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pdxdave
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 3-13-2018
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La Paz recs
Hi all,
I'm dave from Portland, OR. new to the site here, I've been lurking for a week or so now upon booking my trip to La Paz, anyhow I'm hoping for some
recs that are a bit more off the beaten track/hidden gem type places that you all might have to give specifically for La Paz and surrounding area
....I kno I kno, every gringo out there wants to be all cool and do all the most non-touristy stuff and fit in with the locals etc.
Anyways truth is I have plenty of the regular/known attractions on my list, but am looking for ideas of things that are not apparent in my search
online, figured this community would have plenty of advice.
I'm looking for urban parks to explore where that one guitarist sits and plays each day, the best cevicheria, a great view of the city from above,
antique store that can't be missed, beautiful drive, etc. you get my point....
would love to hear any thoughts/insights. I'm sure this thread has been made plenty of times before but I didn't see one on the first couple of pages
so I figured I'd just start my own.
THX!
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David K
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Welcome to Nomad! While I am not into cities, La Paz is maybe the nicest 'city' I know? Just be careful at 4-way stops, because they mostly do not!
I spent a few days with a Nomad friend who lives nearby while researching the cape region for my guide. We ate out three nights at different places,
all good. Two along the bay in La Paz and one in Centenario, on the beach. Maybe he or other La Paz Nomads will provide some suggestions or the names?
I will recommend Harker's for their hamburgers!: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150771-d77790...
Here is my TRIP #6 Report from last year that includes La Paz: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=87323
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4165
Registered: 4-24-2009
Location: La Paz, BCS
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Mood: happy - always
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you picked the wrong place, Dave.
No such things in La Paz.
Just ordinary Paceños and a few old immigrants from the north (most legal, some aren't).
However, maybe if you grab a bicycle or something similarly slow, you find find some gems to your liking.
City tries to make La Paz attractive to the wealthy crowd, but it's working somewhat. A marina for your $200 million yacht no problem.
A lonely guitar player in the park? We have no parks.
There used to be an old guy (in his 80's) who played the violin in some restaurants and sang. His play was so incredibly bad that it was already in
the good category. His singing was bad too. People showered him with money, because he was so brave to play knowing he was bad.
Haven't seen him the last 5 years. He probably died.
Rent a 4x4 and just leave pavement until you get scared. There is a lot of old chit to be found. Stunning nature. Contact me if 4x4 is an option for
you.
If someone advertises well kept secrets, they most likely want to sell you a condo or an overpriced boat trip.
Bottom line - La Paz is the personification of peace. Quiet, laid back - nothing happening. I like it that way.
Harald Pietschmann
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pdxdave
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Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  | you picked the wrong place, Dave.
No such things in La Paz.
A lonely guitar player in the park? We have no parks
Bottom line - La Paz is the personification of peace. Quiet, laid back - nothing happening. I like it that way. |
quiet laid back-nothing sounds nice. exploring the city by bike sounds like a good recommendation, I'm sure getting off the Malecon and exploring
I'll find what i'm looking for in a city of over 250,000 people.
yes it's kind of silly of me to ask online for things I'm likely only going to stumble upon while wondering by happy accident, and if I need to find
some green space to plop down in with my guitar I will, and La Paz will have it's lonely guitar player in the park, trouble is the only latin tune I
can play is La Malagueña, I guess on repeat
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
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Location: La Paz, BCS
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and La Malagueña is not well known in La Paz
if you ask the musicians that visit the restaurants on occasion for that song, you will get a blank stare
Harald Pietschmann
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JZ
Elite Nomad
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Do a drive up to San Evaristo. 3hrs on a dirt road. One of the prettiest drives in all of Baja.
Start at 3:05 of the video in my signature to see parts of the drive. Easy drive, but rent a jeep or small p/u. My kid drove it when he was 14.
Once there, pay a panga to take you 8 miles out to Isla San Fransisco. One of the most spectacular anchorages you'll ever see.
Watch the rest of the video see what the islands off of La Paz look like. You can go on a charter to most spots.
Isla San Fransisco:
Drive up:
Here's the route:
[Edited on 3-27-2018 by JZ]
[Edited on 3-28-2018 by BajaNomad]
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dravnx
Nomad
Posts: 106
Registered: 10-27-2005
Location: N. Cal.
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Visit the Serpentarium
https://www.zonaturistica.com/en/things-to-do-and-places-to-...
Go snorkeling with the sea lions at Isla Espiritu Santo
https://indianajo.com/swimming-with-sea-lions-in-mexico-isla...
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StuckSucks
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Do a drive up to San Evaristo. 3hrs on a dirt road. One of the prettiest drives in all of Baja. |
I second this. Spectacular scenery, remote and off the tourist radar.
Playa Tecolote, north of La Paz, is nearby, easy and infested with tourists.
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pdxdave
Newbie
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I plan on driving to La Paz from Cabo, and am curious if there is any reason to take the longer route hwy 1 vs. 19. Time is not really an option,
just wondering if it is more scenic, or maybe more places of interest to stop along the way.....considering to stop for the night along the way to la
paz via hwy 1, any recs on places would be much appreciated!
also would love recs of rental cars in Cabo....so far planning on going with BBB or cactuscar but maybe someone here has an even better rec?
Thanks for all the input thus far!
[Edited on 3-28-2018 by pdxdave]
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
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19 is for when you're in a hurry. 1 is the pretty scenic one, with lots of interesting places to stop.
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chavycha
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The 1 is a pretty road and as mentioned has some nice little stops.
