BajaNomad - Mulege or Bahia de Los Angeles?

Mulege or Bahia de Los Angeles?

Bruce10987 - 11-30-2007 at 10:50 AM

Three friends and I will be driving from San Diego into Baja over New Years. Our plan is to leave on Saturday AM (potentially early), December 29th. We must be back by the afternoon on Friday January 4th, since one friend has a flight that night. So this gives us 6 nights in Mexico. None of us has been to Baja before, though I have spent a lot of time in South America (so I speak Spanish, have been in remote areas, etc.) Another friend just spent two years in Peace Corps in Africa, so we have plenty of experience w/ traveling, camping, safety precautions, etc. We'll be smart and careful - not big partiers - we're all in our mid-20s.

We were initially planning to go to Bahia de Los Angeles - it sounds like it's beautiful, we could potentially kayak and maybe even swim - and there are options for camping on the beach or staying in a hostal or cabin. I can't tell what it would be like there for New Years? It would be nice if there were things going on, but we don't want anything too touristy or intense either. It sounds like that if we leave San Diego early, we could make it to Bahia de los Angeles in one day.

I also have been reading about Mulege, which sounds perfect for us, except it's far. The water is warmer, more stuff going on, warmer weather, still hiking and swimming and kayaking available, and more of a real town to explore and spend New Years in.....so my question is, is it worth driving all the way to Mulege if we will only have 3 days/4 nights there?

My vague idea is to drive from San Diego to Catavina on day 1, camp there, then drive to Mulege day 2, spend 4 nights there, then do the same basic thing on the way back. So is Mulege really much better than Bahia de Los Angeles? Are there any other midway stopping points that are worthwhile between SD and Bahia de Los Angeles (or between SD and Mulege?)

Any advice?

Thanks a lot!

Hook - 11-30-2007 at 11:38 AM

this is a tough choice. BOLA is the right distance but you can get shut out from kayaking if the winds pick up. And they can last for a few days, at times. Also, tends to be much cooler, especially the water.

In the Mulege area, the winds make it down there but you can usually find protected areas in Concepcion. You probably wont get shut out of water sports at all, except maybe decent fishing. So the extra day's drive (total; you should be in Mulege in time on the second day to do some activities IF YOU LEAVE EARLY) is worth the gamble versus saving a day's drive and possibly being shut out in BOLA.

I think I'd do Mulege and tackle the drive just as you describe.

That's my advice. Nothing more disappointing than arriving a a beautiful location and not being able to enjoy it. The winds can get that bad at BOLA, when it comes to watersports.

Bajaboy - 11-30-2007 at 11:42 AM

I think it depends on what you're driving. If you have a car that can handle the dirt roads then go to BoLA. From there you could explore Animas and/or head down and visit Pancho at Playa San Rafael. If the winds pick up head out to Asuncion or La Bocana.

Muluge is nice but getting a remote campground this time of year might be a challenge. And it's a two day drive each way.

Zac

Barry A. - 11-30-2007 at 11:48 AM

I agree with Hook, tho it is almost like comparing apples and oranges, the two places are so different.

Both places are gorgeous, BOLA being true open desert but with one of the most beautiful bays in the world, and an incredible watersports place IF THE WIND IS NOT BLOWING--------and that is a BIG IF!! The town tho does not compare to the shear fun of Mulege, both day and night.

Mulege is a paradise within a desert, and Conception Bay just south of Mulege is imcomparable in it's beauty.

Like Hook, I suggest Mulege for your first adventure into Baja, but yes, you will have longggggg days going and coming in that short of a time.

You are really in for a treat, whichever place you choose.

barry

toneart - 11-30-2007 at 11:49 AM

Don't forget your wetsuits in either location.

Don't drive at night. Days are the shortest this time of year.

Try for what you want in either location. Be prepared to accept what Baja gives you and enjoy! Be happy!

Dangerous waters

Sharksbaja - 11-30-2007 at 12:20 PM

The water is still fine in the BOC.

Gee Tony I thought the water was warmer than the air for a good portion of the days recently. Went skiing and tubing and never got cold. Of course that was three days ago. Go chk it out! Get wet! :yes:

The winds are very fickle this time of year. While some days are blown out others are flat as a pond. In fact it may start to get windy then just die off. Be prepare for either but don't let it discourage you. BOLA is definitely cooler this in Nov. Mulege has lots of charm and stuff to do.

Take the long road if you still feel comfortable by the time you hit the BOLA turnoff.

larry - 11-30-2007 at 12:49 PM

I go to BOLA every year during the same time period you are talking about for a ten day trip--going to Mulege is too long of a drive for an even shorter period of time. You will spend most of your trip driving.

The recommendation by Bajaboy of a day trip to Las Animas from BOLA is a good one. Las Animas is a couple hour drive and you may likely be the only people there on that beautiful bay. I think anything beyond Las Animas becomes too much driving.

I don't kayak but let me relate this experience. The first time I camped at BOLA, I arrived at Daggett's campground around 4pm. Our family could barely get our tent put up, it was so windy. The next morning the winds had died and I walked down to the shore, where I met a Canadian kayaker who had just rowed in. He had been stuck on one of the islands for three days because of the winds.

