BajaNomad

Perfect Climate? Where?

Bajayan - 5-20-2012 at 06:32 AM

I'm curious what those who have spent a lot more time in Baja than I have think about this question. Where is the perfect climate in Baja?

I have done a couple of road trips in Baja - late winter and early summer, but haven't spent nearly enough time or been there long enough to get a good feel for the year round climate.

Of course, a perfect climate means different things to different folks. For me it's a high of 75-90 and a low of 55-60 every day. Basically, a warm to hot day, but preferably not scorching. I also of course do not like very humid climates, or regions where mosquitos and noseeums make life miserable.

This is not limited to beachfront areas - though a beachfront or beautiful scenery are of course appreciated.

So what do you guys think? I've read all kinds of sources on the climates, the average monthly highs and lows where available, and I've formed some ideas of my own, but loads of experience, or better yet living somewhere gives you a totally different perspective than a chart.

Bajaboy - 5-20-2012 at 06:43 AM

Well, if you're speaking to only climate, I think San Diego has the best climate anywhere. With that in mind, northern Baja would be my vote.

acadist - 5-20-2012 at 07:08 AM

For 350 days of the year Denver is pretty damn good, now if we just had the ocean it would be perfect;D

Marc - 5-20-2012 at 07:38 AM

Move to Maui, 81º every day rain or shine.

Barry A. - 5-20-2012 at 07:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Well, if you're speaking to only climate, I think San Diego has the best climate anywhere. With that in mind, northern Baja would be my vote.


I spent 30 years in the San Diego area, and froze about 320 days a year because of the humidity.

Alpine, Romona, or Jamul are much better.

So, based on that, I would think Tacate would be nice.

Barry

Bajaboy - 5-20-2012 at 08:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Well, if you're speaking to only climate, I think San Diego has the best climate anywhere. With that in mind, northern Baja would be my vote.


I spent 30 years in the San Diego area, and froze about 320 days a year because of the humidity.

Alpine, Romona, or Jamul are much better.

So, based on that, I would think Tacate would be nice.

Barry


:?::?::?::?: You've got to be kidding me. We wear shorts year round here.

David K - 5-20-2012 at 08:38 AM

Yah, you got me confused on that one Barry... Rarely humid here, it could be warmer in the winter nights, however. Maybe a freak year with lot's of Baja chubascos drifting north (but they only happen in the summer).

woody with a view - 5-20-2012 at 08:41 AM

i think he means humid as in relative humidity? san diego is usually 40-75% relative humidity unless there is a santa ana.

but yeah, shorts 90% of the time in SD.


edit: see? http://www.weather.com/weather/today/92107

[Edited on 5-20-2012 by woody with a view]

Udo - 5-20-2012 at 08:47 AM

Perfect climate...in Baja?


of course...




BAHIA ASUNCIÓN

J.P. - 5-20-2012 at 08:47 AM

I have lived in the Ensenada area full time for almast 10 years I dont think I have ever seen Frost here and it doesnt get out of the mid 80's at it's hotest. perfect climate for year round. If i want it hoter its 3hrs to San Felipe.

David K - 5-20-2012 at 08:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
i think he means humid as in relative humidity? san diego is usually 40-75% relative humidity unless there is a santa ana.

but yeah, shorts 90% of the time in SD.


edit: see? http://www.weather.com/weather/today/92107

[Edited on 5-20-2012 by woody with a view]


Right, it sure isn't like the humidity of the East Coast of the USA or tropics anywhere!

David K - 5-20-2012 at 08:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
I have lived in the Ensenada area full time for almast 10 years I dont think I have ever seen Frost here and it doesnt get out of the mid 80's at it's hotest. perfect climate for year round. If i want it hoter its 3hrs to San Felipe.


Exactly!

Udo could be correct about Asuncion, too! In July, after 200 miles of driving along the foggy, gray Seven Sisters... when we arrived at Asuncion, SUNLIGHT! For some reason, the May-July gloom of the Pacific Coast is not happening on the south facing Vizcaino Peninsula.

nbacc - 5-20-2012 at 08:58 AM

Good thing you are based in Redding Barry as we (here in Redding) are getting warmer each day and the humidity is pretty low (usually).

Barry A. - 5-20-2012 at 09:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Well, if you're speaking to only climate, I think San Diego has the best climate anywhere. With that in mind, northern Baja would be my vote.


