BajaNomad - New to the Baja

New to the Baja

Johnny7 - 8-25-2014 at 12:51 AM

My wife and I are traveling the Baja for the first time this Winter. We would be grateful for any tips, recommendations for taking our truck and 5th wheel, We are aiming for a month to do the round trip.
Where to cross the border, places to stay along the way, preferred routes, parks? :yes:

[Edited on 8-28-2014 by Johnny7]

ehall - 8-25-2014 at 05:33 AM

Wow, we need some more info. We're are you coming from, are you driving the entire peninsula, etc.

nbacc - 8-25-2014 at 05:36 AM

Read everything that is on this board, has been on the board and future postings. You will learn alot of things you need to know before you go. Many experienced people here, Have fun as it is always the adventure that counts in the end Nancy

volcano - 8-25-2014 at 05:56 AM

annual encampment of friendly, helpful 5th wheelers ...free, dry camping at Los Frailes, a few miles south of Cabo Pulmo. they'll show you the ropes on how, where to get what you need. Bay with great fishing, hikes.

David K - 8-25-2014 at 07:33 AM

Read the Baja Trip Reports forum here to get some ideas. Baja has many attractions. It depends on what you like. I am going on a wild guess you are Canadian? Have a great time in Baja (on the Baja). :tumble:

BajaBlanca - 8-25-2014 at 08:18 AM

welcome! a month will be plenty of time and I highly recommend you drive right thru Tijuana with a first stop perhaps in Ensenada. Worth a day if you have never been there. It is a city and there is one main drag for tourists that is a hoot. Lots of stores that sell things from all over Baja and other parts of Mexico.

I have no clue as to where to stay in a 5th wheel, but surely someone here does.

After Ensenada, I think the next best stop would be San Quintin. Plenty of places to stay - again, someone else will have to give the recommendation.

My husband believes the reall Baja begins after San Quintin! Baja is very special and I am sure you will have tons of adventures. Be sure to update us every so often as to your experiences while traveling!

David K - 8-25-2014 at 08:32 AM

Posada Don Diego in Colonia Vicente Guerrero is a good first RV park southbound. Mission Santo Domingo is the historic attraction near there.

micah202 - 8-25-2014 at 08:49 AM

.
....planning one month!?
...whether it's a couple of weeks or a few months,,,,I've always wished for longer. I'd recommend a flexible plan allow yourselves the ability to extend your time on 'whim'. 'Things' come up---some by choice,,some not so much but it's always good to take-time,,breathe,,,enjoy :yes:

Baja info

bajaguy - 8-25-2014 at 04:25 PM

Welcome to the sandbox!!!

Regardless what some may think or say, "the real Baja" starts when you cross the border.........

Before you cross, buy your Mexican auto (and trailer) insurance on line from Bajabound (see the banner at the top of this page)

Speaking of crossing the border, be it at San Ysidro (Tijuana); Otay Mesa or Tecate, your first stop will be Mexican Immigration (INM) for your FMT (tourist card).....now you are "legal"

If you are looking for an RV park in the Ensenada area, may I suggest:

Estero Beach Resort, southern side of Ensenada City, and Villarino's in the Punta Banda area (west of Manedearo on the way to La Bufadora)

Take your time, have fun!!!

sancho - 8-25-2014 at 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Regardless what some may think or say, "the real Baja" starts when you cross the border.........

I'm guilty of that, Baja to me, at least re: Hwy 1 places, would
start at Mulege. If it were me, I would spend the majority of my
4 weeks in Baja Sur, Conception Bay, Loreto, La Paz. East Cape, La Paz being my favorite Baja city. Rarely does anyone
stick to pre determined plan, you will end up winging it, getting
info from other Campers/Rv'ers, Travellers, I woud stop in
Ensenada on the way back

Bob H - 8-26-2014 at 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I am going on a wild guess you are Canadian? Have a great time in Baja (on the Baja). :tumble:

Jejejejeje ! Right ON !!