You can kayak at BOLA, but always check with someone who has local knowledge about potential wind conditions....and the water is cold at that time of year.

Daggett's is a nice place to camp and there are other formal and informal campgrounds in the area.

Bruce10987 - 11-30-2007 at 12:49 PM

Thanks everyone for the info....what you are all saying makes sense. I would say that Mulege definitely appeals to us more - we're probably most interested in relaxing, maybe some snorkeling, and maybe a day of kayaking - but nothing too intense. So being somewhere with warmer weather and water would be nice....also, we might do a combination of camping and staying in hostals/towns - so Mulege sounds better for that too.

Do the towns of BOLA and Mulege compare at all? My impression is that Mulege has more going on...?

Paulina - 11-30-2007 at 01:24 PM

The town of Bahia has a party on New Year's Eve at the Diaz compound. It starts around 8 or 9pm with a pinata for the kids, then dancing to live music till 2 or 3 am. With electricity in town, who knows, maybe the party will last all night.

If it's windy, there are still things to do besides kayak. Besides what has already been mentioned, a trip to Mission San Borja is a great drive, as well as checking out Las Flores.

Here's a photo from last year's water and weather conditions on Jan. 1st.

Sharksbaja - 11-30-2007 at 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce10987

Do the towns of BOLA and Mulege compare at all? My impression is that Mulege has more going on...?

IMHO they are different as apples and oranges but both have their own appeal. BOLA is surely more gringo driven than Mulege and offers less amentities like shopping and dining.
BOLA offers a quieter respite that makes it a great jumping off point for adventurers and sports.
Mulege has almost recuperated from the flood last year and it looks great along the rio with improvments taking place.
If you don't mind driving an xtra 7 hours do it. Otherwise spend those precious 14 hours in BCN.
Whatever you do, have fun!!

[Edited on 11-30-2007 by Sharksbaja]

nov_07.jpg - 42kB

toneart - 11-30-2007 at 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
The water is still fine in the BOC.

Gee Tony I thought the water was warmer than the air for a good portion of the days recently. Went skiing and tubing and never got cold. Of course that was three days ago. Go chk it out! Get wet! :yes:

Corky,
They are talking about New Years.....cold....wetsuits. The sun usually warms up the air during the day. The wind can really cut into that though.

I am not there yet but I am glad for you the water is still warm.
I will be in Mulege on New Years Eve, prepared for whatever Baja presents. How long will you be there? Hope to see you. :bounce:

Sharksbaja - 11-30-2007 at 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart

Quote:

Oh, that's a different story. Tonys right it does chill down to the lower to mid sixties. I then use a skinsuit for the water. Most folks use surfer wetsuits in Dec - Mar

Tony, I just got back. 3 1/2 weeks of work and play. A great visit overall. Looking good down there. THat photo above is last week in front of our place before they came in with the excavators and dredge and scouped it out 3 more feet. It will be six feet deeper when finished Check out the depth and height and composition of the new riverbank/future malecon. There was an extreme hi/low-tide while I was there. No stench and at peak tide I noticed that the bank was still 2-1/2 ft from the top. Awesome stuff going on. You'll hear all about it. Thank the Governor!

Hook - 11-30-2007 at 03:01 PM

My GOD, are those ALL Airstreams or maybe Ramblers?

Paulina - 11-30-2007 at 03:30 PM

pompano,
I think Mia has a photo of that same group stopped over in Bahia de Los Angeles.
P.

bajaboolie - 11-30-2007 at 05:27 PM

Great photo, Pompano!

805gregg - 12-1-2007 at 06:43 PM

It' winter even in baja ,I spent X-mas in Bay Of Concepition in '86 and froze our butts off even with down jackets, I think water sports would be dicey. It's heaven in summer.

Paulina - 12-1-2007 at 06:55 PM

It's the luck of the draw as far as weather/wind goes. Here's a great site for those who are interested in weather in Bahia de Los Angeles, thanks to Mia's message board. http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/mercuryboard-1-1-5/index.p...

This page should be book marked for future reference for those who are interested in first hand weather info from Bahia.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.as...

P<*)))><

[Edited on 2-12-2007 by Paulina]

Bob and Susan - 12-2-2007 at 07:10 AM

i just drove down...to mulege

we crossed at 5pm and drove to camalu
arrived there at 10PM
easy drive
lots of "botts dots" to see

drove to mulege the next day
10 hours in the rain
we drove slow :saint:

last year when i was driving every two weeks...

i used to leave after work and
take a day and a half to get to mulege

the drive up is 12 hours so I did it in one day
back to work the next morning

its a long drive but worth it :saint:

the bay of la is a little cooler than mulege in the winter :tumble:

not too much nightlife in either place

so don't plan on alot of "action"

ps....
we have one casita left for 4 people :lol:

5 kayaks too.....

vandenberg - 12-2-2007 at 07:54 AM

Quote:

Bay Of Concepition . It's heaven in summer.

Lots of people would call it hell