BajaNomad

Baja Feb 2016 - Trip Planning - Soliciting Advice!

Ramblinman - 12-26-2015 at 02:07 PM

Hi everyone,

I have been flirting with the idea of going to Baja with my 1998 Chev 1/2 Ton and 2010 Hawk ever since I got it. Convinced the G/F and the dogs (the dogs really didn't need convincing) that we should go. I think we know the main locations to tryout. We are hoping for the following:

Cold beer and Taco's
Nice Beaches to camp on.
Trouble free travel and campsites
Whale Watching
Great Scenery
Warm weather - we will be leaving Northern Canada in dead of winter

We will be driving the whole way obviously - I am thinking 3 days of hard driving to the Mexico Border.

I would be glad to hear any suggestions, ideas, or advice. We would like to camp in some isolated spots - but I do not want to get to technical in terms of 4WD as we will be travelling alone - I will have the recovery gear including a winch. In a perfect world we would like to get to Cabo in about 3 weeks or so.

Questions:

Is 21 Days enough to enjoy our selves on the beach and still make it to Cabo San Lucas?
Do you expect that we will be able to find some decent spots with out too much technical 4WD?
Any decent maps or books that might be recommended?
Any rabbit holes or traps that we should consider with our dogs?
Please suggest any must "sees"
Oh ya - how available is internet? Just wondering for the Map capability on my phone.
The truck has 165,000 Miles (266km) and has been well maintained .. any thing that I should consider on that end?

.. and feel free to chime in with any ideas. This will be our first trip. Hoping to travel as light as possible but that will be hard with 2 dogs and food etc.

I will prob post on a couple of different forums.

Thanks in advance

David K - 12-26-2015 at 02:37 PM

Welcome to Baja Nomad!
Great planning indeed. Understand you must be flexible in Mexico, especially in Baja. You may find a place that you are having a great time at and don't want to leave... or you may find a bridge washed out and need to wait a day or two for a detour to open.

Have a look at my 2012 trip report (15 days to Cabo and back) and see if you see things that you want more data on for your plans:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=61576

This year (2015) we went as far as Bahía Concepcion for a total of 9 days: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=79730

[Edited on 12-26-2015 by David K]

mcnut - 12-26-2015 at 03:01 PM

Is 21 Days enough to enjoy our selves on the beach and still make it to Cabo San Lucas?

Yes, 21 days will allow for a very leisurely trip.

Do you expect that we will be able to find some decent spots with out too much technical 4WD?

Yes, most locals are getting around in 2wd econ-boxes and PUs but they are experienced driving in marginal conditions.

Any decent maps or books that might be recommended?

Baja California Almanac if you can find it or the National Geographic Baja Adventure Travel Map set, North & South are very good.

Any rabbit holes or traps that we should consider with our dogs?

You should have their shots up to date and a recent Vet's Certificate of Health. Dogs are a very good security asset.

Please suggest any must "sees"

I'm sure others will have many suggestions.


Oh ya - how available is internet? Just wondering for the Map capability on my phone.

Don't know but would think the coverage is spotty therefor use a mapping app that allows offline navigation.

The truck has 165,000 Miles (266km) and has been well maintained .. any thing that I should consider on that end?

Know what are common issues for your vehicle and know that breakdowns are part of travel, you will be going a minimum 2500 miles in MX. I have a Chev Diesel that is not ultra common in Baja so once I was within the failure mileage (100k +) for the unique waterpump I carried a spare.

Bruce

bajaguy - 12-26-2015 at 03:07 PM

Guerrero Negro and the whale center for beach side camping and whale watching tour with Baja Nomad Shari (another certified Canadian)

http://www.whalemagictours.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Whale-Magic-Tours-166548610203571/

shari - 12-26-2015 at 05:06 PM

hey there Ramblinman...welcome to the sandbox! I used to just suck it up and from the ferry terminal it was 38 hours to Guerrero Negro...just barreled down I-5 to get to La La Land as fast as I could.

