BajaNomad

LA to tip of Baja and back in May? We're traveling in a Westy.

tobias - 2-22-2018 at 04:56 PM

Easy peasy come on down.
Lots of westys down here this year. If you are on the samba you will see a thread in the first few pages about a group that comes down for whale watching every year.
May is going to be hot and your AC sucks if its anything approaching stock. Now is really the season for VWs but you will be fine.
There is a guy named geraldo that has a vanagon shop in La Paz but other than that you are on your own for vast stretches.
I would suggest BFG KO2s if you have 15 inch rims. No longer available in 14 so if you are stock get some general grabbers and air way down for the sand
Having a van is perfect down here.

JZ - 2-22-2018 at 05:01 PM

Do you swing, that will influence my answer.

Two weeks is pretty long for Bahia de Los Angeles. The beaches there are ok, but not spectular. Don't get me wrong, I love it there. You want to rent a boat and have them take you out to see the islands. Some have very nice bays/beaches. If you are feeling super adventureous, have someone take you out to puerto refugio, the bay at the top of Isla Ángel de la Guarda. It's a haul, but one of the most spectular ancorages in the entire Sea of Cortez.

Be sure to stop and stay a day or two at Gonzaga Bay. Beautiful beach. Fly right through San Felipe - don't stop. It's a dirty, reckneck party/off-roader town with terrible beaches.

I'd strongly suggest going all the way down to Loreto for a few days. Beautiful beaches at Bahia San Juanico and Isla Coronado. Best town in Baja.



[Edited on 2-23-2018 by JZ]

David K - 2-22-2018 at 05:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Do you swing, that will influence my answer.

Two weeks is pretty long for Bahia de Los Angeles. The beaches there are ok, but not spectular. Don't get me wrong, I love it there. You want to rent a boat and have them take you out to see the islands. Some have very nice bays/beaches. If you are feeling super adventureous, have someone take you out to puerto refugio, the bay at the top of Isla Ángel de la Guarda. It's a haul, but one of the most spectular ancorages in the entire Sea of Cortez.

Be sure to stop and stay a day or two at Gonzaga Bay. Beautiful beach. Fly right through San Felipe - don't stop. It's a dirty, reckneck party/off-roader town with terrible beaches.

I'd strongly suggest going all the way down to Loreto for a few days. Beautiful beaches at Bahia San Juanico and Isla Coronado. Best town in Baja.



[Edited on 2-23-2018 by JZ]


I didn't see where Bahia de los Angeles was mentioned? Two weeks for all of Baja is cutting it tight, but possible for a quick trip.

Welcome to Nomad, 'That Girl'!

JZ - 2-22-2018 at 05:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  


I didn't see where Bahia de los Angeles was mentioned?


Whoops, read the title too fast.


[Edited on 2-23-2018 by JZ]

willardguy - 2-22-2018 at 05:34 PM

"I didn't see where Bahia de los Angeles was mentioned? Two weeks for all of Baja is cutting it tight, but possible for a quick trip."

and where does DK come up with "all of baja"?


[Edited on 2-23-2018 by willardguy]

El Jefe - 2-22-2018 at 05:55 PM

OK you two. You can do this and you don't necessarily need anyone to join you. You will meet many great people along the way. Paula and I did the length of Baja trip for the first time in our '69 Westy in 1982. It was a glorious adventure, and we fell in love with Baja and one another (it was our second date). Some of the best two weeks of our lives, and memories to last. We made the trip the following year on our honeymoon, with a crossing on the ferry to the mainland. Now Baja is our home for half the year. Baja can be good for you, but it gets under your skin. It will haunt your dreams.

Go all the way to the tip. You will have to do a lot of driving, but it is a wonderful drive the first time. Getting there is the fun!

motoged - 2-22-2018 at 06:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Do you swing, that will influence my answer....
[Edited on 2-23-2018 by JZ]


:O Do you?

What kind of criteria is that? Your question might say more about you than the OP....:?:

David K - 2-22-2018 at 06:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
"I didn't see where Bahia de los Angeles was mentioned? Two weeks for all of Baja is cutting it tight, but possible for a quick trip."

and where does DK come up with "all of baja"?


[Edited on 2-23-2018 by willardguy]


It was meant more to mean "all of Hwy. 1" (to newbies that is all of Baja for their first trip)... we all know it requires more than one lifetime to see "all of Baja"! I have tried for over 50 years and there still is more of Baja I have not seen, than I have seen!

JZ - 2-22-2018 at 11:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thatgirlinthevanagon  
Right? Motoged? lol.

I edited the title to better reflect what we'd like to do. I realize we won't see the entirely of Baja!

Yeah, we can do it alone for sure...my partner is scared to venture into Mexico and I'm gung-ho...so I thought he'd be more comfortable if we were part of a group.

I think I'm going to look online for any books written about traveling through Baja.

Thanks for the warm welcome!


We live in LA as well, Calabasas to be exact.

My 16 yo kid drove us from the border to La Paz and back in December. It's pretty easy.

Ask your questions.


[Edited on 2-23-2018 by JZ]

ehall - 2-23-2018 at 07:23 AM

Lol. Nothing says welcome to Baja Nomads better than being ask if you swing. Good one JZ.

Go alone, its all about the adventure. You meet the nicest people in Baja.

David K - 2-23-2018 at 09:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall  


Go alone, its all about the adventure. You meet the nicest people in Baja.


This!

Just have fun... crossing the border (both directions) is the only negatives and city traffic (Ensenada and Los Cabos area) is the other non-fun part. The rest of Baja is a joy to behold!

I suggest reviewing my 2017 trip reports to see what's down there. I traveled about 12,000 miles in Baja that year researching for a new guide. Utilize what I posted (lot's of photos) ahead of the guide being published. Maps for the guide are in the Nomad Road Conditions forum.

Naturally, ask any questions!

[Edited on 2-23-2018 by David K]

thatgirlinthevanagon - 2-23-2018 at 11:34 AM

Will do David K!

thatgirlinthevanagon - 2-23-2018 at 02:47 PM

...and JZ, I'm curious how being swingers would influence your answer.
Interest piqued.

tobias - 2-23-2018 at 03:15 PM

You guys need to all meet up with the guy looking for a cheap hot tub

JZ - 2-23-2018 at 05:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thatgirlinthevanagon  
...and JZ, I'm curious how being swingers would influence your answer.
Interest piqued.


Good to know, I'll pm you with more details... pics...




[Edited on 2-24-2018 by JZ]

woody with a view - 2-23-2018 at 05:53 PM

yeah, just go. the only swinging you need is on a hammock.

motoged - 2-23-2018 at 06:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by thatgirlinthevanagon  
...and JZ, I'm curious how being swingers would influence your answer.
Interest piqued.


Good to know, I'll pm you with more details...



Part of your "lifestyle"? You asked the question on a public forum....why not continue being "out" with your curiousity ?

thatgirlinthevanagon - 2-24-2018 at 09:30 PM

YES! Woody with a view!