The information on this site is incredible. I am new to all of this so please bear with my "newbie" questions.
I am flying into San Diego this Friday, renting a car and heading in Baja...however we can only take the rental as far as Guerrero Negro...must stay
in Baja Norte.
Any suggestions for a seven day itinerary in Baja Norte? Would love to spend time on west and east coast if possible.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
-kcTMW - 7-14-2009 at 05:21 PM
You said car so does that mean a car not an SUV? Still lots of places to go but before advising would need to confirm it's a car.kc - 7-14-2009 at 05:23 PM
Yes, it is a car. Is it still doable? Or should I upgrade?k-rico - 7-14-2009 at 05:30 PM
Not much between San Quintin and Guerrero Negro, just a lot of open land, if you're into that. Have you ever been in the desert? Real different from
Minnesota. Nothing will be green, well almost nothing.
Sea of Cortez side will be HOT, HOT, HOT.
Nobody else will recommend this, but take a look at Playas de Tijuana. Nice motel rooms for $20 a night and on weekends the beach is packed with
people having fun. Weekdays are mellow. Lots of restaurants. You might even catch a Sunday afternoon bullfight at the bullring by the sea (Plaza
Monumental). A truly Mexican affair. You will be one of the few Americans and yet, less than a mile from the border.
Rosarito, Ensenada, La Bufadora, Santo Tomas.fishbuck - 7-14-2009 at 05:47 PM
What is the point of your trip? What kind of things do you like.
There are plenty of interesting things in Norte. What is you preference?bajabound2005 - 7-14-2009 at 05:47 PM
and the wine country, Valle de Guadalupe!fishbuck - 7-14-2009 at 06:07 PM
No offense to K-rico but skip Playas De Tijuana. Not that interesting. San Diego beaches are better.
Go staight to either the Pyrimid resort or La Fonda. That's a good first day.
Then Ensenada. You could spend a day or 2 there. See the wineries. Take a harbor cruise.
Day 3 go to San Quintin. Stay at Jardines or the Desert Inn. Desert Inn is right on Santa Maria beach. Miles of beach.
Some will say stop in El Rosario. Not much of interest for me.
Head to Catavina. I wouldn't stay there but you might if you want to take some time and see the Desert.
But watch out for a Gringo bum named Gottapeso. He will bother you until you finally give him a peso.
Next go to Bahia De Los Angeles. Ya, it's going to be really hot. Take a panga ride out to an Island and swim and picnic.
Honestly I can't see much point to go to Guererro Negro. No whales to see and really not a very pretty town.
So back track towards the border.
Maybe someone else knows more good things to see in the area.
[Edited on 7-15-2009 by fishbuck]Crusoe - 7-14-2009 at 06:17 PM
KC...Just make sure from get go that the air conditioning unit is in working condition on your rental car. You will definately need it! ++C++Curt63 - 7-14-2009 at 06:18 PM
Amen exactly to what Buck said. Watch out for stingrays at BOLA! Go snorkeling at islands off BOLA.
You will have a blast!timmurphy - 7-14-2009 at 06:32 PM
what fishbuck said...esp. if your stuck on blacktop and goin solorts551 - 7-14-2009 at 06:50 PM
Gottapeso was not there last week. too hot for himVon - 7-14-2009 at 07:01 PM
BOLA = Bahia de los Angeles you must go there its amazing.
You wont regret it its a little warm no big deal but totallly worth it.
370miles from the border. On the sea of cortez just go and you'll see
[Edited on 7-15-2009 by Von]Howard - 7-14-2009 at 07:01 PM
I agree with fishbuck, stay, and eat at La Fonda. My suggestion is to have lunch and a drink (if you of the drinking type at Califia hotel, which is
just South of Rosarito. Go to the large outside deck, chill out with a view that is out of this world, and then proceed to La Fonda. That will be a
quite nice and entertaining day.Von - 7-14-2009 at 07:03 PM
[Edited on 7-15-2009 by Von]Keri - 7-14-2009 at 07:14 PM
Just in case you need the address for pyramid resort here it is. Www.pyramidresort.com You can call the hotel direct 01152-646-155-0265 or email pyramidresort@prodigy.net.mx Ask for Keri and I'll give you a
special Nomad price.kbajaguy - 7-14-2009 at 08:13 PM
KC welcome to the board. If you o to BOLA, I would recommend the Costa del Sol for a place to stay. Clean rooms and a great little bar/cafe
[Edited on 7-15-2009 by bajaguy]DavidT - 7-14-2009 at 08:24 PM
Tourist card?kc - 7-14-2009 at 08:40 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
What is the point of your trip? What kind of things do you like.
There are plenty of interesting things in Norte. What is you preference?
kc - 7-14-2009 at 08:57 PM
Wow. I will say it again. This is incredible. I can't keep up.
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions and important tips. They are all noted.
To answer specifically to some of the questions. The point of the trip is get away from the crazy pace for a few days, see something my eyes have not
seen before. I have never been to the desert, but dream of it during MN winters. I love eating fish. I adore the spanish language and the diverse
mexican culture. I am interested in history. Somehow Baja seemed to be calling.