Hey, you guys will have a great time...

BajaBlanca - 8-26-2014 at 12:04 PM

Bajaguy, I thought about it and you are absolutely correct. Baja starts the second you cross the border.

A good idea to stop and get legal, right at the border.

Hard to remember the first time across but

1.look out for potholes
2. the road is often extremely narrow and hairraising when the truck is over the line in the middle
3 there are military checkpoints where they might ask you to get out of the vehicle. the will check inside, they might ask where you came from and where you are going. they have BIG guns - do not fret.
4 the sad news is that depending on where you cross, the police may stop you for no reason at all. they are looking for a payoff called a "bite" or mordida in Spanish. If you have indeed broken the law, or if you haven't, feel free to ask for the multa or fine. LA MULTA, por favor. the ticket,please. They make make you suffer a bit because they really don't want to hand out a ticket, they usually want to moola. If you are patient, most chances are they will send you on their way.

Have a blast!

jbcoug - 8-26-2014 at 12:18 PM

"La Multa, por favor." Good phrase to know, thanks Blanca.

brewer - 8-26-2014 at 03:54 PM

Calling it "The Baja" proves you've never been there. Just Baja is fine.

Someone had to say it.

Have a great trip and take your time. The highway can be tight, especially towing a 5th wheel.

Ricardo - 8-26-2014 at 04:10 PM

THE Baja is likely more correct than BAJA. since there is a north and a south, then The is correct. but you can research this till the cows come home and you will find both are totally acceptable. Some Nomads are **** about this. I've been going to The Baja since 72 and still call it The Baja, but haven't been to Big Apple yet or is that The big Apple. Check it out Eh.

Bob H - 8-26-2014 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ricardo
THE Baja is likely more correct than BAJA. since there is a north and a south, then The is correct. but you can research this till the cows come home and you will find both are totally acceptable. Some Nomads are **** about this. I've been going to The Baja since 72 and still call it The Baja, but haven't been to Big Apple yet or is that The big Apple. Check it out Eh.

That's the BEST explanation I have ever seen! Bravo!!! :lol:

THE Huh???

bajaguy - 8-26-2014 at 05:04 PM

Are you going to THE Baja
Are you going to Baja

Are you going to THE Baja Sur
Are you going to Baja Sur

Are you going to THE Alberta or are you from THE Alberta
Are going to Alberta or are you from Alberta

If you are going to THE Big Apple, you would be correct
Not so much if you were going to THE New York City :lol:

[Edited on 8-27-2014 by bajaguy]

Ricardo - 8-26-2014 at 05:23 PM

Are you going to Island
Are you going to the Island

Are you going to States
Are you going to the States

Are you going to Bahamas
Are you going to the Bahamas

Are you going to nuthouse
Are you going to the nuthouse

Just like the big apple , the Baja works for me.

StuckSucks - 8-26-2014 at 05:36 PM

Always love the "the" discussion. Or is it just the discussion?

I think this is an excellent source of information (assuming you're not online): Joe Cummings Baja Handbook.

Take an Auto Club map too.

BooJumMan - 8-28-2014 at 09:46 AM

Well, I see signs saying "Welcome to Baja California". Never "Welcome to The Baja California". : ) But whatever. I don't really care what people say. Do what makes you feel happy and enjoy Baja or The Baja!

The Baja Peninsula/ The Baja 1000

David K - 8-28-2014 at 09:53 AM

Here is The Beer many of us Nomads enjoy in The Baja...

Have a great time "on the Baja peninsula"... I always do!

[Edited on 8-28-2014 by David K]

55steve - 8-28-2014 at 11:26 AM

We enjoy that same beer here in the San Diego as well!

David K - 8-28-2014 at 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 55steve
We enjoy that same beer here in the San Diego as well!

