BajaNomad

Family trip suggestions - entire peninsula

kylet - 10-4-2020 at 05:16 PM

Hi Nomads,

I am taking my family to Baja for the first time this month. I’ve been surfing and fishing the peninsula on and off my whole life, but honestly have not done much exploring without my surf goggles on. My oldest son is so surf crazy that he won’t care where we go, but I really want to make the trip enjoyable and educational for my wife and youngest.

Where would you take your family? I have a favorite central Baja surf spot on the list, as well as a nice East cape Airbnb for a few days, so the whole peninsula is in play. We will take 2 1/2 or 3 weeks to drive it. I’m not into camping near anywhere populated, but we will camp a bit and stay in hotels a bit.

Thanks for your input!
Kyle

SFandH - 10-4-2020 at 05:20 PM

I recommend camping at Playa Coyote about 20 miles south of Mulege on Bahia Concepcion for as long as you like.

https://www.google.com.mx/search?hl=en&tbm=isch&sxsr...

[Edited on 10-5-2020 by SFandH]

aburruss - 10-4-2020 at 05:29 PM

I took the family (wife, 3.5 kids, 2 dogs) down and baja over 3+ weeks. Here's my report. Lots of "family" fun stuff.. Not much camping, except the palapas in San Juanico. Maybe some of this will give you some ideas? Hope you enjoy your trip!!

Part 1:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93321

Part 2:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93456

Part 3:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93457

Part 4:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=93458

AKgringo - 10-4-2020 at 05:34 PM

What are you driving, and are you interested in back roads, or prefer keeping on the main roads?

Not that it really matters, but what are the ages of your kids? It may help with suggestions.

kylet - 10-4-2020 at 06:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
What are you driving, and are you interested in back roads, or prefer keeping on the main roads?

Not that it really matters, but what are the ages of your kids? It may help with suggestions.

Don’t laugh too hard... this trip I’ll be driving a 2wd sprinter which I have taken on 2 central Baja trips with mostly good results so far. It’s been as remote as Punta Vibora, but that was a stretch. I’d never do that drive with my family in this vehicle. I’ve found with the right driver inputs and expectations it’s pretty capable in everything but sand and mud. I’ve been building a Baja only truck (pic below) but it’s not wife appropriate and only has the front bench anyway.

Kids are 5 and 8. Both are excellent fisherman and the 8 year old is a pretty competent (if over confident) surfer. And a tiny dog for company.

60D3E68F-D7DA-4784-9787-A3BDE2224095.jpeg - 119kB



[Edited on 10-5-2020 by kylet]

mtgoat666 - 10-4-2020 at 06:18 PM

Highlights:

Car camping at San Pedro martir, day hikes and mountain biking on the plateau, hike and scramble up blue bottle peak (but that may be a bit of a long hike for young kids)

Whale watching at Laguna San Ignacio (early February to early April).

Climb rocks and explore catavina.

3-day Mule ride to see the cave paintings in Sierra de San Francisco.

Beaches and islands between loreto and la paz.

East cape

Bahia de Los Angeles

AKgringo - 10-4-2020 at 06:39 PM

The Sprinter will serve you well. My brother in law uses one for their road trips these days, and loves it! You don't need a rugged 4x4 to have a great time for three weeks, but there are a few cool spots that a sprinter would be a high risk.

More later, I actually have a visitor right now! (TMI ?)

JZ - 10-4-2020 at 07:22 PM

How much off roading do you want to do.

Have spent the last 10 years taking my kids to Baja several times a year. I'll hook you up with some good ideas.

advrider - 10-4-2020 at 08:08 PM

Whales won't be running while you are there, but do return with the family for that trip. Bay of LA (La Gringa beach on the North end of town) for a night or two of camping. Lots to explore in the area and fishing from the beach, local boat out to the islands for the day?
Farther South of LA Bay down the dirt road you could camp at Los Animos (sp?) mangroves and fishing. On the list but I've never done that one. Look for some fossils around El Rosario area and head out to the seven sisters?
Surfing, you can't miss scorpion bay for a day or two, lot's of info in the above trip report.

kylet - 10-4-2020 at 08:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
How much off roading do you want to do.

Have spent the last 10 years taking my kids to Baja several times a year. I'll hook you up with some good ideas.

