SAN FELIPE MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS

Once nothing more than a small fishing village, San Felipe has transformed into a notable Mexican tourist destination. Located in Baja California, San Felipe is sandwiched between the San Pedro Martir Mountains and the Sea of Cortez. The small town offers both beach fun and rugged adventure and is popular with campers, retirees and college students. Points of Interest The Gateway to the Sea of Cortez, a pair of plaster and metal arches forming an "M," is at the entrance to San Felipe. From El Machorro, a towering crest on Punta de San Felipe, you can see all the way from the San Pedro Martir Mountains to the Sea of Cortez. Nearly 50 miles south of town is the Valley of the Giants, a forest of cardon cacti, the largest cacti in the world. Activities San Felipe has one of the most severe tide changes in the world, exposing up to a mile of beach at certain times, which make the area prime for beach combing. From March to October, anglers take to the seas in hopes of catching grouper, yellow tail, corvina, white sea bass and cabrilla. Other maritime activities, like water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking and hanging on to a speeding "banana boat," are also popular. If the winds are right, which is most often the case in the spring, you might have a chance to windsurf or sail. On land, tourists take advantage of the Mexican desert, which extends almost to the sea. Dirt bikes, ATVs and dune buggies are often the preferred mode of transport in these areas. Accommodations While some of its neighbors have reputations as resort towns, San Felipe is a destination for the camper. Over 50 campgrounds and RV parks line the beaches to the north and south of town; there are even some in town. The town also has resorts, hotels and budget motels. Vacation rentals are a burgeoning market in San Felipe. Dining If you have never tried a fish taco, San Felipe may be the place to do it. Ralph Rubio, owner of Rubio's Fish Taco, has claimed the prototypical fish taco most Americans are familiar with originated in San Felipe. Since this is a seaside town, it is not surprising seafood dominates the local gastronomy. Aside from seafood, San Felipe offers a mix of Mexican, American, Chinese and California cuisine. Getting There and Around San Felipe is 125 miles from the Mexicali portion of the California-Mexico border. Motorists should take Mexico's Federal Highway 5 to reach the town. San Felipe has its own international airport, but it does not offer commercial flights. San Diego, the nearest town with a major airport, is a five-hour drive from San Felipe. Walking or taxis, including water taxis or "pangas," are the main mode of transportation in San Felipe. When to Go "Snowbirds," retirees who spend the cold American months in Mexico, flock to San Felipe between November and March. During the traditional spring break week and Easter week, in March and April, tourists and college students flood San Felipe. By summertime, things slow down, although the temperature rises. While the area has a moderate average temperature, 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout most of the year, it experiences its share of extremes, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees in the summer and dropping to 40 degrees in the winter. Naturally, spring and fall tend to be the most popular and pleasant months to visit San Felipe.