BajaNomad

San Fran to Baja to LA (Aussie 1st timer)

njb_AU - 6-17-2012 at 10:20 PM

Hi Everyone,
This is my first time to the site and I apologies in advance if this questions has been asked many times before. This will be my first time to Mexicao & the States and I'm just unsure of the timing and how long the drive will actually take. We'll be travelling in a van with the key objective of finding waves to surf.


11 Days
- Starting From: San Fran (Day 1)
- Destination: Baja (exactly where, I have no idea. As far as we can go)
- Depart: LA (on the 11th Day)


Basically I just wanted to see if anyone thinks we'll have enough time to head down and make it back to LA in the time specified. Sure it'd be great to take 30+ Days for the trip; however like most people vacation time is limited.

A big cheers in advance

Any additional tips would be appreciated! Can't wait to meet some great locals along the way and have a memorable experience...yeeeeewwwww!
Nick

DavidE - 6-17-2012 at 10:45 PM

Tips: I won't try to cover it all, but generally, it is safe, easy and comfortable to drive day and night through California. Avoid driving the Los Angeles area from 0600-0900 and then 1600 - 1800 hours on weekdays. Freeway rest areas are safe to relax. Fast food places are inexpensive to eat.

BRING FULL WET SUITS!

Drive daylight hours only in méxico. Get insurance at SAN YSIDRO BLVD. The very last exit on the freeway before you reach the border. Buy pesos where everyone else is buying pesos, the big places. Every small town has internet cafes.

I am listening to bigger surf here below Guerrero Negro. Dawn to dusk 2 days hard driving from the border. This means six days driving and five days surfing. People up north will comment on their surfing conditions. The gulf of California has but wind surfing in season.

Try to EXIT Mexico on a weekday AFTER 0800 because of commuter traffic. You will be at the border 1- 2 hours in line and at US Customs.

Ken Cooke - 6-17-2012 at 11:01 PM

Hi Nick,

I would spend;

1 day in San Francisco area (sightseeing/orientation time)
1 day in Santa Cruz (surf)
1 day drive to Ventura
1 day in Ventura area (surf)
1 drive day to San Diego (sleep in San Ysidro, CA)
4 days in Baja - 2 nights Ensenada area (surf)
2 night Shipwrecks/Colonet-area (surf)
1 night North San Diego area (surf)
1 day in Venice Beach (very eclectic and not far from LAX)
+go home tired, sleep on the plane!:yes:

That's my itinerary.:bounce:

-Ken

[Edited on 6-18-2012 by Ken Cooke]

redhilltown - 6-18-2012 at 12:18 AM

Couple of thoughts. Can't comment much on the surf in Baja but I think that some of the great spots further south (north of the north/south Baja border on the pacific side) are best in winter when the swells come in from the northern storms...that said, the bang for the buck for the extra driving may not be there and depending on where/when, a regular van may not cut it as to sand and various road conditions. If you do head south and the timing is right for a place to stay for the night, it would be a shame to miss Bahia de Los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez (no surf but world class beauty)...it is a 45 minute detour from the main Highway One. All the great advice on border crossing can save you a lot of time as previously noted: mid day and mid week are best. If you think you'll head further south than Ensenada you may want to get a free tourist visa at the border...you probably won't be asked for it but best to play by their rules. There is a nice toll road between Tijuana and Ensenada right on the water...about $8.00 US each way. Be prepared for military checkpoints in Baja with very young Mexican army regulars and their guns ...completely routine and safe but can be disconcerting at first...sometimes these pop up on rural roads. Mexico driving can be chaotic and Highway One is often narrow so just stick to your speed and let them pass you. If you are behind a slow big rig truck and he turns on his left turn signal the odds are he is telling you it is safe to pass him on the left (as opposed to the fact he is actually turning left.) Trust but verify!!!!!!!!!! It can be tricky but you'll get a feel for it. Much/most of Highway One outside of the main cities is one lane each direction so you'll pass or be passed fairly often.

You'll have a blast and do searches on here on specific topics that interest you...there is tons of information!

THANKS EVERYONE!!

njb_AU - 6-18-2012 at 04:01 AM

Wow...Thanks for the super fast feedback!

