BajaNomad - Newbie planning trip north from CSL

Newbie planning trip north from CSL

AmyPNW - 1-6-2012 at 12:15 PM

Heading down to Baja as a newbie in a few weeks and trying to make decisions. Hubby (the resort guy) wanted to start in CSL and we have a week reserved there. However the next nine days are mine (the adventure gal) to explore and decide what to experience. I am more of the take-it-as-you-go, experience-the-life kind of person so it should be interesting working it out with hubby. The plan is to get a rental car, head north and loop back for our flight out of San Jose Del Cabo.

First of all, I am hoping to see some baby grey whales. Magdalena Bay seems like a good bet and I am hoping some babies will be around between Feb 14-22. Loreto also seems to be a draw with the marine park and possible blue whales. Hubby loves to drive and is willing to go as far north as San Ignacio and Guerrero Negro although I am not sure that is necessary. That being said perhaps there are better ways to consider seeing the whales and I am open to suggestions.

Secondly, it would be great to experience Baja as one can only in a rental car with a few days. At this point I am thinking a few days in Loreto and a few days at Magdalena Bay but if anything stands out as a good route or place I would love to consider it.

I am thinking about going without reservations. Again, making hubby a little crazy. I am even willing to go as far as throwing the backpack tent and sleeping bags in a suitcase. But if it is possible to find lodging and get out and see the whales without making reservations all the better to stay as long as we want or move on around Baja.

Hubby tells me this is my one chance. We will see. Help me tempt him for some other time as well!

amy

captkw - 1-6-2012 at 12:31 PM

I think, you would like mag bay,, a hell of of lot better than guerro negro,, which is considerd by many as the armpit of baja K&T :cool:

And alot folk's just "wing it" sorta a baja thing !!

[Edited on 1-6-2012 by captkw]

Loretana - 1-6-2012 at 05:35 PM

AmyPNW (is that Pacific Northwest?) welcome to Baja Nomad...

You will get bored with Cabo San Lucas (maybe he won't) but while you are there take a day trip over to Todos Santos to see a charming little "Pueblo Magico" town and stop at Cerritos Beach and or Pescadero to see some waves and white sand.

Another thing to do to break up the CSL part of the trip is to go into San Jose del Cabo, just north up the corridor, 22 kilometers.

Then the fun part begins. Don't worry about reservations anywhere but this highly recommended spot....<<http://www.ignaciosprings.com/>>
In San Ignacio, the loveliest spot to stay on your way to see the baby grey whales in the most protected of all the lagoons....San Ignacio......the dates you have chosen are optimum viewing times for mothers with newborn calves.

The drive up to San Ignacio (a very Baja Mission town) will take you through La Paz, our state capitol, on to Loreto and into the utterly gorgeous Bahia Concepcion, with spots to stay along the way. Plan on dawdling along for a least several days or more on your way to San Ignacio Lagoon. The folks who run the San Ignacio Springs Yurts (very cool) will get you hooked up with one of the panga operators who will take you out to the whales.

On your way back to CSL you can hit Loreto for a few days, see the Mission up at San Javier, and relax. The only place you might find crowded would be the whale access, but I was there last Feb 19th and it was PERFECT.

Also, La Paz is a very nice town, lots of good restaurants and decent hotels (I recommend Casa Jalisco) and a beautiful Malecon to stroll.

Drive carefully, don't drive at night and que les vaya bien!!

AMY

captkw - 1-6-2012 at 08:50 PM

HOLA, check your u2u K&T :cool:

shari - 1-6-2012 at 10:01 PM

Welcome to Baja Nomads Amy...I would suggest going whale watching in both places...but Mag Bay may not have many babies...it has more adult whales...but there may be some too but I would go on up to San Ignacio as well...they are just so different...plus the drive is spectacular in itself. I would also not miss the San Javier Mission by Loreto...some nice driving there too and mountain country...have a wonderful time and we look forward to your trip report!

UHH

captkw - 1-6-2012 at 10:12 PM

hola,I think ,,she is coming from san jose del cabo,,with ,,that in mind,,and a newbie,,do you think,it's wise to send her SOOO far north,,to see a whale,,she has not,yet,stated ,her time frame..,or,maybe ,,I missed that,,anyhow,,this whale thing,,around here,,is...OOOHH,,,gotta go,,C.G. is calling me on the radio....OUT

AmyPNW - 1-6-2012 at 10:59 PM

You guys are great! Yes, I am born and bred Pacific Northwest.

