BajaNomad

San ignacio - south

Clearerjim - 10-26-2014 at 03:19 AM

i'm English & a baja virgin. Next Feb/March, me & wife intend flying to Loreto, driving to San Ignacio & looking at whales, then driving south on west coast to Puerto Lopez Mateos & continuing down to San Carlos. Is this all feasible & will I need 4 wheel drive? Any info very welcome.

oladulce - 10-26-2014 at 06:01 AM

Your trip sounds great, as well as your planned destinations but I’d stick to the pavement and use Highway #1 from San Ignacio to Bahia Magdalena/San Carlos and here’s why:

-It’s about 250 miles/400 km from San Ignacio to San Carlos along the West Coast. Approx 80 miles of that is dirt road/trail/rocks/sand that’s even worse than usual after the hurricanes this year. Easy (very) to take the wrong path.

-You’ll be in a rental vehicle. 4wd isn’t the issue it’s the miles of miles of rough road that loosens every bolt along with some dental work. Stock rental vehicles aren’t set up for it and you can incur some hefty charges when you return with missing parts off the car.

-Looking at a map, you’d think the West coast route would be picturesque. It is, in a barren sort of way. But you’re probably imagining lovely ocean views and you really only get a few brief glimpses of the ocean in this 250 miles.

-More scenic and more relaxing/enjoyable drive to follow highway#1 for the type of trip you describe.

[Edited on 10-26-2014 by oladulce]

Clearerjim - 10-26-2014 at 06:41 AM

Thanks Oladulce, I'll take your advice in mind

TecateRay - 10-26-2014 at 06:51 AM

Following Highway 1 on the gulf coast between Loreto and San Ignacio is some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Baja. Well worth doing both ways to avoid the dirt road issues mentioned above.
Just a few of the things to do along the way:
1. Camp on the beach at one of the coves along Conception Bay
2. Have a great cheeseburger at Playa Buenaventura
3. Stay at the restored French colonial hotel in Santa Rosalia
4. See some cave paintings near San Ignacio
Lots to do and see, more recommendations will surely follow my short list. How about it Nomads?

rhintransit - 10-26-2014 at 06:55 AM

Rental cars have specific disclaimers for everything but their 4x4s. No driving on dirt road,s, no off roads driving. Cancels your insurance, which they are going to insist you get.

El Norte - 10-26-2014 at 07:02 AM

If you hope to whale watch at Lopez Mateos don't leave your visit until March as the Greys will likely be gone. Mula on this board knows Lopez Mateos very well and can help with arrangements there. Oladulce and Tecate Ray's assessments are correct. Stick to the pavement. Have a great trip.

DianaT - 10-26-2014 at 08:52 AM

In San Ignacio, check on the current conditions of the road out to the lagoon. While we always prefer to drive out there in our own vehicle, the dirt part can be quite rough --- it changes from year to year. The locals know

You have the option of leaving your rental car in San Ignacio and taking one of the vans out to the Lagoon for whale watching. It is so beautiful! Also, allow yourself enough time because if the wind is blowing strongly, the whale watching boats will not go out.

There are several good companies. Our favorite is Kuyima Eco Tourism and their offices are right on the plaza in San Ignacio.

San Ignacio and San Ignacio Lagoon are two of our very favorite places.

Have a great trip

[Edited on 10-26-2014 by DianaT]

mtgoat666 - 10-26-2014 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce
Your trip sounds great, as well as your planned destinations but I’d stick to the pavement and use Highway #1 from San Ignacio to Bahia Magdalena/San Carlos and here’s why:

-It’s about 250 miles/400 km from San Ignacio to San Carlos along the West Coast. Approx 80 miles of that is dirt road/trail/rocks/sand that’s even worse than usual after the hurricanes this year. Easy (very) to take the wrong path.

-You’ll be in a rental vehicle. 4wd isn’t the issue it’s the miles of miles of rough road that loosens every bolt along with some dental work. Stock rental vehicles aren’t set up for it and you can incur some hefty charges when you return with missing parts off the car.

-Looking at a map, you’d think the West coast route would be picturesque. It is, in a barren sort of way. But you’re probably imagining lovely ocean views and you really only get a few brief glimpses of the ocean in this 250 miles.

