favorite things to do in san felipe, baja california; family camping in baja

vandalf the camper van at our beach camping spot in san felipe, baja california

we took vandalf the camper van across the border for the very first time to beach camp in baja california. we went camping in san felipe and it was a blast! it was our first time beach camping as well as our first time boondocking for a week straight. we learned some new things and gained a lot of confidence!

san felipe is fishing town in northern baja california. it’s well known among gringos and is home to many expats, but you wouldn’t guess it walking around town. we traveled to several different parts of san felipe, plus a bit further out, and loved all the areas. we felt very comfortable driving the camper van through san felipe, as well as baja more broadly.

we camped on the beach about a 20 minute walk from the malecón, or main boardwalk. of note: while there may be camping spots closer to town, there are very few beach boondocking options within walking distance. a 20 minute walk to the boardwalk was great for us because we had the time and enjoyed the views along the beach. that said, we averaged walking 8 miles per day! if this is not a reasonable or accessible option for you, consider whether it’s preferable for you to be in closer proximity to amenities at all times or to stock up food and other essentials before setting up camp and reducing your trips to town.

all in all our family trip to san felipe was a smashing success. san felipe is a great destination for a family trip to baja california. here’s a list of our favorite san felipe activities for campers, families and more. we hope you enjoy them, too!

go see giant cacti at valle de los gigantes

giant cardon cacti at valle de los gigantes

after spending so much time on the beach, we were thrilled to travel a bit inland to visit the amazing cactus forest at valle de los gigantes. these giant cardon reach up to 60 feet tall and can live hundred of years. the tallest cactus in the world, they are only found in some sonoran desert habitats. enjoy a stroll of your own choosing or take the 4wd road through the preserve. cost is $10 USD per vehicle and amenities are minimal.

enjoy a night out at the malecón

the malecón is san felipe’s main boardwalk. while it seems to be the town’s most touristy spot, it’s also a place where local families, couples, young people, and fishermen gather for evenings - especially sundays! trust me, sunday is the night to be at the malecón! lots of locals, live music and plenty of food vendors selling elote, churros and more. we loved walking over during golden hour, getting an early seat and watching the sunset over the beach while eating dinner. after dinner, grab a treat and watch the fishermen come back with their hauls. we did this almost every evening during our visit and it was the perfect way to end the day.

relax or play at the beach

when beach camping, you obviously must make time to enjoy the beach! if it was up to kiddo, we would have stayed buried in the sand the entire trip - and can you blame him? i enjoyed walking the beach for every sunrise and sunset during our visit. you’ll likely see beach dogs roaming, as well as kayakers, the local boys’ running club, birds, and more visitors to the shore. the setting is absolutely picturesque and we were even treated to a whale sighting!

take a hike to cerro el machorro

kiddo hiking cerro el machorro in san felipe

to be frank, there aren’t many hiking opportunities around san felipe. there are some longer, multi-day trails and several areas where adventurers can wander their own paths. we weren’t prepared to traverse an unmarked trail on this trip, so we did the one trail option available to us - cerro el machorro. starting from the beach, most of the trail is pretty flat and winds through beautiful wildflowers. eventually you hit the “mountain” and then it’s a nearly straight up, though fairly short, climb from there. it’s quite steep and rocky, so may not be suitable for children. the views are quite beautiful and can be partially enjoyed from near the bottom, so it’s worth a visit even if you don’t intend to trek the steep part.

if you skip the first half of the trail and cut in from the road, you may be able to come directly from your lodging without a vehicle. one of our caravan friends did a trail run all the way from camp, up the mountain and back (about 5 miles). so if running’s your jam, consider this option!

visit the buzzing town center

the town itself has a totally different vibe than the malecón! we traveled into town several times for groceries, restaurants, laundry, and to simply drive around and explore. you’ll find a stocked grocery store, plenty of restaurants, street vendors, charming neighborhoods, busy intersections, and all the things you might expect from a town center. we went to the grocery store multiple days in row and then walked across the street for birria stew and tacos on the side of the main highway. full of energy, it was divine!

trek to the shrine of guadalupe

from anywhere on the beach you’ll see the shrine of guadalupe. it’s a rather small shrine, but it is a major landmark for san felipe and worth a climb if you’re in the area. we were able to hike to the top and enjoy the views, but the inner sanctuary was closed - though we could still see in. the views from the top are really wonderful. note, there are several dozen stairs up to the shrine and there is no other route.

we hiked from our camping spot and then went to the malecón for lunch as a break before trekking back to camp. it’s quite close to the malecón and a good add-on if you’re already there.

some of our baja caravan camped at the beach

we had a truly fantastic time in baja california. traveling with a caravan was a great way to try something new, though families could certainly travel without a group. we would feel completely confident traveling back on our own exploring other areas of baja california. though, i’d also love to go back with a caravan, too!

i hope this list gives you some ideas for things to do in san felipe with kids - or without. have a great trip!