| Pages:
1
2 |
josesbox
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 7-8-2014
Member Is Offline
Mood: Groovy
|
|
Halfway stopover locations for trip down the peninsula?
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]
|
|
|
captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
|
|
UMMMM....
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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5815
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Online
Mood: Retireded
|
|
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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
micah202
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 1-19-2011
Location: vancouver,BC
Member Is Offline
|
|
.
....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
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 1-19-2011
Location: vancouver,BC
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
"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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2747
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
|
|
Stop over in Cataviņa & Loreto
|
|
|
Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64488
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  |
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. |
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
Cataviņa... 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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64488
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| 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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64488
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| 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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
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.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