If you're interested in doing the San Francisco road mentioned above, get a rental with high clearance and preferably 4wd. You can get to about Punta
Coyote with neither, but it gets pretty hairy thereafter.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
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hola,
i've done the drive to la paz from los barriles many times and it's a drive through the desert type of drive.
a few years ago, my son and i went fishing out of la paz and took a flight from los angeles to the san jose airport. we arranged for a van to take us
to la paz and it did the 19 along the coast which was a beautiful ride. it hooked up with hwy 1 just south of la paz and was somewhat uneventful
desert drive from there.
so, i would recommend the drive to la paz on the 19.
anybody...the old hotel bogumbilla (sp?) was bought and refurbished and a palapa restaurant was added. i stayed there many times with the old owner
and had a very pleasant stay each time.
afterwards on a baja site, it was noted that there were a lot of thefts from the rooms blaming the employees as they had keys for access. has this
changed ? i really enjoyed their parking lot as it was walled and closed off at night with the night clerk as security and there was plenty of room
for my small suv and utility trailer and i never had a problem.
any input ?
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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The 1 is tropical, has the Tropic of Cancer museum, and mango center of San Bartolo and the old silver mines of San Antonio and El Triunfo are along
the way.
The 19 has a lot of coastline with white beaches, but not next to the highway.
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bajabuddha
Banned
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It's been over 20 years since I visited, but there's a hotel in Santiago that has a magical courtyard and good food (didn't stay the night, just
noshed there) only a mile off Hwy 1 south of La Ribera turnoff. Used to was a hangout of some movie stars way back in The Day. Hope it's still
running and still wonderful.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64486
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha | | It's been over 20 years since I visited, but there's a hotel in Santiago that has a magical courtyard and good food (didn't stay the night, just
noshed there) only a mile off Hwy 1 south of La Ribera turnoff. Used to was a hangout of some movie stars way back in The Day. Hope it's still
running and still wonderful. |
The Palomar (about 2 paved miles from Hwy. 1 in the middle of the two parts of Santiago, on the left). Photo from August 2017:
Celebrities noted for being guests here include Harrison Ford, Susan Sarandon, and Barbara Streisand.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
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Huge music scene in the La Paz area and tons of parks and impromptu events, you need to arrive and look around. Everyday there are a ton of pickup
music events and many pro musicians joining in, all the greats from LA arrive here at some point and jump in so you might find Tower of Power sitting
in with your favorite lead guitarist on an acoustic set for a week and other great session players.
This Saturday March 31 is an event called Blues Fest as part of yearly series of music events that branch out to more small pickup events in parks and
restaurants called Original Fest La Paz. Another main event is 4/20 same location. The event is at Marea Calle Sinaloa almost at the beach in the
community center where the old cement tower is. Pablo Ahuja is among the organizers and he organizes a ton of events so reach out to him to volunteer
and you'll get invites, often many a week, including beach cleanups but you got to show up. Before this Saturday's event there will be a series of
mural paintings in el Manglito sponsored by local eco groups and with volunteers like you. You are welcome to join. http://elcolordelamemoria.com
Neighboring cities like Todos Santos, El Triunfo, La Ventana, Los Barriles have events nightly as well with traveling musicians. They are not always
announced or scheduled but you will hear if you put your ear to the ground every night. Tecolote often has pickup bands that are amazing at Palapa
Azul, so good it sounds like Santana is there if you close your eyes and of course locally we have the bands like the Mexican Weirdohs who play and
organize events events in the streets. Mike Oneiil is a local blues player who plays often with friends. Willy Ornelas is one of the all time great
drummers and he is often found playing events and organizing huge pickup events with all the greats. Salsa scene is happening now and especially rock
n roll and folk rock singer songwriters and poetry.
In addition, the dj scene is huge for more esoteric beach events with lights and art and sound. DJ Guacamole is in town now, DJ Fritz, Dj Kolor and Dj
Rodrigo with Kraxy Baja Collective are always jamming out in parks like Park Cuahtemohoc in the center of town arrive and head out and you will find
it.
It's a seasonal transition at the moment so many people are leaving and others arriving, obviously this is Holy Week so there are tons of events
nightly.
La Miserable Mezcaleria club in el Centro is a great place to get started with singer songwriter performance. This Friday Armajeron plays no cover. Of
course, Las Varitas in el Centro is the longest running most successful rock clubs so hit it up late 11-3am. Perhaps stop in to El sonido on Ramierez
music store and check for flyers or ask.
Of course you can pick up great music in San Joes and in Cabo in the patio as well.
Good luck
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
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Stop in to Parque Piedras Y Pájaros in el centro and you might find a performance or silence. Playa Caimancito has a performance space for artists
too. Used to be Ciao Molino had folk musicians step in but I don't know if they still do. La Concha in Manglito is popular with SENIOR GRINGOS for
pick up music and dancing and dominos and so forth. El Jardin Secrecto sometimes has a singer songwriter. Marisco Moyeyos and Bizmarcito often have a
guitarist playing traditional music serenades. Bar Perico Marinero is the real deal for pescadors and music.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
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Is palomar still a functioning hotel ? and same for their restaurant.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64486
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Location: San Diego County
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My photo was taken 7 months ago, the open sign was out. The place has been in business since 1966, or about then.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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If you plug in La Paz, under trip reports and under my name, lots will come up since we spent the whole month of Feb there.
My one recommendation is to got to El Zarape, which is close to Tailhunter's. Order the NACHOS with chicken for 2 which is enough for four.
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