Completely comfortable off roading, with the exception of long sandy stretches and mud/marsh due to vehicle limitations.

Currently the plan is
Day 1 ojai (home) to camalu and nearby surfing
Day 2 cataviña and exploring, painted rocks, chill out
Days 3-5 central Baja surf spot favorite of mine
Day 6 mulege or la bocana
Day 7 somewhere along the way need idea. Maybe Scorpion bay, but I really hate crowded surf
Day 8 to 11 East cape. Probably around la Ribera unless there is SE swell running
Days 12-18 or so, heading back north and playing it by ear

AKgringo - 10-4-2020 at 08:43 PM

It is funny that you mentioned Las Animas, I was there at the end of February in my Isuzu Trooper. It is one of the "cool places" that I would not recommend for a 2wd transit!

A little further down the road at Bahia San Rafael, used to be one of my stops, but since Pancho passed away, it has become more of a commercial fish camp. It might be worth checking out though.

Puerto San Francisquito, or the beach near by might be a good stop, but I have not been there lately.

Keep in mind that the road south of Bahia de Los Angeles to highway 1 is a hundred miles or so of dirt road. Usually pretty good shape, but no gaurantee!

del mar - 10-4-2020 at 09:02 PM

I'd head out to the Vizcaino peninsula!

JZ - 10-4-2020 at 09:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by kylet  

Completely comfortable off roading, with the exception of long sandy stretches and mud/marsh due to vehicle limitations.

Currently the plan is
Day 1 ojai (home) to camalu and nearby surfing
Day 2 cataviña and exploring, painted rocks, chill out
Days 3-5 central Baja surf spot favorite of mine
Day 6 mulege or la bocana
Day 7 somewhere along the way need idea. Maybe Scorpion bay, but I really hate crowded surf
Day 8 to 11 East cape. Probably around la Ribera unless there is SE swell running
Days 12-18 or so, heading back north and playing it by ear


We live in Calabasas, use to live in Camarillo. The kids cut their teeth riding at Ballenger Canyon above Ojai before trips to Baja.

Watch this video. It has many of my favorite spots in Baja in it. I'll tell you where they are when I get a minute.

https://youtu.be/4VNTIhRa6q0

BajaBlanca - 10-5-2020 at 02:01 AM

La Bocana!!!!! We have a lagoon and the local cooperative does day boat trips where you can fish (catch and release) and kids can slide down the dunes.

Right now the water temps are wonderful but remember to shuffle shuffle and shuffle some more on the water edge. Abreojos is so close for surfing.


Campo Rene is not open for business but you can go there and spend the day fishing. Bird watching is fun and the beach on the other side of the lagoon has sand dollars galore. Truly a magical place.

For your wife, I think she will love our little hotel - it is unique in that you have access to the whole house - livingroom, diningroom, full kitchen and the porch is great for gazing at the ocean. Because of Covid, we need to social distance, which i abhor, but I am at risk and still have much to do on Earth - no can die yet!

All of you will enjoy the seafood at our beach restaurant - the lobsters are in the aquarium and you see the waiters catch them for your $250 peso lobster dinner. That is a unique experience for kids.

You are, I might add, very smart to take the wife to the East Cape!

Have the most wonderful trip and even if you do not stay with us, please come over and introduce yourselves!

David K - 10-5-2020 at 08:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
I'd head out to the Vizcaino peninsula!


The Vizcaino Peninsula region is included in my Trip #5 report... lots of photos: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86781

The only major change is that the entire Tortugas highway is now paved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are all 8 research trip reports:

2017 Baja Bound Road Guide & Map Research Trips

TRIP #1 (San Felipe to Punta San Francisquito via L.A. Bay): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85374

TRIP #2 (San Ignacio to Loreto, Ligüí, San Javier, Comondú, La Purísima): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85756

TRIP #3 (Mexicali to San Felipe, Valle Chico, Matomí, Parral, + El Rosario area): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85989

TRIP #4 (Valle de Trinidad crossover, San Quintin to Laguna Manuela and 7 Sisters coast road): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86376

TRIP #5 (Central Baja: El Arco, El Barril, San Francisco de la Sierra, Abreojos, Asuncion, Tortugas, Eugenia, Pronghorn Reserve): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86781

