BajaNomad

La Paz Loops

Boshvideo - 7-14-2007 at 11:33 AM

I'm flying from LA to La Paz and renting a car. As suggested, I'd like to make a northern and southern "loop" from La Paz. The northern loop would be as far as San Ignacio (Yurts) and back. The southern loop would be Cabo and back. (more of an actual loop) I have 11 days.
I'm open to any suggestions as to: is this a good idea? How far can I cover each day on the northern route and still enjoy myself. What towns are best to stop in? What hotels in these towns?
Questions, I've got questions

vandenberg - 7-14-2007 at 11:42 AM

As bad as Americans doing Europe. If it's Tuesday, this must be Germany.:tumble::tumble: To do just one of those loops will take pretty much all of your 11 days if you want to experience a little of Baja. I suggest sticking to the southern one since the one to San Ignacio has lots of rather ugly distances with not much to see. Save that one for the next time. Like most of us, once in Baja ,you will be back.:P:P

Diver - 7-14-2007 at 11:47 AM

This is a good idea.

Going north:
Leave La Paz in the morning and you will pass through Cuidad Constitution and then head across towards Loreto. Plan to spend the afternoon and night in Loreto. Try the Iguana Inn (others will supply more). There are many nice restaurants and shops in town and a nice waterfront.

Leave Loreto mid-morning and head north to the beaches of Conception.
Stop at El Requeson and walk out to the islands/penninsula for some photos and a feel for the place. Make your way along the rest of the conception beaches on your way to Mulege for the night. Stay at Serinidad for the "Pig Roast" on Saturday night, if possible. Try breakfast at Saul's La Palapa just north of the Pemex.

Leave Mulege and head north to Santa Rosalia where you can walk through town and visit the bakery. Head north to San Ignacio for the night.
Explore San Ignacio the next day.

Depending on your schedule, you can easily make it from Loreto to San Ignacio in one day - either direction. You could make San Ignacio to La Paz in one longer day. Alllow some time to stop at a nice beach, overlook or roadside stand. Meet and talk to people as you go and your trip will be richer. You might even decide to stay an extra day somewhere along the way.

The south loop is much shorter as you can make Todos Santos or Cabo in about 2 - 2 1/2 hours each from La Paz.

.

[Edited on 7-14-2007 by Diver]

Diver - 7-14-2007 at 11:59 AM

Forgot to ask when you are going; are we looking for air conditioning ?? :biggrin:

Loop choices;
Depends what you are interested in.
Lot's more citiy stuff and populations in much of the southern loop if that's what you are looking for.
In La Paz, make sure to take a day to hit the beaches east from town.
Also consider the east cape drive from San Jose to La Ribera along the coast.

Boshvideo - 7-14-2007 at 12:10 PM

Thank you Diver, this is exactly what I've been looking for. Yes, looking at the temps over the last few days, air conditioning would be a good thing.
thanks again.

bajajudy - 7-14-2007 at 01:43 PM

The southern route is cooler this time of year.

Paula - 7-14-2007 at 01:46 PM

BV,
mileage is as follows:
La Paz to Loreto: 223
Loreto to Mulege: 85
Mulege to Santa Rosalia: 39
Santa Rosalia to San Ignacio: 46
San Ignacio to La Paz: 393

Diver's plan above is really good. The one thing you might do differently is to go to Loreto OR Mulege on the way north, and catch the other on the way back down. This will shorten the drive on the last day a little. The pig roast at Serenidad is a good idea, and maybe this way will help you land in Mulege on Saturday.

A fun quick stop along the road is Las Pocitas. It is about 70 miles north of La Paz, don't blink or you'll miss it. Don Miguel (he has a big sign) has a store with rustic crafts, etc, and a restaurant that his wife runs next door, all built from palo de arco, petate, etc. Good machaca burritos-- cheap!

Boshvideo - 7-14-2007 at 02:41 PM

Great Paula. That's valuable info.
I love this board.

