Common plants include the small trees Bursera microphylla and Lysiloma divaricatum, along with yuccas and the cactus Cylindropuntia cholla, Stenocereus thurberi, and Ferocactus spp.

The oasis is watered by groundwater and the Río San José, intermittent stream, and is home to marshlands and flooded savannas dominated by the palm Washingtonia robusta, together with Brahea brandegeei, Populus brandegeei var glabra, Prunus serotina, Ilex brandegeeana, Heteromeles arbutifolia, and Salix lasiolepis.

[5] Other native animals include the peninsular mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus peninsulae), White-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus), Acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus), and Baja California chorus frog (Pseudacris hypochondriaca).

[1] Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve protects a portion of the ecoregion east of Todos Santos.

Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area lies along the Gulf of California coast north of La Paz.