San Felipe is an easy two and a half hour drive south of the border from Mexicali (about 120 miles) on a good paved road. It offers an atmosphere that combines both Mexican and American cultures to form a kind of pastiche that makes a visitor from either place scratch their head in wonderment. A strange marriage of the two cultures offers a funhouse mirror reflection of each that both entertains and instructs.

The highway from Mexicali four lanes southward for the first 25 miles or so through the city's suburbs and farmlands, and then narrows to two lanes when it exits the Imperial Valley's rich furrows. Shortly after the road constricts, the exotic Baja scenery begins and the austere open Baja frontier is nothing short of spectacular.

The Malecón (esplanade) of San Felipe are very active. The community has been busy beautifying the main road through town with flowers and palm trees as well as the waterfront area. Both visitors and locals like to cruise the esplanade, which is often the frontline of activity for fiestas and parades.

San Felipe offers almost everything a modern city provides. Discotheques, sports bars, high speed internet, a wide selection of top quality restaurants, world class fishing, water activities and even a dinner theatre.

One of San Felipe's claim to fame is the extreme tidal changes. When the tide retreats on a new or full moon, it seems to be looking for a different time zone. This is an excellent gift for the beachcombers, but makes launching a boat more of a planned event than a random act.

The weather in San Felipe is very pleasant most of the year, but quite hot and humid in the summer months. Fortunately, the Sea of Cortez is never too far away for a refreshing dip. And strolling along the Malecón in the evenings is a great way absorb the local color and discover a sudden celebration or fiesta.

Activities in San Felipe are plentiful, as you can see from the list below.

Cucapá Museum Fishing Hobie Cat Regatta Gran Carrera de San Felipe Carnavál Ultra-Lite Rides Hot Springs Horseback Riding Hiking Camping Beach Combing Desert Combing Foam Party Dining Karioke Shopping Cachanilla Swap Meet Tennis Golf Banana Boats Las Amigas Events Baja 250 Semana Santa Crystal Beach Marine Day Art Show Easter Parade Las Paellas Cowboy Poetry Reading Taste of San Felipe Windsurfing Kayaking Jet Skiing Circus San Felipe Books The Grunion Run Diving Rock Climbing GeoCaching Shrimp Festival Poker Runs Snowbird Festival El Parral Folkloric Dancing Christmas Parade Annual Paellas Diablo Canyon Fiestas Patrias Baja 1000 Dinner Theatre Desert Racing Blues & Art Festival Valley of the Giants Bird Watching Dune Buggy Tours ATV's Hot Air Balloon

The Paella Festival Puertecitos Hotsprings Revolution Day Parade