Your 7:00 a.m. departure from La Paz (or 6:00 a.m. from Los Cabos) brings you to San Carlos in time for an early Mexican lunch before your 4-hour nature excursion in Magdalena Bay.

Did you know that mangroves and coastal wetlands are said to have 10 times the ability to capture carbon compared to mature tropical forests? Navigate through a small area of this network of green and discover the rich life sheltered beneath. Be on the lookout for ospreys and bald eagles overhead, as well as the different varieties of sea birds that you will see en masse on the beaches. Don’t miss the chance to go ashore and admire the view from the top of the beautiful white sand dunes.

In the late afternoon, you will come into a beautiful, little-known destination that is not easily accessible from the more popular gateways to Baja. Squirrels abound everywhere and horses graze on greens along the road or quench their thirst from the nearby river. Amongst the date palms is one of the first missions built on the Mission Trail by the Jesuits in the early 18th century. You will be tucking in early this evening in preparation for Day 2 of your birdwatching and Baja road trip.

Before the roosters crow

Wake up before the roosters and hike up to the summit to catch the sun slowly bathing the valley in soft morning light. The breathtaking vista from an overhang of basalt prisms formed from a long-ago volcanic eruption is certainly worth getting up early for. If time permits, check out some petroglyphs before you head back to your local hotel for a hearty brunch. Expect to return to La Paz at mid-afternoon.