BajaNomad

Road Trip - Nor Cal to San Jose del Cabo

nraia - 4-21-2012 at 02:23 PM

We are planning our first road trip (we usually fly) to visit friends in San Jose del Cabo. I see there are MANY posts about road trips but so many to sort through. I figured I would ask the Nomad "experts" what/where are the best places to go/stop/see/stay/eat all along the way. We are planning on taking at least a week to get south, maybe longer, with no more than 4-5 hours of driving each leg since we will have a 5 year old with us.....I am trying to plan the trip somewhat and then from there we would play it by ear.
Thanks

willardguy - 4-21-2012 at 02:30 PM

well you're in luck, turns out theres 48,000 nomad "experts":bounce:

nraia - 4-21-2012 at 02:50 PM

Awesome...hopefully some will reply so I don't have to sort through the 48,000 experts and their gazillion posts. I have spent the last few hours reading them and totally enthralled because they are so interesting but really getting nowhere with my trip planning :)

Howard - 4-21-2012 at 03:07 PM

A few things might help us plan your life, oops, trip for you.

Will you be staying in hotels/motels or camping?

If staying in hotels, what is your price range?

Will you be doing any cooking or eating out?

Are you talking about taking approx. a week once you cross the border or from your house?

What type of vehicle will you be taking?

Lots more questions but this will get all the "experts" going.

By the way for starters, look up San Ignacio, that is a must for one of your nights on the road and if camping, Bay of Conception, just South of Mulege is a must see.

nraia - 4-21-2012 at 03:25 PM

Mostly hotels/motels - but we are not opposed to some camping
Prefer $100 per night or less on lodging
Prefer to cook meals ourselves but will eat out when necessary
We will have 3 weeks total from Northern California (Sonoma County) and will drive straight to San Diego on day 1. We would like to spend some time in San Jose del Cabo since we have friends that live there but the rest of the time is open
We will be in a 2007 Nissan Murano

Thank you for helping plan my life...I mean trip. We are such rookies I don't even know where to start :)

Mula - 4-21-2012 at 03:27 PM

First get a map.

nraia - 4-21-2012 at 03:46 PM

I know Southern Baja very well, San Jose, Cabo, Todos Santo, La Paz, Los Barilles, etc and would be very excited to share what I have seen, what I love to do, all the things people don't know about, it would be very cool to pass that along to someone who has no idea and have never been here. If you are not interested in passing your knowledge along, or I am wasting your time with my rookie post, please just ignore me and move along.

Bajahowodd - 4-21-2012 at 04:27 PM

Not opposed to some camping, and want to cook your own meals?

Hotels with kitchen facilities are few along the Baja Highway.

That said, inasmuch as you really don't want to drive more than 4-5 hours per day, I have a few recommendations.

San Quintin will find the Jardines Baja Hotel that is just a bit less than a mile off the main highway and has a sign posted. Really great hotel, and there is a camping facility just next door, if you wish. They have a really good restaurant operated by family members adjacent.

From there, a reasonable drive on the Guerrero Negro. I favor two hotels there, Cowboy and Caracoles, both on the West side of town as you enter. They are almost just across the street from each other. They both have free wifi. From my perspective, the only real difference is that Caracoles takes credit cards, and Cowboy does not. They each have a restaurant adjacent. Asadero Cowboy is low cost. Nautilus by Caracoles, a bit higher. Then, just a block farther into town there is Malarrimo. But, I have to comment that although I have really enjoyed meals at Malarrimo for almost two decades, the past couple of years, it hasn't been as good.

From Guerrero Negro, it's an easy shot to Mulege. But we often just go on for a couple of hours more to Loreto. Always found a wider choice of hotels and restaurants in Loreto. Not that Mulege isn't a wonderful place to stop. Just not so many decent flops.

Once in Loreto, you are a day trip to San Jose Del Cabo. I haven't gotten an update on road conditions with the construction on the highway from Pescadero to Cabo for a couple of months. But that last time I drove it, it was awful, with detours on and off the whole drive. I'd suggest staying on Highway One straight to San Jose.

nraia - 4-21-2012 at 04:34 PM

Thank you VERY much for your suggestions, that is really helpful. I only said cook my own meals because it was one of the questions someone asked, we will go along with whatever is available/appropriate/convenient which could be just eating out of our ice chest for a few days, no biggie.

DianaT - 4-21-2012 at 04:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd

.....San Quintin will find the Jardines Baja Hotel that is just a bit less than a mile off the main highway and has a sign posted. Really great hotel, and there is a camping facility just next door, if you wish. They have a really good restaurant operated by family members adjacent.......



