BeachSeeker
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15 Day Trip to the Tip in November
We are planning a 15 days Baja trip from San Felipe to the tip in November. I have a newer Tacoma and plenty of experience, but I would like to avoid
anything too gnarly, especially large rock sections. We must be able to find a hotel, or Airbnb, or similar accommodations each night, but prefer to
be off the beaten path exploring during the day. Scenic beaches with great shore fishing opportunities are high on the list, but other scenic spots
are good too. We have explored quite a bit down to Bahia Concepcion and the East Cape, but haven't done much exploring between the two.
So far we are thinking:
Day 1/2 - San Felipe to Rancho Escondido, near Punta San Francisquito. We will spend 2 nights at Rancho Escondido so that we have a full day to
explore the remote beaches in the area.
Day 3 - Take the dirt road through El Arco back to HWY 1 then on to Bahia Concepcion to find a place to stay the night.
Day 4 - To La Purisimia to explore the water and volcano and stay the night.
Day 5 - Comondu to see the basaltic columns and the mission and spend the night.
Day 6 - San Javier for lunch and exploring and then continuing to somewhere around Loreto for the night.
Day 7 - Agua verde and continue to San Evaristo for the night.
How does this look so far? This is where I'm kind of stumped. Day 8-9 will be spectating the Baja 1000. I'm not sure exactly where we want to be for
that as the maps aren't out yet, but I think we want to stage somewhere South of San Evaristo, maybe even South of La Paz.
Are there any must see things between San Evaristo and the East Cape? We've been to Todos Santos, La Paz, Los Cabos, too many people for us. Might
spend a couple days South of Cabo Pulmo around Los Frailles.
Anything we have to see on the Pacific side on the way back North? Specifically South of Abreojos, as we've explored there and North.
THANKS!
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David K
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Sounds pretty good.
We did a 15 day trip to the tip and back in my Tacoma back in 2012. It was probably the best Baja vacation we had! We did have the good fortune to be
guests of BajaTripper in La Paz for a few of the days. We also camped on Shell Island, and San Rafael Bay, and Bahía Concepción. Plus, we stayed at
Shari's in Bahía Asunción. See the photos and maps at www.vivabaja.com/712
Plenty of trip planning and mission history links on my website, too!
Feel free to ask specific questions.
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David K
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More recent trips down to Baja Sur were made in 2017 during my Baja Bound photo and GPS map trip, during which I recorded the kilometer markers and
mileages to create a Road Guide. My work is free for you to view, as well as the eight trip reports posted here on Baja Nomad and on Tacoma World
forums...
Guide: https://vivabaja.com/baja-bound-road-guide/
Trip Reports: https://vivabaja.com/tacoma-travels/
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AKgringo
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Off the beaten path....
That is what I look for on my Baja trips! Since you are planning on visiting Purisima, Comondu and San Javier, the dirt road that runs down the
center of the high country is a good one.
On the Benchmark Atlas it is highlighted as part of the "Baja Divide" bicycle route, and a few years ago I did meet up with more bicycles than ranch
vehicles, and zero tourists!
It cracked me up that after several hours of meeting nothing but live stock, I came across a "no passing" sign on a narrow grade heading south toward
the road that connects to Loreto.
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!
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BeachSeeker
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Thanks AKGringo. Do you know anything about the recent condition of the direct route from Comondu to San Javier? I've heard it can be pretty
difficult. I'd rather not push it, as my Tacoma is capable, but pretty much stock.
Any recommendations once I get South of Loreto?
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surfhat
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A memory to treasure for all my days was when a surf buddy and I
took the off pavement road west from the Bay of Conception through
La Purisima on the way to Scorpion Bay.
After slogging along in my 2wd Chevy van for much longer than it
actually was, we came across the green verdant valley of La Purisma
with various fresh mellons for sale on the side of the road.
I could have bathed in those juicy fruits.
