BajaNomad

Ensenada to La Paz where to stop?

C-Urchin - 5-3-2011 at 08:14 AM

Driving to La Paz on May 27th. Planning to start early morning from Ensanada. We plan to drive day time only and on the highway. Got to get to La Paz in good time. Any suggestions as to where to stop at night? I need a plan. :cool:

Guerrero Negro

bajaguy - 5-3-2011 at 08:23 AM

You can easily make Guerrero Negro the first day.

Try the Cowboy, on your left just as you enter town. Has a nice taco/chicken place in front.

Don't forget to gas up in El Rosario, maybe lunch at Baja's Best, on your left as you head out of town.

If you really push it, probably San Ignacio......

tiotomasbcs - 5-3-2011 at 09:11 AM

If you leave early you could make it to San Ignacio or Mulege. Nine hrs I believe and very workable as the sun sets approx 7:30pm. Nicer towns than GN altho they do have good hotels and meals but they do everywhere!! Check out trip reports for recent articles on hotels and restaurants. La Paz is heatin up so be ready; hot and beautiful! Tio

yellowklr - 5-3-2011 at 10:25 AM

From Ensenada I'd drive to Santa rosalia or mulege. I just made the drive from san Diego and made san Ignacio and I was pulling a boat

mulegejim - 5-3-2011 at 12:15 PM

I would seriously consider Mulege - not too bad of a drive from Ensenada and gets you down the road pretty far. Would be in La Paz the next day with about a six hour drive from Mulege. I like the Hotel Mulege as it is in town so you can walk to most places you would want or need to visit. Secure courtyard parking also. I am sure others will give their opinion on where to stay and/or eat. Jim

[Edited on 5-3-2011 by mulegejim]

dtbushpilot - 5-3-2011 at 02:37 PM

Stop and stay at Ignacio Springs B&B in San Ignacio. If you get an early start out of Ensenada you will get there in time to relax in the shade by the river or paddle around in a kayak. Terry and Gary are great hosts.

If you go any further it will be too late to see or do anything when you get there. La Paz is only about 7 or 8 hours from San Ignacio

Bajamatic - 5-3-2011 at 02:52 PM

I'd go for mulege.

drarroyo - 5-3-2011 at 03:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Stop and stay at Ignacio Springs B&B in San Ignacio. If you get an early start out of Ensenada you will get there in time to relax in the shade by the river or paddle around in a kayak. Terry and Gary are great hosts.

If you go any further it will be too late to see or do anything when you get there. La Paz is only about 7 or 8 hours from San Ignacio


that's the ticket! Killer breakfast included in the deal before you hit the road too.

dtbushpilot - 5-3-2011 at 04:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by drarroyo
Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Stop and stay at Ignacio Springs B&B in San Ignacio. If you get an early start out of Ensenada you will get there in time to relax in the shade by the river or paddle around in a kayak. Terry and Gary are great hosts.

If you go any further it will be too late to see or do anything when you get there. La Paz is only about 7 or 8 hours from San Ignacio


that's the ticket! Killer breakfast included in the deal before you hit the road too.



They will feed you a fabulous dinner for not much money too so once you get there you don't have to leave till you're ready to hit the road the next day. The yurts are fantastic and the beds are the most comfortable in Baja.

Kgryfon - 2-12-2013 at 05:25 PM

MapQuest says the drive from Ensenada to Guerro Nego is 11+ hours and from Ensenada to Mulege is 16+. Are they totally off, or do these times sound right?

bajaguy - 2-12-2013 at 05:54 PM

With reasonable stops for gas (2 or 3) lunch (1) and potty breaks (2 or 3), GN is about 8 hours from Ensenada

David K - 2-12-2013 at 08:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
You can easily make Guerrero Negro the first day.

Try the Cowboy, on your left just as you enter town. Has a nice taco/chicken place in front.

Don't forget to gas up in El Rosario, maybe lunch at Baja's Best, on your left as you head out of town.

If you really push it, probably San Ignacio......


Hi BajaGuy... as you drive southbound through El Rosario, Baja's Best is actually on the right (between the highway and the river).



My vote is to not go beyond San Ignacio... you really should see some of Baja as you whoosh to La Paz, and driving the mile or 2 into the town plaza is really really worth it.

