Recreation

Hiking

From Bahía de los Angeles [1], a number of arroyos lead inland to the Sierra San Borja; following one of these out and back makes for a pleasant day hike in the desert. Just be sure to keep the bay in sight so you don’t get lost.

Two abandoned mines are also within walking distance from the town. A trail to Mina Santa Marta begins at the town dump, about 3.5 kilometers south of Casa Díaz. From here, walk west until you reach the remains of a railway grade that was used to transport the gold and silver from the mines. Then continue west to the sight of the mine. One day is enough time for the round-trip hike, but you can also camp overnight at the mine.

To reach Mina San Juan, follow the same railway grade 17.5 kilometers southwest of the bay to Valle Las Flores. If you continue past the second mine, you can get to several cave painting sites in the Sierra San Borja. The graded road meanders through the mountains all the way to Bahía San Francisquito, approximately 132 kilometers south of Bahía de los Angeles.

Fishing

Onshore anglers catch sand bass, guitarfish, and triggerfish here; in spring, there are croaker and halibut at Punta la Gringa. In summer, nearby islands offer opportunities for yellowtail, white and black sea bass, dorado, tuna, and grouper. Yellowtail also sometimes run January–March.

You can rent a panga for a fishing or scuba diving trip through any hotel or campground in town. Daggett’s (about 2.5 km north of town, along the coastal road, tel. 200/124-9101, www.campdaggetts.com [2]), Guillermo’s (tel. 200/124-9104, www.guillermos.net [3]), Villa Bahía (no tel., www.villabahia.com [4]), Ricardo’s Dive Center (tel. 200/124-9262), and Casa Díaz (tel. 200/124-9112) arrange guided fishing trips for US$250–300 a day.

Boating and Kayaking

A number of businesses, including Guillermo’s (tel. 200/124-9104), Villa Vitta (tel. 200/124-9103, U.S. tel. 619/454-6108, www.villavitta.com [5]), and Casa Díaz (tel. 200/124-9112), provide boat launches (US$5–10) and rent pangas. Isla Angel de la Guarda protects the channel from most high winds, except when the winter El Norte blows. Ask the locals for advice on the conditions before heading out to sea on your own.

When the winds subside May–October, kayakers arrive en masse to explore the islands offshore. Popular itineraries include a paddle to Isla Coronado (also known as Isla Smith), three kilometers northeast of Punta la Gringa, or to the southern tip of Isla Angel de la Guarda, 19 kilometers away.

Kiteboarding and Windsurfing

Bahía de los Angeles [1] is a good choice for beginning windsurfers and kiteboarders because the islands offshore protect it from large swells. Head to the northern parts of the bay for the strongest winds. A 10- to 12-kilometer downwind run begins at Punta la Gringa, passes the small islands west of Isla La Ventana, and goes right in to the shore at the town’s edge. Bring your own gear.

Diving

Ricardo’s Diving Tours (tel. 200/124-9262) is run by ex-commercial diver Ricardo Arce. The center is located off the right side of the main road as you head into town. It is equipped to take groups or individuals out to the various dive sites within the bay and onto the islands as well.

Prices start at US$65 for a two-tank dive to the closer destinations and go up according to distance; the longest trips take divers out to Isla Angel de la Guarda. Ricardo’s also offers wildlife and fishing tours, as well as guided snorkeling (often with whale sharks in peak season) and overnight expeditions.

Another option for a dive boat charter is to contact Jean and Roger at Villa Bahía (no tel., www.villabahia.com [4]), who will rent out their cabin cruiser to a group of five or six divers for US$225 or their panga (which accommodates three people) for US$150; they do not have gear or tanks, but they do have a compressor.

Bird-Watching

The ecosystem around Bahía de los Angeles supports a thriving population of marine birds, among them terns, pelicans, gulls, egrets, herons, cormorants, petrels, boobies, and ospreys. Bird-watchers will find the best opportunities for observation at Isla Partida and Isla Raza. Casa Díaz (tel. 200/124-9112) and Ricardo’s Dive Tours (tel. 200/124-9262) offer bird-watching tours on request.