BajaNomad - First Trip Questions

First Trip Questions

Festus - 3-8-2008 at 01:30 PM

Taking my familiy down to Guerrero Negro to see the whales over Easter break. Have some questions that I'm hoping the Nomads can help me with:

1. How hard is it to find ice for ice chests and where is best place to find it.

2. Where do you go in Guerrero Negro to hire a boat to see the whales? What time do they typically open?

3. Where is the best place to buy fireworks in the Ensenada area? Do they sell fireworks bewteen Ensenada and Guerrero Negro?

4. Good restaurants for kids (ages 11-16) between Ensenada and Guerrero Negro?

5. Anything to do in Guerrero Negro vicinity beside whale watching? Any decent beaches?

Thanks so much for sharing any information you have. We are so excited to finally see the Baja. We have wanted to do this trip for several years.

Santiago - 3-8-2008 at 01:56 PM

#1: Very easy.
#2: Signs are everywhere in GN. Morning show about 8:30 and an afternoon show about 12. Sometimes too much wind to get out. Youse takes your chances.
#3: No clue
#4: Kids can be real picky - you're gonna have to be real clear what they will eat. To be honest, most folks just give up and bring down kids food - either that or fight about it the whole freeking way.
#5: Shari would be the one to answer that.
By the way - you might be too late for whales. Oh, and please drop the 'the' in "the Baja". Drives some of us nuts. Seems to be a Canadian thing.
PS - How's Kitty getting along these days - sure had a crush on her.....

bajajudy - 3-8-2008 at 02:11 PM

Having just returned from GN, I can tell you that a trip out to the old pier at sunset is quite a treat. Just try to leave as soon after sunset as possible as the road is rather bumpy and requires constant attention so you dont bounce through the roof.
Another thing to do is the bird refuge. After you are through town and just before the salt company store, take a right and you will see the archway to the sanctuary. There are pix and comments about the birds you will see. It is very interesting, I think.
The dunes out by the airport are great unless the wind is too strong.
A trip to the campground which is called Liebre de Conejo is also a nice trip and you can go out to see the whales from there too.
Have a great time!

BajaWarrior - 3-8-2008 at 02:36 PM

How long is your trip for?

As far as the ice chest, the bigger the chest, the more ice you can fit in it, equals, more days with ice. Do all of this state side. Ice is not the bargain it used to be, why stop?

I use the biggest cooler they sell at Costco, and fill it with BLOCK ice, and keep a towel or two on top of the ice, plus a tarp or plywood on top of cooler, and you've got yourself a 7 day fridge/freezer. You can always remove ice from this cooler and re-supply smaller coolers instead of opening it every 10 minutes for its contents.

Do you really need to annoy everyone around you with fireworks? BTW, they are illegal in Ensenada County, and that stretches to Colonet, and believe it or not, below San Felipe too.

Festus - 3-8-2008 at 03:11 PM

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful. To answer some of the questions...we are going for a week. The question about places for kids was more of a concern about places that are not bars rather than food choices. My kids grew up in South Africa and Australia and know there is more to eating than McDonalds or BK. They will eat most anything. They are looking forward to trying the fish tacos and some of the other local foods.

Don't worry Baja Warrior we won't set any off in your neighborhood. We were planning to drive into the desert and find a spot away from anyone to do them. Was always a highlight of my trips to Rocky Point when I was a kid.

Great ideas BajaJudy. Thanks!!

Bob H - 3-8-2008 at 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
PS - How's Kitty getting along these days - sure had a crush on her.....

Bob H - 3-8-2008 at 05:11 PM

Welcome to the Nomad board Festus! You'll just love this place. Lots of good info from some very experienced Baja travelers.

For whale watching tours - check with the folks at the Malarrimo Restaurant just as you enter town on the right hand side. Great place to eat also! And to camp or spend the night.

Shari would have a lot more info on other places to stay and see in GN.

http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/Whale.Watch.html

Bob H

BajaNomad - 3-8-2008 at 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Festus
1. How hard is it to find ice for ice chests and where is best place to find it.

2. Where do you go in Guerrero Negro to hire a boat to see the whales? What time do they typically open?

3. Where is the best place to buy fireworks in the Ensenada area? Do they sell fireworks bewteen Ensenada and Guerrero Negro?

4. Good restaurants for kids (ages 11-16) between Ensenada and Guerrero Negro?

5. Anything to do in Guerrero Negro vicinity beside whale watching? Any decent beaches?

1. Ice is generally readily available at supermarkets and beer agencies - to name a couple of places.

2. The Malarrimo is an easy selection - and as noted, there are others. Can't miss the signs. While different times have been recommended, you're likely to find the earliest time out is the one you want to take advantage of.

3. Avenida Lopez Mateos stores. I'm not sure of the laws in Ensenada. In Rosarito, I believe they are only allowed on the beach. South of Ensenada w/fireworks isn't likely a good idea (my $.02). I don't think you'll find any fireworks easily available south of Ensenada. If there are places, it'll be in San Quintin and/or Guerrero Negro.

