marla
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 10-29-2003
Location: Long Beach
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La Paz to Nopolo and Loreto around New Year
Hi Nomads, I haven't been on this board for a long time, so hola. I've been many places in Baja, but never La Paz. I want to ask for your
recommendations and suggestions. We are flying into La Paz Dec. 27 and renting a car to drive up to Nopolo, where I'm borrowing a house at the former
Loreto Bay. We'll stay there and then fly back out of La Paz on Jan. 4th.
I'm familiar with Loreto, but I've never been to Nopolo or La Paz. We are two single moms and two teenage kids traveling. I'm thinking we will arrive
late in the evening in La Paz, pick up our rental car, check into Baja Paradise guesthouse in La Paz and spend one day just checking out the town,
then take off the following morning to drive up to Loreto. Which the guidebook describes as the ugliest drive in Baja.  I was thinking perhaps we should swing by one of the towns near Magdalena Bay to
inquire if there are any early whales in the lagoon, on our way to Nopolo. Then arrive at our house. Is there anything to do in Nopolo? Are there
boats that go out to the islands from there? Or do we need to drive into Loreto? I guess there's a little tour outfit in the former Loreto Bay
complex, I was going to inquire if they can take the teenagers out bike riding or any other activities to keep them busy. I also heard the road to San
Javier is now paved so maybe we can drive up there. My friend has never been to southern Baja. Any thing to do or see on the drive between La Paz and
Loreto? Places to eat? We are on a budget, but I do want to keep the kids occupied so they don't get bored. We don't dive and I'm sure it will be too
cold to swim. I've been to Isla Coronado a few times, so maybe a different boat trip? Thanks!
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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LORETO SEA AND LAND ECO-TOURS
(01)-613-135-0680
They´ll take care of you, no worries. Ask for Sara, she and her partner Juve are co-owners, life-long Baja citizens and my personal friends.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Marla,
We live in Nopolo. To the question if there is much to do here, I have to answer "not really" 
You can rent bikes here though and even some motorized stuff.
You can get a panga for snorkeling or fishing right at Nopolo beach. There is a palapa on the beach with rental equipment. Kayaks, paddle boards etc.
Here and at the hotel you can reserve a boat that will pick you up at the beach in the morning to fish, whale watch or take a ride to the islands,
The drive from La Paz to Loreto is indeed not very scenic, except for the last 40 to 50 miles or so, which takes you through the Giganta mountains and
is rather pretty.
The best place for whales would be Lopez Mateos and after you get to Loreto you should be able to get the scoop whether it's worth going there.
The San Javier road was partially washed out and blocked by rockslides during last month's tropical storm, but ,according to the latest info, is
passable for standard cars, although slow going.
For entertainment and such, you pretty much have to travel to Loreto. They have a nice Malecon and lots of eateries.
We live in the white house on the first tee of the golfcourse and if you need some more info on the neighborhood and things to do, stop on bye and
I'll try to help you.
Ed and Barbara
[Edited on 10-28-2013 by vandenberg]
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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You might enjoy a second night in la paz to enjoy the city, the kids can rent kayaks and paddle to see whale sharks or rent Stand Up Paddle boards
too. A trip to balandra and tecolote are great adventure to snorkel and swim. Downtown there are so many restaurants and walking the malecon is fun
too. There is a skate park, art and jazz scene some nights and often outdoor rock bands and events.
The drive up to Nopolo can be nice too if you accept that the sites are stark, I think it's worth stopping into the artisan shops in Centenario and
Pocitas and look around as you go slowly.
Wherever you are, going for a hike is great way to see the sights. Bring water or light drinks and food since you may not find any en route.
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TLBaja79
Nomad
Posts: 267
Registered: 10-17-2013
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I hear what the book is saying but I like that drive!
The last time I did the drive from La Paz to CC was tough, lots of Ag Trucks on the road. After that it was great, nobody on the road and nice Baja
desert!
Don't know of any good places to eat in CC, have eaten at random street Carnitas stands which were good or generic rotisserie chicken places.
Plenty of things to do during the day in and around Loreto, plenty of good restaurants. Activities we liked, snorkeling, drive up to Mulege stopping
at some of the beaches, Relaxing on a beach, kayaking, boat ride... its a great spot
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