San Felipe has been a popular tourist getaway for many years. Each year visitors have fallen in love with the area and many eventually retire to the town, the ejido or to one of the outlying Mexican-owned beach-camps that provide lease-lots for American and Canadian snowbirds.

Recently several property development companies have discovered the area and have brought their own style of land securement to San Felipe. The addition of higher quality building techniques, better security and more luxurious amenities have attracted greater numbers of would-be residents. The area is rapidly growing. New hotels, restaurants, improvements to the local airport, the present construction of an 18 hole golf course and the gradual conversion of the two lane Mexicali highway into a four lane freeway are semaphores that actively catch the attention of people looking for an alternative to the expensive cost-of-living retirement choices north of the border.

Aside from the numerous traditional Mexican holiday celebrations, there are a few events that are uniquely local. In November of every year, the town manicures itself for the Snowbird Festival, a celebration tailored to welcome back the norteamericanos who choose to vacate the area during the hot and humid summer months. To usher in the beginning of shrimp season every year there is a Shrimp Festival. There is usually a parade and kiosks line the Malecón (the beach road), offering savory shrimp dishes to the gathered crowd. The Fiesta Marisco (Seafood Celebration) has the local restaurants trying to outdo each other for the best seafood dish. And don't miss the Carnival each February.

Along with the usual seaside resort activities, there are plenty of uniquely gringo events in San Felipe. Poker Runs, Gambling Nights, Lu'aus, Karioke Nights, Desert Tours, Hot Springs Adventures, Dinner Theatre are just a few. Together with Mexican holidays and regular observances of American holidays, the town keeps each calendar month fat with celebration. Click here for a list of 2006 events.

San Felipe has, for most of the year, a wonderful climate. The winters are sunny and temperate. Spring and Fall are sunny and warm. And for a certain type, notably mad dogs and Englishmen, the summers can be endearing. But normally during the summer months San Felipe is an indoor sport. People prefer to remain inside and pay quiet homage to the shrines of their air conditioners. Still, the sea and sand are bright and alluring. With a bit of fortitude, a morning at the beach could be a pleasant pastime.