two women driving thru the baja...help!

"...we are both in our mid 30's and blonde"

Can you post photos for us? I might be able to help out.

Dennis, I'm surprised at your tone!

Can't you see that I am just a humble gentleman trying to offer asistance to ladies in need.

Cross at Mexicali, take the new 4 lane over to Hwy 1.

Wow, Whitefish Montana.... that's about 1,400 miles North of where I live here in San Diego, North County. You are close enough to Canada to call Baja "THE Baja" I guess. I'm surprised someone hasn't attacke you for that.... hahahaa
You will receive enough information from so many folks on this great board that you will have a difficult time deciding which information to take.... that's for sure.
Blow through Tijuana and get past Ensenada and stop anywhere you feel like you want to along the way. Stay on MX1 and don't ever drive at night. If you do, stay behind and semi tractor trailor for protection. Lot's of animals on the road at night just around a blind curve, and oncoming trucks swing wide around the blind turn coming at you! Sometime tequila is involved
Take whatever advice you receive on this board and have a blast!
Bob H

Welcome to the forum:

I see the lions have already been let loose

First night: Baja Cactus in El Rosario

Second and third nights: Ignacio Springs Bed and Breakfast
http://www.mexonline.com/ignaciosprings.htm
the perfect mid trip break

Fourth night: Loreto

Then into La Paz .....

Have a great trip !!!!!

CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck Dennis, I'm surprised at your tone! Can't you see that I am just a humble gentleman trying to offer asistance to ladies in need.

I get around a few now and then.

Just not your kind. The ball busting b**** kind.

My kind are much friendlier.

Good luck on your trip

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck I get around a few now and then. Just not your kind. The ball busting b**** kind. My kind are much friendlier. Good luck on your trip

someone needs to get lei'd

Opps! Sorry!
You play a little rough and hurt my feelings I guess. I over reacted. I do that sometimes.

Okay back to your trip. Just drive a little more careful than normal. The road is very narrow. Don't be rigid on your plan. If you get tired call it for the day and get a fresh start in the morning.
I've done it at Mach 1 myself a few times and it's a little hard on the nerves.
I was just flirting with you a little. Ya know you being blond and 30 and all.

If you stop at Discover Baja in San Diego , you can pick up your insurance, they will call for your reservations at Ignacio Springs and make sure to reserve space at the dinner, the breakfast is auto included, but you need to make reservations for dinner... you do not want to miss it. And the breakfast are awesome... and the Yurts are really nice...







CaboRon

Re: driving thru baja...help!

Soon someone will recomend crossing in Nogales

"The highway to the main road in Ensenada is HELL from Tecate...."
WRONG!!!
the road is repaired and fine

i'd cross at tj too to go down for these people on THIS trip...

but...

comming back i'd go to tecate

traveling to tecate from ensenada with a trailer can save you $35 both ways...you can use this for 10 gallons gas in the USA

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan traveling to tecate from ensenada with a trailer can save you $35 both ways...you can use this for 10 gallons gas in the USA

dennis...lets do the math
$3.50 a gallon times 10 gallons = $35

i was north june 5th

crossed at tecate north and drove back south thru tj

my truck was $5.25 a toll
3 tolls $15.75
both ways $31.50

1 beer at sharkys $2.50
10 beers = $25

Don't speed on Hgwy 1

Good points. I cannot draw money out of a MX ATM using Chase VISA and they won't budge. So, I use my BofA MC.

Another point no one has made is that women -- blondes especially -- can get alot of unwanted attention from MX men, esp. in the urban areas.

THink security. I always carry a knife and the Spiderco below opens easily with a flick of the wrist. It's lightweight and attaches to my belt. I think everyone should carry a knife.



Fishback? Ignore him. He can't help himself.

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee I think everyone should carry a knife.

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNomad Quote: Originally posted by Lee I think everyone should carry a knife. Lee, et al.... I believe this is illegal in Mexico? If so, one is likely ill-advised to be following such advice. Confirmation anyone? [Edited on 6-28-2008 by BajaNomad]

oh yea...dennis is right...

i'm wrong AGAIN!!!

see what happens when you "charge" your gas...

Now that this thread has been thoroughly highjacked, a question regarding weapons.
Would it be illegal to carry a machete in your car/truck, within reach. Let's say door pocket.

But, back to topic, Girls, if you come through Loreto, you're welcome to stop by for a refreshment, maybe even an overnighter, and we might be able to give you a few pointers about La Paz and advice for the remainder of your travels.

[Edited on 6-28-2008 by vandenberg]

Oh.

Maybe if you carry it in the trunk in it's case.

Pen Flares

Hi Pearl,

Just in case you don't have enough advice here already, I'll offer little more just because you're from Whitefish and I'm from Kalispell.

Your drive from the border will be a little more than 900 miles. Much of the highway is like Going to the Sun Road in Glacier, winding, steep and narrow, but less extreme than the last stretch up to the pass. Other parts are similar to the road from Hot Springs to Paradise-- straight, narrow, a little bumpy, and with no shoulder. And it is almost as pretty as the Flathead-- well-- some parts are prettier. So be open to spending an extra day or two on the drive. Maybe bring a guidebook so you have mileage numbers from town to town, and to help you know what places you'll want to see along the way. The desert around Catavina is beautiful, and San Ignacio is a really cool little town you should look at even if staying there doen't match your driving pace. La Paz is wonderful, but if you're only gonna do this drive once don't miss the scenery.

