Uncharted

We rounded up a motley crew of our favorite people and set off for Baja, embracing a few days of unstructured adventure—off-roading, surfing, fishing, and pure exploration. Our crew included photographer and professional snowboarder Caley Vanular, world-record-holding spearfisherman and all-around action hero Justin Lee, and Baja surfing legend, the one and only Baja Koala. True adventure begins where the map ends. To us, Uncharted is about discovering what lies between the checkpoints.

The other night my phone rang—it was Julian Hernandez from The James Brand, asking if I'd like to drive down to Oceanside, CA, to join the crew on a trip south to San Quintín, Baja California Sur. I impulsively said yes, and next thing I knew I was at the San Diego Airport picking up Justin Lee, who had flown in straight from the Big Island of Hawaii to make the trip.

The drive south was pretty easy and the crew got to know each other pretty quickly over shared playlists and bottomless coffee. As we crossed south into Mexico the anticipation grew, especially when we met up with Kevin Meza (@baja_koala) on the side of the road in Ensenada, BCS. He was just standing there with a backpack and a surfboard, ready for wherever we were going. Without missing a step, now with the full crew we ventured further south into Baja, eager to find out if the swell was lining up and if the fish were biting.

Arriving in San Quintín in the dark, we were introduced to the renowned Baja Fishing Family, led by Captain Kelly Catian and his 20 dogs and 5 cats. The Catian Hernandez family have been navigating these seas for over 30 years, offering both inshore and offshore fishing trips aboard their fleet of Parkers and Pangas. Their deep-rooted knowledge of the sea set the tone for the adventures ahead…. and It instantly felt like we were in good hands.​

The next morning, the crew guided us deep into the desert to a secluded right-hand point break—a true hidden gem. The waves were consistent, and the setting felt like our own private surf haven. Surfing here showed the raw beauty of Baja's coastline, no crowds just beautiful light and dusty hills. Justin even swam over to a nearby kelp bed to try his chances at spearfishing.​.. We later learnt that the crossing he swam through is not for the faint of heart if you’re afraid of apex predators.

Our second day began early, heading out to sea with Captain Kelly and his sons, Oscar and George. Their expertise was clear as we ventured into the fishing zones of San Quintín, straight to the goods. We were fortunate to catch five big yellowtail and some rockfish. Each catch was a testament to the family's dedication and deep connection to these waters. Catching my first yellowtail was not easy and it sure was unforgettable especially when Justin Lee encouraged me to bite into its still-beating heart before putting the fish on ice for the long ride to shore.

Choosing to camp on the beach added a special touch to our experience. Nestled among olive trees, our campground was alongside an A-frame beach break that kept us entertained until nightfall. The water was surprisingly cold when we got out, and the peacefulness of Baja provided a perfect backdrop for an evening campfire. We warmed up and shared stories, sipped on few cervezas and had a good laugh sharing stories of all of our collective travel experiences.

The trip's highlight for me was the backcountry culinary experience led by Justin Lee, who guided us in preparing fresh hamachi atop a Yeti cooler. Using our own catch and The James Brand knives, Justin demonstrated the art of sushi-making, turning our day's adventure into a culinary celebration. Thinly slicing the fresh yellow tail and drizzling it in olive oil, soy sauce, jalapeno, salt and lime. We shared this meal under the desert sky, washing it down with cold beers, all feeling grateful for the simplicity that is Baja.