parkersmith - 6-20-2004 at 04:48 AM
Everone seems to help everyone on this board so here goes.I am a 43 year old talk show host/disc jockey in Chattanooga,tennessee who just got married
to a girl that is mexiacan after we dated for three years.Her name is Angelia,and is 33 lovely and very compassionate.We love each other,and our
families HATED us getting married though we are both very devout catholic.We both worked very hard and saved money to go round trip to San Diego on
June 26th and then go to Baja Norte,returning July 3rd.Should we rent a car in Tijuana and get the insurance there,and where after we cross the
boarder should we rent a volkswagen or cheap car?Angelia wants to lie in the sun and have some Nightlife,and we are not big on tourist places.Do you
all know of some places that a lot of tourists have yet to find that have good beaches,and food and drink?We don't mind traveling some,but we have had
it emotionally hard since our wedding from our families two weeks ago,and we cannot wait to leave and et away.We want to do what honeymooners do....
Hotel recommendations,resaraunts,
bars?I would also like to interview on the air what the baja is like because my listeners think I have lost my mind just renting a car and taking off.
Call me collect or write me at:
parkerfromtn@webtv.net (REMEMBER,IT"S DOT NET,NOT DOT COM)
Home phone 423-877-3714
or post here.
Thank you and God bless you.We deserve to be away from this stress and have fun and enjoy one another.
I love the heart of the mexican people.
Parker Smith
David K - 6-20-2004 at 07:49 AM
Congratulations on your union! You both are grown ups, so don't let families harass you!
I can't think of a place that has 'nightlife' but not touristy nor has not been 'discovered' that you can get to in a rental car. Rosarito, Ensenada,
and San Felipe in Baja Norte would be choices that are both. South of Rosarito is the Pyramid Resort (Plaza del Mar) which is away from the city and
near the famous La Fonda restaurant. Just south of Ensenada at Punta Banda are some nice places, too.
I am mostly a camping person so hopefully a more qualified Nomad can help you further.
Bahia de los Angeles is beautiful and the new hotel Los Vientos (a few miles north of town) is reported open... No 'nightlife', however.
Remember it is hot on the gulf side, and gloomy (overcast) on the Pacific side this time of year.
Baja is more of an experience where you and the land have a relationship... One week will only wet your appitite. BE WARNED: If you catch Baja Fever,
you will want to relocate to Southern California, to be near your new mistress, Baja California!
Rent the car, and GO! Perhaps don't stay the whole time in one place. IF you are up to it, make a dash for Baja Sur, see San Ignacio and stay at
Ignacio Springs Bed & Breakfast. Then check out Mulege.. known as Baja's Hawaii! A few miles south of Mulege is Bahia Concepcion... SEE IT! That's
about as far as you want to go with only a week off. Do you have a good map? The AAA Baja map can be ordered from DiscoverBaja.com or MapWorld.com and
is most helpfull, the AAA guidebook is also very good. Have a wonderful time!
Taco de Baja - 6-20-2004 at 08:56 AM
Some car rental places will not rent to you if you cross the border...So, ask about their policy. Definately get insurance BEFORE you cross, if you
are in an accident and don't have it, you will probably go to jail. You can get the insurance at most gas stations near the border cities. probably
around $100 for the week.
If your wife wants to lie in the sun, and have a nightlife, I would recommend San Felipe. Not my kind of place since I like to camp. Should be over
100 degrees in the day with 80-85 degree water temps. It is "tourtisty" but you cannot have a non-tourist place, and have a nightlife....
Priorities
jrbaja - 6-20-2004 at 09:27 AM
Good advice from all the above so here's what I recommend. 1. How much driving do you want to do? Driving down Baja is an incredible experience in
itself. Gorgeous views, cactus fields, very different! If you don't mind driving for 14-16 hours from the border each way, I would recommend Mulege
as you will get some nightlife in town or at Hotel Serenidad and have the beaches of Concepcion Bay to enjoy. Some of the best in Baja for tanning,
swimming, snorkeling. One of the prettiest places as well. It will be hot at this time of year.