On the left turn signals, if a big truck signals you to pass it is safe-- they can see farther than you can, and are generally safe and considerate drivers. Be careful using your left signal on the hiway. Once I signalled a left into La Perla beach on Bahia Concepcion and as I started to turn 2 cars with California plates passed me with blinding speed VERY scary!

Oh, and if you'll go into the Palace Bar or the Packer's Roost without a knife, you won't need one on this trip either. Just kidding-- you'll be fine down here-- no need to arm bears-- oops-- I meant bear arms.

Have a great trip!

For me the drive is a cathartic experience which can't be hurried simply because of the pleasure of visiting friends and enjoying great moments in fine restaurants.

Here are two suggestions:

Someone mentioned San Ignacio and the palm grove there next to Rice and Beans just off the road as you enter San Ignacio. Rice and Beans is a famous restaurant and hotel and reliable. It is basically above the same location as the Yurt huts in the grove. Rice and Beans is an excellent place to stay and convenient. They have wireless and every amenity you could want for well under $50/double occupancy. You can also park there and sleep in your car and pay a small fee. They have outside power outlets etc... to support a quick charge up and email check. Ask for the password.

The food is absolutely amazing. Dinner is a dream with shrimp and fish or anything you want and the magaritas are excellent too.


A great thing to do is to get up early from Rice and Beans and depart south with coffee from the owners and make your way to Santa Rosalia and stop at the orange restaurant building on the cliffs as you leave town. There is a fantastic restaurant there to enjoy a morning breakfast over the Sea of Cortez. Sylvia is the owner. Here are some recent photos.

The World Famous Rice and Beans parking lot over the grove.

Rice and Beans





Sylvia's Santa Rosalia Restaurant


Then you can stop in Mulege for snacks... enjoy this spot.

Finally, when you make it to La Paz, you will be a changed person and peaceful. Enjoy an endless number of excellent restaurants, el taste, rancho viejo, drinks at salsipuedes and especially evening walks on the Malecon ;-)

I'm a 40-ish blond (still have all my teeth:biggrin and I did the trip solo from WA state near the Canadian border to La Paz in May. Stopped in Roseburg, OR-Gorman, CA-Guerrero Negro-then La Paz. Gorman to G'ro Negro was a LONG drive. With 2 drivers it will be much better. Crossed at TJ, 8:00am on a weekday. No problems.

What no one else has mentioned is driving in La Paz! This may be a whole other thread, but you need to be warned and prepared.

Driving in La Paz has been described as a team sport, defensively aggressive (and conversely...aggressively defensive) and a study in organized chaos.

here's a start for the Top Ten Tips for driving in La Paz-
1-stop signs are optional.
2-at a 4-way stop, the first person to blink looses their turn. You must start going before the other car is past your front bumper. It is common to have 3 cars in the intersection at the same time.
3- most traffic lights don't work. Obey the ones that do work. Watch for horizontal ones
4- street signs are hard to find. Many side streets don't have signs and the ones on the main streets are rusty and hard to read, hence the need for a second person in the car to watch for the street signs while the driver is playing dodge-car at the 4-way stops......and thus is born the term "team sport".
5-most streets in downtown La Paz are one way and many don't have the One Way signs on every street. Look at the parked cars to determine if it is a one-way and "which"-way
6-
7-
8-
9-
10-

There's a start... I'm looking forward to seeing what other Nomads would add to that.


One other safety tip is to get a cell phone that will work on TelMex cell signals. There are other posts regarding this, so it doesn't need to be explained here. Another great tool when you are in Civilization is the laptop.

For safety, maybe some Nomands along the route would share their phone numbers with you in private U2U for emergencies.

Take it easy, keep your common sense, gas up often and enjoy the adventure!

Bajanuts,
Are you trying to scare the hell out of these girls. Driving La Paz is a piece of cake. In an hour or so, you will figure out "NOT" to totally stop at Alto signs. The traffic behind you will adjust your ways with their honking and threats of climbing in your rear window.
After driving in their traffic for a few hours, you will adjust to their ways and drive like a native. Not meaning that that's the right way to drive, but it will be like a native.
And after you get the hang of it, it will be nothing but fun. Believe me. Like going to the State fair rides or 6 Flags amusement park.
Have fun and keep the faith !!

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg Bajanuts, Are you trying to scare the hell out of these girls. Driving La Paz is a piece of cake. In an hour or so, you will figure out "NOT" to totally stop at Alto signs. The traffic behind you will adjust your ways with their honking and threats of climbing in your rear window. After driving in their traffic for a few hours, you will adjust to their ways and drive like a native. Not meaning that that's the right way to drive, but it will be like a native. And after you get the hang of it, it will be nothing but fun. Believe me. Like going to the State fair rides or 6 Flags amusement park. Have fun and keep the faith !!

My feelings exactly, Ed! As I was reading B'nuts post, I was mentally preparing my own:

La Paz is a piece of cake. Just get in the car, start the engine, smile, drive, enjoy. Don't think, just do it. It's all good.

Well, not exactly

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg Bajanuts, Are you trying to scare the hell out of these girls. Driving La Paz is a piece of cake. In an hour or so, you will figure out "NOT" to totally stop at Alto signs. The traffic behind you will adjust your ways with their honking and threats of climbing in your rear window.

Jaded?

One LAST important issue for the Girls!

Pay or don't pay mordida -- your call

Once you get clear of the border, the rest is a piece of cake. And a sweet piece of cake at that.

Hey fishbuck,

You better stick to flying.

Way to go...