BajaNomad

Road Trip

krafty - 9-11-2010 at 04:06 PM

hey all-I am a newbie on this forum and have been lurking for ages-finally planning a drive down the Baja and plan to leave around turkey day-would love suggestions as to rtes, accommodations, where to see the whales:spingrin:hope to take our time and would like to go see different places along the way going down and coming back. We live f/t in Rosarito and have never been past Ensenada-how lame is that? Time to rectify! Gracias in advance-Juanita

BajaDanD - 9-11-2010 at 04:43 PM

Whale watching is in Jan, Feb, Mar and April In Ojo de liebre or San Ignacio or Mag Bay.

Krafty

tortuga - 9-12-2010 at 10:07 AM

Are you Hoteling it or camping.
Saludos, Tortuga.

krafty - 9-12-2010 at 11:17 AM

Hoteling! Did check accom. site-guess we need to figure out our route before we figure out where to stay-

mulegemichael - 9-12-2010 at 11:56 AM

be sure and get off the beaten path and visit juan and shari in bahia asuncion ...a fabulous spot!

krafty - 9-12-2010 at 12:23 PM

Love to! Where is that near? We are trying to plot our rt down with a totally diff. route back-is this possible?

Ken Cooke - 9-12-2010 at 12:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by krafty
Love to! Where is that near? We are trying to plot our rt down with a totally diff. route back-is this possible?


You can travel down Hwy 1, and return from El Arco up to LA Bay, then up Hwy 1 to Laguna Chapala to Hwy 5 and not see the same exact thing twice.

Bajahowodd - 9-12-2010 at 12:33 PM

Juanita- How much time are you planning for your trip? What type of vehicle are you driving? Do you plan to make it all the way to Cabo?

If you're in a low clearance passenger vehicle, it will limit just how far off Highway 1 you could go. There are a few paved, or mostly paved side roads, such as was mentioned about Asuncion, as well as Bahia de Los Angeles and even Punta Abreojos.

As DanD mentioned, your dates would preclude whales. However, as you are in Rosarito, you could easily make a whale watching trip later on, as Guerrero Negro is a one day drive from where you live. That said, there are a number of towns that are not to miss for their uniqueness. Outside of whale season, Guerrero Negro really isn't one of them. There are at least three excellent hotels there for a layover. Cowboy, Caracoles and Malarrimo. Malarrimo also has perhaps the best restaurant in town. As for the "don't miss" towns, on my list would be San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia, Mulege, and Loreto- all worth walking around and exploring. Same can be said for La Paz, especially the malecon. Decent accommodations can be found in each of these town. However, there is a wider choice in Loreto and La Paz.

With that in mind, knowing that finding a decent place to stay won't be a problem, what I would suggest is that you put together an itinerary based on where you want to go, what you want to see, and then folks here can get into their customary friendly argument about which hotel is better than the other.:biggrin:

Ken Cooke - 9-12-2010 at 12:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd

If you're in a low clearance passenger vehicle, it will limit just how far off Highway 1 you could go.


Well said. Here is the latest by ARB and Mopar/JEEP!! :bounce:





With this bad-boy, any route is within striking distance. :bounce:



With this ARB Fridge/Freezer, you won't need to worry about packing ice.



This is the way to go in style, and not have to worry about the route less-travelled.

sanquintinsince73 - 9-12-2010 at 12:59 PM

Awesome vehicle....is the model included?

krafty - 9-12-2010 at 01:12 PM

Wow-thanks for the info! We will be in a town y country van with new sneakers-thinking about taking 3-4 days travel each way from Rosarito and a week in between in Cabo at son's time share-as I've said we have never been further than Ensenada, so am definitely open to suggestions and must do's and see's!!!!!

Bajahowodd - 9-12-2010 at 01:32 PM

I kinda think a Chrysler van ain't the vehicle to be using off the paved highway.

Inasmuch as you're going all the way, you will have the opportunity to browse around Todos Santos, as well. By the way, which time share in Cabo? Just curious.

