BajaNomad - Tell me about BOLA

Tell me about BOLA

JZ - 6-5-2012 at 11:03 AM

I've been there by boat, but not for about 5 years. What's the drive like, coming from LA.

Where to stop the first night? Hows the road the last part?

Good idea to bring some dirt bikes and an 11foot inflatable?

Safe now. Have 3 kids, 8, 10, and 10.

Where to stay.

[Edited on 6-5-2012 by JZ]

24baja - 6-5-2012 at 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JZ
I've been there by boat, but not for about 5 years. What's the drive like, coming from LA.

Where to stop the first night? Hows the road the last part?

Good idea to bring some dirt bikes and an 11foot inflatable?

Safe now. Have 3 kids, 8, 10, and 10.

Where to stay.

[Edited on 6-5-2012 by JZ]

Just came back from there last Friday. One spot of road work on hwy 1 , South of San Vincente near Rancho Santa Marta. Rest of way was easy going!

Stayed in El Rosario at the Motel Turistica on the south end of town, very clean, comfortable and about $30.00 US. Ate dinner across the street at Baja's Best, homey atmosphere and friendly people who prepare very good food.

As for what to bring, depends on what you want to do, motorbikes should have good sand tires, and inflatable is great for in the Bay near the close islands.

I can't help you with where to stay as we have a house there, but here is a link to Mia's Bahia de los Angeles site has lots of info.

http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/accomodations.htm

Good luck, the kids are gonna love it and can catch some good fish from the bank or off your boat!! Connie

woody with a view - 6-5-2012 at 02:51 PM

villa bahia. about $60-80/night but most rooms have 2 beds. leave LA at 4am and drive straight thru. you'll cross the border right after 6am to get your visas and be setting your toes in the sand by 3-4pm.

Tbone - 6-5-2012 at 03:32 PM

There is allot of great trail and dirt road riding all around BOLA. Regular dirt bike tires will work for all but the beaches.

Hook - 6-5-2012 at 05:29 PM

The most dangerous thing about BOLA would be getting caught in a blow with the inflatable and the kids. But June is probably the best month, really. Still, the west wind can come up quickly.

But if you launch near Guillermos, you should be able to make quick runs out to La Ventana, Cabeza de Caballo and Puerto Don Juan and stand a good chance of getting back if one comes up. Bring extra food and water in case you have to ride out the wind in a protected place for a few hours (or longer). Get the Fish N Map of the area; it shows all possible dangerous rocks and where to fish.

It's possible YT could be in around those islas in June or off the point that forms the east/south entrance to Don Juan.

When the wind cooperates, I'm not sure there isnt a more beautiful boating location in the Sea than BOLA.

JZ - 6-5-2012 at 06:42 PM

Do you need import permits for dirt bikes in Baja (no trailer, just a carrier). In Sonora you do.

woody with a view - 6-5-2012 at 06:43 PM

no, but bring registration for them.

JZ - 6-5-2012 at 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
The most dangerous thing about BOLA would be getting caught in a blow with the inflatable and the kids. But June is probably the best month, really. Still, the west wind can come up quickly.

But if you launch near Guillermos, you should be able to make quick runs out to La Ventana, Cabeza de Caballo and Puerto Don Juan and stand a good chance of getting back if one comes up. Bring extra food and water in case you have to ride out the wind in a protected place for a few hours (or longer). Get the Fish N Map of the area; it shows all possible dangerous rocks and where to fish.

It's possible YT could be in around those islas in June or off the point that forms the east/south entrance to Don Juan.

When the wind cooperates, I'm not sure there isnt a more beautiful boating location in the Sea than BOLA.

Thx Hook. We've got a 10hp on it and it zips around about 20mphs. I always have a vhf and an anchor. How fast does the bay get deep?

Ken Cooke - 6-5-2012 at 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
leave LA at 4am and drive straight thru.

Have you ever tried waking a South American at 4AM? :lol:

Paulina - 6-5-2012 at 07:10 PM

Here's my two pesos;

First, check out Mia's site like 24baja suggested to see all of your options.

If you want to stay in town, the least expensive/simplest place to stay is Casa Diaz. I believe it's $25. a night. The rooms are right on the beach, you can park right in front of your room. There's a nice sized porch for outside living. They will even have cots for you if you want to sleep outdoors. The kids can walk right to the beach, calm water, close to explore the south end of the bay with your inflatable or cut straight across and head to Don Juan. You can launch right there at the Diaz ramp. In the afternoons you can watch the Diaz pangueros come in, follow their boats up to the cleaning station and find out what's biting and where.

I just took these photos in April. If you need anything from the markets Casa Diaz has your basic stuff. Right up the road is Xitlali market where you'll find most everything.