If you don't want to spend that much time driving, San Quintin is pretty popular. 3 - 4 hours from the border. There is some night life but pretty
much just tourists and fishermen. There is great shelling, clamming, and seafood galore. As David said, this time of the year can be foggy most all
the time but, today in Rosarito, it is not. Perhaps sunny days are coinciding with summer this year.
San Felipe is fairly close to the border and it can be fun. Beautiful beaches to the south and really good snorkeling at Puertecitos Hot Springs.
There are people on here that live there full time so they can fill you in if this sounds interesting. If you don't mind the heat and want nightlife
and sun, San Felipe would probably be the place.
Sorry about the parent thing. It is your life and you made the right decision. You two will be very happy together. Especially after a trip to
Baja! Buena suerte.
Ensenada, on the Pacific coast, 2 hours south
Gypsy Jan - 6-20-2004 at 05:08 PM
The drive is easy on a clean, safe highway maintained in a manner up to U.S. standards. You won't need to get visas for a weekend stay.
The city of Ensenada is a "real" city, in the sense it came into existence to provide homes and services to Baja Mexicanos living and working there in
the agriculture and shipping industries (it's Baja largest commercial shipping port), not to service American tourists (note to aficionados, this is
not a diss of San Felipe, TJ or Rosarito, but they are, in many ways, creations of their relathionships with the U.S.)
Ensenada is the gateway city to the agricultural and ranching community of northern Baja, and its wine country is a short, twenty minute drive away in
the inland, the Guadalupe Valley.
Hotels - Hotel Coral y Marina or Punta Morra. Both are outside of the city, a few miles north. Coral is a high rise, European class, full service
hotel. Beautifully landscapes grounds, pools and a small boat marina. Punta Morra is a half mile from Coral, on an expanisve proerty, two-story,
mostly suites, also with beautifully landscaped grounds and a spectacular, cliff hanging restaurant where the waves crash up to the full l length
windows. Last time we were there, the food was excellent and I haven't heard any complaints from friends who have visited more recently.
Both have websites and U.S. 800 reservation numbers, do an internet search on their names.
The Estero Beach resort south of Ensenada has been mentioned many times as a great place, I don't have any personal knowledge of it except for having
driven on the property a couple of times and it, as well, looks very attractive.
Things to do: Ensenada has many cruise ships docking there. This is good, because the gringo zone (the first two blocks up from the waterfront) have
terrific shopping, a Baja Rodeo Drive, if you will. This is also bad, an excess of .
American attitudes and expectations.
Ask your hotel staff for "non-touristy" recommendations. They will be eager to provide information and directions.
Things to do: Punta Banda (La Bufadora), a beautiful, one hour drive to the southern tip of the bay in which the city sits. This is the site of the
third (?) largest natural blowholes in the world (the other two are in Hawaii and ?). This is a major Mexican native destination spot. In summer,
families load up in the car, drive to the parking at the entrance, wander the half mile arcade of shops, churro vendors, snack stands and wandering
entertainers to arrive at...the end! A large building with clean restrooms with attendants, a cactus botanical garden and...the blowhole. It is
Mexican street theater at its best.
Things to do, #2. The Guadalupe Valley. Wineries, olive groves and good restaurants (also B&B's). The padres planted vinyards in the Ensenada area
before they trekked up to Alta California. There are many places to visit and explore. As I said above, your hotel staff will do their very best to
help you out.
Good luck to you, I wish you a memorable time and a dusting of Baja magic!
Go to Mulege
JZ - 6-20-2004 at 06:45 PM
The drive down will be an adventure you will remember forever. Good mix of restraunts and stuff combined with the beaches of Conception to the south.
The only problem is that it will be hot, very hot!
You can rent a car from AVIS and take it across the border. Just let them know your plans. You can get insurance and everything through them.
