like Nebbiolo and Tempranillo.

A visit might begin at L.A. Cetto, one of Mexico’s oldest wineries, recognised for its award-winning Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon. By contrast, Bruma offers a contemporary approach, combining striking architecture, sustainable practices, and creative blends. Gravel crunches underfoot between the rows of vines, leading to long lunches at Fauna and evenings at vineyard-view retreats such as Banyan Tree Valle de Guadalupe, where Asian-inspired wellness blends with the stillness of the desert.

“You can still feel like a pioneer here,” Jonny says. “Every winery visit feels personal, not polished for the crowds.” Despite its quality, the valley remains largely unknown outside wine circles, a place where discovery still feels authentic. From here, the journey turns south, the neat vineyard lines giving way to open desert.

For Jonny, this is the most moving part of the itinerary, a meeting point between people and one of the ocean’s great migrations. San Ignacio Lagoon is one of the few places on Earth where gray whales initiate interaction with humans. Between January and April, thousands of Eastern Pacific gray whales complete a 10,000-mile migration from Arctic feeding grounds to calve in these calm, UNESCO-protected waters.

Encounters happen on the whales’ terms: a spyhop beside the boat, the salt tang of a calf’s exhale, the coarse texture of barnacled skin. Conservation rules limit the number of boats in the lagoon at any time, and tours are run by local guides whose knowledge is rooted in generations of living with the whales. Nights at solar-powered eco-camps such as San Ignacio Whale Camp mean sleeping in canvas tents warmed by the day’s sun, sharing meals of local seafood, and watching the night sky unspoiled by artificial light.

“It’s not just about seeing whales,” Jonny says. “It’s about feeling part of a place where nature still sets the rules.”

The road continues along the coast to La Paz, a city with a relaxed rhythm and a waterfront promenade. From here, boats head to Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with turquoise coves and white-sand beaches. Days are spent snorkeling among sea lions, kayaking through sea caves, and floating in clear shallows where schools of fish move like quicksilver beneath the surface.

The Sea of Cortez, described by Jacques Cousteau as “the world’s aquarium,” holds more than 900 species of fish and 32 species of marine mammals. Between October and April, whale sharks can be seen feeding just offshore. This marine wealth remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.

The final stretch leads to Todos Santos, a Pueblo Mágico where life moves at a measured pace and artistic energy is visible on every street. The smell of roasting coffee drifts from corner cafes, galleries display the work of local painters, and surfers gather at Playa Cerritos.

In Los Cabos, the desert ends abruptly at the sea, cliffs and rock formations catching the low evening light. “It’s such a fitting finale,” Jonny says, “because Baja is all about these moments where land, sea, and people meet in unexpected ways.”

For Jonny Livingstone, Baja California is more than a destination. “This is the essence of Baja – it stays with you long after you’ve left,” he says. It is a place where wine, wildlife, and wide-open landscapes combine in ways that are hard to find elsewhere. Discover how to experience it for yourself with our Baja California itinerary.

Speak to Jonny Livingstone, our Polar & Latin America Specialist, to begin planning your journey through Baja California or beyond. Call +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.