Above the charming Baja California Sur town of Mulegé (pronounced Moo-la-hay) sits a whitewashed building that looks like a fortress. Now it is the Museo Histórico de Mulegé (Mulegé Historical ...

The mood is festive in this hamlet at the midpoint of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula because today is a day the town looks forward to all year long—the opening of abalone season.

But the area's built-up, busy coastline is increasingly tempting visitors northward on the Baja Peninsula, toward Costa Palmas and towns like Todos Santos for a truly tranquil escape. Nestled ...