Baja California by motorcycle

What you photograph: Laguna’s coves and cliffs, the classic PCH composition.
Best time: Late morning
Where to stand: Cliff walk off 375 Cliff Dr — park on Cliff Dr.

Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA

What you photograph: Rows of vines rolling into dry hills, warm evening light.
Best time: Golden hour (18:00–19:00)
Where to stand: From the resort’s hilltop terraces — you’re staying here.

Bruma Wine Resort, Carr. Tecate–Ensenada Km 75, Valle de Guadalupe

What you photograph: Granite boulders, cardón and cirios in warm light — Baja’s iconic desert image.
Best time: Golden hour + dawn
Where to stand: Roadside north of town, around 29.7350, -114.7190 — park fully off the tarmac.

Mex 1 north of Cataviña (29.7350, -114.7190)

What you photograph: Road-to-horizon emptiness through the biosphere reserve.
Best time: Early afternoon
Where to stand: Any pullout on the ~50 km either side of Vizcaíno town — you hear traffic minutes away.

Vizcaíno, B.C.S., Mexico

What you photograph: Date palms and their reflections from water level.
Best time: Sunset
Where to stand: Free guest kayaks at Ignacio Springs — paddle out 200 m.

Ignacio Springs B&B, San Ignacio, B.C.S.

What you photograph: Turquoise coves from above — the trip’s postcard.
Best time: Late morning, sun on the water
Where to stand: Mex 1 shoulder on the descent just north of the Playa Santispac entrance.

Playa Santispac, Bahía Concepción, B.C.S.

What you photograph: Hairpins with the Sea of Cortez and Danzante island behind.
Best time: Mid-morning
Where to stand: Pullouts on the Mex 1 climb just south of Playa Ligüí.

Playa Ligüí, B.C.S.

What you photograph: The sculpture-lined seafront, pelicans, and the bay on fire.
Best time: Sunset
Where to stand: Around the kiosko — walk from the hotel.

Kiosco del Malecón, La Paz, B.C.S.

What you photograph: The granite arch rocks glowing at day’s end — from your hotel’s beach.
Best time: Sunset
Where to stand: Solmar beach in front of the resort. Never swim here — killer rip currents.

Playa Solmar, Cabo San Lucas

What you photograph: The bay and the Arch at dusk from the cliff — bring the good lens to dinner.
Best time: Sunset slot (book days ahead)
Where to stand: Your table.

Carr. Transpeninsular Km 6, Cabo San Lucas

What you photograph: Canyon waterfall and pool — swim shot.
Best time: Late morning
Where to stand: 7 km of easy graded dirt from Santiago (dry weather only), then a 20-min walk.

Cascada Sol de Mayo, Santiago, B.C.S.

What you photograph: The range going copper over a long empty beach.
Best time: Sunset
Where to stand: The beach in front of your resort — walk south for the jetty ruins.

Playa Nopoló, Loreto, B.C.S.

What you photograph: Sun ON the turquoise — the best light window of the whole trip.
Best time: 8:30–10:00
Where to stand: Shoulders on the climb above Playa El Coyote and El Burro (El Coyote: 26.7208, -111.9096). Budget 45 min total.

Playa El Coyote, Bahía Concepción, B.C.S.

What you photograph: The volcano over the highway curves.
Best time: Midday
Where to stand: Signed pullouts on the Mex 1 climb west of Santa Rosalía.

Volcán Las Tres Vírgenes, B.C.S.

What you photograph: Empty road to the horizon with the Cortez and volcanic islands.
Best time: Early afternoon
Where to stand: Any of the wide paved pullouts; best around Punta Bufeo (29.9072, -114.4594) and Isla El Huerfanito. Beware soft sand at pullout edges; wind topples parked bikes — point uphill.

Punta Bufeo, B.C. (29.9072, -114.4594)

What you photograph: Thousands of turbines under the San Jacinto wall.
Best time: Golden hour — an evening excursion from the Ace, 15 min north
Where to stand: Roads around 62950 20th Ave, North Palm Springs (Palm Springs Windmill Tours base) — free from public roads.

62950 20th Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92262

What you photograph: The whole city and the Hollywood Sign in golden light — the trip’s closing shot.
Best time: Golden hour (~17:45)
Where to stand: The observatory terraces — Uber up, parking is a battle.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027