Introduction to Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico...

Bahia de Los Angeles is a small, sleepy Baja California village that is far behind modern times, as progress hasn't really caught up to the town, as it has to its much larger sister town, San Felipe, several hundred miles to the north. The town of Bahia de Los Angeles is located on the Sea of Cortez, and the bay, from which the town derives it's name, is one of the most majestic bays that you'll ever see in Mexico, or anywhere else for that matter. The bay is surrounded by many desert islands, which abruptly rise from the sea, and in the distance rises huge Isla Angel de la Guardia, and unless you knew better, you'd swear the island is mainland Mexico.

Photo: Does it get any prettier than this... with the blue sea and the desert mountains in the background? The stylized sail monument is at the extreme left of the photo, on the north side of town, and the majority of the town is in the center of the photo, between the church and the Sea of Cortez.

Why do people visit Bahia de Los Angeles, and why do some people choose to stay, and make the town their home? Most visitors seem to be drawn to the town for the fabulous sport fishing offered in the Sea of Cortez. Besides sport fishing, the sea offers diving in its relatively warm water, kayaking, jet skiing, boating, and any variety of water sport that you can imagine. Bahia de Los Angeles is a four-wheeler's paradise, as the desert Sierra de Libertad mountain range rise directly west of the town, and offer unlimited four wheeling. Bahia de Los Angeles is very remote, and isolated from civilization, so outdoor recreation, including horseback riding, four wheeling, dirt bikes, backpacking, is unlimited.

Bahia de Los Angeles features breathtaking scenery, as the clear, azure blue Sea of Cortez meets the spectacular, cactus covered Sierra Cinta de la Cantera desert mountain range, and the combination of blue water and desolate, desert mountains combine into an intoxicating, scenic cornucopia that mere words can't really describe, as it's really that spectacular! As you approach the town, on the only paved road, you'll be treated to a vista of the small town, tucked between the blue sea, and the brown desert mountains. The town is laid out somewhat haphazard, but the natural, scenic beauty make up for whatever shortcomings the man-made aspects the town lacks.

If you want to just "get away from it all, "Bahia de Los Angeles" is a perfect destination, as the town is about 40 miles east of Highway 1, and a three hour drive from the nearest city of any size, which is Gurerro Negro. Bahia is uncrowned, as the population numbers around a thousand, and that includes dogs as well as humans. Don't look for bars or honky tonks, a.k.a. Tijuana Zona Norte-style, bars, hookers, working girls, honky tonks are non-existent, and instead are replaced by tranquil nights hearing the waves hit the beach, moon light over the sea, and camp fires on the beach. Breathtaking scenery, unlimited outdoor recreation and total relaxation are trademarks of Bahia de Los Angeles.

Forget what you've heard about getting to Bahia de Los Angeles, as the road that takes off from Highway 1 to Bahia de Los Angeles is engineered to the same standards as the highway, and is generally in better condition than the highway itself. The road is paved all the way, and is very smooth and well-maintained. The road to town offers spectacular views of desert scenery, and when you're only a couple of miles from town, you'll be treated to some of the finest views that you'll ever enjoy of the town, and the lovely sea. Forget about gasoline problems, as the town sports a modern Pemex station on the west end of town that you just can't miss, and the station is open from early morning until early evening.

Since Bahia de Los Angeles is very remote, lodging, gasoline, food and basic services can be very expensive, even by Mexican standards, so bring your pesos. Basic street food tacos are only a peso or two above the same taco found in Tijuana, but if you go to a sit-down restaurant, you'll find that the prices double, or even triple. Prices for motel rooms are double, or even triple of motels that you'll find along Highway 1, so again, bring your pesos. Gasoline, beer, ice and other necessities are only slightly higher than what you'd expect to pay in Ensenada. Cell phone is non-existent, and pay phone service costs about $MEX 10.00 per minute to call stations in Baja California, much higher to mainland Mexico, and way, way, way more to call Los Estados Unidos. Bring your pesos!

Photo: Note the Pemex gas station, in the lower left of the photo, which should quell any rumors about purchasing gas in town. The church is to the right of the photo, and it can be seen from just about anywhere in town, as it's a prominent structure.

The main street in town is "sort of paved," and all other streets are dirt. Even the main street is unnamed, and if you're attempting to find somebody's house, you must ask a local, as none of the streets, not even the main street that parallels the bay, are named. Sure there are many cars and trucks in town, but you'll also see the locals getting around town on horseback, bicycles, and a.t.v.'s, which are permitted to drive on the streets of Bahia de Los Angeles.

This is only the introduction article to my October, 2007 visit to Bahia de Los Angeles, and is only intended to get your attention. If you're interested, click on this link back to the main page, and explore beautiful Bahia de Los Angles with me!

Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custom photography for any occasion...