Perched midway down the Baja Peninsula on the Sea of Cortez, the small town of Santa Rosalia is a curious mixture of Mexican culture and French influence. Once the site of a French copper mine, the old wooden homes in this town give Santa Rosalia a unique feel. Stop in at the Museo Historico Minero de Santa Rosalia for an introduction to the town's history.

While some visitors only stop in Santa Rosalia to catch the ferry that connects to Guaymas on the Mexican mainland, others pass through on their way down the east side of the Baja Peninsula.

Mulege, to the south, offers access to the Santa Ines Islands where scuba divers can submerge to explore some of this region's best dive sites. Those seeking solitude in Baja will be satisfied in Mulege. Beaches rimming the Bahia de Concepcion are soft and off the beaten track, framed with palm trees and flanked by low mountains. Snorkellers can sign up with a local operator for a guided tour, or kick lazily around the waters of the Bay. Rent kayaks for some self-propelled adventure.

From here, daytrips run to the caves of Trinity Canyon for age-old cave paintings. Wander the town's historic sights before you head back to the bustle of Baja's more touristy areas.

Santa Rosalia is 45 miles south of San Ignacio. Mulege is 38 miles south of Santa Rosalia.