Overlooking the Sea of Cortez, San Felipe is a laid-back city on the east coast of Baja California. It was once a small fishing town but has grown to become a popular beach resort. San Felipe is particularly renowned for its desert motor racing as home to the offroad San Felipe 250.
Things to do in San Felipe
Spend your days relaxing on Playa San Felipe, a golden stretch of sand framed by the rugged peak of Punta San Felipe. You can refresh with a swim in the Sea of Cortez or feast on Mexican snacks from one of the beachfront bars. Further south is Playa Muelle, which lies adjacent to San Felipe’s floating dock.
San Felipe makes an excellent base for visiting the hot springs at Puertecitos, a series of rocky pools partially cooled by the waters of the Sea of Cortez. At low tide, the water is at its hottest when the pools are fed solely by the springs before being flushed out with the rising tide. Part of the bathing experience is jumping between the pools to find the perfect temperature throughout the day.
Rising west of San Felipe are the mountainous landscapes of Sierra de San Pedro Martir National Park, which is a spectacular destination for hiking. Blanketed in pine trees and granite rock formations, it’s home to the highest peak in Baja California, the 3,096-metre Picacho del Diablo. The park provides an important habitat for bighorn sheep and California condors.
Getting around San Felipe
San Felipe is around two hours’ drive from Mexicali and 2.5 hours from Mexicali International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Mexico. Inter-city buses connect to San Felipe and travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around.