BajaNomad

Recommendations for march?

Practicallymarried - 2-2-2014 at 07:05 PM

Hi everyone, great board y'all are very active!

We are a youngish couple, traveling in a vw bus. We are looking to explore the Baja peninsula for a month, most likely starting from Socal in March. Budget wise we would like to stretch our peso as far as we can while enjoying as much as possible. Off the beaten path is great for us.

If anyone has a recommendation or two, itinerary or otherwise, we would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Celine and Geoff

Whales, whales, whales!

danaeb - 2-2-2014 at 07:50 PM

If you can get to any one of the three lagoons, early to mid-March is a great time to go out on the whale watching pangas. The calves are very playful and inquisitive and moms are relaxed and accommodating. It's definitely a side trip to remember. With a month to explore, you'll get many great recommendations from the Nomads here.

Welcome to the board and have a great trip!

shari - 2-2-2014 at 08:51 PM

welcome to the sandbox Practically Married...your VW bus will LOVE Santa Rosalillita surf beach...paved road in and cool little beach village...no restaurant though...then after that come on in & camp with us at Ojo de Liebre to sleep to the sound of whales breathing! The turnoff is a few miles south of Guerrero Negro..it is an amazing place to camp and cheap....then over to Bahia Concepcion to beach camp there and just work your way down...talking to folks in the various camps will give you great ideas and suggestions...have an awesome trip and maybe see ya in the lagoon...Palapa #1

EnsenadaDr - 2-2-2014 at 08:58 PM

You might want to meet the preacher at Lomas Del Mar who could marry you overlooking Ensenada Bay.
Quote:
Originally posted by Practicallymarried
Hi everyone, great board y'all are very active!

We are a youngish couple, traveling in a vw bus. We are looking to explore the Baja peninsula for a month, most likely starting from Socal in March. Budget wise we would like to stretch our peso as far as we can while enjoying as much as possible. Off the beaten path is great for us.

If anyone has a recommendation or two, itinerary or otherwise, we would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Celine and Geoff

Cliffy - 2-2-2014 at 09:47 PM

If you don't have it get Church's book "Camping Mexico's Baja"
I'm going down about the same time you are and I haven't been there in 30 years so I got the book. It looks good to me. Looks like a big help.

redhilltown - 2-3-2014 at 12:11 AM

Welcome! Since it IS a peninsula after all and you want to stretch your dollars, bring along some fishing tackle and catch your own dinner. "The Baja Catch" by Gene Kira and Neil Kelly is a fun read and while mostly for a small boat is a great book about Baja and has shore fishing info...and other useful information.

flyguy - 2-3-2014 at 01:50 AM

Hey!

One unique experience 7 years ago on my first trip down was stopping at a prison just off the highway between Mulege and Santa Rosalia (if my journal is correct). A bit skeptical we asked a lady out front for 'artesano's' and she took us through security to a gated compound inside the prison yard, all of a sudden prisoners came running out with handmade crafts to sell us! They were quite polite and we had some conversation's with some of the men, bought some nice Abalone shell crafts and were off! Maybe another member can confirm the prison and if its still there? Anyways have fun you are going to LOVE it! :D

shari - 2-3-2014 at 07:03 AM

Flyguy...same thing happened to me but they made me put pants on...I couldnt understand why until they led me through the prison and out into the exercise yard!!! They sell some very beautiful abalone things...I believe they now have a store in the administration section of the building though...not nearly as unique an experience!

bajacalifornian - 2-3-2014 at 09:07 AM

I've never thought of it as a high tourist priority, but spent time in La Paz prison.


They too have a store in the administration section of the building. No problem.


Bring your scarf.

P.S. edit - Practicallymarried - You do know that Engagement is just a promise to marry?
Don’t let down your guard . . .

[Edited on 2-3-2014 by bajacalifornian]

BajaBlanca - 2-3-2014 at 10:32 AM

Welcome to bajanomad land! Your very first post!

Besides the whale watching, going to Bahia asuncion is a must. shari has a campground that has a crazy beautiful view. Will you be sleeping in the vw bus? Cause she has showers and a bathroom available if you are.

Well, for romance I recommend stopping by La Bocana once you leave Bahia asuncion ( we are down the coast and it is a lovely 1.5 hour drive). If you write to me from Bahia Asuncion before you head south, I promise a Practically Married Wedding Gift. (((: We also have a spectacular view in front where you can park and for $5 pp a day, showers and bathroom too.

While here, if you bring a kayak, our lagoon would be a great place to fish. Or you can shore fish as well. And if you continue on down the road, Campo Rene is a gorgeous location too. A bird sanctuary and remote and very basic ergo inexpensive too.