Staying in town you're within walking distance of most everything, the stores, restaurants, museum, internet, etc. compared to having to drive in from other places.

I guess it just depends on what you want, town activity or a bit more seclusion.
My kids spent most of their time in the water, sand toys and floatys were a must on our packing list.

We also had motorcycles. The kids loved to ride south out of town to Las Flores and check out the old jail.

Have fun and enjoy your trip.

P>*)))>{

Marc - 6-5-2012 at 07:22 PM

All good advice. It is going to be really HOT. That's OK during time on the water but be sure the AC is working or it's going to be a tough night.
I always hang at Casa Del Sol. A short crawl from the bar to the room and the AC is the best in town.

shari - 6-5-2012 at 08:29 PM

I bet your kids would love snorkeling with the whale sharks...my hubbies cousin Ricardo Arce takes people out and is a cool guy...he has a dive shop up the hill...you can find him on Facebook too under Ricardo's Diving Tours...tell him Shari & Juan send our best!

JZ - 6-5-2012 at 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
All good advice. It is going to be really HOT. That's OK during time on the water but be sure the AC is working or it's going to be a tough night.
I always hang at Casa Del Sol. A short crawl from the bar to the room and the AC is the best in town.

LOL, I was already thinking this and almost asked who had the best AC.

Sounds like the place for me.

redhilltown - 6-6-2012 at 12:19 AM

Hola! First night depends on when you leave and El Rosario is great but if you get a good jump and the kids are cool, Catavina really sets you up for a nice short drive in the morning.

Another vote for Casa del Sol. They have a large room with good a/c that the whole family could fit into....well, four adult beer swilling fishermen did but you can do the math as to your family

There is a dirt road north out of La Gringa opposite Isla Smith that might be fun for the dirt bikes but others may know more.

If you do head north in the inflatable watch those tides in the channel.

woody with a view - 6-6-2012 at 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
leave LA at 4am and drive straight thru.

Have you ever tried waking a South American at 4AM? :lol:

i've learned to tell my South American we are leaving at least one hour earlier than i really want to leave. we still are usually a little late. :light:

David K - 6-6-2012 at 08:59 AM

Please see the Bahia de los Angeles section at http://www.vivabaja.com/tours

for photos of the many area sites... incl.:

Bahia de los Angeles Area

Tinaja de Yubay

Punta Candeleros & Remedios (Bahia Guadalupe)

El Toro Copper Mine

Camp Gecko cabin, turtle research station, & La Gringa

Bahia de los Angeles highway, Pemex, etc. '05

Bahia de los Angeles Museum

Mision San Borja

Mision San Borja (inside)

Old San Gregorio

Santa Ana, San Ignacito

Montevideo Petroglyphs

Las Tinajitas Petroglyphs

Camp Gecko '03

Las Flores

Los Paredones, La Bocana, Bahia San Rafeal

Las Flores Railroad and Tramway

Rock Palm Hill (near Yubay)

Bahia las Animas

Punta La Gringa

Mysterious Ruins/ Lost Mission Site?

[Edited on 6-6-2012 by David K]

Skipjack Joe - 6-6-2012 at 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
leave LA at 4am and drive straight thru.

Have you ever tried waking a South American at 4AM? :lol:

i've learned to tell my South American we are leaving at least one hour earlier than i really want to leave. we still are usually a little late. :light:

So true!

woody with a view - 6-6-2012 at 11:28 AM

not funny! it means i need to be up an hour early. i am packed and ready to go 2 days previous.

alarm, toilet, coffee, road! i guess it's the price we pay to share the fun with the honey.

Alm - 6-6-2012 at 04:28 PM

No worries about bay being shallow - not with inflatable anyway. Like people said, wind can be a problem. And a current, especially around Cabesa and Pto Don Juan. Don Juan beach is actually very shallow in low tide, you'll get stuck in the mud hundred yards before the shore. Other places are Ok to launch and land any time. Casa Diaz is right in the town center, on the beach, and the beach isn't bad, but the surroundings are faceless and not really cosy, there is some through-traffic, vehicular and pedestrian. Camps few miles North and South are more to my liking, but I don't know if there is anything with AC there, I don't go there in summer.

mcfez - 6-6-2012 at 06:39 PM

:light:

We LOVE this place!
www.villabahia.com/

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
villa bahia. about $60-80/night but most rooms have 2 beds. leave LA at 4am and drive straight thru. you'll cross the border right after 6am to get your visas and be setting your toes in the sand by 3-4pm.

willardguy - 6-6-2012 at 07:05 PM

keep an eye on the weather, if you see elongated clouds shaped like elephant trunks over the mountains, get your feet on dry land!