Sierra de la Giganta
UNESCO refers to the Sonoran Desert ecosystem surrounding the Sea of Cortez as one of the most biodiverse in the world. Within southern Baja, this desert ecosystem is dominated by the Sierra de la Giganta, which first appears just northwest of La Paz. Farther north, where this mountain range converges with the Sea of Cortez, the rugged coastal terrain consists of sheer cliffs that rise as much as 300 feet above sea level, some of which reveal multi-colored volcanic strata. The nine mile stretch of road that hugs this shoreline is described in Fielding’s Travel Guide as offering “some of the best coastal scenery in view from any of Baja’s highways.”