BajaNomad - first time to baja & solo

first time to baja & solo

jpwcupa - 8-26-2009 at 09:16 PM

Nomads,
Never been to Baja and I was thinking of heading down the penisula to see what it has to offer this weekend. i will be leaving san diego ~6 a.m. I was looking to go to the San Miguel area hang out for the day and then start to head back around 5 p.m. Any other suggestions? I'll have a kayak to check out coves, beaches etc. I can stay until Sunday but don't have the time to do the research i would like to regarding the safety issue and camping overnight. Worse, i don't speak spanish...yet! I do know that i need Mexican insurance and i have a quote. However, should i be concerned that i will be a target with USA plates on my van?

bajabound2005 - 8-26-2009 at 09:21 PM

you may want to head a bit further south of San Miguel with a kayak...out our way, near Punta Banda. You can go into the Estero or go into the big blue. San Miguel is for surfers (correct me if I'm wrong).

Leave SD at 6 you'll be in our 'hood by 8:30- 9:00. In fact, just in time for the pancake breakfast to benefit our volunteer fire department (that will be in Campo La Jolla). Where is Ensenada Slim? He kayaks in this area all the time!

If you get to the pancake breakfast, just come on in and ask for Kathleen....I'll be in the kitchen, neither barefoot not pregnant. We'll get you introduced around and directed to where you want to go.

BajaNuts - 8-26-2009 at 09:47 PM

Welcome to the forum JP~

Many others will give you plenty of suggestions of where to go/what to do...

One thing I have heard so many times is GET THE INSURANCE! It is a small price to pay even for a short trip. There are many threads here relating to this topic. Just use the "search" function and you will have some good options. Just make sure you choose one of them!

Best wishes to you for a great first, accident-free, trip!
BajaNuts

DENNIS - 8-27-2009 at 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpwcupa
I can stay until Sunday but don't have the time to do the research i would like to regarding the safety issue and camping overnight. Worse, i don't speak spanish...yet! I do know that i need Mexican insurance and i have a quote. However, should i be concerned that i will be a target with USA plates on my van?

Just don't camp in any isolated place. I'm sure San Miguel has a camp ground.
USA plates? Seems like most cars down here have them. It's not an issue.
No Spanish? No problem. Just speak with a good attitude and you're in.

About those pancakes......It's recommended that you and your kayak stay out of the water for at least three weeks after you have a plate full. In the past, people have disregarded this warning and disappeared, like sucked to the bottom in the Bermuda Triangle.
Tourists off the cruise ships wont be allowed to reboard the boat if it's known they pigged out at a Punta Banda Pancake Breakfast. They have to be taken back to the states dangling on the hook of a tow truck.
It's not that the pancakes arn't lite and fluffy, it's just that.....well...I'll leave it up to you. :lol:

I do agree with the suggestion that you camp and Kayak in Punta Banda. The coastline will give you a much more interesting outing.

Oh yeah...just kiddin' about those hotcakes. I'll see you there if you make it.

An added thought....The local campgrounds will be crowded this weekend. The high heat in Mexicali and other places up there brings people over looking for relief. Bring ear plugs if you like to sleep at night.

[Edited on 8-27-2009 by DENNIS]

Taco de Baja - 8-27-2009 at 08:09 AM

Personally I would not camp anyplace north of Punta Banda these days. Or, for that matter, north of El Rosario for Pacific beach camping. Way too many people in any public campgrounds, and "remote" camping would be too scary. I'd recommend finding a hotel, especially if you are just down for a day.

I have good memories of camping in the Punta Banda and Estero area as a kid in the early 1970's...but times have changed.

If you are open to other ideas you could go to some of the campgrounds the San Felipe area on the Gulf, but it will probably be well over 100 this weekend. October to May is a much cooler time for being on that side of the peninsula. There would be lots of nice coves to check out in your kayak, and no waves.

Mike99km - 8-27-2009 at 08:25 AM

Go for the weekend if you want to, you'll be fine ether way. If you want to kayak, another place to check out Playa Saldamando. It's just before the end of the tool road and there is a sign.
There will be a swell in the water this weekend. San Miguel will be tough to launch at, while Playa Saldamando will be more calm.
I'll be at San Miguel this weekend. look me up if you want. I'm in number #9.
Camping at San Miguel can be very loud as the locals show up and party most of the night. Don't leave anything out as it might walk away.

