Expedition Baja

Expedition Baja

Now open
Expedition Baja

Now open
Expedition Baja

Now open
Expedition Baja

Now open

Expedition Baja

Conserving one of the most amazing places on Earth.

The Baja California Peninsula is one of the most special places in the world. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sea of Cortés on the east, this 775-mile-long peninsula has a warm climate and diverse terrain, ranging from coastal sand dunes and rugged mountain peaks to desert flats to isolated islands. The varied landscape supports an amazing diversity of plant and animal life—towering cardón cacti, islands crowded with breeding birds, and insects and arachnids with special adaptations to cope with life in the dunes.

The peninsula has been a magnet for adventurers and naturalists, including our own researchers who have been exploring and studying the region for more than a century. Go on an expedition with our scientists as they work alongside colleagues in Mexico to conserve one of the most amazing places on earth.

A new exhibition about your favorite part of the Baja California Peninsula: all of it.

Using specimens from the Museum’s scientific collections alongside immersive imagery and stories about conservation work happening there, Expedition Baja brings to life one of the most incredible regions in the world.

At home in a brand-new gallery on the top floor of the Museum, this new permanent exhibition takes visitors off the beaten path on a journey with researchers through sky and sea islands, palm oases, and fog deserts as they discover new species, work to conserve native plants and animals, and explore the most remote parts of the peninsula.

Exhibition highlights:

An immersive diorama featuring the otherworldly succulent plants of the peninsula’s central deserts, including a life-sized cardón cactus and boojum tree.
Specimens that showcase some of the area’s rare, native species, including the Isla Santa Catalina rattlesnake, the newly rediscovered San Quintin kangaroo rat, and the extinct Guadalupe caracara.
Stories about researchers from Mexico and the U.S. (including from The Nat) who are studying and conserving the region, and a glimpse at the tools of their trade.
See how the peninsula’s habitats have changed over time, and what we can do to help sustain the plants and animals that live there.
A stunning mural created by Tijuana-based artist Néstor “Spel” Mondragón, inspired by the stories in the exhibition.

In keeping with the Museum’s binational focus, all information in Expedition Baja is presented in both English and Spanish.

Learning Resources

Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula are linked together by more than a name. Whether you're an educator, student, or just want to learn more about our neighbors in nature, you can find educational resources, talks, quick facts, and more through our learning resources.

Learn more

Plan Your Visit

Take a journey into two remarkably different and inseparable worlds—Mexico’s Sea of Cortés and the Baja California desert. Pair your visit to the exhibition with a film in our Subaru Giant Screen Experience. And when you're done, there are 75 million more years to explore.

Plan your visit

Conservation Partners

Binational collaboration is key to the future of the Baja California Peninsula. We thank the conservation community that is collectively protecting this region.

Special Thanks

Expedition Baja was developed and designed by the San Diego Natural History Museum staff. The Museum also thanks the following individuals and organizations for their contributions.

Photography and Videography:

Our Donors:

We would like to recognize the generous donors to Expedition Baja and to our research programs throughout the Baja California Peninsula.

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Past Exhibitions