BajaNomad - Halfway stopover locations for trip down the peninsula?

Halfway stopover locations for trip down the peninsula?

josesbox - 11-20-2014 at 03:48 PM

I will be doing my first ever drive to possibly the La Ventana/La Paz area for some kiting in late January early February. Any recommendations on halfway spots to stop?

[Edited on 11-21-2014 by BajaNomad]

UMMMM....

captkw - 11-20-2014 at 03:53 PM

Its Raining up here..for what seems like the first time (sant cruz ca) so I can steer ya..what are ya driving and what would you like to do/stay/see ?? :?:

AKgringo - 11-20-2014 at 04:05 PM

Two questions for you.
One, will you be coming down Hiway 1 on the Pacific side, or Hiway 5 on the gulf side?
Two, what's your hurry? Take a few days checking places out on the way down, and a few more checking different places on the way home!
Try to avoid driving at night. You miss too much, and add a risk you don't need. Most of my favorite places require at least a rugged 2wd, what are you driving?
G.L.

micah202 - 11-20-2014 at 05:47 PM

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....I always find it hard to resist the hotsprings just south of Ensenada....it's just what the doctor orders after the drive and border..........a very nice way to transition into Baja time!

TMW - 11-20-2014 at 05:54 PM

Why would you go all the way to La Ventana/La Paz to fly a kite? You can do that in Paradorra or Oxxylama with much better results.

micah202 - 11-20-2014 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202
.

....I always find it hard to resist the hotsprings just south of Ensenada....it's just what the doctor orders after the drive and border..........a very nice way to transition into Baja time!

Which ones: San Carlos, Uruapan, other?

...err,,the ones near Maneadro(sp),,,past the golf course

.

shari - 11-20-2014 at 06:16 PM

guerrero negro is a good place to stop for the night. We like Cowboy Hotel, or Posada Don Vicente has a pool and king beds and is only 400 pesos a night. You can have a nice dinner at La Cazuelas restaurant down the street or the tacos at Cowboy Hotel restaurant are great too.

Hey why dont you come and see the gray whales with us in the morning and you can head south that afternoon! Check out what we do at www.whalemagictours.com There are over 2,000 gray whales with their babies in the lagoon and the peak of the season in in mid February! You can also come out and camp with us at the laguna Ojo de Liebre (Scammon's Lagoon) Keep in mind it is whale season so you will need a reservation at a hotel...I can help you out with that if you like.

Alm - 11-21-2014 at 03:25 PM

"Halfway" seems a little too much drive for one day. I would make it 3 days, it'is more relaxing this way. But, if you insist, Guerrero Negro is more-less halfway.

IMO, if La Paz is the destination, it is faster, cheaper and less stressful to just fly.

Bajahowodd - 11-21-2014 at 04:49 PM

I agree that anyone looking to make it that far with only one overnight stop is really dilusional. In the many trips we have taken, we find it comfortable to stop over in San Quintin, at Jardines. Next morning you can blast down to Loreto. The trip from Loreto to La Paz is maybe six hours. One stayover is nuts!

Marc - 11-21-2014 at 05:56 PM

Stop over in Cataviña & Loreto

Gulliver - 11-21-2014 at 09:49 PM

I stop at Uruapan (Ejido park), Catavina boulder fields, San Ignacio, Puerto Escondio (rattlesnake beach) and then on to LaPaz unless I decide to spend the night at the whale watching parking lot at Lopez Mateos. The kids hang out there until fairly late and play their car radios but as far as I can tell it's safe.

Bajahowodd - 11-27-2014 at 06:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc

Stop over in Cataviña & Loreto

In my opinion, the accommodations and the restaurant at Jardines are superior to Catavina. We have stayed at Catavina many times both per and post the Los Pinos ownership. No question that the have improved things. But I have a bias for Jardines because I know all the family. And yo will not find that same level of hospitality at Catavinia.

David K - 11-27-2014 at 11:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote: Originally posted by Marc

Stop over in Cataviña & Loreto

Yes true, but these two places are over 100 miles apart, so that may have some consideration. El Rosario is between the two, and about 76 miles from Cataviña... several motels, restaurants, RV park, taco stands, gas and tire service... just in case you are too far from the other places and it's getting dark or you're tired of driving.

Alm - 11-29-2014 at 05:00 PM

El Rosario is right on the highway, and, while not a tourist attraction, is a popular stopover.

A lot depends on where you are going from. If you have to drive many hours to the border, then you will likely need to stop before San Quntin. Then next stop will be - probably - Guerrero Negro, and then - Loreto. So it will be 3 nights and 4 days before you reach La Paz. Or - Sta Rosalia as a 2nd stop, and then La Paz, total 2 nights and 3 days.