I am open to all accomodations, but prefer smaller places..."rustic" is cool. My better half and I are considering bringing a tent for camping a night
or two on the beach. Any suggestions, thoughts, or things to be aware of on this would be great to hear.
Thanks again.-kcDavid K - 7-14-2009 at 09:13 PM
Bahia de los Angeles!!! But it is HOT from July to mid Sept.
El Rosario has a lot of sights... 2WD, but dirt roads to many of them... It will be cool as it is near the Pacific... Click on my link to see Baja
places like El Rosario and Bahia de los Angeles. http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/toursPaulina - 7-14-2009 at 09:25 PM
Check out Mia's website on Bahia de Los Angeles for everything Bahia.
If you only have seven days, then make sure you give yourself enough time if you go all the way to Bahia. It is a 7 hr. drive from Ensenada. If you
stay with Keri the first night, then Bahia is doable in about 9 hrs. from there for a first time baja driver.
Take plenty of bottled water in your car for the drive south.
So, give yourself two days to get there (with Keri being the first day) and be sure to leave early in the a.m. when leaving Bahia to avoid the hottest
part of the day heading north.
Don't drive at night.
Take snorkling gear as the whale sharks are in the bay. You can hire a panga to take you out to see them.
Buy your tourist visas at the border in San Ysidro.
Have fun.
P<*)))>{
[Edited on 15-7-2009 by Paulina]fishbuck - 7-14-2009 at 10:18 PM
It's even a little hotter than I thought at Bola. I am trying to figure out where to fish this weekend and the forcast is 110 degrees.
Do Not Eat at La Fonda
Gypsy Jan - 7-14-2009 at 10:20 PM
Friends who were part of the Dance Project recently filmed at La Fonda told me last week that they were hungry, but the food (and food handling) was
disgusting. They left and went elsewhere to eat.estebanis - 7-14-2009 at 10:31 PM
KC.
Check out Coyote Cal's hostel/hotel in Erendira. You may enjoy a day or two in this area. http://www.coyotecals.com/ You can rent a room or camp there. It is only an hour and half south of Ensenada in the town of Erendira
Estebanbajagrouper - 7-14-2009 at 10:46 PM
Have you compared the price difference between renting a car in the USA and possibly paying a premium or renting In Tijuana...bajaguy - 7-15-2009 at 06:01 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Friends who were part of the Dance Project recently filmed at La Fonda told me last week that they were hungry, but the food (and food handling) was
disgusting. They left and went elsewhere to eat.
You could always eat at LaMission just up the street. They have a great deck with a killer view. Have eaten there many times, no problems.woody with a view - 7-15-2009 at 06:09 AM
or right next door at "poco cielo". it's a great alternative to ANYTHING at la fonda......805gregg - 7-15-2009 at 07:35 AM
Fly into Cabo or La Paz and skip Baja Norte, much prettier south.Martyman - 7-15-2009 at 08:10 AM
If you are going to camp, do it on the Pacific side before you go to BoLA. Too hot to camp on the Cortez.David K - 7-15-2009 at 08:23 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
If you are going to camp, do it on the Pacific side before you go to BoLA. Too hot to camp on the Cortez.
Granted, L.A. Bay can get like an oven... but that beats being in a freezer, right? The water is cooler at L.A. Bay than San Felipe... so keep dipping
in the bay to cool off!Bajajorge - 7-15-2009 at 08:48 AM
In San Felipe during June through September the temps get into the teens. Not the MN teens, but the hundred plus teens. Some Mexican businessmen have
told me that during the summer they even leave San Felipe and stay with relatives that live in cooler areas.rts551 - 7-15-2009 at 08:56 AM
kc
I am guessing that you will find the temps unbearable in San Felipe. Better to plan that trip in the winter or springwilderone - 7-15-2009 at 09:11 AM
There's plenty for 7 days in Baja Ca. - you don't want to be doing too much driving - get out of the car. Check out all the little places along the
way to enjoy them, instead of driving right by to each destination. The small museum in El Rosario, grocery shopping in Ensenada, the mission in San
Vicente, Bahia de los Angeles a couple days - La gringa to Camp Gecko, the museum, snorkling, hire a boat to look for whale sharks, hire a boat to go
to an island and hike. San Borja mission and visit with the family and go to pictographs, etc.k-rico - 7-15-2009 at 09:13 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
Fly into Cabo or La Paz and skip Baja Norte, much prettier south.
I'll second that idea.Bajahowodd - 7-15-2009 at 12:51 PM
Concerning the advice of Rico and Gregg, understand that the Sea of Cortez side of BCS is at least as hot, and humid, probably higher, as what our
friends were citing at San Felipe and BOLA. Given that, especially camping, you have Pacific side options around Magdelena Bay and down around Todos
Santos and Pescadero. Just recently down that way and in Ciudad Constitucion, barely ten miles inland, temps were in the mid-90s.fernando - 7-15-2009 at 08:45 PM
hi KC
In Baja Norte you can visit hot springs near ensenada, do a wine tasting trip ( there are about 10 wine houses) the coastline is impressive, you could
go up to the observaory which is now paved all the way, check out cave paintings and do a beach camping as well. There is a lot to see. Check www.baja-outfiters.com for some pictures of areas near by. Also if you need camoing gear no need to bring it we rent it here for the duration of
your trip
