SNORKEL in the Gulf of California on a trip down the Baja Peninsula that begins Oct. 14.
The seven-day wildlife adventure travels from San Diego south on Highway 1 along the Pacific Coast to Ensenada, then winds through the agricultural valleys of San Quintin to the desert.
After a night in Catavina the group continues to La Unica, a camp resort in a cove on the gulf south of Bahia de Los Angeles, accessible only by boat.
It's a beautiful area, said Lynn Mitchell of Baja Discovery Tours. "Some people refer to the islands as the mini Galapagos," because of the abundant and unique species found there. "We won't be visiting the islands," she said, "but we will be snorkeling and kayaking around the islands." Access to the islands is restricted to researchers.
Seven species of whales inhabit the region at different times of the year, along with whale sharks and sea lions. Swimming alongside a 30-foot whale shark is amazing, Mitchell said. The whale shark, she said, feeds mainly on plankton and doesn't bother humans.
The group spends four nights at the camp in palm-thatched \o7casitas\f7, with time to lounge in hammocks and hike to fossilized coral reefs in the nearby hills or down to the beach.
The return route passes through San Quintin along the Pacific Coast.
Cost: $1,495 per person, double occupancy ($95 single surcharge), including lodging, ground and boat transportation, most meals and activities. Transportation from Los Angeles to San Diego is not included.
Contact: Baja Discovery Tours, Chula Vista; (800) 829-2252, www.bajadiscovery.com.
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Family hikes in Yosemite
HIKE the High Sierra on family camping trips in Yosemite National Park.
The four-day outings in Tuolumne Meadows are offered Aug. 5 and 10 by the nonprofit Yosemite Assn., the natural-history organization for the national park.
Activities include a hike to the top of Granite Dome, a picnic at a nearby mountain lake, guided nature walks, panning for gold and stories around the campfire.
Cost: $290 per adult, $125 per child, including meals, campsite and guides. Transportation from Los Angeles and camping gear are not included.
Contact: The Yosemite Assn., El Portal; (209) 379-2321, www.yosemite.org.
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Restored warship lowers gangplank
