BajaNomad - Driving from San Diego to Cabo, where should I stay?

Driving from San Diego to Cabo, where should I stay?

freedom45 - 8-10-2022 at 12:40 PM

Preface: Newbie to the forums here. First time in Baja/Sur. This is for a 3-week trip in October. Hoping to only drive 4-6 hours a day, and stay a few days (up to a week) in one spot before moving onto the next. While I understand making a shortlist here is tough given all the amazing places one could visit, I have to pick and choose. Thanks in advance for the tips everyone!

Here's my list so far from North to South:
- Ensenada
- Loreto
- La Paz
- Cabo San Lucas

[EDIT: It will be my partner and I, and our small dog, in a sedan. Hoping to stay in moderately priced Airbnb's, resorts and hotels too. Wouldn't mind a few nights camped out on a beach that isn't too crowded (yet accessible via a sedan -- do these "unicorn" spots even exist?). We're foodies that love vistas, sunsets, deserted beaches and exploring quaint towns!]

[Edited on 8-11-2022 by freedom45]

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 8-10-2022 at 03:18 PM

Any suggestions from this group of Nomads would be more useful if we knew a bit about what you like to see and do, and what you are driving. Will you be looking for resorts, budget accommodations, RV parking, or campsites?

I travel solo (with a large dog) so most of my choices may not be right for you. Back roads and deserted places are what I look for, with the bulk of my travel expenses going toward gasoline and restaurants along the route.

In addition to the communities you mentioned, I would add Mulege. I first stopped there in 1986, and of all the places I have visited since then it has changed the least.

David K - 8-10-2022 at 03:57 PM

Or, avoid the hours of traffic going through Ensenada and all the farming towns to El Rosario, and take Hwy. 5. Stay at San Felipe, San Ignacio, Loreto, etc. Or, be daring and see Bahia de los Angeles with many motels there, south of San Felipe. A three week trip should not be all be driving and staying at Cabo! You pass all the rest of Baja if just going to Cabo!
Plane to see sites, try the food, play on the beaches, explore the missions and villages!

Plenty of time to research the options. Do you want to see more than a blur? Study the photos, maps, and history at www.vivabaja.com then ask questions!

Enchanted Islands, Hwy. 5, Km. 99, south of San Felipe

Bahia de los Angeles

Mission San Ignacio

San Ignacio river crossing and oasis

El Pilón, La Purísima

Locals at San Evaristo (north of La Paz)

Camping beach at El Sargento (east of La Paz)

[Edited on 8-10-2022 by David K]

SFandH - 8-10-2022 at 04:42 PM

Yes, there are so many web resources to help with Baja trip planning.

I bet there's a live webcam at Miller's Landing. :lol:

Alm - 8-10-2022 at 04:58 PM

The most comfortable place to "stay" on a ride of this kind would be a seat on commercial flight LAX-SJD

. Most effortless. 2 hours and you are in Cabo.

freedom45 - 8-10-2022 at 05:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Any suggestions from this group of Nomads would be more useful if we knew a bit about what you like to see and do, and what you are driving. Will you be looking for resorts, budget accommodations, RV parking, or campsites?

I travel solo (with a large dog) so most of my choices may not be right for you. Back roads and deserted places are what I look for, with the bulk of my travel expenses going toward gasoline and restaurants along the route.

In addition to the communities you mentioned, I would add Mulege. I first stopped there in 1986, and of all the places I have visited since then it has changed the least.

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry should have provided those details! It will be my partner and I, and our small dog, in a sedan. Hoping to stay in moderately priced Airbnb's, resorts and hotels too. Wouldn't mind a few nights camped out on a beach that isn't too crowded (yet accessible via a sedan -- do these "unicorn" spots even exist?). We're foodies that love vistas, sunsets, deserted beaches and exploring quaint towns!

[Edited on 8-11-2022 by freedom45]

freedom45 - 8-10-2022 at 05:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Or, avoid the hours of traffic going through Ensenada and all the farming towns to El Rosario, and take Hwy. 5. Stay at San Felipe, San Ignacio, Loreto, etc. Or, be daring and see Bahia de los Angeles with many motels there, south of San Felipe. A three week trip should not be all be driving and staying at Cabo! You pass all the rest of Baja if just going to Cabo!
Plane to see sites, try the food, play on the beaches, explore the missions and villages!

Plenty of time to research the options. Do you want to see more than a blur? Study the photos, maps, and history at www.vivabaja.com then ask questions!

Thanks for the tips and amazing photos! :bounce:

David K - 8-10-2022 at 05:43 PM

You are welcome!
Almost every place can be reached in your car. An SUV would give you more comfort as dirt roads and sand may be between the pavement and desirable locations.
You risk getting 'Baja fever' which infects all of us here on Nomad and makes us go back to Baja, again and again for a new 'fix'!
I like your handle, freedom45!

Howard - 8-10-2022 at 07:19 PM

I have made that drive many times and I might suggest that you go as far as San Quintin the first day. It's an easy drive from the border and your next day to Loreto will be much easier. A good place to stay in San Quintin is Jardines and reservations might be a good idea.

It still can be pretty hot in October so make sure you have extra water for you guys and the pooch.

[Edited on 8-11-2022 by Howard]

advrider - 8-10-2022 at 07:47 PM

I'm with David on taking 5 down. We always stay a night or two in San Felipe at Kiki's. Then maybe Bay of LA a night or two. Hard to pass up the Baja cactus in El Rosario as well. Many choices after that for sure.
Lots of traffic and small towns to slow for on Highway 1, Ensenada is crazy busy and not my thing.

honda tom - 8-10-2022 at 07:56 PM

day 1 san quintin ... the mission hotel

day 2 guerrero negro.... malarrimo hotel

day 3 loreto ..... oasis hotel or hacienda suites

day 4 la paz ..... the marina hotel

day 5 cabo

just my opinion... but these all have a little something that keeps you coming back. If you want to shorten this schedule take out la paz.... loreto to cabo is no big deal in a day.

