Baja California's appeal is primarily outdoors and natural. The peninsula is a world-class destination for whale watching (grey whales from December to March in the Pacific lagoons), diving and snorkelling (particularly in the Gulf of California), and off-road driving along the Transpeninsular Highway. The Valle de Guadalupe wine region near Ensenada has emerged as a serious destination for food and wine tourism.
For wildlife, the Gulf of California side is exceptional: sea lions haul out on the islands around La Paz, whale sharks gather near La Paz in autumn, and the bird life along the coast is extraordinary.