Jardines is beautiful and very, very nice. However, as you have a young child with you, I might suggest the Mission Santa Maria Hotel at the south end of San Quintin---fairly close to Jardines. It is a bit further off the main highway, but it is right on the beach-----a good place for the little to play. Restaurant is quite good.

BajaDixon - 4-21-2012 at 05:00 PM

You may wish to stay in Catavina as opposed to driving from San Quintin through to Guerrero Negro. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth and has a nice hotel on the right. That breaks up the drive very nicely. If time allows I would also suggest a detour out to Bahia de Los Angeles. Often called the jewel of Baja. Many hotels to choose from. Costa del Sol is where we usually stay.

Where in So. Co? I live in Sebastopol and Duncans Mills.

[Edited on 4-22-2012 by BajaDixon]

nraia - 4-21-2012 at 06:13 PM

Thank you so much for the suggestions. (BajaDixon) we are in RPark :)

Fernweh - 4-21-2012 at 06:40 PM

I would prefer San Ignacio way over Guerrero Negro.
Especially, if you stayed in Catavina at the nice Mission Inn, the Trip to SI is only 1-1/2 hours more.
Not only the wonderful town square in front of the Mission invites you to stay here longer, your 2007 Nissan Murano can take you for small day trips to the Lagoon, to see some pinturas at Santa Martha or drive up the road to the mountain village of Francisco de la Sierra.
There are also some B&B's in La Bocana and Bahía Asunción, along the Pacific Coast just North of San Ignacio.
Lot's of stuff to see and to venture out to, before getting to the Sea of Cortez (Santa Rosalia, Mulege and Loreto)

AAA has a great Baja map for free.....

[Edited on 4-22-2012 by Fernweh]

rts551 - 4-21-2012 at 06:51 PM

Since everyone will have their favorite places..may I suggest you look at the map, plan your trip and then ask for suggestions.

otherwise I will give you enough to keep you occupied for a year on your way down.

David K - 4-21-2012 at 09:30 PM

Just go and make your own discoveries...
You will have a great time, I am sure... It is really about attitude! Most Baja Nomads have a good attitude and enjoy the adventure of not knowing for sure where they will be the next night, or eat the next day...

Because we have differing likes and desires on our Baja trips, sometimes seeing what is in various places helps.

I have a special web page on VivaBaja.com with photos of several sites of interest, grouped by the nearest destination point: http://vivabaja.com/tours have a look!
These are in the northern state of Baja California. We don't get into Baja Sur very often, but try and see as much as we can that interests us when we do! Please enjoy our trip from July, 2009 to just south of Loreto, and see many places you may read about here on Nomad: http://vivabaja.com/709

Two years earlier, we stayed a bit at Bahia Asuncion with the great host Shari and her husband Juan... http://vivabaja.com/707 as well as traveled along the Seven Sisters 4WD Coast Road, Bahia Concepcion, and started the vacation at the great Baja Cactus Motel with the El Rosario Cultural Festival.

If seeing historic sites is of any interest, than the California Spanish missions should not be missed (some of them are impossible to miss on your drive south). The mission chain started in Baja, afterall... and Baja was California first! See the missions: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions (from 1697 to the mid 1800's)

Here is the second California mission, San Javier (1699):

Bajahowodd - 4-22-2012 at 05:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd

.....San Quintin will find the Jardines Baja Hotel that is just a bit less than a mile off the main highway and has a sign posted. Really great hotel, and there is a camping facility just next door, if you wish. They have a really good restaurant operated by family members adjacent.......



Jardines is beautiful and very, very nice. However, as you have a young child with you, I might suggest the Mission Santa Maria Hotel at the south end of San Quintin---fairly close to Jardines. It is a bit further off the main highway, but it is right on the beach-----a good place for the little to play. Restaurant is quite good.
''

I kinda agree and disagree at the same time. We've stayed at that hotel over the years under a number of different names. Most recently, the Los Pinos people bought it and did some upgrading. The beds are better. The restaurant is better.

But, the whole facility has always seemed a little creepy to me. I recall someone on this site once posted that it reminded them of the hotel in "The Shining". I get that. It just feels cold.

That, and although there is a beach, the weather is so often cloudy and overcast. The beach is often riddled with debris and litter.

