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Author: Subject: Any advice on driving to La Paz from San Diego?
MOTRV8D
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[*] posted on 5-2-2016 at 11:11 PM
Any advice on driving to La Paz from San Diego?


Wife and I are heading to La Paz starting in a couple days, leaving 5/4, staying at a resort through the 12th, driving back 13th-16th. We found seemingly good places to stay as rest stops along the way.

Leaving San Diego and driving south, the first night we're staying in El Rosario at the Baja Cactus Hotel. Several hours driving south the day after that and we're at the Halfway Inn in Guerrero Negro. Several hours drive the next day and we stay at the Lareto Bay Golf Resort and Spa. They are basically just overnight stays, not doing any activities other than sightseeing at any of those stops... but they all have pretty damn good reviews on Trip Advisor. From there we drive to our final destination where we're staying at the Club El Moro in La Paz. Not the fanciest or finest resort in Mexico but does have reasonably good reviews as well on TripAdvisor.

Anyone stayed in La Paz? Recs? Know a great fishing boat captain? Restaurants? Looking for info on stuff to do, we're planning on at least a one-day fishing boat, local sight-seeing and one of the days there we'll likely head south on a 2-hour drive to Cabo where we'll take in more sights and eat at a local eatery. I love Mexican beer so if we run into a brewery we'll prolly try 'em.

Back in the early 2000s the wife and I would visit Mexico almost yearly, but stopped going because of the cartels, and well, you know someone might get the upper hand on you. The road is long and the desert is vast. Now, I'm hearing that it's very safe to drive in Mexico (as long as you stay on the main highway), at least a lot safer than like a few years ago. I guy I ran into at a local bar recently told me he heads down there a lot and there's no problem now, safer than driving in the US. :?: Oh rly?

Any tips and info are greatly appreciated. TIA... :)

[Edited on 5-3-2016 by MOTRV8D]
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 02:20 AM


We like Rancho Viejo, it's a restaurant in La Paz. They have one small one on the malecon and another just a block off the malecon more toward the west end. The aracharra steak is tasty.

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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 05:13 AM


you can easily drive to G Negro in about 9 hours+. the next day you could be in La Paz saving a day each way.



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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 06:22 AM
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Just be mindful of the potholes south of Catavina and don't forget to fill the tank in El Rosario.....and as always, don't drive at night
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 06:27 AM


Nice that you are not rushing!



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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 06:51 AM


To emphasize: the reason you need to fill up in El Rosario is that there's no gas station between there and Jesus Maria-more than 300 kms south. This goes both ways, so remember to fill up in Jesus Maria when heading north.

Good that you are taking your time.

Stop just north of Cataviņa to look at cave paintings.

You should also stop in San Ignacio and Mulege to see the missions and quaint little towns.

Don't drive at night. It's because of animals, the road and obstacles.
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wilderone
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 08:16 AM


I wouldn't stay at the Loreto Bay golf resort. Stay in town, and spend some time sight-seeing there. Loreto Bay is not Baja.
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 08:50 AM


In Loreto I like to stay at the Oasis at the south end of the malecon and dine in the outdoor setting with a great ocean view. The La Mision hotel is probably the best in Loreto but it's a little higher in the price price range.

Stop in at Augie's bar and grill just up from the Oasis. Great fun and drinks.

Walk the Malecon and see the sights. Not as good as La Paz but still good.
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 08:57 AM


I would skip Guerrero Negro and stay at the La Huerta hotel in San Ignacio. It's directly past the mission. You can then walk back to the mission and town center for a tour. If you do stay there check out the bird cage.
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 09:09 AM


Best places to stay over nite are in san q, catavina, san ignacio. Skip staying in gn and el rosario.
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 09:16 AM


Hotel Mision in Catavina is very nice, IMO.

Not a lot to see in El Rosario and Guerrero Negro (at least when the whales aren't around).
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 12:58 PM


Stay at different places down and back and see what they are like fo yourself.

Baja Cactus in El Rosario then La Huerta in San Ignacio southbound. Try Jardines or Villa San Quintin northbound.




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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 02:44 PM


all good suggestions BUT if you in fact decide on staying G Negro-stay at the first hotel on the right as you enter town.

TERRA SAL is the name of the hotel and it is new,r eally nice, very inexpensive. Hotel Terra Sal 011-52-615-157-0133.

and if you are interested in getting off the beaten track, we live in a small fishing village which is on the Pacific Ocean. La Bocana. We have a B&B (http://www.labocanahotel) and there are also some neat cabaņas on the beach, run by our local cooperative (http://www.bocanadventures.com). Be sure to stop by, whether u stay with us or not! activities include kayaking, fishing, biking, boat rides on the lagoon

From La Paz and over the mountains, we just went to LOS BARRILLES. We stayed at Martin Verdugo's sportfishing resort and all I can say is wowwwwwwwwwww

http://www.verdugosbeachresort.com


Have a safe and wonderful trip. We are headed north from La Paz tomorrow.





Come visit La Bocana


https://sites.google.com/view/bajabocanahotel/home

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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 04:22 PM
Terra Sal


Second the recommendation from Blanca ^^^^^
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 05:03 PM


Too many great things to do here in La Paz. It is one of the greatest big little city's in the world. U2U us when you get here. We always have time for a newcomer.



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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 05:31 PM


From years of experience driving down to La Paz and to Cabo, I would totally recommend Jardines in San Quintin as a first stop. Family run and a wonderful restaurant they run right next door. Beautiful grounds that may find you waking up to a cacophany of birds. Leave in the morning and gas up at the Pemex on the right next to the Los Pinos facility. With a full tank of gas, you can clearly make it down to Guerrero Negro, although I am not a big fan of that town. We often drive on through to Santa Rosalia.

In Santa Rosalia, the best place to stay is El Morro, And the best restaurant is El Muelle. A great menu that the hotel provides menu and it can be delivered to tour room. Everything from everything Mexican you can imaging to pizza.

In Loreto, our usual choice is Hacienda Suites. A family operated hotel that has NOB standards and gated parking in the pack. A brief walk next door takes you to Domingo's Place which is a great restaurant with a vast menu.

Have a great trip.
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 05:49 PM


Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
In Loreto I like to stay at the Oasis at the south end of the malecon and dine in the outdoor setting with a great ocean view. The La Mision hotel is probably the best in Loreto but it's a little higher in the price price range.


YES! DO NOT stay at the gringo-sanitized golf course called Nopolo. In town is the ONLY way to go. The Oasis and Mission are each awesome in their own way.

And the margies in the bar at the Oasis are the best on the planet.





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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 06:02 PM
IN LORETO... another option!


The Coco Cabanas: 1 block west of the Malecon, north end.

http://cococabanasloreto.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150772-d291480-Rev...







[Edited on 5-4-2016 by David K]




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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 06:29 PM


My oly advice is do not drink on the road, and slow down, very slow..
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[*] posted on 5-3-2016 at 06:35 PM


Ha! I think I sat right at that spot at the bar at Oasis!
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