DENNIS - 8-27-2009 at 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Personally I would not camp anyplace north of Punta Banda these days. Or, for that matter, north of El Rosario for Pacific beach camping. Way too many people in any public campgrounds, and "remote" camping would be too scary. I'd recommend finding a hotel, especially if you are just down for a day.

I almost completely agree although there are a few places out here that I consider safe and not overly crowded. Toscanos, at La Bufadora would be one of them.
Remote camping, as you say, is out of the question unless you're with a group. And, even then, it's a risk.

DENNIS - 8-27-2009 at 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike99km
I'll be at San Miguel this weekend. look me up if you want. I'm in number #9.

OOOKKK...Did everybody hear that? Free ice cold beer all weekend at Mike's place. Very generous of you, Mike.

Bajahowodd - 8-27-2009 at 11:41 AM

El Rosario, or farther only works if you have more time. Otherwise, you'll spend as much time driving as kayaking. It would take a combined 8 hours roundtrip. A choice between San Miguel and Punta Banda boils down more to how much of a party animal you are.

baj trip

BajaDanD - 8-27-2009 at 05:12 PM

Try Santo tomas or Erendera(SP) just a short drive past Ensenada, If you only have a weekend. Ive done this from LA on a weekend
DAND

Mike99km - 8-27-2009 at 06:22 PM

When did I say "free or cold" regarding beer. Stop on by and we'll see.

woody with a view - 8-27-2009 at 07:05 PM

the implication was clear..... an ice cold beer after dropping in on reno, priceless! reno is still there, right?

just kidding. reno has ridden more big waves than me and my friends, combined!

DENNIS - 8-27-2009 at 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
just kidding.

No. No you're not. It's free frosty beer and all you can drink. Throw some extras in the trunk when you leave. I think it's Mike's birthday and he wants to celebrate with his Nomad buds.
I'm gonna make some, a lot of signs for the phone poles. Number nine, right?
OK....I'm on it.

Mike99km - 8-27-2009 at 07:45 PM

Reno is living in town not in the village, he still charges. He also makes great boards.
I'm in the printing business and I've got the signs covered. They have arrows on them so you can follow them. I promise they'll by this time tomorrow. :saint:

woody with a view - 8-27-2009 at 08:00 PM

Mike

remember Star and Steve? we ran into them at juanico 4-5 years ago. they sounded like a perfectly choreographed train wreck. we never took them up on their offer to "hang out" at their pad on the hill.... they did take us up on our every opened beer, tho.

DENNIS - 8-27-2009 at 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
Star and Steve?

Star? Was she the "Illustrated Lady?" Maybe someone different.

woody with a view - 8-27-2009 at 08:42 PM

you knew her, didn't ya?

ink in all the wright/wrong places.....

DENNIS - 8-27-2009 at 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
you knew her, didn't ya?

ink in all the wright/wrong places.....

Ink everywhere. She told me she had room for just one more....an Aztec calendar. Jeezo.....have you looked at the detail in one of those things?
She used to tend bar at the La Bufadora restaurant. Left town and went up to Puerto Nuevo and tended bar. Left there and, word is, went to Texas.
Nice gal but, gawd only knows what was going on inside her head.

woody with a view - 8-27-2009 at 08:55 PM

SI' MON.....

jpwcupa - 8-27-2009 at 09:47 PM

Nomads,
Thanks for all the input! instead of heading down this weekend i'm going to do a little more research this weekend and plan a 4 day trip in the future. I will actually be leaving from L.A. at 4am so i think i need to go farther south to get a more authentic baja! I figured i would enter Tijuanna at 6 a.m. So there will be alot of driving to and fro. However, you guys have been great thanks. I will hassle you later but thanks for your hospitality!

Dennis - what the heck was up with your comments on the pancakes? Are they made with habaneros or some other device that will ruin my inards?