Bob and Susan - 7-14-2007 at 06:57 PM

bosh...look up what machaca is before you order it:lol:

Bob and Susan - 7-14-2007 at 07:06 PM

la paz to loreto 4 hours easy
loreto to mulege 2 hours easy
mulege to santa rosalia 1 hour easy
santa rosalia to San Ignacio 1 1/2 easy

we were in loreto this week for the day buying plants
the streets were ALL torn up
it's sure a mess
got into tar and took all day to clean it off the truck

pig roast at Serenidad is a good idea but it's ONLY saturday
air conditioned rooms are a plus and a swim-up bar makes it "EASY LIVIN"

in santa rosalia stay at brendas las casitas
http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/
CLEAN rooms GREAT a/c and FANTASTIC view with a balcony for every room
no pool....or bar....you have to "fend for yourself"

stop by on the way up....say hi

danaeb - 7-14-2007 at 08:04 PM

Unless you're really intent on going to Cabo, I'd spend my southern loop time in La Paz and Todos Santos area. Tecolote is a beautiful beach and a great spot to head out to Espiritu Santo for kayaking.

[Edited on 7-15-2007 by danaeb]

tuna stick - 7-14-2007 at 08:33 PM

Oh,what do I know? Stay a couple nights in La Paz,make rservations for the Iguana Inn the next night,and see if you want to continue driving!

Paula - 7-14-2007 at 10:04 PM

Don't spend the night in Sant Rosalia-- a couple hours morning or afternoon is enough.

And danaeb's advice is good too-- Balandra is another gorgeous beach in La Paz. But if you really want to see Cabo, you should do it. And take a 40 minute glass bottom panga out to the arch, and then you'll see why not to go to San Lucas:lol::lol:

vandenberg - 7-15-2007 at 07:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
Don't spend the night in Sant Rosalia-- a couple hours morning or afternoon is enough.

And danaeb's advice is good too-- Balandra is another gorgeous beach in La Paz. But if you really want to see Cabo, you should do it. And take a 40 minute glass bottom panga out to the arch, and then you'll see why not to go to San Lucas:lol::lol:


Why Paula:?::?:
Maybe because of all the timeshare salesmen on the bottom,decaying.:P:P

Paula - 7-15-2007 at 07:40 AM

I guess there's no reason not to stay in SR, but I don't see it fitting into Bosh's 11 day plan, considering what he wants to cover in his time in BCS.

I'm starting to see a future here for myself--Paula's custom itineraries-- :lol::lol: I'm gonna get rich:biggrin:

vandenberg - 7-15-2007 at 08:17 AM

I just hope that his rental car is a comfortable one. He'll be spending the better part of his 11 days in it, if he follows the suggestions of you guys. Not my idea of spending a vacation, but, to each his own. La Paz and environs alone would be enough for a week's exploring, with it's beaches, Malecon,shopping and closeness to Ventana,east cape, Todos Santos and even San Jose and San Lucas.
Not to mention the long stretches of our dangerous 2 lane highway between La Paz and San Ignacio being mostly among the uglier part of this highway. And, like most iteneraries, if your 11 days include your arrival and departure days,you'll only have 9 actual days to enjoy yourself, and if sitting in a car and a motel room appeal to you, so be it.

Paula - 7-15-2007 at 09:22 AM

Ed,
BV started out wanting to see it all from TJ to Cabo. So he's cut it back a lot. The 2 loops are a lot to do in his time frame, but he seems to want an overview, just as Don and I did on our first trip here. So he has lots of ideas from lots of people, and some good info to use along the way. And he can set out from LP to San Ignacio, and change his mind and spend more time in Loreto or Mulege if he finds he's driving too much.

And it is true that 11 days in the area of La Paz would make a nice trip in itself.

Boshvideo, I hope when your trip is done you'll give us a detailed report about what you decided on and how you felt about the places you saw!

Boshvideo - 7-15-2007 at 12:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
bosh...look up what machaca is before you order it:lol:


Can you give me a hint?

Paula - 7-15-2007 at 12:52 PM

Kinda like jerky, but made from burro meat. That's why they call 'em burritos:lol::lol:

....or so the story goes

comitan - 7-15-2007 at 12:54 PM

Its stringy dried Beef or Manta Raya, its generally very good for my part.

Boshvideo - 7-15-2007 at 12:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
Ed,
BV started out wanting to see it all from TJ to Cabo. So he's cut it back a lot. The 2 loops are a lot to do in his time frame, but he seems to want an overview, just as Don and I did on our first trip here. So he has lots of ideas from lots of people, and some good info to use along the way. And he can set out from LP to San Ignacio, and change his mind and spend more time in Loreto or Mulege if he finds he's driving too much.

