Baja Family Multisport
Bike, Hike & Snorkel Along the Pacific & the Sea of Cortez
A slender finger of desert land, Baja is cradled by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the brilliant-blue Sea of Cortez to the east - a picturesque balance of sunshine, sand and cactus-covered hills. At sea and on land, natural wonders abound in southern Baja. Bike in the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and hike along spectacular cliffs by the Pacific. Kayak and snorkel through protected lagoons and inlets while pelicans and frigate birds soar overhead. Meet locals who are happy to share their culture, history and traditions. Each evening, a sunset almost too dramatic to believe closes the chapter on another perfect day in Baja.
Trip Planning Links
- Sunny days and perfect temps for active pursuits in laid-back Baja
- Charming Todos Santos, with Colonial architecture and an artsy ambience
- Beautiful rides through arid coastal hills and by the azure Sea of Cortez
- Sea kayak and snorkel in remote calm waters - you just might meet a sea lion
- Hike through wild canyons to a beautiful waterfall
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 todos santos
Meet in San José del Cabo
Shuttle through Baja's striking arid landscape to San Vicente, where we stop at a family-run ranch to make pottery and tortillas
Bike on rolling (and often bumpy!) dirt roads along the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, checking out the desert's rich colors and variety of flora
Hike a trail along rugged cliffs with breathtaking views of the Pacific and relax over a gourmet Backroads picnic in a protected cove, a haven for sea lions and whales
Take time to relax, swim or read on the idyllic beach of San Pedro
Join our local guide for a tour of quaint Todos Santos, founded in 1724 as a mission and now an artist community and surfer's paradise
Hear about the town's fascinating history and visit local art studios
Prepare Mexican specialties in the company of an expert chef.
Days 3-5 Pescadero
Mountain bike along the East Cape, past deep-blue Sea of Cortez waters to Punta Pescadero, perched on sandy cliffs above the sea
Take to the water with a mask and snorkel to spot colorful tropical fish
Care for a margarita? Savor a cool drink poolside at our hotel
Paddle a sea kayak to secluded coves
Hike in the remote Sierra de la Laguna Mountains to a beautiful waterfall
If rains have been recent and generous, discover natural pools perfect for a swim
Return to San José del Cabo.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Costa Rica Multisport Yucatan MultisportOther Central/South America Trips
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Baja Family Multisport
LAID-BACK RETREATS: Casual Inns*
Hotel California
Todos Santos (2 nights) The Spanish Colonial-style hotel is filled with works by local artists and offers comfortable guest rooms, an inviting bar and a pool.
Punta Pescadero
Pescadero (2 nights) Perched on sandy cliffs above the Sea of Cortez, this hotel with palm-studded grounds offers a swimming pool and guest rooms with sparkling sea views.
* Premiere Inn
Baja Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
2 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 15 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 1 to 3
2 Route Options Available
- Mountain Biking 7, 14 miles
- 0-500 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 3 miles
- 500 - 1000 foot elevation gain
- Guided Walking Tour 2 hours
Day 3
- Level 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Mountain Biking 5, 7, 16 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Snorkeling 2 hours
Day 4
- Level 3
1 Route Option Available
- Biking 16 miles
- 0-500 feet elevation gain
- Kayaking/Snorkeling 4 hours
Day 5
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Biking 8 miles
- 0-500 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1 mile
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Please note that although the daily mileages are short, the perceived difficulty level of the biking routes will feel greatly increased by the heat and rugged terrain. On this Family Trip, our routes follow terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.