We've made reservations for a casa in Las Barriles beginning April 10 - two days before Easter (we have a ten day stay). Without considering Semana
Santa, we had planned a leisurely trip south, camping along the way.
Now, being aware of the potential for crowds at many places, especially the beaches, we are considering changing plans although the dates for Las
Barriles are set. We will make the slower paced camping portion on the return drive in later April.
I'm not a marathon driver and would like to take a minimum of 3, maybe 4 nights to make the drive from So. Cal. with the idea to drive pretty much
straight through to Las Barriles.
My questions is regarding motels along the way, or other camp suggestions - would a town like Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio require a reservation?
Loreto?
Having not driven Highway 1 during this holiday period, would traffic be exceptionally heavy? Or just in and around the towns, Conception Bay and so
forth?
Thoughts?
John M
[Edited on 9-14-2019 by John M]David K - 9-14-2019 at 09:37 AM
My preferred mid-Baja motel is the La Huerta in San Ignacio. I would, for sure, make a reservation there if that is about where you plan to end up at
the end of a long day's drive from your house. There are other places but they are not nearly as nice or as inexpensive as the La Huerta. JZ - 9-14-2019 at 09:47 AM
We drove down the weekend before Easter this year. We weren't sure where we were going to end up, so didn't make any advance reservations. Made a
reservation for Loreto that Monday for Monday to Wednesday at La Mision.
We camped out on Wednesday. Made a same day reservation for a place in La Paz for Thursday to Easter Sunday.
Loreto started to get some ppl rolling in on Tuesday and Wednesday. Not terribly crowded, but definitely ppl stacking up along the malecon just North
of the marina. It was very slim pickings in Loreto for hotels Wednesday to Easter Sunday. La Paz was limited, but there were some options.
The roads between Loreto and La Paz didn't have much increase in traffic. Nor did BCN the weekend before Easter (we were in Loreto by Monday).
All that said, you are rolling the dice w/o a reservation.
[Edited on 9-14-2019 by JZ]AKgringo - 9-14-2019 at 10:04 AM
The amount of traffic is not as much of a concern to me, as the condition of some of the drivers "on holiday"!
I once got behind a slow convoy of three vehicles that could not stay in their lanes! No way I am passing them!
Shari reported today that folks in her town vacate, and head to the Cortez side beaches! It is a bit off the main road, but a pleasant place to be.Bob and Susan - 9-14-2019 at 10:44 AM
My questions is regarding motels along the way, or other camp suggestions - would a town like Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio require a reservation?
Loreto?
anything during "whale season" needs a reservation in these areas
tour operators bring tourists from the north and will take the entire place many days...
you really need to plan aheadAlm - 9-14-2019 at 10:47 AM
Towns that are not on the beach, are getting crowded during some races mostly. Locals from the mainland and North Baja are trying to avoid staying in
GN or San Ignacio on the way South, too little time and not much money. Instead, they drive all day long - and very fast. Like others noted, drunk
drivers can also be problem during that period. rhintransit - 9-14-2019 at 01:30 PM
Loreto...reservations for hotels are pretty much a must at that time. You MIGHT find something just showing up, but it’s going to be Semana Santa
priced, if anything is available.
The beaches around Loreto are usually packed with vacationers, think three and four rows of tents/vehicles deep during SS.
