I spent a lot of time in Baja in the 90s/early 00s covering off-road racing. Santo Tomas, San Ignacio, Loreto...God it was gorgeous. Totally different mindset of the people there too. A GOOD mindset.
Cartels probably killed them all by now.
My in-laws used to travel to MX by car - drive all over the place and camp, wherever, in the early 70’s. They loved the Baja, too. Mom said she never felt unsafe, but certainly wouldn’t do it now.
Hell, there are parts of, ‘The People’s Republik of Madistan’ that *I* won’t venture into anymore...