Mike99km - 8-28-2009 at 06:33 AM

jpwcupa, I go to Ensenada for the day often, You don't need 4 days for a Mexico trip. Pack up the tupperware boat and come on down.

Star and Steve were nice folks but didn't plan their life to well. Star moved out to La Bufadora when they broke up. He moved back to Ca. I don't know what became of Star.

I guess I don't need to put up the signs just yet.

DENNIS - 8-28-2009 at 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpwcupa
Dennis - what the heck was up with your comments on the pancakes? Are they made with habaneros or some other device that will ruin my inards?

Well, I can't divulge any guarded, secret recipes but, as you may know, there's a huge cement plant in Ensenada and.....oh oh...I think I've already said too much.

Bajahowodd - 8-28-2009 at 12:34 PM

Where is more authentic Baja?

bajabound2005 - 8-29-2009 at 09:35 PM

In spite of Dennis' stupid comments about the pancakes, comments that only he will ever understand, the breakfast was a great success and over $1000 was raised for the Punta Banda Volunteer Fire Dept.

And I'm sure Dennis will have some inappropriate comment to add to that.

DENNIS - 8-30-2009 at 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
In spite of Dennis' stupid comments about the pancakes, comments that only he will ever understand, the breakfast was a great success and over $1000 was raised for the Punta Banda Volunteer Fire Dept.

And I'm sure Dennis will have some inappropriate comment to add to that.

No matter that you weren't there to cook them, I'm sure you'll be taking full responsibility for the success just as you do with every other event in the neighborhood.
WOW...How did Punta Banda ever get along without you and your total control attitude.

David K - 8-30-2009 at 08:51 AM

Can't we all just get along? :rolleyes:

woody with a view - 8-30-2009 at 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Can't we all just get along? :rolleyes:

rodney king, in the house!

Bajahowodd - 8-30-2009 at 12:06 PM

Just seems to me that folks have lost their sense of humor. At least some folks.

bajabound2005 - 8-30-2009 at 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Some people DO things, some people sit by, do nothing, and b-tch about it.

Debra - 8-31-2009 at 12:56 AM

David, I think Dennis is the JR we all miss, just enjoys stiring the "pot" no malice intended :tumble:

DENNIS - 8-31-2009 at 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Debra
David, I think Dennis is the JR we all miss, just enjoys stiring the "pot" no malice intended :tumble:

Why, thank you, Deb. Nice of you to say that, especially on this thread.

DENNIS - 8-31-2009 at 07:28 PM

Unbelievable that all you JR fans didn't jump all over this.

What happened to all you guys that used to care? Are you all gone?

What happened to this place? Nobody cares anymore. Nobody.

A comment such as Debra's in the past would have raised the freakin roof. My name in company of JR.

Well, maybe she's right. More than right, I suspect.

What did JR do for this place that I havn't done?
Tell me.

He made you think.
He taught you something.
He was right when he was wrong.
He beat you so badly that you loved him.
He was right.
He was wrong.
When he was wrong, it didn't hurt if he liked you.

That was the Man.

What have I done?

Not much.

I didn't know JR. I doubt we would have got along.
Today, here, I miss him. I miss the excitement he would bring to the table.
Without a centerpiece, Nomad seems to wallow into a puddle of not much.
Nomad needs good friends and contacts as it offers, but, it needs a target to draw it's attention.
Jeeeeezo...Sorry about all this stuff.
G'nite.

By the way...Thanks, Deb

woody with a view - 8-31-2009 at 07:32 PM

i spend some of my time banging my head on the wall trying to keep my wits dealing w/ the king of baja...... you know who! i can't say it ever again...... :fire:

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by woody in ob]

Crusoe - 8-31-2009 at 07:53 PM

Go Dennis...Your Numero Uno... ++C++

DENNIS - 8-31-2009 at 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
i spend some of my time banging my head on the wall trying to keep my wits dealing w/ the king of baja...... you know who! i can't say it ever again...... :fire:

It's Gull.......Huh. I knew it. The new JR.

DENNIS - 8-31-2009 at 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crusoe
Go Dennis...Your Numero Uno... ++C++

Thanks Bro....That was a nice thing to say.