Many of us fantasize about living a more-active lifestyle. We dream of getting back to nature and exploring the vibrant nooks and crannies of Mother Earth. It's noble dream, this quest to spend more time on the land, but how many of us put it into practice? And how many of us are dissuaded by the sometimes daunting journey that must be taken in order to even arrive at these destinations?

One predominant focus of La Joya Real is the notion of a community in the middle of so much expansively rich, ready to explore land. Listed below are some of the shorter trips (one or two days) you could take on just about any day of the year, either by car, boat, mountain bike or on-foot.

Kayaking-choose a guide and a direction and head out for a day among the sea-life. Many kayakers spot dolphins, sea lions and even whales when out in the beautiful open waters.

Waterfalls-a little four-wheel driving and a set of directions can take you to pristine waterfall destinations, hidden and unexpected as you leave the desert floor and make the climb into the San Pedro martir Mountains.

Hotsprings-just a short (10 minute) drive down the coast from our location, where the sea meets the bay, spectacular hotsprings await visitors ready to witness the splendor of naturally occuring lava rock 'hot tubs'. Not to be missed.

Camping-campsites abound along this quiet coast and there are more to be found up in the mountains, which include camping near old growth Redwood forests where you can enjoy more hiking and mountain biking through amazing and unexpected scenery.

Valley of the Giants-a mere 30 minutes up the newely paved highway, you'll find a desert-forest of Cardon Cacti the largest cacti in the world. You don't even need to go into The Valley of the Giants to behold their towering majesty as many of these silent giants stand proudly along the highway.

Enchanted Islands (Islas Encantadas)-among them is Isla San Luis, a volcanic island that features a unique, eruptive center that holds Obsidian.

Isla Huerfantino-fishing in the waters off Puertecitos is exceptional, the waters surrounding Huerfanito Island boast some of the very best fishing in all of Northern Baja.

Lava Rock Tidepools-one of our favorite activities as it can be done right at our shoreline backyard. An amazing seaside experience can be had with very little effort just a walk on the rocky coast and the impetus to turn over rocks will yield hours of meditative fun as you discover the enchanting tidal creatures that call our 'backyard' home.

The list goes on, but this sampling should give you a sense of all there is to see, do and enjoy in this tranquil area where the desert meets the sea.