Wiping a fresh slice of watermelon on my face was a gift of its own
after hours of crawling along in those days in the mid 70's before ac
became a must have.
La Purisma felt heaven sent and was certainly heavenly scented.
A night there must be spectacular for dark sky star gazing.
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David K
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Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker  | Thanks AKGringo. Do you know anything about the recent condition of the direct route from Comondu to San Javier? I've heard it can be pretty
difficult. I'd rather not push it, as my Tacoma is capable, but pretty much stock.
Any recommendations once I get South of Loreto? |
It is a maintained graded road. There is a mesa with steep grades going up and down it, between Palo Chino and El Horno. It was repaired after my
trip when I did use 4x4 briefly in an almost stock Tacoma.
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AKgringo
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| Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker | Thanks AKGringo. Do you know anything about the recent condition of the direct route from Comondu to San Javier? I've heard it can be pretty
difficult. I'd rather not push it, as my Tacoma is capable, but pretty much stock.
Any recommendations once I get South of Loreto? |
I apologize for the slow reply. I have driven that stretch of ranch road several times over the last ten years, and the conditions have been pretty
much the same. The ranchers seem to be taking care of storm damage as needed, so it was passable even after hurricane season.
The steeper grades at both ends of the road require attention to wheel placement and use of momentum, but I consider it a rugged two-wheel drive road.
Your stock Tacoma should have no problem.
It sounds like you already plan to head toward San Evaristo south of Loreto,
but have you tried the coastal roads both north and south of Los Barriles?
[Edited on 6-29-2026 by AKgringo]
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!
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BeachSeeker
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo |
It sounds like you already plan to head toward San Evaristo south of Loreto,
but have you tried the coastal roads both north and south of Los Barriles?
|
Yes, we have thoroughly explored the entire beach from El Sargento/La Ventana to about Punta Colorada/Punta Arena. We used to fly in to Cabo and spend
our time in the East Cape before realizing the convenience of driving my own truck South into Baja from San Diego.
We haven't explored any of the places I mentioned for this trip, as well as the area between Loreto and El Sargento. We've also never seen anything on
the Pacific between Abreojos and Todos Santos.
| Quote: Originally posted by David K |
It is a maintained graded road. There is a mesa with steep grades going up and down it, between Palo Chino and El Horno. It was repaired after my
trip when I did use 4x4 briefly in an almost stock Tacoma. |
| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo |
I apologize for the slow reply. I have driven that stretch of ranch road several times over the last ten years, and the conditions have been pretty
much the same. The ranchers seem to be taking care of storm damage as needed, so it was passable even after hurricane season.
|
Thanks for the info. I thought I read a few places where this stretch was pretty bad and it was advisable to go West to the paved road (HWY 53 I
believe) from Comondu then East to San Javier. Oddly, I can't find anything saying that now. I guess I'll go back to my original plan of taking the
direct route to San Javier.
[Edited on 6-29-2026 by BeachSeeker]
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David K
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People who do not normally drive dirt roads or Tacomas like to panic at any bad section of road. Unless rough sections of an otherwise graded road
scare you, go as planned. Remember, the beauty of 4WD and Low Range is that you can creep slowly and not break any parts or need momentum. Dirt roads
are damaged by 2WD vehicles spinning tires and dangerous driving.
Use your traction system (A-TRAC or MTS) when in low range to prevent spinning tires.
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BooJumMan
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| Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker |
Anything we have to see on the Pacific side on the way back North? Specifically South of Abreojos, as we've explored there and North.
|
If you're looking for a relaxing remote Baja drive, I love the dirt road along the coast between San Ignacio and San Juanico. There are some nice
beaches, mangroves, ranchos and lots of open land depending on if you take the high road or low road(s). For the last few years, I just drive that
road and bypass the whole Santa Rosalia -> Loreto stretch. Most times you only will encounter 1-2 other vehicles outside of Insurgentes and San
Juanico. Its very relaxing, but plan on airing down as it is a lot of washboard.
