Valley of the Giants
If you only do one thing outside of the beach in San Felipe, make it the Valley of the Giants. About 30 minutes south of town, a dirt road leads inland into the desert where you'll find some of the largest cardon cacti on earth. These things are massive - we're talking 50, 60, even 70 feet tall, with trunks as thick as tree stumps. Some of them are hundreds of years old.
The cardon is the world's largest cactus species, and this particular valley has an especially dense concentration of giant specimens. Walking among them feels like being in a Dr. Seuss book or on another planet entirely. The scale is hard to convey in photos, though you'll definitely try. Bring a person for reference and you'll start to appreciate just how enormous these plants really are.
The road in is unpaved and can be rough, but most vehicles with reasonable clearance can make it. A truck or SUV is ideal. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is beautiful and the heat is more manageable. Bring plenty of water - there's no shade and no services out there. The hike through the valley is moderate, mostly flat with some rocky terrain. Wear sturdy shoes and watch where you step.
Puertecitos Hot Springs
About 50 miles south of San Felipe on the coast road, the tiny settlement of Puertecitos has one of Baja's best natural attractions: thermal hot springs right on the edge of the sea. Volcanic activity underground heats the water, which bubbles up into natural rock pools along the shoreline.
The trick with Puertecitos is timing your visit with the tides. At high tide, the ocean water floods the pools and cools them down to a comfortable soaking temperature. At low tide, the pools can be scorching hot - too hot to get into. Check the tide charts and aim for a rising or high tide for the best experience.
The drive down is half the adventure. The road past Puertecitos used to be truly terrible, but it's been improved in recent years. The pavement ends about halfway, and the rest is graded dirt. It's doable in most vehicles, but a truck is more comfortable. The coastal scenery on the way down is spectacular - volcanic rock formations, isolated beaches, and big views of the Sea of Cortez.
Puertecitos itself is a small collection of houses and a couple of basic stores. Don't expect restaurants or gas stations. Bring everything you need, including water, snacks, and fuel for the return trip.
Fishing
San Felipe has been a fishing town since before it was a tourist town, and sportfishing is still one of the biggest draws. The Sea of Cortez, which Jacques Cousteau famously called "the world's aquarium," is loaded with fish. Depending on the season, you can catch sea bass, yellowtail, dorado (mahi-mahi), triggerfish, corvina, and more.
You've got two main options for fishing here. You can book a sportfishing charter from the malecon, where local pangas (small fishing boats) will take you out for a half-day or full-day trip. A typical panga charter runs $150-250 for the boat, which usually fits two to three anglers. The captains know these waters inside out and will put you on the fish.
The other option is shore fishing or wade fishing, which is completely free (you still need a Mexican fishing license). The beaches and rocky points south of town are good spots for corvina and other nearshore species. At low tide, you can wade out to sandbars and cast into deeper channels where fish are moving with the current.
Peak fishing season runs from about April through November, with summer being the best for warm-water species like dorado and yellowtail. Winter fishing can be slower, but you can still catch corvina and bass year-round. A Mexican fishing license is required and costs around $15-20 for a day or $40-50 for a week. Your charter captain can usually arrange one for you, or buy it online before your trip.
Off-Road Racing and Desert Adventures
Baja California is legendary in the off-road world, and San Felipe is right in the middle of it. The Baja 250, part of the SCORE off-road racing series, runs through the desert around San Felipe and draws racers and spectators from around the world. Even if you're not into racing, watching these trucks, buggies, and motorcycles blast through the desert at insane speeds is a genuinely thrilling experience.
You don't have to be a professional racer to enjoy the desert, though. ATV and side-by-side rentals are available in town, and there are miles of trails and washes to explore. The Sonoran Desert landscape around San Felipe is otherworldly - barrel cacti, elephant trees, desert washes that flood in rain, and views that stretch to the horizon in every direction.
If you've got your own off-road vehicle, the options are nearly unlimited. Old mining roads, beach trails, and desert tracks criss-cross the region. Just let someone know where you're going, bring plenty of water, and don't go alone. The desert is beautiful but it doesn't forgive carelessness.
The Malecon
The malecon isn't really a single attraction - it's more like the social center of the whole town. This concrete boardwalk runs along the waterfront and is where you'll find most of San Felipe's restaurants, bars, and shops all bunched together.
During the day, people stroll the malecon, grab fish tacos, buy souvenirs, and watch the tides roll in and out. In the evenings, it comes alive with locals and visitors eating dinner, drinking beer, and enjoying the sunset. On weekends and holidays, there are often vendors selling jewelry, leather goods, and other crafts.
At the south end of the malecon, there's a small monument and a rocky point that's fun to walk out on, especially at low tide. At the north end, the boardwalk transitions into the main beach area. The whole thing is walkable in about 20 minutes, but you'll probably take longer because you'll keep stopping for food and drinks.
San Felipe Shrine
Up on the hill overlooking town, you'll find the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It's a short but steep climb up a path with painted stones and small religious markers along the way. At the top, there's a large statue of the Virgin and a small chapel area.
The religious significance is obvious, but even if you're not particularly spiritual, the view from the top is worth the walk. You can see the entire town, the malecon, the beach stretching in both directions, and the Sea of Cortez all the way to the horizon. It's one of the best viewpoints in San Felipe and a great spot for photos.
The trail is best tackled in the morning or evening when it's cooler. It's exposed the whole way with no shade, and in the summer heat, that short climb can feel a lot longer than it is. Bring water and wear a hat.
ATV and Quad Rentals
Renting an ATV or quad is one of the most popular activities in San Felipe, and for good reason. There are rental shops in town that will set you up with a machine and point you toward the best routes. You can ride on the beach at low tide, explore desert trails, or head out toward the dunes north of town.
Rental prices vary, but expect to pay around $30-50 per hour or $100-200 for a full day. Some shops offer guided tours that take you through the desert to scenic spots you might not find on your own. If you've never ridden an ATV before, the beach is the easiest place to start - it's flat, open, and forgiving.
One thing to know: safety standards for rentals are more relaxed than what you might be used to in the States. Helmets are usually provided but aren't always required. Use one anyway. And go easy on the throttle until you're comfortable with the machine - sand can be tricky, and tipping an ATV is no fun.
Day Trips South Along the Coast
The coastline south of San Felipe is one of the most scenic and remote stretches of road in all of Baja California. Even if you don't go all the way to Puertecitos, just driving an hour south will show you some jaw-dropping scenery.
Along the way, you'll pass small fish camps where local fishermen live and work, isolated beaches where you might be the only person, and volcanic rock formations that look like they belong on Mars. There are pulloffs and beach access points scattered along the road where you can stop, explore, and take in the views.
For the really adventurous, the road continues past Puertecitos and eventually connects to Highway 1 further south in Baja. This route is rough and remote - you need a capable vehicle, extra fuel, water, and supplies. But it's one of the great Baja road trips, with hot springs, remote beaches, and a sense of being truly off the grid.