I would be happy to introduce you to some whales and your doggies can watch from shore and swim in the lagoon. You can camp in the magical place or get a hotel in town. I can dial you in on some must see spots while we are suckin back beer on the beach! You are gonna love it!

Ramblinman - 12-26-2015 at 06:14 PM

Thanks for the quick replies! We are trying to decide on which border crossing to use. Can anyone make a recommendation?

windgrrl - 12-26-2015 at 06:33 PM

What part of Canada are you leaving from?

wilderone - 12-27-2015 at 09:56 AM

While Baja in February is warmer than Canada, it can still get very cold at night. Bring gear and clothing for wind and 40 degrees.
Must see: whale watching at Ojos de Liebre and San Ignacio. Camping is great at the Ojos site. Just drive out thre and sign up for a boat the next morning (if you have blue sky and calm water).
Bahia de Los Angeles is nice beach camping, and San Borja has a nice camping area, plus the mission site.

hombre66 - 12-27-2015 at 09:58 AM

Entry?If your'e coming from BC down I-5, Mexicali entry via the SoCal high desert. Head for Tehachapi just after Bakersfield and follow a route that goes thru Victorville, Palm Desert, Salton Sea to the border. Why, you may ask? You will avoid all the SoCal Metro areas horrendous traffic(as well as Tijuanas) and enter Baja fairly primed,since much of the high desert area in SoCal is as wonderous as the scenery in Baja. You will also avoid the tedium of passing thru the duller part of N.Baja thats now heavily agricultural. Driving the new section of Mex 5 after San Felipe is a treat and will reduce your driving stress you would experience on west coast highway 1.

David K - 12-27-2015 at 10:14 AM

While I like hombre66's route, all crossings have different advantages. In most cases, signage will point you in the right direction. Getting lost is only temporary and it makes for a great story later!

Crossing through Ensenada to go south, along with the many farm towns in the San Quintin Valley is a great incentive to use Mexico Hwy. 5, at least in one of the directions through Baja. South on Hwy. 5 and then come north on Hwy. 1 or 1 & 3, to the border, so you see more of Baja California.

PS, the most useful map for a Baja road trip is the AAA Baja California map, last printed in 2010 and no longer made. Some AAA offices far from the border of Mexico still have them. You are welcome to utilize my scans of it: http://s213.photobucket.com/user/DavidKier/library/Maps/AAA%...

[Edited on 12-27-2015 by David K]

Ramblinman - 12-27-2015 at 12:05 PM

Wow! Thanks for the prompt replies everyone. We are leaving from Alberta Canada and we ware hoping to get to the Mexico Border soonest. It will be tough to pass all the great spots along the way but we are committed to travelling Baja.

Is Boondocking still safe?

windgrrl - 12-27-2015 at 12:28 PM

If you have a clear weather window through Montana, Idaho and Utah -
Cross at the Coutts Border, then down the I-15 to Pocatello to Mesquite and then US 95 to Jacumba or Potrero State Campground (3 days long driving). It is then possible to camp at Catavina, Loreto and finish up in Cabo. Then you could wind your way back at leisure. If I was camping, I would not miss the Ojo de Liebre Laguna south of Guerrero Negro.

Plan on staying in some hotels because even in late March, storms can bring risky travel conditions and cold in the mountain passes on both the I-15 and 1-5 until you cross into Mexico. Many Canadian snow birds leave in October and return in March, partly to avoid winter driving and camping conditions.

Yes, boon-docking is still possible, but rest stops may be closed due to lack of funds or weather. Some malls will ask you to move on. Super truck stops are an option with pay showers.

For trouble free travel, you will need less than you think, but be prepared with the basics and fuel up when you see a gas station.

