BajaNomad - so, i've got 7 days...

so, i've got 7 days...

maxboxa - 6-28-2010 at 02:52 PM

heading down from san francisco. where do you go? i'm a baja virgin and my 12 day road trip just got chopped to 7. my sense of adventure is telling me i can run to the cabos and back but my need to relax is telling me to stop and smell the roses.

Timo1 - 6-28-2010 at 02:55 PM

A week is not enough time for Cabo trip
Try out San Felipe

Iflyfish - 6-28-2010 at 03:20 PM

Need more info. There is lots that you can do in 7 days.

It sounds like you need to relax, kick back for a few days. It also sounds like this is your first trip.

I think a very easy and fun thing for you to do would be to head down to Ensenada, via Tecate, to bypass Tijuana, and try the Estero Beach Resort. Sits on an estuary/bay, hotel there, pool, great place for birding, safe, safe, safe. Guarded 24/7.

Explore Ensenada a bit, go to the famous fish market, get used to the sights, smells and sounds of Mexico. Try your first fish tacos. If you want night life there is that too in Ensenada. If you want to go out on a fishing trip, you can do that too.

Those are my recommendations for a brief, first stay in Baja that is close to the border and could provide you with enough time to kick back some and enjoy Baja.

Iflyfish

DENNIS - 6-28-2010 at 03:33 PM

Sounds like two of your seven days will be spent on the freeways between SF and the border. That leaves you with five days.
Ensenada or San Felipe seem to be your only two choices. Check the weather and go where the sun is shining. Today in Ensenada, it's not. It's cold, damp and miserable......kinda like San Francisco.

mtgoat666 - 6-28-2010 at 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by maxboxa
heading down from san francisco. where do you go? i'm a baja virgin and my 12 day road trip just got chopped to 7. my sense of adventure is telling me i can run to the cabos and back but my need to relax is telling me to stop and smell the roses.

car-camping or backpacking in san pedro martir park.

ignore the recommendations of san felipe. it is a sh!t-hole in winter, and a hellashiously hot chit-hole in summer :lol:

Curt63 - 6-28-2010 at 03:47 PM

San Quintin with lots of exploration outings would be good. Offshore(hire a panga) and shore fishing could be good. San Pedro Martrir, Catavina, BOLA, whales at Guerr. Negro(time of year?). and many others.

Cielito Lindo is a funky and fun place to stay and hang out. Posada Don Diego has a great reputation.

Have a blast!

Curt

Bajahowodd - 6-28-2010 at 04:04 PM

I have to agree with Iflyfish and Dennis in that if your entire available time is 7 days, given the time and distance from the bay area to the border, Ensenada and San Felipe are just about all you should attempt, unless you're a glutton for punishment. Fact is that any accomplished driver can make it from the border to Cabo with a single overnight stay. But, given two days in the states, and four days on the road to and from Cabo, you have yourself a single overnight there.

While I do agree with the goat that this time of year in San Felipe is awfully hot, and I'm not a big fan of the area either, given the relative closeness of Ensenada and San Felipe, choosing to spend a little of your time in both will provide a huge contrast in both climate and culture. Ensenada is a city. You can't really say that about San Felipe.

And in addition to Iflyfish's recommendations on Ensenada, and despite Dennis' probable objections, if I was there for the first time, I'd drive on out to La Bufadora for the afternoon, as well. (Dennis doesn't like all the traffic passing his place.) But for a first-timer, the experience of running the gauntlet of shopkeepers while walking to the blowhole is really kind of fun.

maxboxa - 6-28-2010 at 04:06 PM

thanks for the tips. i'm heading south next monday. no real plan except to enjoy myself and find a little adventure. it is a road trip, but it sounds like the run to cabo is a little optimistic.

BajaBlanca - 6-28-2010 at 04:11 PM

For the first time .... fly to san diego and then rent a car. Short 3 hour drive gets you to Ensenada, which is a great starter town - it will give you a taste of art and music and the food is deliciousssssssssssssssssssssss

If you decide to do this, write again and we can all give you pointers on where to go and and and if you do Ensenada

definitely do La Bufadora - I went there only once, 30 years ago, and I stilll remember the shopkeepers and the blowhole.

and if you love the heat and humidity n swimming in really HOT water - go to San Felipe !!!! It is a fishing village. It is very different. It is Baja.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 6-28-2010 at 04:23 PM

