BajaNomad

Solo 2 Week Trip To Cabo San Lucus! Looking for tips, advice, warnings, etc.....

bostonmangler - 5-6-2007 at 07:35 AM

Hey Guys

One of my good friends is getting married in Cabo at the end of October.

As soon as he told me, the first thought was "ROAD TRIP!!!"

I have wanted to do this for a long time and now is my chance! The furtherest south i have been is Gonzaga. I have a well prepped rig with tools and spares.

I have talked my lovely girlfriend into doing it with me and she had some concerns, most are valid! I bribed her with 3 nights stay in the fancy smancy resort once we get there in exchange for her camping with me the rest of the time.

The wedding is on the 27th and below is our timeline and the amount of time we can both take off from work. We want to fit the trip in this time line as best as possible

-Depart San Diego On Monday the 22nd
-Arrive In Cabo on Friday the 26th in the AM
-Depart Cabo on Monday the 29th
-Arrive in San Diego either Thursday the 1st or Friday the 2nd of November.

UPDATE: A friend of ours also told us to look into the possibility of ferry to Mazatlan and returning via mainland, so we are exploring that option as well!

Her main concern is sleeping in remote areas. I see her point and want to cater to her wish and looking to spend the nights camping near other folks. Its not the ideal situation, but i am amazed i talked her into this so i am not complaining! She LOVED Campo Beluga with the remoteness but also having flushing toilets and showers! Any others like that?? That would make this trip that much more fun!

So, my questions to the experts are these:

-Established Campgrounds En Route That You Recommend? She is very set on this, which is ok with me.
-Am i crazy attempting this solo?
-Things to see and do along the way
-Things or places to avoid spending the night?
-Am i allowing us enough time to see the sights and do the trip in relax mode?
-What additonal paperwork is needed when heading to Baja SUR?

Any advice would be great!

I would like to use this as a trip planning thread!!

Thanks!



[Edited on 5-7-2007 by bostonmangler]

BAJACAT - 5-6-2007 at 08:28 AM

Well you asking for alot info. here. let me give tell you what I will do.I will do all my driving during the day,will try to see some of the near b y missions ruins or blds if you like seeing missions that its.I will camp en Rancho Santa Inez in catavina,I will avoid camping close to the main roads. I will consider Bola for a sightseeing trip.Im sure some of the ather nomads will give you more ideas,is hard to compress everything in one post,expecially when I don't know how much time you are putting aside for sidetrips.But have fun and don't worry the roads it's safe.

Packoderm - 5-6-2007 at 10:40 AM

-Am i allowing us enough time to see the sights and do the trip in relax mode?

It looks like you are driving round trip in about 8-9 days if you deduct the time in CSL. That's a lot of time spent driving. That would be about 6 hours spent driving each day with just making camp for the night and then get back going each following morning. If it is her time schedule that is causing the quick pace, I would try getting her a one-way airline ticket back from CSL, take your time going down, and then I'd drive back alone or with a buddy from the wedding party.

bostonmangler - 5-6-2007 at 10:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
That would be about 6 hours spent driving each day with just making camp for the night and then get back going each following morning.


Yes, that is about what we figured.

I figure i will marathon through the areas i have already seen to make time to see new places! :biggrin:
Quote:
Originally posted by PackodermIf it is her time schedule that is causing the quick pace, I would try getting her a one-way airline ticket back from CSL, take your time going down, and then I'd drive back alone or with a buddy from the wedding party.


I thought about that but A) My schedule is somewhat limited too, and B) already asked everyone attending if anyone wanted to DRIVE it back with me and they all thought i was nuts! :D

I am adventurous but dont want to do the drive back alone! :o

[Edited on 5-6-2007 by bostonmangler]

[Edited on 5-6-2007 by bostonmangler]

[Edited on 5-6-2007 by bostonmangler]

Pescador - 5-6-2007 at 12:16 PM

First night I would look into San Quintin and we prefer El Pebellon campground as it is right on the beach and is a great way to get started. If you want to get further south, Bajacat is right on with Santa Inez which is just south of Catavina but they do not have showers or restrooms unless the restaurant has something. Guerro negro has a great campground just before the checkpoint with a nice restaurant and they give you a break on camping if you eat dinner (used to be free but no longer). San Ignacio has a really cool campground run by a Canadian couple that is at San Ignacio Springs, and one of her breakfasts will set you up for the duration of the trip. San Lucas Cove has lots of spaces on the water and has running water but no electricity and is just south of Santa Rosalia. The campgrounds on Conception bay are beautiful but most do not have running water so bathrooms and showers can be a problem. Loreto has two great campgrounds, one in town a block from the water and is called El Morro and then south of town on Calle Madero is Loremar RV park which has everything. Going south to Constitucion brings you to a real camping highlight which is Palapa 206 which is at Kilometer 206 just south of Constitucion. Mike is an englishman and is married to Brenda who is a real mexican sweetheart.
I know I have left some out like Orchards and places along the river in Mulege but I think you will have a great amount of choices and still have some great places to stay that are safe and secure.
You guys will have the time of your lives and the only problem is that once you drive the highway, you will be hooked and will start planning your return. You have allowed plenty of time for your trip so you can experience things as they occur and will be able to get into the adventure. Be sure to drive during the day, the roads are narrow but much better all the time.