AKgringo - 12-27-2015 at 12:38 PM

From Alberta, I would take the inland route to Mexicalli, then down Mex 5. The west coast down through CA may be an efficient road, but I'll take wide open spaces as much as I can get! The southern California megalopolis is more than this rural guy can deal with.

There are many places to check out on your trip, you will need more time, or another trip. One stop I recommend, is Los Barriles. It is a neat little town, with a camp ground/RV park on the beach at the north end if you are in need of such, or you can set up on the arroyo next to it.

Keep reading older reports for more ideas, and have a great trip!

windgrrl - 12-27-2015 at 12:41 PM

Altenative route: overnight in Cranbrook, cross at Kingsgate, stay near Hood River, then I-5 to Medford. It will potentially be cold and snowy, but there less high mountain passes are lots of super truck stops along the way. The weather could be better, but again watch for storms rolling in from the Pacific. Then drive from Medford to Rancho San Diego (be prepared to know LA route and driving). Then drive to Tecate, cross and head on Mexico #3 to Ensenada and reward yourselves with a stop in a Hotel in San Quintin. Actually, meals and hotels are pretty inexpensive. Maps and GPS will be your friend through major centres. A little Spanish helps too. Then, Guerro Negro to Loreto, then on to Cabo.

Do your research if it's your first time driving in the US and plan your stops for safe driving. We don't drive like banshees anymore...U2U me if you want the slow route.

Enjoy your adventure planning,
J

Request

bajaguy - 12-27-2015 at 12:49 PM

Ramblinman - If you have room, please bring me a bottle of Alberta Springs 10 year rye whiskey. We can meet when you pass through Ensenada

Thank you

hombre66 - 12-27-2015 at 01:03 PM

Not sure why windgirl wants you to deviate all the way over to Medford Oregon and all the way down I-5 , especially since you'd like to bee-line it as efficiently as possible. Possibilities of challenging weather are everywhere, even the Siskyous south of Medford. Great Falls/Pocatello /Salt Lake to Las Vegas is an obvious straight on.

woody with a view - 12-27-2015 at 01:03 PM

here's all you REALLY need to know:

3 weeks is more than enough time
have vehicle insurance
use ATM to get Pesos by the 1000's at a time
don't drive at night
keep your fuel + 1/2 tank
try something you've never eaten at least once a week
try to hang out with the locals occasionally

don't be a d!ck

hombre66 - 12-27-2015 at 01:08 PM

Take it from th' Woodmeister...Pesos is the magic word. Buy everything in pesos and your chances of getting shortchanged diminish, especially at the Mexican gas pump.

23S52N - 12-27-2015 at 01:14 PM

I do the trip twice a year from north of Edmonton to La Paz and have used the tecate crossing coming down thru the cluster f*** of I15. This year I followed some good advice and cut off I15 at Vegas and had a wonderful and peaceful drive through the desert to el centro, then crossed at Mexicali east and down 5. The last 40 kms of goat trail to #1 is a breeze and leaves the Pacific route to those who don't mind the traffic etc.

I'm in no hurry so take 8 days. I've iron butted it in 5 but you're gonna have long days on the road doing the ab to mex in 3 days, plus you're driving in winter. Enjoy your trip and be safe.

Regards,
Keith

windgrrl - 12-27-2015 at 03:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
Not sure why windgirl wants you to deviate all the way over to Medford Oregon and all the way down I-5 , especially since you'd like to bee-line it as efficiently as possible. Possibilities of challenging weather are everywhere, even the Siskyous south of Medford. Great Falls/Pocatello /Salt Lake to Las Vegas is an obvious straight on.


If you've ever tried to escape winter in Alberta you'd understand you need options when you're on a timeline. :saint:

hombre66 - 12-27-2015 at 06:12 PM

True windgrrl... with your reminder, I recall trying to get to Havre Montana from Seattle in the winter. Perhaps our travelers will scrutinize weather reports till the last minute. I know I would hate having to do the detour. What a haul for these guys.