Pyramid Resort
Keri - 6-20-2004 at 09:20 PM
If you would like to have a beautiful spot to spend your honeymoon right on the ocean and close to some night life ,But NOT TO CLOSE Check out www.pyramidresort.com. It's a great place to relax and enjoy each each other. k
And I must say
jrbaja - 6-20-2004 at 10:12 PM
if that's what you want to do, I couldn't think of a better place than Keri's. It is about as romantic as you can get!!
great...thank you so much
parkersmith - 6-21-2004 at 12:07 AM
You guys are wonderful.Just to have this much understanding and positive comments about my trip and about my marriage is ovewhelming.I wish I could do
something for all of you...and I mean that.Let me just say that when people call my radio show and insist on saying that "strangers are so mean these
days,,,blah,blah,blah," I'll
remember this board and explain it,because not only did you give great tips in my yravel next week,but also encouraged me and my fiancee' in
life,which I had to tell her.You all have to remember I am in the South (Tennessee) so when I announced on air that I was marrying a mexican girl,my
audience turned on me.It was nice to hear such positive words about our decision.She stands by me like no other,and I by her.
Many thanks guys.......
Parker Smith
David K - 6-21-2004 at 12:42 AM
Parker, you are among friends (amigos)! If you want to visit Baja all the way from Tennesee, that says something special about you. You have adventure
in your heart and we respect that. Even here in San Diego County, I get the "what about banditos and federales?" nonesense. I just laugh... oh yah,
and that's why I keep going back there since I got my drivers license in 1973! I just love being robbed and arrested... NOT!
The people on this Baja forum are almost all wonderful... I meet more all the time and when we decide to do a group camp ( http://vivabaja.com/204 ) or get-together here ( http://vivabaja.com/vivabaja4 ) it is great. There's something special about Baja people. I would trust them with my children (and have, right
GeoRock?).
Anyway, I guess in retrospect you didn't need to tell your audiance about your personal life because it doesn't matter if she is Latino or Dutch...
she's the woman you love!
I want you both to just have the damndist best time! You will have to decide if you just want an easy vacation (Keri's Pyramid Resort) or see Baja
(drive to Bahia de los Angeles, San Ignacio, Mulege, and Bahia Concepcion). One of the best web sites for details on every Baja destination is Carlos
Fiesta's Baja Expo http://bajaexpo.com
David
Skeet/Loreto - 6-21-2004 at 02:34 AM
Parker: Please do not let anyone influence your realionship with your new Bride. Your Union is between your wife,You and your God.!
If you decide to travel other places in Baja ,i would suggest a Try at La Paz, a Larger City with more Culture.
Have pity on those that "Judge You" it is their lack of knowledge and Character that causes their "Poor Judgement"
Baja Sur is less Populated;
Skeet/Loreto "In God I Trust"
Parker
Debra - 6-21-2004 at 07:13 AM
Congrats. on your finding your love (and congrats. to her also, (sounds like she found a 'keeper' :biggrin
All advice above is good (IMHO) except, if you only have a week (try to find more time, you won't regret it!) I wouldn't go farther than Ensenada and
La Bufadora (otherwise you will spend all of your time driving rather than enjoying time with your new bride) If I were you, I would take Keri's
advice and stay at the Pyramid Resort (althought I've never had the pleasure of meeting her ), I'm told that she and her husband are wonderful hosts
and will go all they can to make your stay a great one. As David K. and others have said here, most of us are camping/outback loving folks and don't
spend much time in the cities, but, I have spend time in Ensenada and it is a really nice place (If you need a dentist, I have a favorite that I come
all the way from Seattle to have him take care of me)
One more bit of advice, If you do decide to go to Ensenada and keep to that area, I would forget getting a car, they are very expensive to rent in
Mexico and a 'pain in the butt', you can get a bus from the San Diego airport (if interested in doing that, post here and I will give you exact
instructions) that will drop you off in the heart of Ensenada, walking distance to most everything you might want to do....for going out to La Buf.
