
Baja Family Multisport
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, then head back to terra firma to bike past secluded beaches and explore rugged hills on foot. Meet locals who share their culture, history and traditions. Enjoy charming hotels and two nights of deluxe camping right on the beach. Each evening, a sunset almost too dramatic to believe closes the chapter on another perfect day in Baja.
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 learn pottery- and tortilla-making techniques
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
Join our local guide for a tour of quaint Todos Santos, hearing about its fascinating history and visiting local artist studios.
Days 3-4 isla espiritu santo
Shuttle via La Paz to Isla Espiritu Santo
In the company of expert guides, slip into a sea kayak and paddle azure waters for up-close wildlife encounters
Spot brown pelicans soaring just above the water and perhpas a dolphin fin marking the surface
Snorkel among sea lions and tropical fish, and hike pristine white-sand beaches to canyons shaded by fig trees
Feast on fresh fish at our beachside cookout
Come nightfall, watch for shooting stars.
Days 5-6 pescadero
Return to the mainland and mountain bike along the coast past the deep blue Sea of Cortez to Punta Pescadero
Savor a cool drink poolside at our hotel
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.
LAID-BACK RETREATS: Casual Inns
Deluxe Camping (2 nights): After dinners of local seafood, slumber in comfort on the beach in your spacious canvas tent.
Hotel California (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 (1 night): 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.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
2 Route Options Available
- Mountain Biking 11, 15 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Walking Tour 2 hours
Day 3
- Kayaking, Snorkeling and Hiking
Day 4
- Kayaking, Snorkeling and Hiking
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Mountain Biking 5, 7, 17 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 1.5 hours
- 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.
Trips 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 | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2009 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 2/15-20Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $280 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/20-25Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $280 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/27-1/1Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $280 for sgl. occ.)
2010 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 2/14-19Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $280 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/20-25Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $280 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
Minimum age restriction for trip: 6 years
Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
Minimum age restriction for sea kayaking: 6 years
\No burleys available on this trip
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:
- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
- 9+ difficulty of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
- 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)
Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.