I have wanted to see Baja and the baby whales for years and I am so excited. In reading this forum and learning more about the area I am also looking forward to exploring and spending time in the area.

I love the ideas for not getting bored in CSL. And my husband is willing to drive me to San Ignacio if it can comfortably be done as a round trip in 8 days. We have from the 14th to the 22nd to make the loop. Maybe we could sublet out the condo and get a few more days on the road

amy

captkw - 1-7-2012 at 08:58 AM

hola,with 8 day's of baja,,I would not recommend san ignacio and back to san jose,,no way in hell,,that is a trip,,that will,,eat up your vacation....grap a map,,then almost triple,,your guess,on driving, time,,you can only do,so much in your time frame..and ,it's a bit,,slower down here(thank god) enjoy and happy new year......K&T :cool:

Loretana - 1-7-2012 at 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by captkw
hola,with 8 day's of baja,,I would not recommend san ignacio and back to san jose,,no way in hell,,that is a trip,,that will,,eat up your vacation....grap a map,,then almost triple,,your guess,on driving, time,,you can only do,so much in your time frame..and ,it's a bit,,slower down here(thank god) enjoy and happy new year......K&T :cool:

Captkw...
You might read Amy's post again.....
She says she will be in Cabo for a week in a rented Condo and then states she has NINE more days to head north to see the whales.......
Why wouldn't NINE days be enough time to drive from Cabo San Lucas to San Ignacio and back??
Sounds like more than enough time to me.....IMHO :yes:

David K - 1-7-2012 at 11:37 AM

Magdalena Bay (Lopez Mateos, San Carlos) would be much closer than San Ignacio Lagoon... one day's drive from Cabo... She even mentioned Magdalena.

Loretana - 1-7-2012 at 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Magdalena Bay (Lopez Mateos, San Carlos) would be much closer than San Ignacio Lagoon... one day's drive from Cabo... She even mentioned Magdalena.

I was trying to steer Amy to the most quality experience as far as the interaction with baby whales goes...San Ignacio is the least "overworked" viewing area, the most respectful of the whales, also the calmest waters, and why wouldn't Amy and her husband want to see Bahia Concepcion and San Ignacio pueblo?

[Edited on 1-7-2012 by Loretana]

David K - 1-7-2012 at 12:36 PM

Sounds great!

DianaT - 1-7-2012 at 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loretana

Amy says she is the outdoors person---nature person, and this will be a great experience for them, and they do have plenty of time.

While we usually drive out to the lagoon, it is quite easy to join up with Kuyima or one of the other groups in San Ignacio and ride the van out that rough road. And the scenery along the way is spectacular as well.

OH, nice photo!

Loretana - 1-7-2012 at 01:14 PM

I want to share my favorite photo from San Ignacio Lagoon with Amy and all my Nomad compadres......

Here is the baby grey resting on her mother's side, looking at us.....

Don't mean to hijack your post, Amy........ :saint:

Whale Watching and Baja Nights

Mulegena - 1-7-2012 at 01:59 PM

Bring sweatpants and a coat.

You won't need 'em in Cabo,
but winter nights will be kinda cold as you head north.

Do go visit the jewel of a town and mission of San Javier 'way up in the mountains
just south of Loreto. You can rent a room there right near the church.

You will want to dress warm for whale watching... which will blow your mind, btw.

AmyPNW - 1-7-2012 at 03:48 PM

OK, I'm jazzed. And no one that is talking about the babies and showing them is in danger of hijacking this thread. Sounds like we will have enough time to do the loop. There is more that I want to see and experience than we will have time for but whatever comes will be great, I am sure.

Thanks for all the suggestions! It is just a matter of working out the details with hubby.

BajaBlanca - 1-7-2012 at 04:19 PM

Amy - Loretana hit the nail right on the head - her suggestions are perfect and totally do-able in the time frame you have. Your husband will be pleasantly surprised and he will enjoy the trip. Cabo is gorgeous. Todos Santos is artsy-craftsy, the mission san javier drive goes right past a cave with a stream where natives used to dwell (really interesting), bahia concepcin is one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, loreto is great, san ignacio and the lagoon with whales is nothing short of spectacular. If you dont overdo it (and the plan herein mentioned is good), I think your hubby will be ready to come back for more !!

bon voyage !!

