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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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AMÉN to that Diana!
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
We always travel day by day and keep the options open as you might find one place you want to stay a few days or more----just watch the distances on
the map because it takes longer to drive 200 miles in Baja than it does in the states.
HAVE A GREAT TIME
[Edited on 12-3-2011 by DianaT] |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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koolaukid
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 12-1-2011
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"just watch the distances on the map because it takes longer to drive 200 miles in Baja than it does in the states."
You guys are a wealth of information, led me in several directions I wasn't aware of. Checked into Bahia Ascuncion, found Shari's website with a
bunch of photos. While there, looked into Vizcaino mentioned by David K. Also checked Bahia De Los Angeles, trying to find the road in and noticed a
whole bunch of dirt roads extending south from BDLA. I'm an old dirt bike guy and have been reading about the Baja 1000 and SCORE 500 for decades.
Spent another hour or so looking closeup at Google Earth. Whew, there's nothing down there but cool deserted beaches, cooler long dirt roads and
isolated valleys. It looks THE place to have a big dual sport and a GPS.
I think we're going to wing it without reservations except for Christmas Day, the first day and La Paz, because we drop the car and fly north out of
there. The first day will probably be modest, not knowing how long it'll take to cross the border, get tourist cards, rent a car and get out of Dodge
so probably Ensenada the first day. That would allow an early arrival, that way we'll still have time to do something. In other places it seems
there is a sliding scale of different establishments offering different levels of service and if one town is full we'll just try for the next.
Already pushing the envelope with this trip, if we end up sleeping in the car I'm in trouble! It sounds like the key will be to start early and find
a place while there is still time for an option B, whatever that may be.
Like most first trips we'll probably learn enough to really ask the right questions the next time. But until then this forum has been great. Scott
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by koolaukid
"just watch the distances on the map because it takes longer to drive 200 miles in Baja than it does in the states."
You guys are a wealth of information, led me in several directions I wasn't aware of. Checked into Bahia Ascuncion, found Shari's website with a
bunch of photos. While there, looked into Vizcaino mentioned by David K. Also checked Bahia De Los Angeles, trying to find the road in and noticed a
whole bunch of dirt roads extending south from BDLA. I'm an old dirt bike guy and have been reading about the Baja 1000 and SCORE 500 for decades.
Spent another hour or so looking closeup at Google Earth. Whew, there's nothing down there but cool deserted beaches, cooler long dirt roads and
isolated valleys. It looks THE place to have a big dual sport and a GPS.
I think we're going to wing it without reservations except for Christmas Day, the first day and La Paz, because we drop the car and fly north out of
there. The first day will probably be modest, not knowing how long it'll take to cross the border, get tourist cards, rent a car and get out of Dodge
so probably Ensenada the first day. That would allow an early arrival, that way we'll still have time to do something. In other places it seems
there is a sliding scale of different establishments offering different levels of service and if one town is full we'll just try for the next.
Already pushing the envelope with this trip, if we end up sleeping in the car I'm in trouble! It sounds like the key will be to start early and find
a place while there is still time for an option B, whatever that may be.
Like most first trips we'll probably learn enough to really ask the right questions the next time. But until then this forum has been great. Scott
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You should not have issues with finding rooms to rent during this timeline. We travel during the holidays too...if we are not at our beach house in
San Felipe.
BTW....a few of the older hotels such as The Old Mill (closed) would always have a room avail for late night check in. One simply would go to that
room...and "checked in" the following a.m. Room 15 was for this purpose at the Mill. There will be some sort of note at the front office about
this...some motels are great, hun?!
BoLA......my top 5 destinations for Baja. You certainly wont have a hotel issue there. I strongly recommend this place...but it MAY be booked. Do call
them.
https://sites.google.com/site/bahianewsletterdec2011/
Daggetts is our next choice. On the beach too. Clean motel that aint the Holiday Inn....and campsites. Away from the town too.
http://www.campdaggetts.info/
[Edited on 12-4-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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The thing with a trip like this, is keeping to your itinerary - finding yourself at the hotel you made the reservation on the day you think you'll be
there. Baja ain't like that. I would go for the gusto. After the first couple days of driving, looking at the map, getting a feel for your
curiosity quotient, considering time of sundown, you'll be able to gauge when and where you'll be ending up at the end of the day. You might find you
want to chill at one place for 2-3 days and make day trips from a basecamp so to speak. Loreto is a good place for that. Mulege is another; you'd
enjoy San Ignacio. The hotel at Catavina is a good first day if you cross the border about 6 am. Make reservations for this day. However, some
places have a minimum two night stay for Christmas Day, or New Years Day. Might cover those reservations if that applies. Most of the larger towns
have many hotels from which to choose.