Packoderm - 5-6-2007 at 01:48 PM

Take a portable toilet:






A tent for the toilet:






A portable hot shower:






A portable camping sink:







Some of this:






Then she might be happy.

Sharksbaja - 5-6-2007 at 01:54 PM

The fisherman has good info here Mangler. I certainly would shoot for more mileage the first day though. San Quintin is a place many folks feel nervous about staying. Of course it is important that you know where to go in any town. Baja is a friendly place IMHO, so ask around town if need be, or follow the Nomads' advice.
Quite frankly, if you have the bucks for hotels I'd spend the first night in Catavina. It's an awesome drive in the morning. If you leave at the crack of dawn you should be able to comfortably get there before dark and enjoy the romantic sunset.

bostonmangler - 5-6-2007 at 06:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sharksbaja
The fisherman has good info here Mangler. I certainly would shoot for more mileage the first day though. San Quintin is a place many folks feel nervous about staying.


Yeah, we drove through there on our last trip and didnt really have a desire to return! :D

I think we are shooting for Catavina for the first night! Most likely, the highly recommended Rancho Santa Inez!
Quote:
Originally posted by SharksbajaOf course it is important that you know where to go in any town. Baja is a friendly place IMHO, so ask around town if need be, or follow the Nomads' advice.


I concur! I figure i would ask the experts here with first hand experience! I truly appreciate all of your input and am really looking forward to this!
Quote:
Originally posted by SharksbajaQuite frankly, if you have the bucks for hotels I'd spend the first night in Catavina.


With the price of fuel and my rig getting a poor 9-11mpg, i think we are going to try to save as much $ as possible and camp!
Quote:
Originally posted by SharksbajaIt's an awesome drive in the morning. If you leave at the crack of dawn you should be able to comfortably get there before dark and enjoy the romantic sunset.


Yeah, we are probably going to leave SD in the wee hours and hopefully hit Rancho Santa Inez by sunset!

bostonmangler - 5-6-2007 at 06:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
Take a portable toilet:


A tent for the toilet:

A portable hot shower:

A portable camping sink:

Some of this:



Then she might be happy.


Yeah, we have most of that jazz in one for or another!

Thanks

bostonmangler - 5-6-2007 at 06:30 PM

A friend of ours also told us to look into the possibility of ferry to Mazatlan and returning via mainland!

bostonmangler - 5-6-2007 at 06:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
First night I would look into San Quintin and we prefer El Pebellon campground as it is right on the beach and is a great way to get started. If you want to get further south, Bajacat is right on with Santa Inez which is just south of Catavina but they do not have showers or restrooms unless the restaurant has something. Guerro negro has a great campground just before the checkpoint with a nice restaurant and they give you a break on camping if you eat dinner (used to be free but no longer). San Ignacio has a really cool campground run by a Canadian couple that is at San Ignacio Springs, and one of her breakfasts will set you up for the duration of the trip. San Lucas Cove has lots of spaces on the water and has running water but no electricity and is just south of Santa Rosalia. The campgrounds on Conception bay are beautiful but most do not have running water so bathrooms and showers can be a problem. Loreto has two great campgrounds, one in town a block from the water and is called El Morro and then south of town on Calle Madero is Loremar RV park which has everything. Going south to Constitucion brings you to a real camping highlight which is Palapa 206 which is at Kilometer 206 just south of Constitucion. Mike is an englishman and is married to Brenda who is a real mexican sweetheart.
I know I have left some out like Orchards and places along the river in Mulege but I think you will have a great amount of choices and still have some great places to stay that are safe and secure.
You guys will have the time of your lives and the only problem is that once you drive the highway, you will be hooked and will start planning your return. You have allowed plenty of time for your trip so you can experience things as they occur and will be able to get into the adventure. Be sure to drive during the day, the roads are narrow but much better all the time.


Wow, thank you very much for that info! Each post i read i am getting more and more excited about this!

Packoderm - 5-6-2007 at 07:05 PM

For Mulege/Bahia Concepcion, what about Playa Naranjos. They should offer everything you need.
http://mulege.org/naranjos/naranjos.htm

bajalou - 5-6-2007 at 07:06 PM

Have a great trip -

My wife and I went to Cabo to join friends in a timeshare a few years back. Made it from San Felipe to Cabo in 3 1/2 days - 3 nights. The return trip took us 13 days cause it's so great to spend a couple days in a area. I still like to do that, wake up in the morning and ask "What do you think, baby, another day?" to which the answer is always "Sounds good to me".

I always enjoy the solo trips more than traveling with a group. Set our own timetable and destinations.

[Edited on 5-7-2007 by bajalou]

Packoderm - 5-6-2007 at 07:23 PM

Once you're in CSL, do try to print out some of the pictures from the trip down, so that you can show them off to the people you meet up with in CSL.