[Edited on 6-30-2026 by BooJumMan]
In that pre-Google Earth and social media epoch, The Code was adhered to. It was based on a simple verity: if a locale had been transformational for
you, and you had put the hard yards in to get there and to learn it, to know it, why in god�s name would you broadcast the news, thus ruining the
future experience not only for yourself, but for future adventurers?
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AKgringo
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On my last trip from San Ignacio to San Juanico (Jan 2025) I took the even higher road through El Patrocinio to somewhere near El Cuarenta. I was
driving a stock Honda Element, so no problems for your Tacoma.
I probably could have headed out to the coastal flat from El Cuarenta, but I chose the "main" road heading south, which did have a lot of washboard
and silt beds.
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!
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lencho
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Ah, the Element. Honda keeps discontinuing the only models which I really liked. 
I had a Civic Wagon which went the same way... small-looking thing from the outside, with amazing headroom and which for sleeping, folded completely
flat from tailgate to dash, and got 35 mpg.
Of course, they stopped making it and AFIK there's nothing current like that.
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is, by how stupid he thinks I
am."
"...they were careful of their demeanor that they not be thought to have opinions on what they heard for like most men skilled at their work they
were scornful of any least suggestion of knowing anything not learned at first hand."
Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses
"Be kind, be patient, help others." -- Isabel Allende
"My gas stove identifies as electric." Anonymous
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pacificobob
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Travel on the peninsula any time around the 1000 is something I avoid.
Prerunners ,support trucks and others driving too fast with too many blinding driving lights driving like hwy 1 was a closed track.
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wilderone
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The area around Cabo Pulmo (in town and 5 mi. south to Playa Los Arbolitos for the day) are great for snorkling. A mile hike along the coast from Los
Arbolitos has some coves, etc. Nice to explore. And then you can't miss Sol de Mayo for its rural locale (W of Santiago), and hike to the waterfall.
They have cabins and restaurant. Maybe you could hit the hotsprings in the area with your offroad capability. Los Barriles has accommodations, and
just out of town, Rancho Buena Vista has nice grounds. You can even get a day pass there and stay in Los Barriles.
And when the Baja 1000 map comes out, will guide you for areas to avoid. I totally agree with Pacificobob - the days prior, they speed on Mex. 1 and
are very obnoxious.
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SFandH
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| Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker | We are planning a 15 days Baja trip from San Felipe to the tip in November. ........
Day 3 - Take the dirt road through El Arco back to HWY 1 then on to Bahia Concepcion to find a place to stay the night.
|
All the beaches on Bahia Concepcion are good places to camp/RV and will be busy in November. Playa Santispac is unique in that it is the largest,
closest to Mulege, and there are two restaurants on the beach.
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AKgringo
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At Santispac You can not only sleep on the beach while eating in a restaurant, one of them has showers available.
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!
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SFandH
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | | At Santispac You can not only sleep on the beach while eating in a restaurant, one of them has showers available. |
Maybe, I'd bet against it.
That would be Ana's Restaurant, and the showers might work. All fresh water at the beach is trucked in. I wouldn't count on the showers working.
Just go for a swim in the bay.
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David K
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | | Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker | We are planning a 15 days Baja trip from San Felipe to the tip in November. ........
Day 3 - Take the dirt road through El Arco back to HWY 1 then on to Bahia Concepcion to find a place to stay the night.
|
All the beaches on Bahia Concepcion are good places to camp/RV and will be busy in November. Playa Santispac is unique in that it is the largest,
closest to Mulege, and there are two restaurants on the beach.
|
Santispac is very exposed, highway noise is high. But, it is big and has a restaurant or two. All or most camps have highway noise. The Jake brakes at
night are very annoying. We camp at Requesón or La Perla, next door and the noise is minimal. El Coyote is popular. Playa Narranja, Las Arenas, and
Escondida probably have little or no noise.
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