Again, if being on the road is not a purpose in itself, a flight to LAP is what I would do.

David K - 11-29-2014 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm

El Rosario is right on the highway, and, while not a tourist attraction, is a popular stopover.

A lot depends on where you are going from. If you have to drive many hours to the border, then you will likely need to stop before San Quntin. Then next stop will be - probably - Guerrero Negro, and then - Loreto. So it will be 3 nights and 4 days before you reach La Paz. Or - Sta Rosalia as a 2nd stop, and then La Paz, total 2 nights and 3 days.

Again, if being on the road is not a purpose in itself, a flight to LAP is what I would do.

Just a sidebar here to offer that El Rosario has many attractions nearby of interest to Baja Nomad types! Museums, Old Spanish Missions, Petrified Forest, Cactus Forests, Beaches, Surfing, Fishing, Tacos and more!!

El Rosario Area

Missions, Museum, La Bocana, La Lobera: http://vivabaja.com/505/

Cactus Garden and Sauzalito mine ruins: http://vivabaja.com/705/

Petrified Forest & La Bocana Beach: http://vivabaja.com/206/

El Camino Real near Km. 80: http://vivabaja.com/1104/page5.html

Las Pintas Fossil Grotto: http://vivabaja.com/pintas/

Los Martires to El Socorro, cactus forests, petroglyphs found!: http://vivabaja.com/1105/page3.html

Mision San Fernando and petros '05: http://vivabaja.com/105/

Mina de San Fernando (plus mission and petros in '00): http://vivabaja.com/davidlorenzo/dlpage4.html

El Marmol & El Volcan: http://vivabaja.com/marmol/

Agua Dulce historic spring (plus Baja Cactus Motel): http://vivabaja.com/705/page7.html

Mama Espinoza Museum & Search for Santa Ursula: http://vivabaja.com/406/

To Punta Baja and down the coast road: http://vivabaja.com/1205/

basautter - 11-29-2014 at 05:20 PM

Santa Rosalia is a good stop. It's an old French mining town, complete with a metal church, a museum, great places to eat, and good places to stay. It's about 2/3 the way down, on the gulf side.

David K - 11-29-2014 at 06:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by basautter

Santa Rosalia is a good stop. It's an old French mining town, complete with a metal church, a museum, great places to eat, and good places to stay. It's about 2/3 the way down, on the gulf side.

Baja is full of interesting history! Here is more on Santa Rosalia and its Eiffel Church: http://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/eiffel_ch...

Alm - 11-29-2014 at 07:43 PM

Sta Rosalia is an "ok" stop, in my books. Hotels are more expensive than El Rosario or San Quntin, I think more expensive than comparable hotels in Ensenada. Beach is (almost) nonexistent. From being an "old" mining town it's become a "mining town too old and too small for today's workers and residents". Traffic and parking in town is a pain. New mine adds a bit of dust along the highway, too.

I feel better in places with more space and fewer people. Getting old and grumpy, perhaps.

basautter - 11-30-2014 at 06:26 AM

I agree that El Rosario and San Quintin (recommend staying at the Old Mill) are good stops. It just depends on how far a person wants to travel each day. St Rosalia has a few warts, but most Baja towns do. Overall, I have always felt safe there, and had a good time. Loreto is another option that is further south.

Mulegena - 11-30-2014 at 06:40 AM

Sta. Rosalia hotel/motels: Visit and perhaps stay at the historic Hotel Frances in town. See the Eiffel Church (yes, think Eiffel Tower).
Other good 'uns are both just south of town on the highway, Las Casitas and El Morro.

and, heck!, don't forget Mulege just 35 miles further south: stay at Las Casitas and wander around our pretty little town.

bajabuddha - 11-30-2014 at 06:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by josesbox

I will be doing my first ever drive to possibly the La Ventana/La Paz area for some kiting in late January early February. Any recommendations on halfway spots to stop?

Lots of good suggestions, but some have missed the key word "SPOTS" in the original post. Best suggestions, take your time and do a lot of 'em.

I also concur to blow off Sta. Rosalia; there are no rooms available. Even the locals are having a horrendous time finding any kind of housing for rent, at very elevated prices because of the mine. However, 8 miles south is San Lucas Cove RV Park if you're camping your way down. Good place to spend a night or two, then experience the totally different world of Sta. Rosalia. The pace there is different than any other town in Baja, and worth a day or two's experience. Next place south is Mulege; RVing or hoteling either way.

Happy trails.