Hola and welcome. AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOU'LL BE TRAVELING ON THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND ! i am sure the border crossings will be busy as well as the freeways of calif. surely will be too.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

maxboxa - 6-28-2010 at 04:42 PM

thanks again all. i am definitely planning on seeing more than just ensenada. and to be honest, would like to go as far south as possible while remaining realistic. possibly down to catavina and maybe come back up the east side to get a whiff of san felipe and the small towns on the way? i'm pretty gung-ho right now and have a feeling baja is gonna b-tch slap me, but i do want to soak in as much as possible. i probably should have mentioned that i'm not opposed to spending 4+ hours on the road each day there. i'm just not sure how far 4+ hours can get me

DENNIS - 6-28-2010 at 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
(Dennis doesn't like all the traffic passing his place.)

I'll throw rocks and Pacifico bottles [MT] at your car. :lol:

Jes kiddin'.

Come to think of it...a destination for RnR I would seriously consider would be Tecate. A true taste of Mexico without all the traveling involved. Wine Country is a pleasant drive away and the easiest border crossing in the system is right there in town.
I love Tecate.

BajaDanD - 6-28-2010 at 04:52 PM

Go past Ensenada to San Quintin(COOL like San Diego) or even Bay of LA (HOT,HOT,HOT) I have driven from L.A. to SanQuintin on three day weekends many times, four day weekends for Bay of L.A. You have 7 days from SF area. You can always stop in Ensenada and go to La Bufadora on your way down or your way back, done this many times also. I now always try to get past Ensenada as quickly as I can.

David K - 6-28-2010 at 05:52 PM

If you can take the heat: Mulege and Bahia Concepcion (2 day's drive south) or Bahia de los Angeles (8-9 hours from Tijuana border).

irenemm - 6-28-2010 at 07:12 PM

maxboxa
i am a fellow San Franciscan. born on Guerrero street. many many years ago. would love to see you. bring on the pink popcorn.
our weather is a little cool but no San francisco fog. Some day we do have it and I love it.
stop by and say hi if you get down this far.
Irene
the most important just drive careful and have a good time. that's all that matters.

Marc - 6-28-2010 at 07:41 PM

From San Francisco, which is my base of operations, for just 7 days I would head for S. Felipe.

Or Bahia Los Angeles would be my farthest southern point. In both cases, two days driving down - two back - three to relax and play.

The problem with living in SF, the most beautiful and wonderful city in the world, is the eight hours to the southern border.

irenemm - 6-28-2010 at 07:53 PM

8 hrs to the border. really good time. Do you have radar detection?

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 6-28-2010 at 07:55 PM

Hola maxboxa, i believe you're pulling our chain saying you don't mind 4 1/2 hours of driving !

i truly would suggest going to DISNEYLAND. MORE BANG for your unserious buck !

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Packoderm - 6-28-2010 at 08:31 PM

Day 1: Drive to the border
Day 2: San Carlos Hot Springs
Day 3: Erendira (Coyote Cals)
Day 4: Erendira Castro's Camp
Day 5: Estero Beach Resort
Day 6: Fishing in Ensenada (Arrange to sleep on the boat in harbor.)
Or camp at Playa Saldamando
Day 7: Drive to San Francisco
Bring camping equipment.

You really should angle toward getting more days to travel.

fishabductor - 6-28-2010 at 10:02 PM

Quote:

[

car-camping or backpacking in san pedro martir park.

that's a great idea if you like camping. It is gorgeous in SPM.

Marc - 6-28-2010 at 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by irenemm
8 hrs to the border. really good time. Do you have radar detection?

I usually make it SF to Ensenada in 10 hours just stopping for gas and peso exchange and a visa at the border if I don't have one. The traffic in LA is the only thing that slows me up. If i leave at 4 AM I miss the worst of the morning rush. No radar; just watch for aircraft and stay out of the fast lane except to pass. Slow down near overpasses with an access roads. (I've been driving Porsches for 45 yrs)

irenemm - 6-28-2010 at 10:55 PM

I'll watch for all the fast Porsches passing me. I'll know who it is. drive careful and enjoy the view. Slow down and see what your missing. Lots of beauty from San Francisco to L.A.

maxboxa - 6-28-2010 at 11:11 PM

all these suggesstions are awesome. i'm researching each one and think i'll be using a few. save for disneyland.

camping for a night sounds great. i'm going to be in a very capable off road vehicle and will definitely be packing gear.

irene - i haven't seen pink popcorn since i was just a tadpole and woolworths was still open!

redhilltown - 6-28-2010 at 11:58 PM

howdy. unless you're going up into the mountains or further south, no reason to go to San Quintin (unless you're fishing.) and unless you have a 4x4 and a spare tire and lots of time (rough road), you don't want to go through Catavina and up the east side...though it IS an epic drive and you SHOULD do it...just not if you want to relax a bit.