TRIP #6 (Southernmost Baja: San Ignacio to San Juanico, Loreto to Cabo San Lucas, San Evaristo, and more): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=87323

TRIP #7 (Pacific North, San Pedro Mártir Mountains):
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=87976

In 2018:
TRIP #8 (Tecate to Ensenada; Ensenada to San Felipe and south to Hwy. 1; Sierra Juárez Laguna Hanson road from Hwy. 3 to Hwy. 2): http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=91029


I created 30 maps to illustrate the roads I traveled or mentioned: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=88771

As always, feel free to ask questions!

advrider - 10-5-2020 at 07:22 PM

I second La Bocana and Blanca's hotel. Stayed this year and really enjoyed it, can't wait to take the wife back...

BajaBlanca - 10-5-2020 at 07:49 PM

:biggrin:

AKgringo - 10-5-2020 at 08:04 PM

For the sake of clarity, remember that there are several places called "La Bocana"!

sightseeing options near Gr. Negro

Whale-ista - 10-5-2020 at 09:32 PM

If you want to add a natural history day, and since it's early for whales: as you pass thru Gr. Negro, consider a side trip to see the endangered Pronghorns at the preserve that's been created.

There's an interpretive center with educational displays about whales and other animals in the region, as well as the pronghorns in a large outdoor enclosure nearby.

The babies won't arrive until spring (that's when I visited last year), but the adults are impressive.


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A tour of the saltworks is also educational- and impressive- if they like really big trucks.

by

Have a safe/fun trip!

amigobaja - 10-6-2020 at 07:49 AM

My grandson and i spent the month of august between san quiten la bocana and bola. Best road trip of his life. Huge grouper and yelowtails. He probably caught and released 40 fish kayaking in the mouth of the Laguna at la bocana and even a nice halibut from the beach. Swam with the whale sharks in bola and again huge yellows.if you have to many fish at la bocana blanca has plenty of locals that would appreciate having.
Blancas house is perfect for your kids. Plus inexpensive

David K - 10-6-2020 at 07:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
For the sake of clarity, remember that there are several places called "La Bocana"!


Almost every lagoon entrance and many canyon entrances too!

advrider - 10-6-2020 at 07:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
For the sake of clarity, remember that there are several places called "La Bocana"!




But only one has a Blanca with a cool hotel! LOL...

Don Jorge - 10-6-2020 at 12:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by kylet  
Days 12-18 or so, heading back north and playing it by ear

Pencil in La Paz, snorkel Isolote, on to a few days camping at Conejos. If you are a bit goofy even better.
Enjoy!

BajaBlanca - 10-6-2020 at 06:54 PM

David K, you are so right. Estero de La Bocana is our official name.

We are close to Punta Abreojos and right in the middle of the peninsula.

We do NOT charge for kids!

kylet - 10-7-2020 at 11:35 AM

Just wanted to log in and say thanks for all the suggestions! What a great community.

Cheers
Kyle

mtgoat666 - 10-7-2020 at 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
We do NOT charge for kids!


my wife says I am just a big kid, so free for me!
All you can eat buffet?

AKgringo - 10-7-2020 at 12:02 PM

Kylet; When passing through the La Paz area, you may be interested in Campestre Maranatha. It is an RV park/campground that also has a few rental bungalows and dorm rooms.

An excellent coffee shop and bakery is on the property, and they also serve great breakfasts and sandwiches. There are washing machines available, but count on enough time to line dry any laundry.

The management is third generation there, and bi-lingual. They are a great source for information about local attractions or services.

Here is a link;
http://ioverlander.com/places/4532-campestre-maranatha

David K - 10-7-2020 at 12:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Kylet; When passing through the La Paz area, you may be interested in Campestre Maranatha. It is an RV park/campground that also has a few rental bungalows and dorm rooms.

An excellent coffee shop and bakery is on the property, and they also serve great breakfasts and sandwiches. There are washing machines available, but count on enough time to line dry any laundry.

The management is third generation there, and bi-lingual. They are a great source for information about local attractions or services.

Here is a link;
http://ioverlander.com/places/4532-campestre-maranatha


Located at Km. 11 as you approach the outskirts of La Paz, near the airport: