Baja Whales & Wine

Day 1 – Welcome to San Diego! (Friday, February 26)

From our departure points this afternoon you’ll travel aboard a transfer vehicle to downtown San Diego. Join your tour director this evening for a welcome cocktail and briefing at the hotel.

Day 2 – San Quentín (Saturday, February 27)

Depart this morning for Northern Baja California, Mexico. Cross the world’s busiest land border and arrive in Tijuana, Mexico. Bienvenidos! Visit Tijuana’s Mercado Hidalgo, a bustling traditional market filled with colorful displays of fresh produce, regional specialties, spices and Mexican culinary favorites. This afternoon, continue south along scenic Highway 1 to Ensenada, a lively Pacific port city known for its maritime heritage and Baja-inspired cuisine. Enjoy lunch at a locals’ favorite before continuing south through Northern Baja’s fertile agricultural countryside. Along the way, watch for fields of tomatoes, strawberries, peppers and other crops that thrive in this productive coastal region. As the scenery transitions from cultivated farmland to the more rugged landscapes farther south, arrive in San Quintín for an overnight stay. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 – Guerrero Negro (Sunday, February 28)

Continue on Highway 1 through the Desierto Central de Baja California, a striking desert region where hardy vegetation, enormous boulders and unusual rock formations create scenery unlike anywhere else on the peninsula. Stop in Cataviña for a short walk among massive granite formations and weather-sculpted boulders scattered across the landscape. In nearby caves view ancient rock paintings depicting human figures and animals, offering a fascinating connection to the Indigenous peoples who inhabited this region. Following lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Guerrero Negro, a remote coastal community whose surrounding lagoons provide essential habitat for migrating gray whales. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 – Whale Watching, Guerrero Negro (Monday, March 1)

Early this morning depart for Guerrero Negro’s nearby lagoon, Ojo de La Liebre (historically known as Scammon’s Lagoon). The lagoon is part of the UNESCO-designated El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, and is the largest and most densely populated nursery and calving ground for eastern Pacific gray whales on Earth. February is peak season and there are routinely between 1,000 and 2,000 gray whales inside the lagoon system at one time, meaning dozens are visible from a single vantage point. Aboard small, non-intrusive boats captained by local guides, experience an up-close encounter with these gentle and curious giants. Keep watch for the enormous whales surfacing nearby, spouting plumes of water and swimming alongside the boats. Following our excursion, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5 – Cataviña (Tuesday, March 2)

This morning, return to Ojo de Liebre Lagoon for a second opportunity for close encounters with these remarkable creatures. Spending additional time in this unique environment offers another chance to observe these gentle giants and their young calves as they move through the sheltered waters. The lagoon is also home to a diverse array of marine life, and you may spot dolphins, sea lions and seals during our excursion. Overhead, osprey nests rise above the surrounding landscape, while migratory and resident birds frequent the coastal wetlands, making this an appealing destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Return to town before beginning the journey north. As you travel back through Baja’s vast desert landscapes, enjoy the changing scenery and the opportunity to appreciate just how varied this peninsula is. Enjoy an overnight stay in Cataviña, a small community surrounded by dramatic rock formations and desert vegetation that makes the area so distinctive. Included dinner this evening at the hotel. (Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 – Ensenada (Wednesday, March 3)

This morning, continue north to the bustling port city of Ensenada with an included lunch along the way. Time permitting this afternoon, join your tour director for an orientation walk of downtown Ensenada. This evening is yours to relax or explore the charming shops, cafes, and taquerías this charming town has to offer. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 – Guadalupe Valley Wine Country, Ensenada (Thursday, March 4)

Venture into the heart of Mexico’s celebrated wine country today while visiting the Guadalupe Valley, a scenic agricultural region nestled among rolling hills just inland from Ensenada. Benefiting from a Mediterranean-style climate, cool Pacific breezes and a distinctive combination of soils and terrain, the valley has developed into one of Mexico’s most important wine-producing destinations. Its countryside is dotted with vineyards, boutique wineries and inviting restaurants, creating an appealing blend of rural scenery and contemporary culinary culture. We’ll visit Decantos Vinícola, an innovative winery recognized for its distinctive approach to wine-making. Its gravity-flow system uses the natural force of gravity to move grapes and wine through various stages of production, helping minimize mechanical pumping and unnecessary handling. After a guided tour, you’ll enjoy a tasting that introduces you to the winery’s varietals and the character of this celebrated wine region. Enjoy a leisurely lunch before returning to Ensenada. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 8 – Journey Home (Friday, March 5)

This morning you’ll cross the border and return to San Diego, where guests will board a transfer vehicle to return to their respective drop-off points. (Breakfast)

The land portion of this unique tour is operated by A Closer Look Tours, a fellow National Tour Association tour operator that specializes in Mexico and provides a professional, tour director to lead the group upon arrival in San Diego. Our group will be joined by guests from other parts of the U.S. A Good Times Travel tour director will accompany our group only with a minimum number of Good Times Travel guests. This tour will operate with a driver-guide in a deluxe Sprinter van if there are nine or fewer guests on tour. Hotels and itinerary are subject to change to accommodations and experiences of equal or greater value, with no impact on tour cost. Visit A Closer Look Tours here.

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.