San Felipe obviously has its detractors but it is ok for what it is. a thought is to head there first, and either spend time in hotels or head further south down the paved road and camp on the beach. but it will be hot. then head back north and take highway 3 across and hit the cooler weather and enjoy castro's camp/puerto santo tomas/ensenada (fishing at all three...or not) ...and then take the route back up to Tecate thru the wine country. kind of a loop and you'll get a taste of both sides. No matter what you do if you can cross back into the U.S. at Tecate you'll have a more pleasant Baja experience especially if you can do it mid day on a week day.

The bang for the buck heading much further south just isn't worth it and you do NOT want to be worrying about time or speeding on Hwy 1. Watch for potholes and cows (not necessarily in that order!) and don't drive at night if you can help it. Have fun!

Bajafun777 - 6-29-2010 at 07:39 AM

There are a lot of bajanomads that have rentals that are around all of the Pacific coast side that will have a better weather option than Gulf side especially since it is summer. Ask here who has rentals needing someone to rent and most of your search would be over,LOL. Take it "Easy On The Easy" while driving in Mexico and get the insurance for your car, as it only takes one acccident to make you wish you had. "No Hurry, No Worry, Just Fun" bajafun777

wilderone - 6-29-2010 at 08:07 AM

Bahia de Los Angeles. Hotels or camping; fishing, boats to take you to the islands for hiking, picnicing; snorkling at La Gringa; rent a kayak; many restaurants, little museums; lots of relaxation, sunsets. maybe whale shark sighting at the southern end; take a day to drive the back way to Mision San Borja, pictographs. Some of the best of Baja in this itinerary.

wsdunc - 6-29-2010 at 09:31 AM

Bahia de Los Angeles will be hot. And it is about max distance for your trip, as someone said earlier, that's 2 days down and 2 days back, with 3 days there. That's a lot of driving. But for me Bahia de Los Angeles is about the begining of the magic Baja. I assume it will be unlike any place you've been before.

wilderone - 6-29-2010 at 10:44 AM

You can camp the first night at Mision San Fernando - stopping and enjoying sights along the way -make the most of the day - El Marmol, picnic at the beach before El Rosario, photos at Catavina, rest stop and visit at Sta Inez. You can start early and make the border in a day from BOLA - I've driven from Conception Bay in a day. Days are long in Summer. And it will be hot anywhere - except maybe in Sierra San Pedro Martir.

Hook - 6-29-2010 at 03:24 PM

In seven days from The City?

Ferget Mexico. Head to Sequoia/Kings Canyon or somewhere in the Sierras. It's been a pretty wet year, hasnt it? Should be a great early summer.

San Felipe and anywhere along the Sea of Cortez is pretty darn hot now. That leaves from Ensenada to San Quintin as practical with your time contraints. This is typically an overcast and windy time of year in those areas.

Wait till you have more time................go somewhere else.

Frank - 6-29-2010 at 04:10 PM

Sounds like you just want to get out and get south. Throw the gear {I usually empty the garage} in the truck.

Drive until you like what you see and then stop. If it turns out you dont like it keep going, you will find what your looking for. I know you want to make plans but just make really loose plans.

See ya on the road!

maxboxa - 6-29-2010 at 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank
Sounds like you just want to get out and get south. Throw the gear {I usually empty the garage} in the truck.

Drive until you like what you see and then stop. If it turns out you dont like it keep going, you will find what your looking for. I know you want to make plans but just make really loose plans.

See ya on the road!

ding ding ding!

this sounds like a plan! of course i'll be mapping out some of the suggested points.

