Sea Kayak Adventures Recommended Baja Reading List

If you're looking for an inspiring read to cozy up with this winter, or you're preparing for your upcoimng Baja tour, we have a wealth of recommendations specific to Baja. With regaling tales of gray whales from Steinbeck, to practical guides from National Geographic, there is sure to be the perfect selection for even the most prolific bibliophile. 

 

Sea Kayak Adventures guests enjoy a guide book from our "Local Library" while on tour in LaPaz, Baja

 

Reveles, D. (2004). Tequila, Lemon & Salt from Baja...Tales of Love, Faith and Magic. The border town of Tecate comes to colorful life and the lives of its inhabitants unfold, full of surprises and a few broken dreams in this collection of stories from Daniel Reveles.

Reveles, D. (2007). Guacamole Dip: From Baja...Tales of Love, Faith and Magic. The beloved storyteller takes readers back to Tecate, Baja California, for another helping - his tales are always humorous, often magical, and sometimes poignant. Reveles captures the Hispanic culture and flare perfectly.

Minch, J. (2017). Roadside Geology and Biology of Baja California, 2nd Ed. The book contains road logs that provide kilometer-by–kilometer highlights of the roadside geology and biology of specific areas.

Botello, J. (1998). Other Side: Journeys In Baja. A tale of two journeys, one outer and one inner. The outer explores the length, breadth, and depth of Baja and its rich history, its vibrant people, and the haunting beauty of the land. The inner journey involves a border world where cultures clash illuminating the landscape of the soul.

Swartz, S.L. (2014). Lagoon Time: A Guide to Grey Whales. An extraordinary first-hand account of the experiences and discoveries made by Dr. Steven Swartz and his colleagues in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico, that provides visitors a look into the human and natural history of Laguna San Ignacio

Crosby, H. (2010). Cave Paintings of Baja California. The Cave Paintings of Baja California are considered one of the 5 most significant areas in the world for pictographic murals and the only one in the Western Hemisphere.

Keir, D. (2016). Baja California Land of Missions. This book contains a detailed history of the activities by the Spanish and others attempting to colonize the peninsula of California from 1535 to 1855.

Aitchison, S. (2010). The Desert Islands of Mexico's Sea of Cortez. The desert islands in the Sea of Cortez are little known except to a few intrepid tourists, sailors, and fishermen. Though at first glance these stark islands may appear barren, they are a refuge for an astounding variety of plants and animals.

Alderfer, J., & Hess, P. (2011). National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America. Essential for the millions of Americans who watch and feed birds in their backyards—whether experienced birders or new birding enthusiasts.

Berger, B. (1998). Almost an Island: Travels in Baja California. Berger takes readers beyond the Baja of guidebooks and offers a wildly entertaining look at the real Baja California.

Carwardine, M. (1995). Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. The perfect introduction to 96 species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise. This pocket-size guide is essential for the family reference shelf, helping you to identify each species and discover more about them.

Day, T. (2006). Whale Watcher: A comprehensive guide to the whales of the world and where to see them. Every year, more than four million people go whale watching, and the numbers keep growing.

Dedina, S. (2000). Saving the Gray Whale: People, Politics, and Conservation in Baja California. Once hunted by whalers and now the darling of ecotourists, the gray whale has become part of the culture, history, politics, and geography of Mexico's most isolated region.

Gotshall, D. (1998). Sea of Cortez Marine Animals: A guide to Common Fishes and Invertebrates, Baja California to Panama.

Howell, S. (1999). A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico. With a rich variety of stunning avifauna, Mexico provides the first taste of the Neotropics for many birders. At last here is a guide to Mexico's best birdwatching sites, from Baja California to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Hupp, B., & Malone, M. (2008). The Edge of the Sea of Cortez: Tidewalkers' Guide to the Upper Gulf of California. 

Krutch, J. (1961). The Forgotten Peninsula; a Naturalist in Baja California. Krutch describes the desert plants and marine animals as well as the human and natural history of Baja California.

McPeak, R. (2000). Amphibians and Reptiles of Baja California. Covers species that occur on the Baja California Peninsula, islands of the Gulf of California, and the islands along the Pacific Coast.

Niemann, G. (2002). Baja Legends: The historic characters, events, and locations that put Baja California on the map. 

Perlo, B. (2006). Birds of Mexico and Central America. This is the only field guide to illustrate and describe every species of bird in Central America from Mexico to Panama, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. This handsome work covers more than 1,500 species.

Rebman, J., & Roberts, N. (2012). Baja California Plant Field Guide (3rd ed.). This new edition of the Baja California Plant Field Guide discusses or describes over 715 different plants in more than 350 genera in 111 families.

Russell, D. (2001). Eye of the Whale Epic Passage from Baja to Siberia. Named a Best Book of the Year by three major newspapers upon its initial publication, and now available for the first time in paperback, Eye of the Whale offers an exhilarating blend of adventure and natural history as Dick Russell follows the migration of the gray whale from Mexico's Baja peninsula to the Arctic's Bering Strait.

Steinbeck, J., & Ricketts, E. (1976). The Log from the Sea of Cortez: In search of a respite from the national stage, Steinbeck and his close friend, biologist Ed Ricketts, embarked on a month long marine specimen-collecting expedition in the Gulf of California, which resulted in their collaboration on the Sea of Cortez.

Thomson, D., & Findley, L. (1979). Reef Fishes of the Sea of Cortez: The Rocky-Shore Fishes of the Gulf of California.

Wilson, B., & Wilson, A. (2006). The Complete Whale-Watching Handbook: A Guide to Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World. 

 

A Sea Kayak Adventures guest enjoys a peaceful reading break, nestled in the sand and soaking up some of Baja's perpetual sunshine! 

 

More Posts

Four Beluga Whales swimming

Creature feature: Beluga whale

Creature feature: Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

As the only member of the genus Delphinapterus, the beluga whale is a highly sociable cetacean that is truly one of a kind. It has been nicknamed the “sea canary” for its high-pitched squeaks and whistles, and is the only whale to regularly sport a stunning white coat.

A red tandem sea kayak with people paddling and smiling off the shores of Cuba

Top 5 Sea Kayaking Destinations of 2024

Top 5 Paddling Destinations of 2024

With the start of a new year comes new adventures! There’s no better time to start planning a trip, fresh from a holiday break and with renewed excitement for the coming months.