I spent 30 years in the San Diego area, and froze about 320 days a year because of the humidity.

Alpine, Romona, or Jamul are much better.

So, based on that, I would think Tacate would be nice.

Barry


:?::?::?::?: You've got to be kidding me. We wear shorts year round here.


Woody and David have it right------I meant the "relative humidity". I have found that I am a desert-rat, and like below 40% humidity. Also, the doc tells me I am alergic to "humidity" and I can't breath very well near the coast. My first car in Coronado in High School was a convertable, and I never put the top down unless the girls insisted, and then I wore a Makinaw to survive, as did my friends with convertables. If the sun would come out more it would sure help. Coronado rarely got up into the 70's, and anything below 80 is cool to me. We love the heat in Redding, CA, especially my wife who REALLY froze in the Bay Area where she grew up. San Diego during Santa Ana's is HEAVEN.

I too always wore shorts in San Diego (it's required), but I also wore a sweatshirt (not a hoodie) most of the time.

The heat and humidity in most of the Eastern USA is horrible, no matter what they say!!! I went to school there, and know.

We are all different, that is for sure. RidgeCrest, CA is a good place, too, weatherwise, as the Susanville/Reno/Bishop corridor area of the Eastern Sierra.

And nbacc, yes, we love Redding, especially in the Summer. (a little too wet in winter, tho) :tumble:

Borrego Springs in winter is super, too, and we usually spend time there each spring.

Barry

SFandH - 5-20-2012 at 09:20 AM

I'd say the grape growing regions of northern Baja have the perfect climate. A bit east of the coastal marine layer and north of the summer heat that requires air conditioning to be comfortable.

Plus vineyards are beautiful when the vines are green.

Thank you Senor Cetto for a truly beneficial industry.

These regions are also within an easy drive to the coast and close to Ensenada and all the services/stores/entertainment a city provides.

Barry A. - 5-20-2012 at 09:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
I'd say the grape growing regions of northern Baja have the perfect climate. A bit east of the coastal marine layer and north of the summer heat that requires air conditioning to be comfortable.

Plus vineyards are beautiful when the vines are green.

Thank you Senor Cetto for a truly beneficial industry.

These regions are also within an easy drive to the coast and close to Ensenada and all the services/stores/entertainment a city provides.


Yep--------ideal, I agree.

Barry

Skipjack Joe - 5-20-2012 at 09:57 AM

The northwestern section of baja is very nice. But inland from the pacific. Around San Vicente and San Thomas has always been pleasant.

A better solution is to have a winter home and a summer home. Like the czars. :lol:

Bajayan - 5-20-2012 at 10:35 AM

So there seems to be a few votes for mainly the areas nearest Southern Cal and with pretty similar weather... but what about places like say, San Felipe, Bahia LA, Mulege, the Cabos, East Cape, etc, etc, etc? Pros and cons?

For me, the areas around Ensenada can be too cold and foggy. Last June was really rather cold. Perhaps more inland was better, but I'm wondering if there's a better spot. A spot where you can wear shorts year round and not need to flee the heat. I can take up to 100 if it's not humid, especially if there's a nice breeze.

I will say that Todos Santos was also quite cold and foggy in June. And that the mosquitos in Los Barrilles nearly sucked me dry. I also hear that the entire Sea of Cortez can be very hot and humid in the summer, but... how hot and humid is it? What about a mile inland? Etc, etc.

More thoughts on a climate somewhat like I'm trying to get at (or get to)?

willardguy - 5-20-2012 at 10:52 AM

its gotta be in baja sur. I split my time between gonzaga and rosarito and just a few months ago we were huddled under the propane heater in gonzaga. screw that! seems to me ideally be on the east cape area and summer on the other side. but you gotta follow the weather you want.jmo

mtgoat666 - 5-20-2012 at 10:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajayan
I'm curious what those who have spent a lot more time in Baja than I have think about this question. Where is the perfect climate in Baja?

I have done a couple of road trips in Baja - late winter and early summer, but haven't spent nearly enough time or been there long enough to get a good feel for the year round climate.

Of course, a perfect climate means different things to different folks. For me it's a high of 75-90 and a low of 55-60 every day. Basically, a warm to hot day, but preferably not scorching. I also of course do not like very humid climates, or regions where mosquitos and noseeums make life miserable.