GrOUper-GAr - 6-29-2010 at 05:20 PM

Quote:

...or
-fly to Loreto(alaskan air)
-rent a car(don't skimp on Insurance-includ the paint damage coverage-EVERYTHING-now free to dirt road-RaLLy race style)
- and BAM ! you're in the heart of unique AND epic BAJA...
(((Santa Rosalia, Mulege/Chivato, Bahia Conception, Loreto, Agua Verde, San Javier, La Paz, Bahia Magdalena, San Juanico ....even a Todos Santos/Pescadero/Cabo(LoRD BLaCK's)/San Jose/Los Frailes/Pulmo/el Triunfo CIRCUMNAVIGATION is do-able...)))
then,
you Jump on a plane and you're back in your Bed that night saying "DEJa Vu, ThaT was F'n AWESOME"

Packoderm - 6-29-2010 at 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GrOUper-GAr

Quote:

What would that option cost? It would probably be cheaper to go to the Yucatan - or is it Yucatan without the "the?"

If it were me, I'd go to Erindira. It offers the same type of experience as the Pacific destinations further south.

If heat is not a problem, I'd go to San Felipe onward to Gonzaga and loop around Coco's for a view of Catavina on the return part of the loop. For me, heat wouldn't be a problem, and that is what I'd do. You need drinking water so you don't die though.

bajaguy - 6-29-2010 at 09:26 PM

Hang out in Ensenada and Punta Banda

Frank - 6-29-2010 at 09:48 PM

When are you leaving?

irenemm - 6-29-2010 at 10:40 PM

maxboxa
maybe we were tadpole at the same time. Just wishful hoping.
used to have this guy bring it to me when he would go south.
have a great 7 days and drive careful. the most important relax and have fun and stay safe.
enjoy the ride.
Irene
yup woolworths 5 and 10

Bob H - 6-29-2010 at 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Sounds like two of your seven days will be spent on the freeways between SF and the border. That leaves you with five days.
Ensenada or San Felipe seem to be your only two choices. Check the weather and go where the sun is shining. Today in Ensenada, it's not. It's cold, damp and miserable......kinda like San Francisco.

This advice is Right ON!
Bob H

maxboxa - 6-30-2010 at 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by irenemm
maxboxa
maybe we were tadpole at the same time. Just wishful hoping.
used to have this guy bring it to me when he would go south.
have a great 7 days and drive careful. the most important relax and have fun and stay safe.
enjoy the ride.
Irene
yup woolworths 5 and 10

well, ill see if i can track some down, and if i do, i'll pack some away for ya. i'll post up on sunday if i'm successful.
btw, this frog was born in 74

irenemm - 6-30-2010 at 12:45 PM

Oh i am old enough to be your mom.
so your the tadpole and I the frog
just remember drive careful. that is the best part of the trip to just take it easy and only see a bit this time and a little more the next.
have fun
thanks

Bajahowodd - 6-30-2010 at 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packoderm

What would that option cost? It would probably be cheaper to go to the Yucatan - or is it Yucatan without the "the?"

If it were me, I'd go to Erindira. It offers the same type of experience as the Pacific destinations further south.

If heat is not a problem, I'd go to San Felipe onward to Gonzaga and loop around Coco's for a view of Catavina on the return part of the loop. For me, heat wouldn't be a problem, and that is what I'd do. You need drinking water so you don't die though.

The state is Yucatan. Like Ukraine. Don't know why people are always calling it "The" Ukraine.

That said, one can likely fly to anywhere in Mexico for less than a flight to Loreto. Service to Loreto, or the lack thereof, plus the outrageous charge that ensues has been a topic of other threads here. Bottom line is either flying or driving, this time of year, the only area of coastal Mexico that won't be hot as Hades is the Pacific coast of North Baja.

David K - 6-30-2010 at 05:42 PM

The Sudan, The Congo, The Sahara, The Baja... What it is is an abbreviation for 'The Baja Peninsula', 'The Sahara Desert', The Sudan... umm ??, The Congo umm ?? river? LOL

Well, it works for geographic regions (peninsulas, deserts), but maybe not countries (Congo, Sudan, Ukraine)... I think the British started the The stuff...? :wow:

Packoderm - 6-30-2010 at 06:00 PM

Saying "I'm going to explore Congo," just doesn't sound right. The Yucatan is a peninsular region that contains the states of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche. "To get to Alaska, you have to cross Yukon." What about Havana? Some Spanish language maps have it as La Habana. Whatever happened to free choice?

David K - 6-30-2010 at 08:43 PM

Yes, and even though some prudes don't like it... Baja Californios call their land 'LA BAJA' (The Baja) for short!

One who really hated the peninsula being called The Baja was Jimmy Smith... His friend Dave Deal drew this map for Jimmy's book:

The Baja Map-r.JPG - 23kB