Once you are here, I can tell you about the other great spots to hang out further south.....each town offers something unique.

Have a blast and welcome again!

David K - 2-3-2014 at 10:44 AM

Please utilize my web site and the links inside to help plan your Baja vacation: http://vivabaja.com

TMW - 2-3-2014 at 11:42 AM

Look thru the trip report section for ideals.

willardguy - 2-3-2014 at 12:06 PM

careful! more than one couple has left here practicallydivorced!:O:lol:

Jaybo - 2-3-2014 at 12:50 PM

If you can afford and get it arranged, go out with Shari to see the whales. Very memorable trip that you will not forget or regret! Our only regret was not going back to Shari's place and staying a night or 2 there as well. Next time!

Practicallymarried - 2-3-2014 at 06:37 PM

Wow!

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and response, we are really excited to head south and hope to meet some of you on the way!

Cliffy, thx for the book rec, we'll check that out.

Redhilltown- I've got some gear, but no big ocean stuff. I'll bring a small bait caster though. How's the spearfishing on the sea side? I might invest in a hawiian sling for the trip..


Blanca/Les, yes we stay in the bus, and after looking at Sheri's place I am sure will need to make a stop in Bahia Asuncion, and La Bocana sounds pretty appealing with showers for $5/day sounds too good to pass up.

RE: prison. You know, I've always tried to stay out of these, but I suppose if we are "just visiting," it's not so bad…

willardguy- noted, thanks!

Ateo - 2-3-2014 at 06:46 PM

Stop in San Ignacio and see the mission and the square. Go to Bahia de Los Angeles. Swim with the whale sharks, if they are around that time of year.

Congrats.

vgabndo - 2-3-2014 at 09:05 PM

I'm so envious!!!What a great time. Don't let these guys weaken you, I subjected my new wife to a 42 day van trip to Placencia, Belize for our honeymoon. She did great!

I like the sound of all the advice. What a treat to see it with new eyes.

I look forward to meeting you when you get to Asuncion. Try to make it on a weekend. Four of the best shrimp tacos in the hemisphere at Tacos don Ramon for 80 pesos. :coolup:

mcfez - 2-4-2014 at 09:47 AM

How many days well you have for your travels to The Baja? Makes a big difference. Nearly 1100 miles long......The Baja cape is a far and long drive for someone that may only have a week to spend.........

Having said that....

Gonzaga Bay:
The drive from San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay is simply gorgeous. Very undeveloped. GB itself is breathtaking. You have fishing, hiking, exploring, whales.......so much to do.
http://www.papafernandez.com/
http://www.erench.com/RESTAUR/MEXICO/BAJA/GONZAD/ABOUT/RGRAN...

Further southward where the road is a little tough but very doable with most cars......

Bahia de los Angeles;
Great town that just recently got grid power. Many fishing opportunities to hiking. Restaurants that feed you well. Great town folks. Oh....those islands too! We love to stay at Daggetts or Villa.....but there are many motels or campsites down there.
http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info
http://www.campdaggetts.info
http://www.ontheroadin.com/baja/bajarvparks/bahiadelosangele...



[Edited on 2-4-2014 by mcfez]

El Jefe - 2-4-2014 at 10:04 AM

OK you two, once you are ready to get warm, come all the way south to San Jose del Cabo, provision up and head out the coast road to the NE. It is a bumpy ride on a dirt road with many open camping areas along beautiful beaches all the way up to Cabo Pulmo.

Paula and I did a similar trip in my '69 VW bus in 1982 on our second date. We fell in love with each other, and with Baja. I found out she was a keeper. Great memories. And we came back the next year on our honeymoon. When the time came to retire, we bought land and had our little dream casa built. All is good with the world.

Have a great trip, keep your options open and rock that van!

David K - 2-4-2014 at 10:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Practicallymarried
Wow!

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and response, we are really excited to head south and hope to meet some of you on the way!

Cliffy, thx for the book rec, we'll check that out.

Redhilltown- I've got some gear, but no big ocean stuff. I'll bring a small bait caster though. How's the spearfishing on the sea side? I might invest in a hawiian sling for the trip..


Blanca/Les, yes we stay in the bus, and after looking at Sheri's place I am sure will need to make a stop in Bahia Asuncion, and La Bocana sounds pretty appealing with showers for $5/day sounds too good to pass up.

RE: prison. You know, I've always tried to stay out of these, but I suppose if we are "just visiting," it's not so bad…

willardguy- noted, thanks!


