Baja California Road Trip: 5-Day Itinerary

• Morning: Cross the border from San Diego or fly into Tijuana (TIJ). Explore Avenida Revolucion and the Pasaje Rodriguez, a cultural corridor of galleries and cafes.
• Lunch: Baja Med cuisine at a Tijuana restaurant -- the fusion of Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors born here
• Afternoon: Craft beer tasting at Tijuana's growing brewery scene (Cerveceria Insurgente, Border Psycho, or others)
• Evening: Street tacos and more craft beer in the Zona Gastronomica

• Morning: Drive south to Ensenada (1.5 hours). Stop at La Bufadora blowhole.
• Lunch: Fish tacos at the Ensenada fish market -- some say the battered fish taco was invented here
• Afternoon: Drive to Valle de Guadalupe (30 minutes inland). Wine tasting at 2-3 boutique wineries.
• Evening: Dinner at one of Valle de Guadalupe's acclaimed restaurants set among the vineyards. Stay overnight at a valley hotel or villa.

• Morning: More wine tasting or a visit to an olive oil producer in the valley
• Midday: Drive back to Tijuana airport (2 hours)
• Afternoon: Fly to Los Cabos (SJD) -- approximately 2.5 hours
• Evening: Arrive in Cabo San Lucas, check in, dinner on the marina

• Morning: Water taxi to El Arco and Lover's Beach
• Late morning: Snorkeling at Playa Chileno or Playa Santa Maria
• Afternoon: Relax at Medano Beach, the main swimmable beach in Cabo
• Evening: Sunset sailing cruise past El Arco -- an essential Cabo experience

• Morning: Drive to San Jose del Cabo (30 minutes). Walk the art district, visit the historic town center and church.
• Optional: If visiting January-March, join a whale watching tour to see gray or humpback whales
• Lunch: Farm-to-table cuisine in San Jose del Cabo's restaurant district
• Afternoon: Transfer to airport for departure

Practical Information

• Budget estimate -- $100-180 USD per day for mid-range travel
• Transport -- Rent a car for the Tijuana-Ensenada-Valle de Guadalupe portion. In Los Cabos, taxis and Uber are available.
• Wine tasting -- Tastings at Valle de Guadalupe wineries typically cost 200-600 MXN for a flight
• Best time -- October to May. January to March adds whale watching.
• Border crossing -- If starting from San Diego, use the CBX bridge for direct access to Tijuana airport area, or cross at San Ysidro.