BajaNomad

avoiding spring-breakers?

expat2B - 1-3-2006 at 04:12 PM

Caro Nomads: Wanted to seek some advice re where to go for a 3-day trip, within a day's drive of the border during the 3rd week of March. Our ideal target would be a town/small-med.-sized city with reasonable lodging, dining, and sightseeing options. We thought of Ensenada and San Felipe, but remembered that our schedule might overlap with the college spring-breakers, which we would prefer to avoid. Under different circumstances and given more time, we'd press-on south to places like BOLA or San Ignacio. Thanks in advance for your tips.

Saludos

El Rosario

John M - 1-3-2006 at 05:44 PM

Could be a decent option. I haven't been there during the spring break time but would think it isn't a "destination" for that crowd.

Motels, restaurants.....less than one day's drive from the border...

expat2B - 1-4-2006 at 11:54 AM

Thanks, for the tip, John. We may also look at San Quintin. The Moon and AAA guidebooks suggest SQ might have a few more dining/lodging options. Saludos.

San Quentin

John M - 1-4-2006 at 12:46 PM

Do a search here for the El Rosario map David K has been working on. We've stayed several times at the Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario - couldn't have nicer accomodations, especially the newer rooms toward the back. I don't know what sort of day trips interest you but there has been an awful lot posted here in the last 3 or 4 months. Less than an hour south of San Quentin. Sure quieter area than San Quentin.....

Many Mexicans

Sharksbaja - 1-4-2006 at 12:50 PM

Last year I was amazed at the number of vacationing Mexicans(can they do that?):lol: Especially in some camping areas. I mean LOTS of em! Having much fun too. Kinda like the good ol' days in da USA.

bajalou - 1-4-2006 at 01:15 PM

Samana Santa brings many thousands of Mexicans to San Felipe - the beach at the Malacon will be completly covered with tents. There will be tents between parked cars on the street. They have a wonderful time but the town suffersfrom all that activity. Most gringos try to stay away that week.

David K - 1-4-2006 at 06:15 PM

El Rosario is a great option... and as stated above the last year has been fun seeing the many area attractions...

I have many photos and driving details in my web site and here on Nomad. The first El Rosario side trips page I made is at: http://vivabaja.com/1104

the next is http://vivabaja.com/505

the next is http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/705

the next is http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum1/pintas/

and then: http://community-2.webtv.net/boojum2/1005

Anyway, take a scan through and you will see there are missions, mines, petrified forests, fossils, petroglyphs, beaches, a museum, sea lions, fishing, surfing, four wheeling, dirt biking, lot's of restaurants and taco stands, a gift shop, a bed and breakfast, one great motel and two minor ones, RV park, and beach camping.

I haven't made a web page for it yet, but we took a 100 mile loop day trip out from El Rosario and back (half on dirt roads) last Thanksgiving weekend (11-05) and found some previously unpublished petroglyphs and some serious four wheeling... See the Trip Reports Forum.

Photo is of the beach at El Rosario (about 5 miles from town) called La Bocana... photo taken in November, '04.


[Edited on 1-5-2006 by David K]

David K - 1-4-2006 at 06:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by John M
Do a search here for the El Rosario map David K has been working on. We've stayed several times at the Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario - couldn't have nicer accomodations, especially the newer rooms toward the back. I don't know what sort of day trips interest you but there has been an awful lot posted here in the last 3 or 4 months. Less than an hour south of San Quentin. Sure quieter area than San Quentin.....

expat2B - 1-4-2006 at 07:26 PM

Thanks all, especially David, for the information re El Rosario including the trip logs, pics, and impressively detailed map of the town. Our autos may not be up to rugged off-roading, but I'm sure we can tackle some of the better-graded dirt roads. Gracias y que le vaya bien.