hail a taxi.....(before you get in, ask and agree on a price for the ride to wherever you are going)
As to the family giving you a hard time on your union.....TELL THEM TO MIND THEIR OWN BEEZ-WAX
[Edited on 6-21-2004 by Debra]
David K - 6-21-2004 at 07:21 AM
The guy only has a week.. La Paz takes two full days drive (one way). Mulege/Concepcion Bay is just a day and a half or less drive... Spend night 1 at
the Malarrimo Motel in Guerrero Negro http://www.malarrimo.com or if you get a real early start make San Ignacio and stay at http://www.ignaciosprings.com
If you want, on the return trip north see Bahia de los Angeles, 41 miles off Hwy. 1 on a paved road and stay at Costa del Sol or Raquel & Larry's, eat
at Las Hamacas, Raquel's, or the taco stands.
Oh, the Tourist Card (visa, FM-T) you get at the border (INM office) is free IF your stay is not over 7 days from latest reports, otherwise it is $21
US. Bring birth cert. or passport. They check them at the state border near Guerrero Negro (giant eagle monument).
[Edited on 6-21-2004 by David K]
Congratulations....!!!!
BajaCactus - 6-21-2004 at 06:31 PM
I hope you have a great life together... congratulations on your wedding.
So you begin relaxing, let me say this...
If you decide to go far south of Baja, we at BajaCactus will give you a complimentary night stay at our new motel, in El Rosario.
Just keep in mind that, El Rosario is not a destination (yet), is only a place to rest and continue on the next day.
So, if you want it, just send us an e-mail: motel@bajacactus.com and we will be very happy to give you this wedding gift.
"May you have a life full of happiness and joy."
Antonio M.
BajaCactus
Debra - 6-21-2004 at 06:57 PM
That is so nice of you (and your's) This is another example of why we love Baja and the people that live in and adventure to Baja.....THE BEST!
Margie - 6-21-2004 at 08:34 PM
Congratulations on your Boda !
If you only have one week, rent from Avis at the border, and I would recommend either Las Rosas in Ensenada or the San NicholasHotel in Ensenada. The
June gloom usually burns off by the time you get into Ensenada.
Too bad you guys can't just fly to La Paz, and stay on Espiritu. the "camp" there runs $175.00 per person, per night, minimum of four night, but all
you bring is yourselves, everything else is provided.
Good Luck !
Now there's
jrbaja - 6-21-2004 at 08:50 PM
some great advice!
A last chime in
Gypsy Jan - 6-21-2004 at 09:04 PM
So much Baja, all good.
I am a little jealous, I have opined about what I know about Baja, but, life here is truly "a box of chocolates" because after reading this thread, I
would like to visit all the other recs.
Which ever way you decide to go, I look forward to your (I hope) trip report to the board.
I do believe we all care about how your experience!
Congrats!!
meme - 6-21-2004 at 10:31 PM
Congratulations! Hope you both have a Wonderful Life together! We here in San Felipe think It's a Great place too! It's not far from the Border if you
don't have much time, the weather has been realy Great this Spring,and nite life if you want it but quiet, peacful and beautiful at the Beach right
now!If you don't come this time on your trip, give it a try next time!!
"Courtesy is Contagious"
Skeet/Loreto - 6-22-2004 at 04:50 AM
SoCalAl - 6-22-2004 at 07:34 AM
A serious congrats on your marriage
Like everyone says and advices, Baja is so full of adventure and experience that one week will seem like a week-end. Where ever you decide to go will
be fine. The question is truely about the travel time you are willing to sacrafice. The idea of flying down is great and you still have time to book
a flight to a great getaway. I personally think that a Loreto package would be nice. Nice little sleepy town with some great food, fishing and R&R.
Romantic as ever are the beaches and the hotels are not very expensive especially if you book a package deal. I am not sure about car rentals in
Loreto but I am assuming that they are available. From there a drive to Mulege or La Paz would be with-in hours and you could make part of your what
to do while you are there list. You places to visit. The beuty of the whole thing as that when you Honeymoon vacation has concluded you will jump in
a plane and you will be back in the States in no time. Like David K mentioned though, be warned now and beware of catching Baja Fever to any degree.
