BajaNomad

End of May a good time to go to Baja?

Sungirl - 5-14-2015 at 09:12 PM

We usually go Baja in March/April, but the first time I can get away this year is Memorial Day weekend and the following week.
Is that a good, bad or just normal time to go?
Does it get crowded because of the long weekend? Any big events going on? I like to avoid peak travel times...
We are thinking of going via San Felipe (never done before), as far south as Mulege or Loreto, and back maybe on Hwy 1 (which we know by now).
I have this weekend to figure it all out...
Any tips?


[Edited on 5-15-2015 by Sungirl]

treuboff - 5-14-2015 at 09:40 PM

Actually July is still good on the SOC side but take a fan for the still nights for sleeping. The Pacific side August is perfect. Not too cold but still need a sweater at night. I am a desert rat.

bajabuddha - 5-14-2015 at 10:07 PM

Depends on your age and tolerance, Sunny. May is gorgeous, but can start creeping into HOT by the end of..... as in, not bad, but getting warmer. Take a water spray bottle with for cooling off if it's still and humid. Be near water for a cool(er) dip, but have a 'ray - stick' handy when you go wading, especially in shallow, sandy water.

A bad day in Baja is better than a good day anywhere else. :coolup:

Marc - 5-14-2015 at 10:31 PM

I would think S Felipe would be jammed on Memorial day weekend. Try to get reservations if you plan to stay over. Depending on where you start it's a long drive to the next accommodation from S Felipe. Forget Alfonsina's at Gonzaga Bay. Off road racing also draws crowds if that is going on.
The weather has been cooler than usual this season so extreme heat I don't think will be a factor. It has been very cold at night.
I have been using the S Felipe route for several years. I am done with the Mex1 north of S Quintin.

rhintransit - 5-15-2015 at 05:45 AM

its still lovely weather here in Loreto...come on down!

woody with a view - 5-15-2015 at 06:23 AM

Baja is not a small place. is there ever a "bad" time to be in Baja?

Ateo - 5-15-2015 at 06:36 AM

Like Woodman said, there's never a bad time to go to/be in Baja. I'm leaving late May for a trip. Just go and if it gets too hot head back north and towards the Pacific.

[Edited on 5-15-2015 by Ateo]

dtbushpilot - 5-15-2015 at 07:06 AM

Welcome to Nomads Sungirl. May is perfect in Baja, enjoy your trip...

willyAirstream - 5-15-2015 at 08:03 AM

April, May and June are my favorite months here in Mulege. Local events in june...rodeo, off road racing, horse racing , craft show, and more. Vamos

David K - 5-15-2015 at 08:35 AM

Many consider May and October to be the two best months.

For us, who hate cold, May is just the beginning of the best time... and ending in October. In or close to the month of August is perhaps the only 'extreme' heat because of added humidity (on the gulf side).

However, as Woody and Jon said, there is no real bad time to go to Baja!

TMW - 5-15-2015 at 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  
April, May and June are my favorite months here in Mulege. Local events in june...rodeo, off road racing, horse racing , craft show, and more. Vamos


Is there a schedule for the horse racing or is it a certain day of the month? I like horse racing.

tiotomasbcs - 5-15-2015 at 05:11 PM

I'll meet you in Mulege, Loreto, or halfdozen other places! See ya there. Get South! Tio

Sungirl - 5-16-2015 at 11:45 AM

Thank you all for the tips! A ray-stick? I have to look that up. I know they hurt (luckily an observation not personal experience!). Can't make it all the way to Mulege in a day, and when we checked, San Felipe looked busy. Maybe Hwy 1 down and then return taking the east route.
I always wanted to see the desert in bloom, definitively too late for that, if there was any this year at all.
Also want to bring my inflatable SUP and give it a try if the wind is not too bad.
Never a bad time, you are right.
See you down there :-)

bajabuddha - 5-16-2015 at 12:06 PM

A 'ray stick' is anything that is about 4' to 6' long, preferably lightweight, and you tap the sand in front of you as you wade to avoid a very injurious and painful pop in your vacation plans. I use either a stick of cardon or even a tube of 1/2" white PVC. Any stick will do. Rays are gorgeous to watch fly underwater, just not to step on.

Have a good trip, and post some pics when you get there. Happy trails,
bb:coolup:

rts551 - 5-16-2015 at 12:24 PM

For some us us we stay away from the heat and 100% humidity that June through August brings on the SOC. That is why we get visitors on the Pacific side.

[Edited on 5-16-2015 by rts551]

woody with a view - 5-16-2015 at 02:40 PM

LA Bay is awesome in May!

vandenberg - 5-16-2015 at 02:49 PM

For a ray stick use an old golf club shaft. :light:

bajabuddha - 5-16-2015 at 03:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by vandenberg  
For a ray stick use an old golf club shaft. :light:

I'd use a one-iron. No self-respecting ray would even come close to it.

Even God can't hit a one-iron. :smug: :spingrin:

[Edited on 5-16-2015 by bajabuddha]

BajaBlanca - 5-16-2015 at 03:54 PM

welcome and what a great name :sungirl"!

Equine One - 5-16-2015 at 06:52 PM

Don't know about the Sea of Cortez side, but northern Baja gets the "May Gray" and "June Gloom" the same as LA and SD. I don't know how far south you have to go to get away from it on the Pacific side, as I'm only just south of Ensenada. If you're passing through this way, plan on very variable weather and pack layers. The sun usually pokes out for a few hours here and there, but it can be foggy, windy, and downright chilly. Sometimes I actually like it, as it's a change from the sameness of the weather much of the year here. And you'll have more of the beaches to yourself if you don't mind a little atmospheric charm.

[Edited on 5-17-2015 by Equine One]

wilderone - 5-17-2015 at 06:34 AM

Just go - it is what it is. Never used a ray stick - do the sting ray shuffle - slide your feet along to avoid stepping on top of one.

Bajahowodd - 5-17-2015 at 05:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Sungirl  
Thank you all for the tips! A ray-stick? I have to look that up. I know they hurt (luckily an observation not personal experience!). Can't make it all the way to Mulege in a day, and when we checked, San Felipe looked busy. Maybe Hwy 1 down and then return taking the east route.
I always wanted to see the desert in bloom, definitively too late for that, if there was any this year at all.
Also want to bring my inflatable SUP and give it a try if the wind is not too bad.
Never a bad time, you are right.
See you down there :-)


San Felipe is definitely a place to avoid around Memorial day. The border to Mulege in the same day is crazy. You have to make at least one intermediate stop. If you don't want to drive from dawn til dusk, consider two. Stay overnight in San Quintin. Try the Jardines hotel. Then head down to San Igancio and stay at La Huerta. Easy shot to Mulege from there.

David K - 5-17-2015 at 05:31 PM

Memorial Day is an American holiday, and with so few Americans going to Mexico for vacation the past few years, it is really no big mob...

Bajahowodd - 5-19-2015 at 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Memorial Day is an American holiday, and with so few Americans going to Mexico for vacation the past few years, it is really no big mob...


Wanna bet? The town is crawling with Americans, many driving their cycles and three three wheelers kicking up dust throughout the town.