Yes, I too enjoy "the" same beer, here! :light:

Mexitron - 8-28-2014 at 11:45 AM

We don't say we're going "to United States", we say we're going "to the United States" because it is pluralized, I think. We are going "to the Baja" then doesn't add up. If, however, you are going to the Baja Californias ( as in both Norte and Sur) it would make more sense. Its "the UK", since its a plurality of countries, but we go "to Ireland" since its a singular entity. There's exceptions of course (ie-the Big Apple).

DianaT - 8-28-2014 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny7
My wife and I are traveling the Baja for the first time this Winter. We would be grateful for any tips, recommendations for taking our truck and 5th wheel, We are aiming for a month to do the round trip.
Where to cross the border, places to stay along the way, preferred routes, parks? :yes:

[Edited on 8-28-2014 by Johnny7]

One of the best places to get information for RVing in any part of Mexico is RV Net Forum, Mexico

Many there are very experienced RVers.

Have fun

Feathers - 8-28-2014 at 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

One of the best places to get information for RVing in any part of Mexico is RV Net Forum, Mexico

Many there are very experienced RVers.

Have fun

Best advice I've read on this, The Baja thread.

THE license plate!

David K - 8-28-2014 at 06:48 PM

nomad 041.jpg - 29kB

The map!

David K - 8-28-2014 at 06:51 PM

Of course this was made (by Dave Deal) for someone who hated hearing "The Baja"... Don Jimmy Smith, the Grinning Gargoyle! :lol:

55steve - 8-28-2014 at 07:18 PM

Pretty much sums it up David.

Ricardo - 8-28-2014 at 07:18 PM

Well this post seems hijacked so lets continue.
Yale University states:
Use THE before
Name of all bodies of water except Lakes, bays and falls.
Name of all Deserts, Forests, Peninsulas and Archipelagos
Name on all points on the globe. (North West etc)
ETC ETC (more than I can type)

so an example would be The Sahara desert or The Sahara
so it follows that Baja is a peninsula and can be called
The Baja Peninsula or The Baja

Ricardo - 8-28-2014 at 07:52 PM

Another Peninsula in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula
Commonly called The Yucatan

Feathers - 8-28-2014 at 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Of course this was made (by Dave Deal) for someone who hated hearing "The Baja"... Don Jimmy Smith, the Grinning Gargoyle! :lol:

THE question is: WHO The f*ck cares?

David K - 8-29-2014 at 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Feathers

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Of course this was made (by Dave Deal) for someone who hated hearing "The Baja"... Don Jimmy Smith, the Grinning Gargoyle! :lol:

THE question is: WHO The f*ck cares?

It is a point of discussion, and that's what this is... a discussion forum.

When California is not included in the name, then THE is added making the shorter name an actual PLACE and not just the Spanish word for LOWER. Same thing with that big desert in Africa, when Desert is dropped, it becomes simply "The Sahara". THE Kalahari, as well.

Yucatan was mentioned above. THE Congo, THE Sudan, are a couple more places where THE is added (even though the name was not shortened). This seems to be more prevalent with people closer to the British Empire?

Interesting study in linguistics! Of interest, the OP has not returned to comment on his question... what was THE question?

:lol:

DianaT - 8-29-2014 at 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
.....

Interesting study in linguistics! Of interest, the OP has not returned to comment on his question... what was THE question?

Hopefully he went to the RV Net forum where he might get some useful answers to his questions.

[Edited on 8-29-2014 by DianaT]

durrelllrobert - 8-29-2014 at 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 55steve
We enjoy that same beer here in the San Diego as well!

..but not at the same price :?:

sanquintinsince73 - 8-30-2014 at 12:08 AM

What "the" hell? Poor guy and his 5th wheel are probably waiting for some tips.

Johnny7 - 9-4-2014 at 09:23 AM

Thanks to everyone with tips on songs, how to use "The" and what beer to drink! I believe I now have an idea of the fun people we are going to meet
on/in/the Baja!!

David K - 9-4-2014 at 11:49 AM

:light:

Welcome to The Baja Nomad (Forum)!!!

Maron - 9-4-2014 at 11:59 AM

bajablanca

Thanks for the LA Multa tip