This winter, transport your holiday traditions to Baja California for a spectacular celebration of wildness. Once dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the Gulf of California is vivid with life and these rich waters are home to more than a third of the world’s marine mammal species. Dolphins roil the surface of the sea, leaping mobula rays seem to jump for joy, and sea lions congregate in large numbers on the rocky shores.

Add to this spectacle, pristine desert isles rife with birds, endemic lizards and cacti-laden arroyos, plus some of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ve ever seen and you have all the makings of an unforgettable holiday getaway. Here are five reasons to celebrate the season in this blissfully beautiful place that’s surprisingly close to home.