Hi all, long time voyeur but first time member/poster... I'm headed into Baja Norte and Sur for about 5 weeks in August, mostly surfing, but I will
have time to explore in between swells. I have a 4x4 with a pop top and 25 years of baja dust between the ears. There are many places that I always
drive by because Im focused on surfing a certain spot or two but my question(finally) is..what would you recommend seeing/doing if you had just a
month? Im open to any suggestions and recommendations.
I was thinking of...
Fishing the bays or east cape, whale watching(in season?), checking out a few old towns, camping in the mountainous region near Cabo(La Candeleria?)
Thanks in advance! -Scottmonoloco - 7-8-2011 at 04:09 PM
I wouldn't recommend camping in the mountains of the cape in August, it's likely to be hot humid and buggy. The pacific coast is the place to be that
time of year.bajabass - 7-8-2011 at 04:13 PM
I'd start at K-38 or K-55, and hit each spot for a day or 2 as you work your way down the Pacific side. San Quintin, Socorro, El Rosario, Santa
Rosalalitta, Bahia Acunsion, La Bocana, Mag Bay, Todos Santos. Surf, fish, camp, eat, drink.
When you get to Cabo, hit a few East Cape breaks, check out La Paz, Loreto, Mulege on the way home. The oportunities are endless!!! Shoot from the
hip, and have a blast!!!DENNIS - 7-8-2011 at 04:22 PM
Hi Scott....Welcome to BajaNomad.
Just stay away from the Gulf, buy a box of Pacifico and go.
Buen Viaje.Bajahowodd - 7-8-2011 at 04:30 PM
Great to see a return visitor. But, I also have to wonder why someone that claims to have 25 years of Baja experience needs guidance. I suppose if you
haven't been down in a while, it would help to know what mey have changed.mcfez - 7-8-2011 at 04:41 PM
The Sea of Cortez is out for you........only waves you see will be from the friendly folks there.
August? Geeze.....your must be related to a DavidK !Bajaahh - 7-8-2011 at 05:00 PM
Yeah, so far every trip has been for surfing so I am asking for advice on non-surfing sights. I have the surf spots down and now that Im 40, Im ready
to expand my horizons(cant believe it took me that long but whats the hurry?)
I know August will be hot, but my liver is strong!Curt63 - 7-8-2011 at 05:02 PM
Punta Abreojos is a gem, but be prepared for hordes of flies and howling windoldtortisegrl - 7-8-2011 at 07:16 PM
It's all good....the rabbit was #1BajaBlanca - 7-8-2011 at 07:58 PM
come and visit us in la bocana, if you like fishing, you can meet Juanchys and Joaquin (brothers) and Domingo (their cousin) who will take you out
fishing. Joaquin has a restaurant called the CACTUS and he serves outrageously delicious food. Camping is free at a neat location called Bocanita.
on the way here, visit shari in bahia asuncion, there is a surf club there and I bet they would love to hang out with you. there is a $5 a night
camping spot that is near a gorgeous beach ..
and if I were you, and if you like old old old simple fishcamp life, there is a guy who built some cabanas in PUERTO NUEVO (mind you, this is in baja
SUR) for only 200 pesos a night. It is remote and quite the experience. I will be doing a late trip report soon. It is a good place to go if you have
company, might not be so fun if you are on your own ... one must take everything from water to food since there are NO stores. it is a fishing camp.
there is a full kitchen available including frdge for the beer
if you haven't bee to san igancio - visit the museum and guest house called casa leree. the museum is free to all, the 2 rooms Juanita (Jane) rents
out are quite reasonable.
Welcome to Baja Nomad and have a super trip.shari - 7-8-2011 at 08:42 PM
hey there Bajaah...LOVE that name! glad you have decided to jump into the fray brother. If you are in mid baja in august, you really should stop in
here at Asuncion for the traditional fiestas...it's a cultural hoe down!!! Lots of really fun stuff going on AND a surf competition that is always a
blast, live bands every night, horse races, rodeo, car and moto races, beach events, food booths etc etc....the water will have warmed up and the
weather is wonderful over on the cool side....hope to see ya here...dates are probably aug.12-15...I will post an announcement what day the surf
competition is...have a great trip.Diver - 7-8-2011 at 08:56 PM
If you like HOT, by all means head south to the area between La Ribera and San Jose'.
Maybe a stop near Mulege or Los Muertos (south of La Paz).
But in August for me it would be La Bocana and Bahia Asuncion !
The temps are pleasant, the fishing is great, the festivals are a BLAST and the people are some of Baja's best.
Take the drive between the towns and beyond to San Roque; you won't be dissapointed.
And for surfing; San Juanica, Abreojos, Asuncion .... and those secret points to the north.
[Edited on 7-9-2011 by Diver]Bajaahh - 7-9-2011 at 08:00 AM
YES! Thats what Im talking about! Sounds like I'll be making a stop in Asuncion. Thanks for all the replies and letting me in la familia.
-ScottMarc - 7-9-2011 at 08:03 AM
I think the heat will drive you back to the Pacific coast. I love to camp but I always use hotels/motels during the summer months. August and
September are the worst, (heat) for me anyway.Bajatripper - 7-10-2011 at 09:30 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
August? Geeze.....your must be related to a DavidK !
