The Baja Is Special

What’s So Special about the Baja?

Baja California might seem like an entirely different experience for an RV driver used to only USA travel with little knowledge of Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. It’s this intriguing region that stretches halfway down Mexico’s western coast and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Of course, the northern portion even borders the United States, but did you know the Baja is two distinct Mexican states: Baja California (North) and Baja California Sur (South),

There are quite a few cities up and down the peninsula, like Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, San Felipe, Guerrero Negro, La Paz, and more.

Each place has its unique vibe and story to tell. There are multiple languages spoken. Spanish is the main one, but English is also quite common because of its proximity to southern California. Before the Spanish arrived, there were indigenous languages like Yuman-Cochimi spoken by the native people.

This land was once inhabited by indigenous tribes like the Kiliwa and Kumeyaay. Spanish explorers arrived up in the 1500s and overthrew one of the most powerful empires in Mesoamerica and that led to a whole new mixed-race community called Mestizos, blending Spanish and indigenous cultures.

Geographically, Baja California isn’t quite a desert wasteland. There are 5 major ecozones of Baja including stunning mountains with lush valleys perfect for growing all sorts of fruits and crops. And let’s not forget the beautiful islands off the coast, like Cabo San Lucas, that attract tourists from all over.

You may not realize that Baja California climate has a lot in common with the Mediterranean. Winters are mild and summers are hot, just like in parts of Europe. Baja is Mexico’s premier wine-growing region, with most of it produced in the Valle de Guadalupe area surrounding the coastal city of Ensenada. Starting in the 18th century Spanish settlers brought vines with them when they first  arrived. They soon found that grapes grew healthily because the Pacific regulated the peninsula’s desert-like conditions.

As for culture, it’s a true melting pot of influences. There’s a strong connection to the arts, with music, pottery, and clothing reflecting the diverse heritage of the region. And get this – there was even a time when Chinese immigrants settled here, leaving their mark on the culture.