David K - 1-4-2006 at 07:41 PM

You are welcome... Remember Baja is a magic place, and wonders can be found everywhere on the peninsula! El Rosario is just one of many 'base camps' you can explore out from... and it is mentioned because it is not a primary tourist destination... it has been just a refueling or overnight place on the highway. This is a small Mexican farming and fishing town so you will get a dose of 'real' Mexico... No bars or nightclubs... and the trucks are noisey with their jake brakes... But all in all, you will enjoy the area I believe.

I don't think you'll have much problem

Hook - 1-5-2006 at 10:17 AM

during the third week in March, as I dont believe that's the traditional spring break for most colleges and is not the Semana Santa that hispanic cultures will celebrate. If memory serves, that will be sometime in April this year.

Of course, memory often does NOT serve, these days.

Outside of Cabo and maybe Rosarito or Ensenada, the effect of US college kids at the traditional spring break is minimal. If you are in smaller towns, you will likely not see any. This is especially true, also, because colleges are spreading their spring breaks out from late February to mid April.

Mexicans, on the other hand, will be everywhere in large numbers at Semana Santa. Funny how that works in Mexico. My experience is that they are a partying lot, so if a quiet Baja experience is your goal, steer clear.

One final thought: if you are looking for a warm weather experience in March, you will likely NOT find that anywhere along the Pacific coast. I think I would head to the campos just south of San Felipe and head into town when you desire.

[Edited on 1-5-2006 by Hook]

bajalou - 1-5-2006 at 10:29 AM

San Felipe is a pretty big spring break destination also.

rpleger - 1-5-2006 at 10:39 AM

Muleg? will be full with spring breakers, stay clear of here.

Vacatio period this year

fdt - 1-5-2006 at 07:19 PM

Is from 4/08 to 4/23 for the Baja California school system, and should be the same for Baja California Sur
http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/portal/ciudadanos/imagenes/...

jimqpublic - 1-6-2006 at 01:41 PM

Keeping on with the question- I'm planning on a longer trip with my family- appx 3 weeks. We want to see whales at San Ignacio and make it to Bahia Concepcion. We'll definitely be sure to return before 4/8 beginning of Baja school break. We'll start after 2/25. So that gives me a 6 week window. Any other dates in March with throngs of crowds?

Thanks
Jim
Long Beach

backninedan - 1-6-2006 at 02:20 PM

Loreto beaches will be crowded for sure.

Sharksbaja - 1-6-2006 at 03:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jimqpublic
Any other dates in March with throngs of crowds?

Thanks
Jim
Long Beach


Cabo will have crowds with thongs!:lol:

Hook - 1-6-2006 at 04:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jimqpublic
Keeping on with the question- I'm planning on a longer trip with my family- appx 3 weeks. We want to see whales at San Ignacio and make it to Bahia Concepcion. We'll definitely be sure to return before 4/8 beginning of Baja school break. We'll start after 2/25. So that gives me a 6 week window. Any other dates in March with throngs of crowds?

Thanks
Jim
Long Beach


I'm gonna say that you will be fine for the entire period you will be down there. It's the traditional Semana Santa that gets crowded by tenfold, at least.

simple answer: avoid 1 week on either side of Easter

BajaVida - 1-7-2006 at 07:27 AM

Easter is April 16.

You cannot otherwise predict when the college kids are off since there are many different spring break periods.

That is why we are headed to Laguna San Ignacio and BOLA between 3/28 and 4/8.

We will be home before the crowds arrive.:cool:

fdt - 1-7-2006 at 07:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jimqpublic
Any other dates in March with throngs of crowds?

Thanks
Jim
Long Beach

March 18 - 21 no school in M?xico (Natalicio de Don Benito Juarez) Juarez birthday

turtleandtoad - 1-7-2006 at 09:36 AM

I spent Semana Santa on the beach at Playa Requeson on Bahia Concepcion last year and had a blast!

It was crowded and noisy during the day with the kids running around, parents cooking, socalizing and getting together for impromptu jam sessions, and vendors walking or driving around selling everything imaginable. But it was quiet at night.

There were only about 4 or 5 gringo camps but I'll take the local crowds at Semana Santa over the Spring Breakers anytime!!!