The Los Pinos folks did a really great job in upgrading the Catavina property. They hit a home run with that one. I only wish they would buy the Loreto Desert Inn and do the same.

windgrrl - 4-22-2012 at 06:42 PM

Get vehicle, vehicle insurance, health insurance, passports, Mexican visas in order before departure. Get enough pesos to get to Cabo before you head down. The advice to get a map and plan a route is excellent. The CAA version, Baja Almanac and a GPS are helpful. You can drive your route virtually using Google Street View and print more detailed maps if you need them. A GPS is nice for entering your stops/coordinates and monitoring your progress, but is sometimes goofy navigating urban routes. We used our GPS to find a bank when we ran out of pesos due to road repairs. Watch for directional road signs carefully. Navigator's job is to watch for cows, potholes and road/stop signs, etc. Many Baja hotels are on Tripadvisor hotel ratings once you have a few names. Have your navigator become famiiar with navigation tools and metric measures (kms and litres) beforehand! Stop and buy gas regularly. Bathroom supplies can be scarce. Some Spanish helps and a simple Spanish/English dictionary and other guides, e.g. Lonley Planet is handy. Even better is travelling with someone who has driven Baja before.

My recommendations:
Stay overnight in near Rancho San Diego. Cross at Tecate as early as possible. Drive to Catavina. San Ignacio is delightful, so take a break here overnight and enjoy the town square, mission, museum and tea across from the museum. There is so much beauty and interesting things to to do in this area, you might forget about going to Cabo. Rooms with breakfast included at the Desert Inn San Ignacio (walking distance to town square) were about $80. There is a good small grocery store just past the museum. Drive to Pureto Escondido just past Loreto and stay at the Hotel Tripui. Very pretty setting, good place to walk around and rest and there is a great little store nearby to stock up on food, water, etc. You can get to Cabo by mid-afternoon from there if you turn east after La Paz and go through Los Barriles to avoid the construction on the western loop.

Enjoy the trip - it's amazing. Be guided by your child's needs and take time out to smell las floras...after driving the peninsula more slowly and enjoying longer stops we enjoyed a much better experience.

DavidE - 4-22-2012 at 06:43 PM

Try and prepare a list of questions like these:

What are the truly indispensable books that will help my journey?

Speaking Español

Negotiating Tijuana and Ensenada. Step by step instructions

What do i need to know about big city driving? Stoplights? Cops?

Where is the best place to get pesos anywhere

Places where you *must* fill your tank as the next station is a long way away

Where am I likely to get distracted and by impulse want to stay nearby?

Why do I need to never ever daydream while driving down?

Especially hairy sections of roadway, hills, grades, curves, dropoffs?

List of "must see" places and things, and explanations "why"?

El Rosario is especially cool, ask for clothing recommendations.

Hotels do not have good reading lamps. Bring a 100 watt bulb?

Washcloths, bar soap, and large towels.

Why shouldn't I leave my shoes on the floor overnight?

Special and unique shopping places

Why do I need a flashlight at my bedside?

How common are internet cafes and wifi hot spots?

Is it really true that Oxxo convenience stores have excellent steaming coffee?

For that matter where can I breakfast along the way and find real brewed coffee?

What shouldn't I bring and why?

The above will at least give you some starting hints.

nraia - 4-23-2012 at 06:11 PM

I know most of you are experienced Baja Nomads, but I just want to address the safety issue of driving the entire Baja. What are the safety concerns or risks with driving my family, other than vehicle maintenance issues. Are there any things we should be concerned about? Please give your honest and sincere comments, we are still trying to make a decision whether to drive down or not. We have friends that do it all the time, but we are far more cautious now that we have a child with us then we ever were before.

DianaT - 4-23-2012 at 06:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by nraia
I know most of you are experienced Baja Nomads, but I just want to address the safety issue of driving the entire Baja. What are the safety concerns or risks with driving my family, other than vehicle maintenance issues. Are there any things we should be concerned about? Please give your honest and sincere comments, we are still trying to make a decision whether to drive down or not. We have friends that do it all the time, but we are far more cautious now that we have a child with us then we ever were before.


Very fair and legitimate questions. Children do change our perspectives.

Other than the normal precautions of driving the highway never too fast, real slow around the blind curves and never at night, the only extra precaution I can think of is stopping to help disabled vehicles.

As old people, we are apt to stop for lots of people, but if I had one of my grandsons with us, I would think twice before stopping. I do believe that most disabled vehicles are legit, but there have been some set-ups. Even on the Vizcaino road out to Bahia Asuncion, we have had locals warn us about set-ups. So with child in tow---I would not stop.

Other than that---have the vehicle in good repair and have a great time.

[Edited on 4-24-2012 by DianaT]

Ateo - 4-23-2012 at 07:34 PM

Driving safety: Pay attention at all times to road conditions, your driving condition and others driving traits. This will keep you out of trouble 99% of the time.

Don't be afraid of rumored reports of hijacks and banditos. Just be aware of your environment. Mexico is just like anywhere, most people are sweet, honest, good people. There are always losers everywhere, no different than LA.

Go have fun! When I went my first time I didn't know jack chit and I survived, learned a lot and kept coming back. I take my kids all the time. Don't be suckered in by negative news reports.

BajaDixon - 4-26-2012 at 09:30 AM

The only difference that I can really see about driving down the Baja as opposed to driving through Sonoma County is the proximity to hospitals if something did go wrong.

As far as the people, you'll generally find that Mexicans in the rural areas of Baja are much quicker to stop and help you out than their counterparts in Norcal. They are also quicker to invite you into their homes.

I've been traveling up and down the peninsula for 25 years and have not seen anybody harass me or my family members. I've heard of a few incidents but generally less than in Norcal. To put it in perspective, look at all the trouble we have in Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa- every time you pick up the Press Democrat you see stories of violence.

nraia - 4-27-2012 at 07:22 PM

Thank you for all the info, we do spend a lot of time in rural areas of Mexico and know how wonderful the locals can be. We know that dangers are so hyped up that people are freaked out for no reason, when it is no more dangerous than what we encounter everyday locally...we just wanted to know the realistic issues that might arise in this particular area since we've never driven it before.

acadist - 4-28-2012 at 05:58 AM

Just remember, alot of people drive real fast and alot of people drive real slow, be ready for both. If you like you can apply this to any situation, not just driving. Enjoy the trip!!!

woody with a view - 4-28-2012 at 08:05 AM

just go. take fotos and post a report when you get back. it's better if you sorta make your own itinerary as the days unfold. get off the beaten track, that's where the fun is!

Alm - 4-28-2012 at 07:53 PM

I'm surprised nobody mentioned left turn signal, "Baja style" :) ...
Either he means a left turn, or letting you know that road ahead is clear and you can pass him on the left.

Ateo - 4-28-2012 at 08:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
just go. take fotos and post a report when you get back. it's better if you sorta make your own itinerary as the days unfold. get off the beaten track, that's where the fun is!


Agree completely. Just go and figure it out on your own. Sometimes the fun shows up when you're not sure where you're gonna stay and you find yourself in a unique situation, talking to strangers that become future friends, in the middle of nowhere.....

BajaBlanca - 4-29-2012 at 10:24 AM

as you are not in a rush ... take the side trips !!

Bay of Los Angeles
Bahia Asuncion
Campo Rene - great beach and restaurant and OK cabins (basic) - I think for a child, it is a fun place and for adults, spectacular due to the bird watching, sand dollars and shells ...

Of course, then take a day trip to Punta Abreojos which has an absolutely spectacular layout of beach and of course, visit Blanca/Les in La Bocana to sit on the front porch for a visit and then

San Ignacio - mission and great park in the middle and a free museum (CASA LEREE) which has some neat things a 5 year old would love to see and touch and meet Juanita who runs the show there. She has some guestrooms - or you can stay at san ignacio springs B&B (Gary and Teri) or at the desert inn. check them all out and choose the one that best fits your needs

Santa Rosalia has a neat history with its Frenchand colonial history - but for a 5 year old - I say skip it (IMO)

continue on to Mulege and hit the beaches at BAHIA CONCEPCION. The weather is hot and perfect for going to the beaches ... and each one is prettier than the next ...

Loreto is great for resaurants and bars and has some neat places to stay too but I don't really know what a 5 year old might do there ....so Tripui, just south, is a good idea.

Are you familiar with what folks have written about CIUDAD CONSTITUTION ? One must stop at every single corner whether you see a stop sign or light or not. Go as slowly thru town as possible. Wait for anyone who is ready to cross, no matter how far they are from your lane.... and unfortunately - even after doing all of this, you might be pulled over. there are lots of theories on how to proceed ...and there are threads that already talked about it !

Take lots of pics and we would all love to read a trip report afterwards.

Have fun !

There are some really beautiful beaches in the BAHIA CONCEPCION area

nraia - 5-11-2012 at 02:10 PM

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions and advice, it really helps with our planning. Of course we will play it by ear and go when/where we feel like it at the time but knowing some of the cool sights and things to look out for really helps. Happy travels, I will post lots of pictures...