This is not limited to beachfront areas - though a beachfront or beautiful scenery are of course appreciated.

So what do you guys think? I've read all kinds of sources on the climates, the average monthly highs and lows where available, and I've formed some ideas of my own, but loads of experience, or better yet living somewhere gives you a totally different perspective than a chart.


PERFECT climate is 7 to 9 miles inland in San Diego (actual distance varies with topography). Far enough inland to be out of coastal crud and coastal coolness, but not far enough inland to broil in summer.

for "seasonal" variety, west slope of southern sierras, at 5,000 to 6,000 ft, is pretty dang nice, but if you like drier air then east side of sierras in mammoth and june lakes area has a good climate.

central baja and baja sur has crappy climate half of he year. too hot in summer. i just hate heat and humidity.

woody with a view - 5-20-2012 at 10:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajayan
For me, the areas around Ensenada can be too cold and foggy. Last June was really rather cold. Perhaps more inland was better, but I'm wondering if there's a better spot. A spot where you can wear shorts year round and not need to flee the heat. I can take up to 100 if it's not humid, especially if there's a nice breeze.

More thoughts on a climate somewhat like I'm trying to get at (or get to)?


keep in mind that the past 2 summers were abnormal in the cool temps. last summer was better but the one before was the summer that never was.... at least in SD.

Cypress - 5-20-2012 at 11:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Move to Maui, 81º every day rain or shine.

Working on it.:yes:

Barry A. - 5-20-2012 at 11:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Move to Maui, 81º every day rain or shine.

Working on it.:yes:


The Kona Area on the Big Island is mo betta than Maui----a little dryer rainwise, and less humid, and the ocean is stunning there. We love Capt. Cook, south and a little inland of Kona proper.

Barry

yellowklr - 5-20-2012 at 11:31 AM

For me its Mulege-Cabo but take away July-Sept
I like the heat but not "Hell" heat

Pacific is too cool and overcast for my taste

If I was retiring today I'd be moving to Mulege tomorrow.



[Edited on 5-20-2012 by yellowklr]

woody with a view - 5-20-2012 at 11:40 AM

for me it's the mid-pac side with a pumping swell and santa ana happening. Perrrrrfect.

DavidE - 5-20-2012 at 01:02 PM

After experiencing a bone dry gringa enter an outdoor restaurant in San Lucas at 4PM in August and declare "Hell, honey, if y'all want hot, go to Hewwwwwston". (it was 104F with 64% humidity).

And seeing dozens and dozens of white legged Canadians, dressed in shorts and tee shirts still fanning fan themselves when it manages to reach down to 60F, I give up.

But as for me, I have spent dozens of summers in Mexico and I have my own personal preferences.

acadist - 5-20-2012 at 08:06 PM

Low humidity is the key, we are under 10% usually. 60 deg in San Diego feels like a 40 deg day here, and the warmer days are much more bearable too. I would have never believed it before I moved here. We get about 1 week a year of extreme cold and about 1 week of unbearable heat, plus summertime afternoon thunderstorms blow through that cool the evenings off.

Skipjack Joe - 5-20-2012 at 08:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Well, if you're speaking to only climate, I think San Diego has the best climate anywhere. With that in mind, northern Baja would be my vote.


I spent 30 years in the San Diego area, and froze about 320 days a year because of the humidity.

Alpine, Romona, or Jamul are much better.

So, based on that, I would think Tacate would be nice.

Barry


:?::?::?::?: You've got to be kidding me. We wear shorts year round here.


Woody and David have it right------I meant the "relative humidity". I have found that I am a desert-rat, and like below 40% humidity. Also, the doc tells me I am alergic to "humidity" and I can't breath very well near the coast. My first car in Coronado in High School was a convertable, and I never put the top down unless the girls insisted, and then I wore a Makinaw to survive, as did my friends with convertables. If the sun would come out more it would sure help. Coronado rarely got up into the 70's, and anything below 80 is cool to me. We love the heat in Redding, CA, especially my wife who REALLY froze in the Bay Area where she grew up. San Diego during Santa Ana's is HEAVEN.

I too always wore shorts in San Diego (it's required), but I also wore a sweatshirt (not a hoodie) most of the time.

The heat and humidity in most of the Eastern USA is horrible, no matter what they say!!! I went to school there, and know.

