Fodor's Expert Review Intercultural Center for the Study of Desert and Oceans

The northern Gulf area forms an impressive desert-coast ecosystem, and scientists conduct research programs at the Intercultural Center for the Study of Desert and Oceans (known as CEDO, its acronym in Spanish), about 3 km (2 mi) east of town on Fremont Boulevard in the Fraccionamiento Las Conchas neighborhood. You can take an English-language tour of the facility to learn about the ecology of the area and its history, or just pick up a tide calendar (useful if you're planning beach activities) or field guide from the gift shop. Talks and nature outings—including tide-pool walks, Pinacate volcano excursions, and kayaking expeditions of area estuaries—are on offer.