Border to Cabo and many places in between, in 15 days: 15 Days of Baja adventures, July, 2012: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=61576

BajaBlanca - 2-4-2014 at 10:50 AM

Go for the shrimp tacos in Asuncion. And there is another delicioso shrimp taco place in East Cape, don't remember the name, if you make it that far south, you can do a comparison report for us!

Jaybo - 2-4-2014 at 11:42 AM

Tacos...

If you find your self in Guerrero Negro, You can't miss this Taco truck... They were hands down the best we had on our 9 day trip down to SJDC.





Tony's truck is on the main drag, coming in to town on the right side, not too far past the Cowboy Hotel and the Pemex station. Make sure you ask for a sticker for your bus too!

..Jay

DavidE - 2-4-2014 at 12:56 PM

ˇBienvenidos!

In March, on the PACIFIC side, prepare for chilly weather especially at night. Sometimes into the forties. Windy.

On the gulf side the weather can be psycho in March. Cool (not chilly) at night, to nice and warm during the day. Windy some days, calm other days.

But the description above makes things sound negative and that just isn't intended. It's intended to allow a person to think about preparations and what to bring along. I froze my ass off in Mulege early March and had to purchase a SEVENTY DOLLAR 2nd blanket (from YEE) to go along with a bare electric blanket. My fault I knew better but ignored my own intuition.

MMc - 2-4-2014 at 01:23 PM

Practicallymarried, what do like to do? Baja has a offering for almost any one. Rock climbing is best done up north and in Cativina area. If you want to hang on the beach it might be a little cold north. Surf, pacific side. Diving both sides work bring a wetsuit. Explore remote beaches? Rock art? Give us a hint and we can help.

Things I would tell anybody not to miss:
The missions see as many as you can. San Javier is a must see it still like it was built over 300 years ago.
La Lobera short jump off the highway good place to stretch.
Whales in the lagoons.
Cabo Pulmo for the diving.
La Paz
Cabo if you have not been.
Get a fishing License before you go.
A pole spear is OK, Hawaiian sling is not.

I sure somebody will post maps for you but Google you can plan your own trip. Have fun!!!

chavycha - 2-4-2014 at 01:46 PM

We did the same trip last January, camping and hoteling around for about three weeks. We didn't have any plan (crossed the border without a map or guidebook) and had a fabulous time. We found all sorts of entertainment, though we're pretty outdoorsy types so it's easy for us to keep busy. Fishing, hiking, fossil hunting, kayaking...

Though you'll probably have better weather than we did last year, the guys above aren't kidding about the cold. We were woefully underprepared for desert camping - had several nights in the low 20s and though we made due, would've been much more comfortable had we been prepared.

The weather varies quite a bit even over the course of the day. In Asuncion today, it was about 50F when I woke up. By 11am it had warmed to about 70 and was calm with a bunch of sun. I went out and fished for an hour or so. Glad I did - now it's blowing something fierce (30mph) and it's cloudy and cool. Moral of the story - if you get a good window of weather for your chosen activity, GO DO IT!

Make sure to get gas when you have the chance. Hoping you make it the last 20 miles into town when it's getting dark is something that will test your relationship. :)

Bring what you think you'll need, but don't sweat if you've forgotten something. You'll be passing through some of the larger towns and you can find most things at the bigger supermarkets.

Jaybo - 2-4-2014 at 02:20 PM

I'm sure you already know this but make sure you have some good rugged tires on your bus. A shovel, and maybe even a come-a-long and heavy rope in case you get stuck :) I can't imagine doing Baja without 4x4 but I know many people do it. Just go prepared!

chavycha - 2-4-2014 at 02:42 PM

^ That. We went last year with a 2x4 rig with its original suspension and crap tires. Took it a lot of places it shouldn't have been. Only got stuck twice. I should probably add "digging your rig out of deep sand in the dark" to the "things that will test your relationship" list!

Came back this year with a 4x4 - before we left, I rebuilt nearly the entire suspension and put on new tires. I haven't been driving it anywhere more adventurous than the 2x4, but man, from a peace of mind standpoint, it's a night and day difference.

Practicallymarried - 3-31-2014 at 12:29 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great advice, we're on our way with 2-3 weeks to spend and hope to meet some of you along the way!

Celine and Geoff.

TMW - 4-1-2014 at 07:45 AM

If you see a white Tacoma with a Leer shell, a maroon Nissan and a silver Ford that will be the Fearsome Foursome doing another off-road trip around Baja. From San Felipe to San Ignacio. Mostly around the coastal areas.

BajaBlanca - 4-1-2014 at 10:06 AM

Have fun! Hope to meet you!