BajaNomad

Just a couple of days in Northern Baja: what to do?

UkuleleSusan - 11-15-2006 at 11:04 PM

After spending Christmas with my in-laws who live near Rosarito, my husband and I thought we'd do a little exploring south (never been to the Gulf coast, either). We only have 4 days and 3 nights to do so. From other messages, it sounds like northern Baja will be pretty busy that week, but if folks can recommend some nice places, we'd really appreciate it.

We enjoy boogie boarding (where it's not too rough and there's a sandy beach), snorkeling, good food (especially fish), and playing music (and listening to it as well). Any places you'd recommend around 3 hours of Ensenada that we can park ourselves? We're just renting a midsize car in San Diego and driving down. We're in our mid-40s, have done a fair bit of World travel, but after roughing it in our earlier years, at this point we enjoy a comfortable vacation.

We had a fantastic time in Oaxaca earlier this year--I'm probably dreaming to think there's a place as cool as that so close to the States, but I thought I'd ask.

Guadalupe Valley Wine Country

jeans - 11-15-2006 at 11:43 PM

Try the Valle de Guadalupe - . La Cetto winery- the Monte Xanic Winery and more - Laja Restaurant or the Adobe Inn.. I've heard great reports....I've driven through but never stopped....it's a pretty drive.

It's located on Mex 3 from north of Ensenada to Tecate. Do a search here for more threads.

Packoderm - 11-16-2006 at 01:54 AM

If it were me, I'd go to San Felipe, (about 4.5 hours from Ensenada) stay at Hotel El Cortez, and drink at Club Miramar. Hire a panga one day to catch some croaker and what-not and get it smoked at the smokers. I'd visit Valle de los Gigantes one day and shoot fireworks at Punta Estrella one evening. Rent quads. Eat at the green place right by Miramar. Good times.

Mexitron - 11-16-2006 at 08:13 AM

San Quintin isn't too far a drive but I don't how the accomodations are on the beaches where you could go boogie boarding. Hotel La Pinta?

bajabound2005 - 11-16-2006 at 08:18 AM

The beach at by the La Pinta Hotel is gorgeous but it might be too windy. The beach at Punta Banda (south of Ensenada on the way to La Bufadora) is also great and great for boogie boarding. Estero Beach Resort??? Oh, Laja Restaurant is normally closed over Christmastime for 2-3 weeks.

Mexitron - 11-16-2006 at 11:01 AM

One thing to remember also is that Christmas time can be cold, even in Baja--water temps in the Pacific can drop to the high fifties, and nighttime air temps into the thirties. The gulf would have warmer water and warmer daytime temps probably.

BajaWarrior - 11-16-2006 at 12:42 PM

The temps in the upper gulf at that time during Xmas and beyond are just as cold. Desert cold with water also in the high 50's. The water doesn't start to warm up until March. Early April it might hit 70, then steadily climbs to high 80's in July.

QuePasaBaja - 11-16-2006 at 01:54 PM

It wont be as busy as you think. The water is too cold, and usually to windy for any fun at the beach, so the best choices would be a day in the wine valley, and then the rest of the time in San Felipe the last time we went, it took about 3 hours. Not sure about road conditions now though.

DENNIS - 11-16-2006 at 02:08 PM

There is a place in the states just like Oaxaca today. East L.A. at midnight.
Bad joke.
Kinda depends on the weather at the time. If it's warm, dry and sunny, West Coast.
Cold and wet on the West Coast, go to the gulf.