And it is true that 11 days in the area of La Paz would make a nice trip in itself.

Boshvideo, I hope when your trip is done you'll give us a detailed report about what you decided on and how you felt about the places you saw!


Paula, many thanks to you and vandenberg for your insightful and interesting thoughts. A part of me seems to think that more is better. You know, covering a lot of ground, "taking it all in" so to speak. It seems the more I read on this forum and in guide books I've looked at, Baja has so much to offer and I can't wait to get there. (two weeks from today) Another part of me totally agrees with vanderberg. Seeing much of what Baja has to offer throught the windshield of a car doesn't feel that good. What I do know is, this is a lovely dilema. I can't loose either way. You helpful folks have provided me with wonderful scenarios, based on your personal experiences, and I appreciate it. I promise to make a full and accurate report upon my return. But I've still got 2 weeks, so I'll be around this board to absorb some more wisdom.

bajajudy - 7-15-2007 at 01:40 PM

If you chose the southern route
From La Paz and all in one day
Food in San Pedro
El Triunfo-baskets and piano museo
San Antonio-Just a drive through of an old town
San Bartolo-known for its sweets. Dried mango should be plentiful. Also buenelos last stand on the left on the way out of town
Night in Los Barriles area.
Next day Cabo Pulmo for a night or two.
San Jose del Cabo for a night. (come see me!)
San Lucas on your way to Todos Santos for at least one night
Cactus garden
Back to La Paz
The entire trip if you dont stop is about 6 hours. That would give you plenty of time to check things out.

Boshvideo - 7-15-2007 at 02:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
If you chose the southern route
From La Paz and all in one day
Food in San Pedro
El Triunfo-baskets and piano museo
San Antonio-Just a drive through of an old town
San Bartolo-known for its sweets. Dried mango should be plentiful. Also buenelos last stand on the left on the way out of town
Night in Los Barriles area.
Next day Cabo Pulmo for a night or two.
San Jose del Cabo for a night. (come see me!)
San Lucas on your way to Todos Santos for at least one night
Cactus garden
Back to La Paz
The entire trip if you dont stop is about 6 hours. That would give you plenty of time to check things out.

Excellent!!!! many thanks,

Paula - 7-15-2007 at 02:41 PM

La Paz and that southern loop of Judy's would make a great vacation, and you'll be able to remember what you did. The whole big thing-- north and south-- might be a blur when you get home.

Then come back in winter or spring for the rest of it.:cool::coolup:

Boshvideo - 7-15-2007 at 03:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula

Then come back in winter or spring for the rest of it.:cool::coolup:


good point. thanks

osoflojo - 7-16-2007 at 08:55 AM

Dont let the Cabo-Bashers scare you off. If you are a Philly Boy you just may like it................there is a lot more to do and see there than most will let on...........

bajajudy - 7-16-2007 at 10:09 AM

Yea, I just reread my post and it is hard to tell but I was suggesting a night in San Lucas...party hardy! Go to Cabo Wabo, Squid Row, and some of the :cool:other new places that I dont know the names of.

osoflojo - 7-16-2007 at 12:56 PM

Right Judy, as I just posted on another thread and I know you know well, you dont have to get caught up in all that teeny-bopper crap. I hang out with friends I have known for 20 years and have never set foot in the Cabo Wabo...........

Boshvideo - 7-16-2007 at 04:42 PM

OK, I'm a newbie so..... can you please tell me what Cabo Wabo is? It's not what you get when you drink tap water is it?

tripledigitken - 7-16-2007 at 04:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Boshvideo
OK, I'm a newbie so..... can you please tell me what Cabo Wabo is? It's not what you get when you drink tap water is it?


Sammy Hagar's (the last lead singer for Van Halen) Bar in Cabo San Lucas. Also started a company that produced Tequila by the same name which he has sold for an obscene about of money.


Ken

bajajudy - 7-16-2007 at 05:28 PM

BV
Although if you go there you could wind up in the toilet:barf:

Boshvideo - 7-16-2007 at 06:32 PM

After being at any bar for a spell, you eventualy end up in the toilet, don't you?