It all depends on when you get started. Other things include stops, military checkpoints, slow conditions. If you still have plenty of daylight when you finish taking in the beauty of San Ignacio, then get on to Mulege... which is the second major oasis in Baja, on Hwy. 1.


San Ignacio


Mulege

BajaBlanca - 2-12-2013 at 09:06 PM

You will love San Ignacio ... the yurts are amazingly pretty. The drive is long but do-able. If you are up to it, take a quick jaunt to the main square in S.I. - it has huge trees, a mission church with 3 feet wide brick walls, and a free museum/bookstore at The CASA LEREE, owned and run by Juanita (Jane) from San Francisco. And the fact that it is an oasis with hundred of date palms is pretty impressive.

We do the drive south many times a year and I would not go further than SI - you don't want to be driving the mountains when you are tired ...my 2 cents.

bajaguy - 2-12-2013 at 09:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
You can easily make Guerrero Negro the first day.

Try the Cowboy, on your left just as you enter town. Has a nice taco/chicken place in front.

Don't forget to gas up in El Rosario, maybe lunch at Baja's Best, on your left as you head out of town.

If you really push it, probably San Ignacio......


Hi BajaGuy... as you drive southbound through El Rosario, Baja's Best is actually on the right (between the highway and the river).






Yeah, my other left :lol:

David K - 2-12-2013 at 11:06 PM

Happy trails my friend!

Blair - 2-13-2013 at 10:52 AM

SD to San Ignacio is my vote. Ignacio Springs is the ticket. They do a great job.

Lets be Real !!

captkw - 2-13-2013 at 10:56 AM

I'd start early and see where you get...its BAJA and plans go out the window and makes GOD smile..nothing is written in stone......K&T:cool:

ncampion - 2-13-2013 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
I'd start early and see where you get...its BAJA and plans go out the window and makes GOD smile..nothing is written in stone......K&T:cool:


I agree with this. Have a plan and have a backup and then another backup.

Sweetwater - 2-13-2013 at 08:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
You can easily make Guerrero Negro the first day.

Try the Cowboy, on your left just as you enter town. Has a nice taco/chicken place in front.

Don't forget to gas up in El Rosario, maybe lunch at Baja's Best, on your left as you head out of town.

If you really push it, probably San Ignacio......


Hi BajaGuy... as you drive southbound through El Rosario, Baja's Best is actually on the right (between the highway and the river).






Yeah, my other left :lol:


I think it was my uncle who said it best: Two lefts make it right.:P

TecateRay - 2-14-2013 at 12:04 PM

Stop for great cheeseburgers at Playa Buenaventura at the south end of Bahia Concepcion.

Drive times depend on what your are driving (or towing) and traffic.
Ensenada to south side of San Quintin is generally very busy and you'll be lucky to average 40 MPH, with much time lost to slow traffic in and around the various farming communities.

desertcpl - 2-14-2013 at 01:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegejim
I would seriously consider Mulege - not too bad of a drive from Ensenada and gets you down the road pretty far. Would be in La Paz the next day with about a six hour drive from Mulege. I like the Hotel Mulege as it is in town so you can walk to most places you would want or need to visit. Secure courtyard parking also. I am sure others will give their opinion on where to stay and/or eat. Jim

[Edited on 5-3-2011 by mulegejim]




thats works,, downtown Mulege is great, not to miss

Playa Buenaventura ??

captkw - 2-14-2013 at 01:39 PM

I thought that place is/was closed and had some major problems ????????????????????

J.P. - 2-14-2013 at 02:16 PM

WE have family in Mulege and have driven from Punta Banda many times, stoping for gas and lunch it takes me about 11hrs and that's not stopping and fooling around anywhere.

David K - 2-14-2013 at 07:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
I thought that place is/was closed and had some major problems ????????????????????


Don't get the abandoned hotel confused with the wonderful cantina next door! Both are at Playa Buenaventura, just north of El Requeson.

Mark and Olivia's Playa Buenaventura Bar and Grille is where you get the cheeseburger in paradise!