Good one, Mcfez, and welcome to the board, Scott.
It's past whale-watching season, so that's out (Dec-April, more-or-less).
I'm with the general consensus that August is way too hot and humid to mess around much on the Gulf coast, unless you have A/C at night.
Unfortunately, it's the more picturesque of the two coasts as seen from a non-surfing perspective.
But if you're camping, I'd recommend taking the old Pacific Coast Road south of San Ignacio (dirt road, graded most of the way) to keep within range
of the Pacific's moderating influence. In that case, San Jose de Gracia is a nice side-trip to see what village life was like in Baja back in the days
before they paved the Transpeninsular. A favorite "passing-through" camping spot of ours is at Cadeje, just north of San Juanico. At the edge of the
village is a nice pond with a date-palm grove that's perfect to camp at (just don't leave ANYTHING mouthsize and chewable out at night, or the cows
will come a callin').
But if you insist in getting hot and sticky and want to see one of the most impressive (if not THE most impressive) missions in all of Baja, don't
miss San Javier. If you come down the Pacific Coast road, go to San Javier by way of the Comondus (San Jose and San Miguel). While neither have a
"real" mission anymore, the towns are still worth a visit--especially San Jose de Comondu.
If you come down the Gulf coast, then Santa Agueda and San Jose de Magdalena are nice sidetrips (if you like historic places, and both have ponds with
date palms around).
In the Cape Region, the East Cape road is real nice for camping. We also like camping at El Chorro, out by Santiago way. There's a nice stream
year-round there, and it's a scenic hike up the arroyo to the swimming holes (don't stop at the first one you come to, the second one is nicer).
Oh, and if you don't already have one, get yourself a Baja Almanac, they're a "must-have" item for the trip you're planning.
These are just some of the places that come to mind. If you make it down to La Paz, U2U me and I'll take you out to see some of the local beaches
worth a visit (I should be back from a short trip north by the second week of Sep.).
[Edited on 7-10-2011 by Bajatripper]David K - 7-10-2011 at 09:34 AM
Yes, we LOVE the heat... you arctic people can have your cold days and cold water! Bring on 90º+ days and 80º+ seas :toneart - 7-10-2011 at 09:49 AM
Welcome, Bajaahh!
No whale watching in August, so you can eliminate that from your adventure quest.
You are aware of the heat on the SOC side, so you can include that.
So, what you are after are tips from experienced Nomads. That great! You can learn a lot from these collective veterans. You too are a Baja veteran,
but are seeking something different from your experience. Take the tips you can use. Disregard those that don't appeal to you. No harm in seeking
advice.
A balance between isolation and social contact with a couple of cervezas works for me!
In all my travels throughout the world, I have had the best times by staying loose to taste whatever presents itself. I have a general itinerary, but
find that the wind happily blows me off course. People you meet, with fresh experiences, and the occasional senorita, have shown me the best times (or
at least deluded me into thinking so). 805gregg - 7-13-2011 at 05:53 PM
I'd spend 2 weeks in Baja, then fly to Hawaii.thebajarunner - 7-13-2011 at 07:32 PM
Parque Nacional,
La Sierra San Pedro de Martir
The mountain park is wonderful, cool and great views all around.
At exactly 4 p.m every day (set your watch on it) a tremendous thunder storm will literally drown your campsite, so be prepared,
Then gather a bunch of down wood, build a monster campfire and enjoy.
As good as it gets,
and there is always a stop over at Meling Ranch for a great meal or two, even a shower if you feel the need.David K - 7-13-2011 at 08:58 PM
So good to see you back here again, 'thebajarunner'!thebajarunner - 7-13-2011 at 09:45 PM
As I told Dennis off line,
it is like going back on drugs,
thought I had the habit kicked,
may need to go into therapy
ah me, nice to see some familiar faces (scripts) lurking aboutDavid K - 7-13-2011 at 09:52 PM
How's Baja Vida... ?Bajaahh - 7-14-2011 at 05:41 PM
Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will be taking a few of those for sure. I'll be the solo cholo in the white Tacoma with a pop-up camper, stop
by and I'll buy ya a beer or two...
"A balance between isolation and social contact with a couple of cervezas works for me!"------classic quote 'toneart'Lee - 7-14-2011 at 06:21 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
The Sea of Cortez is out for you........only waves you see will be from the friendly folks there.
August? Geeze.....your must be related to a DavidK !
A bit off center here.
Acapulquito (Old Man’s), The Rock and Zippers, are along the East Cape, which is the coastline east of San José, Costa Azul area.
Some of the best summer surfing: Monuments, La Bocana, La Roca, Nine Palms, Shipwrecks and Punta Perfecta, all on the Sea of Cortez. Hot, no
crowds, ripping Summer swells.
These places break Spring through Fall. Best surfing in Baja.woody with a view - 7-14-2011 at 06:49 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Lee
Best surfing in Baja.
what the dude in the gold melon saver said!!!!
Hook - 7-14-2011 at 07:47 PM
'Bout damn time, Woody!!! Was thinking of Spilling the Seven Sisters, if you didnt show.
