Of all the spots in Baja, there is probably no other more iconic break than southern Baja’s Scorpion Bay in the Pacific fishing village of San Juanico.

San Juanico has now become the Malibu of Baja. With three main points and a variety of even more reefs that break on select swells, there is plenty of surf here for the growing population of American expats (at times it feels like a surfer retirement village) and legions of visiting surfers.

Back in 2003, WiLDCOAST helped to stop a planned marina here that would have had a huge impact on surfing in the area–the main source of income besides fishing for the now fairly well off (by Baja Sur standards) community.

This summer, the boys and I took a close to 3,000 mile r/t tour of Pacific Baja and the East Cape. We had a lot of fun at our early summer stop at San Juanico.

The water was cold though–about 58-60–but there were virtually no crowds.

If you want to experience real Baja, avoid Scorpion Bay during the height of the summer south swell season. But for off-peak off season days it is a fun spot, especially if you have kids and a spouse that likes clean restrooms and hot showers.