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koolaukid
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 12-1-2011
Member Is Offline
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Thank you
"Baja ain't like that."
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experience with us. Very informative and insightful. My daughter and I are dark tanned
Asians, probably not a lot like us traveling in Baja. If anyone of you runs across us, say "hi", I'd love the chance to return the favor with a cold
cerveza.
One last question, how current is the information under the "traveler's guide" tab on the homepage?
Scott
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by koolaukid
"Baja ain't like that."
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experience with us. Very informative and insightful. My daughter and I are dark tanned
Asians, probably not a lot like us traveling in Baja. If anyone of you runs across us, say "hi", I'd love the chance to return the favor with a cold
cerveza.
One last question, how current is the information under the "traveler's guide" tab on the homepage?
Scott |
Last revised: June 21, 2002
(just took a peak at the San Felipe page there... ).
See posts from edm-1 (Art) we have camped with him a few times and he has a great time in Baja... He also was with his daughter on the Mision Santa
Maria trip last year...
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by koolaukid
"Baja ain't like that."
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experience with us. Very informative and insightful. My daughter and I are dark tanned
Asians, probably not a lot like us traveling in Baja. If anyone of you runs across us, say "hi", I'd love the chance to return the favor with a cold
cerveza.
One last question, how current is the information under the "traveler's guide" tab on the homepage?
Scott |
My daughter and I are dark tanned Asians, probably not a lot like us traveling in Baja.
You might be in for a surprise :-) Asians in not a rare in Baja. You may want to state your make of car..or?
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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koolaukid
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 12-1-2011
Member Is Offline
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"Asians in not a rare in Baja." Lol, Asians are getting to the point where they're ten for a dollar.
But in Asia, fair skin is prized, there are a number of high priced ointments and treatments sold to lighten skin color so most asians are light
skinned. Where I live, everyone surfs so we're dark. In Asia, we are considered "low class" and "dirt farmers" as dark complexions are low caste.
The car won't be much help either as we're renting a compact car from Budget. I have no idea of the model or color. Here is a photo of my wife and
girls from a recent trip to Peru, hope this helps, also we'll be in Ensenada the evening of 12-20 and La Paz the evening of 12-29. I'm serious about
the cerveza.
Scott
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SEOPtRgzYx306o3tC5XkF9...
[Edited on 12-4-2011 by koolaukid]
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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scott - you are going to have a wonderful trip ...baja is like no place on Earth...if you are bringing your daughter - perhaps have her write on
bajanomad too - that way she can prepare as well..
In San Ignacio, there is a little guest house called Casa Leree owned by jane from san francisco .... it is simple and reasonable and we love staying
there:
www.casaleree.com
the yurts are wonderful too, but a bit more expensive. however, the meals gary and terry make are out of this worls and do need a reservation. sleep
at casa leree and eat at san ignacio springs B&B (best of both worlds)
In Loreto we recommend COCO CABANAS. Tell Steven that you are with bajanomad and get a discount - also, tell him I recommended you and ask for a
further discount LOL the rooms are spotless, the pool is great fun and the location is off the beaten track ....
Have fun !!! stay far away from loose sand. and watery sand. maybe take a small shovel. and definitely take water and snacks....vacations in baja are
an adventure
WELCOME TO THE SANDBOX. take pics and let us know how it went after your trip....
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by koolaukid
"Asians in not a rare in Baja." Lol, Asians are getting to the point where they're ten for a dollar.
But in Asia, fair skin is prized, there are a number of high priced ointments and treatments sold to lighten skin color so most asians are light
skinned. Where I live, everyone surfs so we're dark. In Asia, we are considered "low class" and "dirt farmers" as dark complexions are low caste.
The car won't be much help either as we're renting a compact car from Budget. I have no idea of the model or color. Here is a photo of my wife and
girls from a recent trip to Peru, hope this helps, also we'll be in Ensenada the evening of 12-20 and La Paz the evening of 12-29. I'm serious about
the cerveza.
Scott
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SEOPtRgzYx306o3tC5XkF9...
[Edited on 12-4-2011 by koolaukid] |
Welll..make sure that we all here at BN gets a good photo essay of your trip! Have fun.....wish I was in your suitcase.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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