-More scenic and more relaxing/enjoyable drive to follow highway#1 for the type of trip you describe.

[Edited on 10-26-2014 by oladulce]


The OP is going north along the SOC, and south along the Pacific.

While road south of the lagoon is mostly unpaved, it is very feasible in a 2wd car. Just take it slow where rocky and bumpy. Is a great trip.

David K - 10-26-2014 at 10:09 AM

The Baja 1000 next month is going that way, south of the lagoon to San Juanico and La Purisima. That tends to change road surfaces... if they use the same road as the race.

South from San Ignacio

AKgringo - 10-26-2014 at 10:11 AM

I concur with Oladulce! I just drove that road, and unless you are traveling with someone who knows it very well and has driven it recently, there are many wrong turns you can take.
That is part of the Baja 100 course, and will be well rutted and wash boarded by the time you get there. My spare tire carrier shook right off the trailer I was towing as it was! With drifting sand on the flats, the most obvious trail might not be the right one.
If you are looking for a spectacular day trip or camping from Loreto, try driving into Agua Verde just to the south on highway one. Bring insect repellent if you are there in the evening. It is rugged, but four wheel drive is not necessary unless you leave the road.
You will remember that side trip!
G.L.

[Edited on 10-26-2014 by AKgringo]

Clearerjim - 10-26-2014 at 11:30 AM

Wow. How brilliant. Getting all this great advice from you guys. All really appreciated. Our main prob at the moment is trying to decide whether to go to Loreto via Los Angeles or La Paz via Mexico City. Price does come into it but also jet lag plays a part. We may take a couple of days in either LA or M.City. Also want to spend some days in LA Paz & Cabo Pulmo & wondering if San Jose del C. Is worth the drive

mojo_norte - 10-26-2014 at 11:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Clearerjim
Also want to spend some days in LA Paz & Cabo Pulmo & wondering if San Jose del C. Is worth the drive


the drive along the East Cape from Cabo Pulmo to San Jose is very nice. mostly graded dirt but normally doable in 2wd. Best check current road conditions because of recent hurricanes

AKgringo - 10-26-2014 at 11:58 AM

I wanted to mention that while the road south of San Ignacio (the town) is pretty good pavement between there and San Jose, you will swear that you are on the wrong road getting through the city streets. If you have a GPS it will probably get you there, but no guarantee.
Also, on the east cape, one of my favorite stops is Los Barriles. Far more pleasant than Los Cabos area, and I have watched humpbacks close to shore in the spring! That is not something you can count on, but it seems that some of them do not migrate north because of the food available in the Sea of Cortez.

[Edited on 10-26-2014 by AKgringo]

Mula - 10-26-2014 at 12:23 PM

For whale watching in Lopez Mateos, call Jose Osuna.
He speaks English and is a wonderful guide with the La Union Co operativa
613 118 0123.

I also have a guest house here in Lopez, if you are interested:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2105691

And can help with any other specific Lopez questions.

El Norte - 10-27-2014 at 02:33 PM

I am in Los Barriles. It is a great place to visit but Jan & February are windy and so is Cabo Pulmo then. C. Pulmo is 75 minutes from Los Barriles. If you plan whale watching, consider that the road to Lopez Mateos is paved and so is no problem for any vehicle. Jose Osuna who Mula recommends is an excellent guide. It's best to overnight there so you can go out in bay early before there are many other boats out . Its a great place to see Grey Whales. I would fly to La Paz and spend a few days there overcoming jet lag an enjoying a lovely place. Saludos.

Mulegena - 10-27-2014 at 03:58 PM

Just west of Loreto up in the mountains is the beautiful little village of San Javier and it's historic mission. Well worth a day trip.

A fun way to get over to Lopez Mateo is to take the peninsula cut across through La Purisima and head south on the new pavement. (see David K's map) From Mex-1 on the western peninsula through the mountain pass to La Purisima it's slow going and very rocky but quite passable in a sturdy higher-clearance 2-wheel drive car (as opposed to the tiny rental cars).