4. You'll have your largest selection of places in San Quintin.

5. I defer to the other suggestions already made.

Ask the others here about why it sounds like there's a train passing by on the outskirts of town when (I think) there're no train tracks running through/near town.

mtgoat666 - 3-8-2008 at 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Festus
We were planning to drive into the desert and find a spot away from anyone to do them.

That usually results in trash strewn across the desert, and disruption for whatever rancher or camper is near your "remote" location. If you really must shoot off fireworks, I suggest you go to any local town dump and do it there where your trash will blend in.

shari - 3-9-2008 at 09:56 AM

Welcome festus....well it's getting a bit later for whales but you may get lucky...I would highly recommend Los Caracoles tour and it's a nice place to stay and sirenita my daughter is the receptionist there so she can help you figure out what to do with the kids! She will let you know where to eat and the kids would love to hang at the dunes in GN too...have a good trip...head out our way if ya want and visit our nice village...great for kids.

Festus - 3-9-2008 at 06:00 PM

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. This is very helpful information and will make the trip that much better for the kids. Share, I hope we run into you and your daughter. See you soon!

Diver - 3-9-2008 at 06:52 PM

Shari is right - can't do better than Sirena for a tour guide in GN.
The lagoona has some wonderful beaches to play at after whale watching, take a right past the whale building and pick a spot to head towards the water.

If you have an extra day, especially if the weather is hot, consider a day in San Ignacio at the B&B where you can float in the fresh water river all day. Stay in the yurts with an awsome breakfast included.

Also, a trip into Bahia de Los angeles, where the beaches are beautiful is a thought on the way back. Others could tell you a hotel to try there.

.

Martyman - 3-10-2008 at 01:46 PM

Firecrackers can be found in some mercados. Bahia de LA has some available. Blast 'em off on the beach. Go for the large skyrockets.
There are multiple places to see whales-check out previous threads.
Have Fun

Kell-Baja - 3-10-2008 at 02:00 PM

Seems like your questions have been answered so, I will just say "Have A Great Trip" :biggrin:

BajaDanD - 3-10-2008 at 10:29 PM

What day are you leaving and what day are you comming back

Capt. George - 3-11-2008 at 04:26 AM

Festus

do you celebrate "Festivus For the Rest of Us?

oh yeah, tape around the lid of ice chest even keeps ice longer..coleman has been better then igloo lately? poor quality control?

805gregg - 3-11-2008 at 07:11 AM

GN is cold your kids might have more fun on sea of cortez side, maybe bay of conception or bay of LA.

bajajudy - 3-11-2008 at 08:57 AM

Festus
I just noticed that you said Easter weekend....you had better have reservations somewhere if you are coming that weekend. You will not find a room anywhere.

shari - 3-11-2008 at 09:54 AM

By late march there may not be any whales in the "inner" lagoon...the one you can drive out to...most have left the lagoon by then and there might be some near the mouth of the lagoon which is where the town tours take you...these whales are kind of resting a bit around the mouth...so it's a different experience...they aren't familiar with the panga drivers as they aren't "from" this lagoon...but passerbyes...which is why I suggested to go with the town tours as they go to the mouth where you have a better chance of seeing whales. Good advice to hang at the back as friendly whales usually hang with the panga driver...but it's fun at the bow too for unobstructed views. I think Sirenita will be in Asuncion on the holidays and we will be lounging at an undisclosed secret spot...have fun festus.

Festus - 3-11-2008 at 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaDanD
What day are you leaving and what day are you comming back

We are crossing at TJ on 3/24 and returning to Sn Dgo on 3/28 or 3/29. Staying at Desert Inn Sn Quintin on 3/24 and Desert Inn GN on 3/25-3/26. Then back to Desert Inn SQ on 3/27. May stay an extra day in SQ or area on the way back.

Since learning about Shari's place I wish we had booked there or some of the other nice places I've seen in recent weeks but we already prepaid at the DI and will stick with it for this trip while evaluating other options for future returns.

oxxo - 3-11-2008 at 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Festus
and Desert Inn GN on 3/25-3/26.

Los Caracoles in GN is much nicer than Desert Inn and less money.....plus it has Serenita, MexiCanadian, at the front desk. Dersert Inn GN is a couple of miles outside of town near the Army base. But it will be okay this time. You will just pick Los Caracoles the next time you come back.

In my opinion, Hotel San Quintin is much nicer than Desert Inn in San Quintin. But Baja Cactus Hotel in El Rosario is the best bet in the area, just 30 minutes south of San
Quintin.

I am not a fan of the Desert Inn chain, overpriced and underpersonalized. But its okay for your first trip. You will make different choices the next time down.

You're going to have a great time!

[Edited on 3-11-2008 by oxxo]

wilderone - 3-12-2008 at 04:30 PM

I wouldn't waste an extra day in San Quintin on the way back. But if you've made those reservations, then maybe can't change your itinerary. At least check out the museum in El Rosario. Maybe do a side trip to Mision San Borja on the way back.