You will be back and for longer periods of time each time.
GFL is my advice for your marraige. GOD, Family and Life. The first should be with you at al times as it keeps your mind at peace. The second is
your responsibility and your spouse becomes one with you at marraige and there for, take care of her as if she was you. The rest of your family will
always be there but your wife is part of you. The third is a game and you can always start over when you are not happy or make the game more
intersting as you go along. You know we are only on this Earth for about 100 years and you may as well enjoy them.
A cheer to you and a good trip and a good life.
God Bless
Alex Licea
AKA: SoCalAl
thank you all vey much...
parkersmith - 6-22-2004 at 02:43 PM
I just cannot believe how wonderful a group you all are.I am so happy that I encountered someone during this difficult but happy time,and your words
of advice are printed and will be re-read many times over during the remainder of my life.GFL is truly a magnificent idea,and I wish all Americans saw
the hatred in racism and how it hurts.Thank you all for being there for us.You will never know the appreciation and kindness I have for the people
here I will probably never meet.
May God Bless you,
Parker Smith
You never know Parker
jrbaja - 6-22-2004 at 02:55 PM
There's only one highway on this here peninsula. Chances are, you'll be back!
Buena suerte Amigo. Only you and she matter! No thoughts on other peoples problems while on honeymoon! And that's an order.
Margie - 6-22-2004 at 03:16 PM
ooooo flying to Loreto even sounds better !!!
IF you go as far as Bahia Concepcion...
David K - 6-22-2004 at 03:39 PM
This is a small part called Santispac, as seen from Capt. Mike's airplane...
The beach view at Playa Santispac...
David K - 6-22-2004 at 03:44 PM
This kind of scene could also be almost anywhere else in Baja. This did sound like what your esposa was looking to do.
Bahia de los Angeles
David K - 6-22-2004 at 05:08 PM
IF you venture to L.A. Bay, Bay Of L.A. (BOLA), or correctly Bahia de los Angeles, this is the beach... as seen from Camp Gecko, just 4 miles south of
the village. http://www.campgecko.com
South of San Felipe
David K - 6-22-2004 at 05:14 PM
If you go to San Felipe and continue south a dozen or more miles, this is the coastline found there... it doesn't get much better than this!
This is the beach I call Shell Island.
Pyramid Resort/K58
David K - 6-22-2004 at 05:22 PM
If you stay at the Pyramid Resort, horses can be rented about a mile away at Alistos/K58. The Pyramid is high on a cliff with an outstanding view of
the Pacific, but has no beach right there. It is but a short walk away.
David K on horseback
I've been reading this and I'll just be Frank
FrankO - 6-22-2004 at 07:00 PM
Seriously, what about this time is difficult? Nothing. W/your ages I think that it's time to not give a chiite about the folks opinion. I love my
folks but I am entirely OK peeing them off because I have my own values and they know it and respect me for it. Do whatever the hell you want. Its'
your lives. Hell, if I was you I'd have flown to Cancun( it can't be anymore expensive from your location) and headed to Playa del Carmen ( www.playadelcarmeninfo.com )and had way too much fun.
P.s. What does Catholicism have to do w/it? I grew up that way and I'd be embarrassed to associate myself w/that child molester protector in Rome.
Pardon my spelling.
[Edited on 6-23-2004 by FrankO]
gonetobaja - 6-22-2004 at 08:24 PM
We specialize in 4 day trips into Baja from San Diego. We stay 2 nights in San Felipe on the main drag and spend 1 night on a remote island. You get
to see all of the cool stuff.
http://www.gonetobaja.com
BTW, I know where you are comming from. You should have heard what people have told me for getting married to a mexican woman. I was living in North
Idaho, man some people said mean things.
Jokes on them...
GTB