Take your pick of taco and mariscos stands that line the highway in both Lázaro Cárdenas and San Quintín. Clam cocktails are a local treat. La Pasadita (no tel., 9 A.M.–4 P.M. daily, mains US$5) does reliable tacos de pescado on the plaza in Lázaro Cárdenas.

Pollos Lalos (10 A.M.–10 P.M. daily, US$5–10), on the west side of the highway in San Quintín, makes tasty pollos al carbon. Nearby Tuco’s Pizza (3–10 P.M. daily, mains US$10) will satisfy your pizza cravings.

The best Mexican dining experience in the area awaits at Restaurant Viejo San Quintín, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (US$5–10). This friendly establishment is located between two pharmacies and across from the post office in Lázaro Cárdenas. Order the machaca, chiles rellenos, carne asada, or enchiladas, and your beer will arrive in a frosted mug.

Gaston’s Cannery (5:30 A.M.–9:30 P.M. daily, mains US$10–28) is part of the Old Mill complex. It serves Mexican food and seafood dinners at relatively high prices for the area. If you’re driving to the Old Mill Motel in the afternoon, make sure to pay attention to each turn along the way so you can find your way back when you drive out that evening. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of sandy roads at night.

The Hotel Jardines Baja (U.S. tel. 619/591-8922, www.hotel-jardinesbaja.com, 8 A.M.–10 P.M. Tues.–Thurs., 8 A.M.–2 A.M. Fri.–Sun., mains US$10–15) opened its new restaurant in 2008 with a menu that features seafood, wings, and desserts.

Rancho Cielito Lindo (tel. 616/165-6046, U.S. reservations 619/593-2252, cielitolindo [at] bajasi [dot] com, mains US$10) serves fresh seafood dishes at good prices (dinner only).

Both San Quintín and Lázaro Cárdenas have abarrotes stores if you need to replenish food supplies.