I am already in San Fran for a few days prior at a friends wedding. I was just planning Day 1 from where the road trip begins!
I am really pumped for this trip and the fun stuff begins with the planning.

The suggested itinerary is great and i'll def keep those spots in mind, and a few of them I was planning on hitting (Ventura, San Diego)

Many thanks everyone for your advice/tip/hints/suggestions!

I'll keep you posted and let you know how we go.....The biggest challenge I think I'll have is driving on the right side of the road!

Cheers

Nick

woody with a view - 6-18-2012 at 06:46 AM

it's not the right side-it's the correct side of the road! if you can wait for a swell you'd be better served instead of just jamming down right away. there is nothing on the charts right now. look up cuatro casas 3.5 hours below the border. spend a day or 2 and then make plans for a hard days run south to scorpion bay if a swell pops up. otherwise, summer is the wrong time for surf-but you knew that, right? if you just want to get some of the baja vibe check out Bahia Asuncion and La Bocana area. there is always some kind of surf, the weather is warmer than northen baja, but nothing epic.....

November

njb_AU - 6-18-2012 at 07:04 AM

I forgot to mention we'll be making the trip mid November. Does this coincide with the start of seasonal swell. The chance to do this side trip is opportunistic and I have only really started to research. Any waves are a plus, great waves would be very appreciated.

woody with a view - 6-18-2012 at 07:10 AM

remember thanksgiving holiday week nov 17-24. you will have A LOT of new friends to camp with. there should be surf but i doubt anyone wants to spill the beans on exactly where. just find a map and have some adventure-it's there......

Udo - 6-18-2012 at 07:15 AM

The best surf in Baja is between the"wall" and Punta Abreojos.

The WALL is a few miles north of Santa Rosaillita. Punta Abreojos is Below Guerrero Negro. Depending on storms nearby, you'll have long-riding waves, both left and right breaks.
That's about 6 days of surfing in the area.

David K - 6-18-2012 at 09:17 AM

Maybe, a few miles south of Santa Rosalillita (Punta Rosarito)...

Udo - 6-18-2012 at 09:50 AM

I agree with DK.:tumble:

njb_AU - 6-18-2012 at 10:37 PM

My friend who is living in Guadalajara is joining and he's bringing some local friends that surf and have the placed dialled in...looks like I might get to some of those secret spots a little easier.

Thanks again everyone!

bent-rim - 6-18-2012 at 11:54 PM

A great place to surf in San Francisco is at Fort Point underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It breaks best in the winter so there should be some good swells there, the break is a left. It's best after a low tide. Ocean Beach is like playing in a washing machine. If your working your way down the coast, check out Maverick's in Half Moon Bay and Steamer's Lane in Santa Cruz. When I drive to Socal I leave the Bay Area around 5-6am and slab it down hwy5, that will put you in LA around lunch time. The big decision to make is to take 405 or 5. 405 has more lanes and a dedicated carpool lane for 2 or more people, however it's longer than hwy 5. Either way you'll be in Ensenada mid/late afternoon.

Yes!

mcfez - 6-19-2012 at 07:34 AM

A great place to surf in San Francisco is at Fort Point
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=87UkNCW...

During the tidal change each day....directly under the bridge.....there are "stationary"waves that occur from the tidal action. Many guys will be there......doing some incredibly surfing. A must see....must do(?)

Newport Beach surfing is great too. Surf shops too for any needs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR6YUqmbyx4
(go down by the rock jetty)
Quote:
Originally posted by bent-rim
A great place to surf in San Francisco is at Fort Point underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It breaks best in the winter so there should be some good swells there, the break is a left. It's best after a low tide. Ocean Beach is like playing in a washing machine. If your working your way down the coast, check out Maverick's in Half Moon Bay and Steamer's Lane in Santa Cruz. When I drive to Socal I leave the Bay Area around 5-6am and slab it down hwy5, that will put you in LA around lunch time. The big decision to make is to take 405 or 5. 405 has more lanes and a dedicated carpool lane for 2 or more people, however it's longer than hwy 5. Either way you'll be in Ensenada mid/late afternoon.