Once you're heading south on the paved road from La Purisima/San Isidro, it's time well spent would be to head up to the historic twin villages of Los Comondus, a paved road.

Lopez Mateo is a sweet little beach town and fishing cooperative with good whale watching.

Aqua Verde is indeed a treasure. Catch it on your way back up the peninsula as the turnoff is south of Loreto an hour or so.

You're going to have such a wonderful time. Good for you!

David K - 10-27-2014 at 05:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Just west of Loreto up in the mountains is the beautiful little village of San Javier and it's historic mission. Well worth a day trip.

A fun way to get over to Lopez Mateo is to take the peninsula cut across through La Purisima and head south on the new pavement. (see David K's map) From Mex-1 on the western peninsula through the mountain pass to La Purisima it's slow going and very rocky but quite passable in a sturdy higher-clearance 2-wheel drive car (as opposed to the tiny rental cars).

Once you're heading south on the paved road from La Purisima/San Isidro, it's time well spent would be to head up to the historic twin villages of Los Comondus, a paved road.

Lopez Mateo is a sweet little beach town and fishing cooperative with good whale watching.

Aqua Verde is indeed a treasure. Catch it on your way back up the peninsula as the turnoff is south of Loreto an hour or so.

You're going to have such a wonderful time. Good for you!


Here is a better map to see the road across Baja from just south of Bahia Concepcion...



Bigger area view:

Bajahowodd - 10-27-2014 at 05:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
In San Ignacio, check on the current conditions of the road out to the lagoon. While we always prefer to drive out there in our own vehicle, the dirt part can be quite rough --- it changes from year to year. The locals know

You have the option of leaving your rental car in San Ignacio and taking one of the vans out to the Lagoon for whale watching. It is so beautiful! Also, allow yourself enough time because if the wind is blowing strongly, the whale watching boats will not go out.

There are several good companies. Our favorite is Kuyima Eco Tourism and their offices are right on the plaza in San Ignacio.

San Ignacio and San Ignacio Lagoon are two of our very favorite places.

Have a great trip

[Edited on 10-26-2014 by DianaT]


My understanding was that the gummint was going to be paving a road that started in San Ignacio, and out toward the lagoon, that was to connect down by Independencia.

Anyone know the status of the project?

David K - 10-27-2014 at 05:06 PM

Independencia?

The long range plans for Baja paved roads had a highway from San Ignacio south on the Pacific side. Today that section is paved halfway to the whale watch camps going south and paved up to San Juanico (Scorpion Bay) going north... Some of that was damaged by the hurricane.

Tomas Tierra - 10-27-2014 at 07:46 PM

More than "some"

Bajahowodd - 10-30-2014 at 04:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Independencia?

The long range plans for Baja paved roads had a highway from San Ignacio south on the Pacific side. Today that section is paved halfway to the whale watch camps going south and paved up to San Juanico (Scorpion Bay) going north... Some of that was damaged by the hurricane.


You knew I was referencing Insurgentes. We've been to Independencia in Chile. Just got a tad confused.

David K - 10-30-2014 at 05:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Independencia?

The long range plans for Baja paved roads had a highway from San Ignacio south on the Pacific side. Today that section is paved halfway to the whale watch camps going south and paved up to San Juanico (Scorpion Bay) going north... Some of that was damaged by the hurricane.


You knew I was referencing Insurgentes. We've been to Independencia in Chile. Just got a tad confused.


Nope, but I was thinking you may have been thinking 'Constitucion' (historic political named towns). That's why I asked, to find out for sure.

There is an 'Independencia' in Baja... on Hwy. 3 between Ensenada and San Felipe.

basautter - 11-2-2014 at 11:18 AM

Don't skip San Juanico. The rocky shore north of the town is great for tide pool picking.

wilderone - 11-3-2014 at 08:59 AM

Are you intending to stay in hotels or are you camping? What else besides whale watching do you like to do? How much time do you have? The gulf route is more scenic and more options for how to spend your day than just driving. I would suggest the drive from Loreto to Santo Domingo, and then south and east to Lopez M. Much more interesting. You can see a mission, a biosphere preserve, hike to pictographs, visit with ranchers, see some spectacular scenery, pass through classic small Baja towns.