AKgringo - 8-10-2022 at 07:58 PM

Which ever route you head south on, take the other on the way north. I prefer the east side (hwy 5) but there is a lot to see on the west side (hwy 1)

Crossing at Tecate and using 3 going south to 1, or 2D east to 5 will allow you to dodge either Tijuana or Mexicali traffic.

BajaBlanca - 8-10-2022 at 08:48 PM

As long as it is not on a Monday (restaurant closed), I think you should stay at JARDINES in San Quintin. If I am not mistaken, one of their rooms is dog friendly. The hotel is situated in one of the most beautiful gardens around.

Welcome to Baja Nomad!

Alm - 8-10-2022 at 10:26 PM

Alright, if they insist on driving that far... I would at least scratch Ensenada, why and how did it get on the list, puzzles me. Take hwy 5 like others suggested, spend the 1st night in San Felipe-ish.

Another scenario - take a flight to La Paz, rent a car, drive to Cabo, go as far North as Mulege, visit Pacific coast and places in between. No pressure, no mandatory long mileage to cover.

[Edited on 8-11-2022 by Alm]

mtgoat666 - 8-10-2022 at 11:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm

Alright, if they insist on driving that far... I would at least scratch Ensenada, why and how did it get on the list, puzzles me. Take hwy 5 like others suggested, spend the 1st night in San Felipe-ish.

If my first visit to baja was San Felipe, I would have turned around and went home. San Felipe has zero appeal to tourists (except people that like mud beaches and eating dust on atvs).

Ensenada is a good stop for newbies. Skip San q. Stay at Catavina, San Ignacio, mulege, loreto, la paz. Skip cabo (go to cabo pulmo instead).

San Felipe and Hwy 5

ch47pilot - 8-11-2022 at 08:29 AM

OMG, this is a first, I agree with "GOAT". Drove from Cabo, took Mex 5 as suggested, found it to be underwhelming, found San Felipe to be a typical border town. The beach was wall to wall people, streets littered and dirty. I will stick to Hwy 1 in spite of some traffic delays, we love the small towns going south.

JZ - 8-11-2022 at 08:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard

I have made that drive many times and I might suggest that you go as far as San Quintin the first day. It's an easy drive from the border and your next day to Loreto will be much easier. A good place to stay in San Quintin is Jardines and reservations might be a good idea.

[Edited on 8-11-2022 by Howard]

This is very good advice on all counts. Jardiness is pretty nice.

If you do stay in Ensenada, I would pick Hotel Coral. Very nice property.

La Mision is the best hotel in Loreto.

Don Pisto - 8-11-2022 at 10:19 AM

I'd drive down to SQ but I'd stay stay at one of the old hotels, Old Mill, Don Eddies or Cielito Lindo, experience a little of whats left of old baja. then head out to the vizcaino and enjoy Asuncion, la bocana and abreojos. visit Loreto try to hit La Paz malecon on saturday night do the CSL deal head back and at Chapala take the 5 and see the only good part the 45 miles between Gonzaga and Puertecitos have a taco in san felipe take the 3 to ensenada and home to SD. have lunch in OB! :coolup:

SFandH - 8-11-2022 at 10:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by freedom45

Wouldn't mind a few nights camped out on a beach that isn't too crowded (yet accessible via a sedan -- do these "unicorn" spots even exist?). We're foodies that love vistas, sunsets, deserted beaches and exploring quaint towns!]

[Edited on 8-11-2022 by freedom45]

Quaint towns. - San Ignacio, Mulege

Beach camping driving a sedan. - The beaches on Bahia Concepcion south of Mulege.

David K - 8-11-2022 at 11:23 AM

San Felipe is 125 miles south of the border, so hardly is a 'border city', only find 'wall to wall' people on a Mexican holiday, like Semana Santa (Easter week), and I would agree with staying away then or just topping the gas tank and heading on through.

Ensenada a LOT bigger and busier than San Felipe and it takes close to an hour just to get through that mess.
I love all of Baja that is not developed... i.e. the countryside, beaches, etc. It pains me to recommend Hwy. 5 because I am very fond of El Rosario as an agricultural town with its exceptional Baja Cactus Motel and honest Pemex station next door. But, there is just no comparison with the lack of drama using Hwy. 5 vs. the twisty, congested, much slower, Hwy. 1.

Going down one highway and returning on another is great... Go south on the 5 for the best island views and back north on the 1 as you won't be in a hurry (hopefully).

Remember to visit Coco of Coco's Corner, as he in only on Hwy. 5... a living Baja legend! Nowhere has a man with no legs done so much in such a remote location... Pavement was only a recent addition, too. He was miles from others, on a dirt road, for over 30 years! Highway 5 was finished in 2020 and bypassed his original home by 4 miles... So, in 2021, with help, he moved to the new highway.

We stopped to visit Coco just over 4 months ago... Here he is greeting TMW at the doorway of his new Corner (Km. 179.5 south of San Felipe):

Women are compelled to donate to his ceiling collection!:

Bajazly - 8-11-2022 at 09:10 PM

I see a couple of my old co drivers "donation to the collection" hanging there :biggrin:

freediverbrian - 8-11-2022 at 09:32 PM

Both hwy1 and 5 have thier charms I would both. 1 south 5 north if it's your first cabo drive take in as much as you can. Many on this board have preconceived ideas. Make your own and post back. Good luck drive safe.