We are all different, that is for sure. RidgeCrest, CA is a good place, too, weatherwise, as the Susanville/Reno/Bishop corridor area of the Eastern Sierra.

And nbacc, yes, we love Redding, especially in the Summer. (a little too wet in winter, tho) :tumble:

Borrego Springs in winter is super, too, and we usually spend time there each spring.

Barry


You were unlucky Barry. Coronado has the worst weather in all of San Diego.

I agree with you about the winter/spring weather at Borrego Springs. That place is really great. I suppose the entire Salton Sea basin is great but there is something about the ambience of that small community that is so special.

shari - 5-20-2012 at 08:21 PM

Yup...for my taste, Asuncion has the best weather I've seen anywhere for year round living...perfect summer climate in the 80's and warmer here in winter than the gulf side...this is due to the cool currents that are present from march-july and warmer water in the winter. There is very little fog or humidity, no june gloom and more days of sunshine than one can imagine!

This central baja corridor is very temperate...the hurricaines rarely track up this far and the winter storms from the north peter out before they get here. Even our crappy months of april & may have gorgeous mornings then gets windy in the afternoons and dies off in the evening.

Barry A. - 5-20-2012 at 08:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Yup...for my taste, Asuncion has the best weather I've seen anywhere for year round living...perfect summer climate in the 80's and warmer here in winter than the gulf side...this is due to the cool currents that are present from march-july and warmer water in the winter. There is very little fog or humidity, no june gloom and more days of sunshine than one can imagine!

This central baja corridor is very temperate...the hurricaines rarely track up this far and the winter storms from the north peter out before they get here. Even our crappy months of april & may have gorgeous mornings then gets windy in the afternoons and dies off in the evening.


Sounds good to me, Shari-----------I forgot about Bahia Asuncion!!!! Love the sun in winter.

Barry

BajaBlanca - 5-20-2012 at 08:28 PM

asuncion is pretty nice - they have one part that is referred to as Hawaii as it is hot and the other end is referred to as Alaska, on the very same day, same time as you are warm in Hawaii Asuncion- you'll be needing a sweater in Alaska Asuncion. Just amazing.

Bajaboy - 5-20-2012 at 08:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
asuncion is pretty nice - they have one part that is referred to as Hawaii as it is hot and the other end is referred to as Alaska, on the very same day, same time as you are warm in Hawaii Asuncion- you'll be needing a sweater in Alaska Asuncion. Just amazing.


And don't forget the California part to which I prefer....

Skipjack Joe - 5-20-2012 at 09:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari

Even our crappy months of april & may have gorgeous mornings then gets windy in the afternoons and dies off in the evening.


I have stayed at asuncion in both July and August when it blew every day at 20-25mph. It started at noon and was blowing like Victory at Sea by 6PM. By 9PM it was calm again.

Shari, the crappy weather is a lot longer than 2 months at asuncion.

shari - 5-20-2012 at 09:50 PM

of course it can blow 20 knots on some days but that sure is rare in july & especially august and even more rare starting at noon....must have had pretty bad weather luck Igor....sorry amigo...i just have a real hard time believing it blew EVERY day then....those months are pretty darn nice....some fishing guys just left after a week here...I tried to get them to come later but they insisted...they LOVED the weather and fished every day till early afternoon...and this is the crappiest month.

Cypress - 5-21-2012 at 05:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Move to Maui, 81º every day rain or shine.

The Kona Area on the Big Island is mo betta than Maui----a little dryer rainwise, and less humid, and the ocean is stunning there. We love Capt. Cook, south and a little inland of Kona proper.
Barry

The Big Island is great, but the vog can be spooky.

Bajayan - 5-21-2012 at 06:40 AM

Do folks living in the East Cape, La Paz, Cabo, Loreto, San Ignacio and other parts have some experience to share?

I've had good luck with the weather in Cabo, but it's certainly more expensive than other parts of Baja.

Oso - 5-21-2012 at 11:37 AM

Cuernavaca has really nice weather all year, but not much else going for it.

bajacalifornian - 5-21-2012 at 08:41 PM

Answer . . . Plutarco Elias Calles, south of El Pescadero.

Bajayan - 5-21-2012 at 09:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajacalifornian
Answer . . . Plutarco Elias Calles, south of El Pescadero.


So this area avoids the cold and fog that nearby Todos Santos can experience? And mosquitos?