AmyPNW - 1-18-2012 at 11:57 AM

Thanks again for all the great ideas! One of the things we decided to do was the 3 night package at Kuyima. We are trying to decide whether to take the Kuyima van or our rented car to the lagoon.

The deciding point is whether it is of any value to have a car at the lagoon, if there are any points to think about traveling to if a car is available. Without a car we have access to the kayaks and bicycles when we are not on the water with a whale tour. Without a car we also leave the morning of the last day so if we wanted to go anywhere else we would be done by then. Does anyone have experience with this? Thanks.

Leo - 1-18-2012 at 12:10 PM

Just don't speed in Constitucion, otherwise it's gone cost you.

Bajatripper - 1-18-2012 at 06:38 PM

Welcome to the board, Amy. I agree with those who agree that Loretana knows of what she speaks.

While I have never been to Magdalena Bay for whale-watching, my kids have. And we've all been to San Ignacio Lagoon. Those who have been to both places favor San Ignacio Lagoon, hands down. And Loretana also mentioned the San Ignacio Springs Resort, another place I'd highly recommend. And while you're there, the town itself is worth a day's visit. It still has the same feeling around the town square that it had in the good old days, although the approach to town is nothing like the experience use to be.

We were out to the Lagoon last year, and can say that you shouldn't have any problem reaching the whale camps in a rental car. That said, I wouldn't recommend that you try to reach the paved road by the Pacific Coast Road via San Juanico, there's a section around Rancho Cuarenta that has some deep silt. I'd recommend heading back the same way you reached the Lagoon.

If your husband really likes to drive, he should get a kick out of driving the distance along the Transpeninsular. It's among the peninsula's most scenic, and challenging from a curve standpoint.

Loretana - 1-18-2012 at 07:28 PM

Amy,
Your decision to do the Kuyima tour is excellent. And I would heed Bajatripper's advice about your route going back.

I suggested San Ignacio Springs Yurts because I really loved the place, and it is a five hour drive from my home in Loreto. I also appreciated the owner Gary.....he played with my dog while I was visiting the whales! (We went out in a van, spent 90 minutes in the birthing area, had a tasty lunch and returned by van 4 hours later)

I can't help myself.....I'm posting a few more shots from my fine adventure.
FYI.....that's Kuyima's land operation/camp you see in the background......

And here is one of the ardent male suitors who "spy hop" frequently outside the birthing area......waiting for one of the gorgeous grey gals to notice him!

[Edited on 1-19-2012 by Loretana]

Bajatripper - 1-18-2012 at 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loretana
I can't help myself.....I'm posting a few more shots from my fine adventure.

I know the feeling, having resisted the urge myself in this thread. Your photos are better.

[Edited on 1-19-2012 by Bajatripper]

BajaBlanca - 1-18-2012 at 09:40 PM

Amy - there is nowhere to drive at the lagoon so no need for a car ... it is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. sheer wonder to see the whales so close ... and caress them. they will flinch at your touch ever so slightly and will come back again and again to be touched. amazing !!

the yurts are wonderful but I personally love the lush and small intimacy of Juanita's Casa Leree

http://www.casaleree.com

Juanita has a museum with tons of albums and artifacts. she has quite a nice selection of Baja books for sale. this is the very first guest house ever built in the area ..... tons of history. it is also so close to the main square that you can walk and see the stores and eat here and there ...

enjoy !

East Cape option...

windgrrl - 1-19-2012 at 09:48 AM

...excursions, transport, catering:
http://www.turispancho.com/excursions.html

From the BPE today:
"IT'S WHALE WATCHING TIME AGAIN - The grey whales are staring to show in good numbers at Magdalena Bay and Octavio Aviles Cota will be starting both one day and overnight trips to see them beginning next Sunday, January 22nd. Trips can be arranged for your group or if you don't have a group Octavio will put together a group for you. This is a "don't miss" for anyone visiting Baja this time of year and something you'll never forget. For more information or to schedule your trip, contact Octavio at the following: www.turispancho.com email: turispancho@aol.com
or cell number 044-624-127-3122 (from the U.S. 011-521-624-127-3122"