| Pages:
1
2 |
freedom45
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 8-10-2022
Member Is Offline
|
|
Driving from San Diego to Cabo, where should I stay?
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]
|
|
|
AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6031
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
|
|
Welcome to the forum!
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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Yes, there are so many web resources to help with Baja trip planning.
I bet there's a live webcam at Miller's Landing. 
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 8-10-2022
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 8-10-2022
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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! 
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
Member Is Offline
Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
|
|
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]
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
|
|
|
advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1864
Registered: 10-2-2015
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Nomad
Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6031
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
|
|
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.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Select Nomad
Posts: 18407
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
| 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).
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
|
|
|
ch47pilot
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 4-20-2020
Member Is Offline
|
|
San Felipe and Hwy 5
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
Select Nomad
Posts: 10605
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
Banned
Posts: 1282
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
Member Is Offline
Mood: weary like everyone else
|
|
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!
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
|
|
|
SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
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!:
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