DK

captkw - 2-14-2013 at 08:31 PM

Hola,,sometimes,I'm a mushroom !! LOL,, are you talking about the southern most playa in B.C. (where life begins,,given a chance)..BTW I have pic above santaspac,, that a girlfriend took on the road behind me..we sat in the road a drank a 6/pack (tecate) and not 1 car came along !!! era "79" or so........... K&T :cool:....PS 1 truck w/camper parked at the waters edge and 5/6 shrimp boats on the Hook...traded penthouse & playboys for BIG,BIG shrimp...aint, seen any that big for a many a year

[Edited on 2-15-2013 by captkw]

David K - 2-14-2013 at 08:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Hola,,sometimes,I'm a mushroom !! LOL,, are you talking about the southern most playa in B.C. (where life begins,,given a chance)..BTW I have pic above santaspac,, that a girlfriend took on the road behind me..we sat in the road a drank a 6/pack (tecate) and not 1 car came along !!! era "79" or so........... K&T :cool:....PS 1 truck w/camper parked at the waters edge and 5/6 shrimp boats on the Hook...traded penthouse & playboys for BIG,BIG shrimp...aint, seen any that big for a many a year

[Edited on 2-15-2013 by captkw]


It's called Baja intervention my friend... no worries, be happy!

Bob H - 2-15-2013 at 12:31 AM

Oh, a great place to stop and eat lunch is at Mision Santa Isabel just North of San Quintin, on the East side of the road. The food is fresh and wonderful and the prices are right.... the parking lot is always full.



I forget the mile marker, maybe 58?


[Edited on 2-15-2013 by Bob H]

durrelllrobert - 2-15-2013 at 10:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
WE have family in Mulege and have driven from Punta Banda many times, stoping for gas and lunch it takes me about 11hrs and that's not stopping and fooling around anywhere.
Comming back from the Loreto Dorado tournament we left at 04:00 and arrived at Punta Banda at 17:45 pulling Roger's 26 ft boat.

J.P. - 2-15-2013 at 10:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
WE have family in Mulege and have driven from Punta Banda many times, stoping for gas and lunch it takes me about 11hrs and that's not stopping and fooling around anywhere.
Comming back from the Loreto Dorado tournament we left at 04:00 and arrived at Punta Banda at 17:45 pulling Roger's 26 ft boat.






Thats pretty good time . Whats loreto 70mi. or so from Muleje.
Thats a nice rig it renimds me of a 26ft Bayliner I had.

MitchMan - 2-15-2013 at 11:10 AM

Hi Christine,
Just a suggestion. When I drive from Orange County to La Paz, I deliberately take 2-1/2 days which means 2 overnight stays. Previously, I have, like everyone else, tried to make the trip "as fast as I can" and when I try that, I am always sorry because it doesn't give you the time to "smell the roses", so to speak.

The Baja trip is a great trip and adventure and an opportunity to soak in the sights. I mean, if you push it, yeah, you can do it with one overnight stay, but why pass up the opportunity to enjoy the trip by making it a leisurely endeavor instead? You are going at a fabulous time of year...perfection, actually. Enjoy looking at the miles of beautiful vineyards in northern Baja, look for some of those great looking cacti, that stretch of road with all those boulders, stop in and take a good look at the town of Mulege and Loreto, et al.

If you make it a leisurely two day trip, you will enjoy the driving experience as a travel experience and take the time to drive at a truly safe speed...give yourself the time to safely and securely watch out for livestock or a truck that will certainly be near the road as you turn a blind corner.

Big picture: Consider, if you will, If you're going to be in La Paz for 3 weeks or more, what % proportion does an additional day of traveling take... 5%? 2%? When I'm limited on my trip's time, I will take a Volaris round trip flight from TJ to La Paz...$260 USD per person. Even for two people, that is equivalent to gasoline and auto insurance plus the cost of the hotels on a driving round trip experience and takes half the time of driving...and...arguable less risky than driving.

FWIW, if you take the Volaris trip, call me and I will pick you both up at the La Paz airport as I will be in La Paz from May 23rd to the middle of June.

I worry about friends that may want to hurry through the trip. Please take your time. It is 946 miles from Tijuana to La Paz. Driving 10 hours a day is rather grueling. Keep in mind you will have to make some pit stops making the total travel time even longer and then that leaves no time at all for sightseeing and relaxing. Take at least 2-1/2 days to do the trip and you will enjoy it much, much more, be relaxed and you will be much safer, and you will remember it as a pleasure instead of a task.

See you in May/June.

[Edited on 2-15-2013 by MitchMan]