3-4 days each way is plenty of time to take in alot of sights.

As for recommendations to stay along the way, and I know there will be folks with differing opinions, but in my experience, as far as the best accommodations:

San Quintin- Hotel Jardines de Baja, which also has an excellent restaurant adjacent.

El Rosario- Baja Cactus, also with a good restaurant next door- Mama Espinosas.

Already mentioned Guerrero Negro

San Ignacio- Casa Leree or Ignacio Springs B&B

Santa Rosalia- El Morro

Mulege- Hotel Serenidad

Loreto- lots of choice here. Several near the malecon, but we've always stayed at Hacienda Suites since they opened. And there is a new hotel right near by them called Santa Fe.

La Paz- again lots of choice. We prefer Suites El Morro on the malecon.

Like I said, many on this forum will have their own favorites. Different strokes.

Ken Cooke - 9-12-2010 at 01:38 PM

In a Town/Country van, I would avoid El Arco to LA Bay & the route north via Laguna Chapala due to a low-hanging oil pan. I would visit Rancho El Coyote and the Sierra San Pedro Martir park outside of San Telmo.

Ken Cooke - 9-12-2010 at 01:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Awesome vehicle....is the model included?


It is rumored that Kat Von D has a thing for Jeeps!:light:



krafty - 9-12-2010 at 01:59 PM

@ Bajahowodd-thanks for the info-we will be @ Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach-ever been? We have been to Cabo once years ago-yet another place I know nothing about! Hope it is warmer there in Dec. than it is here in Roseyrito-

Bajahowodd - 9-12-2010 at 02:09 PM

Sunset Beach is a great property. If there was any drawback, it's that it's to far out of town to walk. I mention that because virtually all these resorts charge high prices for food and drinks. That said, since it's a timeshare, you'll have a kitchen. Stop at Walmart, Costco or Soriana on your way into town and pick up some stuff.

As for Pueblo Bonito, at one time I owned a presidential suite at the original white place on Medano Beach. Pueblo Bonito is a fine company.

krafty - 9-12-2010 at 02:33 PM

too far to walk but we will be in a town y country if it makes it down the Baja! Haha!

BajaBlanca - 9-12-2010 at 02:37 PM

Hi Juanita and welcome to Baja Nomads ... I agree with the choices Bajahowodd made. They are good and reasonable places to stay at. El Rosario is a MUST. Mama Espiniza's has some incredible artifacts - it is one of the oldest rest stops on the highway. Also, is it MANDATORY that you fill up on gas as it is 222 miles to the next official gas station.

If you find that you really want to get off the beaten path (maybe next time ???), please visit us in La Bocana. We are just a minute fishing village with wonderful beaches to walk on, great fishing to be had, kayaking, kitesurfing and windsurfing as well as bike trails. We welcome you to our B & B - check it out at www.labocanahotel.com. Bienvenida a Baja Sur !!

Cabo is big and busy and beautiful. After living in Rosarito, I think your eyes will feast on Cabo. And if you want to see a waterfall in the midst of the desert - go to a town called SANTIAGO. Follow the signs there to SOL DE MAYO. park. pay 25 pesos or so. Take a 5 minute hike. Be sure to remember your bathing suit and pack a lunch - the natural pool is exquisite.

krafty - 9-12-2010 at 03:18 PM

muchos gracias Blanca-am always astounded by the warmth of the nomads-will definitely put this on my bucket list! but perhaps sooner rather than later!

sanquintinsince73 - 9-12-2010 at 05:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Awesome vehicle....is the model included?


It is rumored that Kat Von D has a thing for Jeeps!:light:




Hey Ken, I didn't realize that was your wife in the photo. I apologize for my model comment. Disculpa.

krafty - 9-12-2010 at 07:21 PM

ah duh-is there any time change btw Baja Norte and Baja Sur?

Debra - 9-12-2010 at 07:48 PM

1hr. they are on mt. time, change is at GN