| Pages:
1
2
3 |
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Re: Cabo. You should check out a site like sidestep.com. Just for grins, I ran it for three nights the week after Christmas and came up with a bunch
of hotels under $100 a night. From just my cursory check, I would recommend looking into Bahia hotel. It was listed for $89 a night and it is
literally one block from Medano Beach which is the best, safest beach, the heart of all the action.
That said, I understand that you want to have everyone remember where you were, and not the drive. With that in mind, you had previously mentioned
going from San Ysidro to Catavina your first night in Mexico. The good news is that the Desert Inn has a swimming pool for the kids. It is the only
actual hotel in the area. However, from Catavina to Guerrero Negro is 146 miles. I don't know how you drive. Nor do I know the tolerance of your kids
for sitting in the van. Point is that if you make it to Guerrero Negro first night, you can easily get to Loreto the next day. It's 260 miles. From
Loreto, it's 223 to La Paz. Just saying that you could have an extra day down in the La Paz, Cabo area.
|
|
|
castaway$
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-31-2007
Location: Gold Hill, Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish on!
|
|
Be prepared EVERYTHING IN CABO IS GROSSLY EXPENSIVE, that said there are some really cool beaches all along between La Paz and Cabo and it's a great
inexpensive way to spend a day with kids. There are also a bunch of outdoor tourist shops in Cabo that kids really seem to like.
As far as the question how far can you drive in a day, you need to remember the daylight hours are real short this time of year and you don't want to
drive after dark. We find a comfortable distance the first day is BOLA, but we are towing a boat, if you aren't towing you should be able to make
Catavina, Guerro Negro or possibly San Ignacio depepnding on how fast you feel comfortable driving. The road is very narrow and it takes some getting
used to, we just move towards the center when there are no other vehicles around then slow down and move back to our side when there are.
Second day you should be able to make Constitution or possibly La Paz, again it depends on your comfort zone with respect to your driving skills and
how fast you drive.
Like some of the others I would highly recommend spending a little time at the Bay of Conception the second day which will really throw your timing
off as far as covering any ground headed south so if you do you may want to count on staying in Loreto or you may get to Constitution, but again the
daylight hours are very short.
Whatever you do and wherever you end up relax and enjoy, if you don't make it some place no worries you'll be hooked and you'll go back just like all
the rest of us Nomads, you can't help it.
Live Indubiously!
|
|
|
norcalbajabetty
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 11-2-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
Sorry I wasn't thinking...my four day trip includes one day in California, US...duh.
I also think there are nicer places to visit than Cabo. I prefer being off the beaten path, hanging with the locals.
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
betty- are you posting on the wrong thread here? This was about a two week trip. Obviously, someone with four days would have to be smoking something
funny to even consider Cabo and back to Norcal on a four day trip.
|
|
|
SeaShell
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 5-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
My 2 cents worth. It just takes longer to drive the miles than in the U.S. so plan for that. Slower roads, going through towns etc., so you can't
cover the same amount of miles in the same time as you would at home. With that said the scenery is ever changing and beautiful.
I was just facinated with all the different types and shapes of cactus and could have spent weeks photographing them and I am not even a serious
photographer.
Maybe get some disposable camera's for the kids and let them take pictures and make cactus photo albums when they get home to share with their
classrooms along with their memories of the trip. 
|
|
|
norcalbajabetty
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 11-2-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bajahowodd,
I was actually referring to my earlier post, where I said it took for days for us to get to Mulege with the kids...not a four day trip through Baja.
Again sorry for the confusion. To clarify...for my family traveling with two small children it took 3 full days driving from the Tecate border to
Mulege. This was with minimal potty and taco stops. 
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20354
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by newtobaja
Wow - 4 days to get to mulege. LP said drive from TJ to LP can be done in 2 days so I thought 3-4 days would be good for us with the kids. We will try
not to spend too much time in northern baja as we can always come back to it in the summer or later.
Between kid's schools 2 weeks is all we get. Again LP mentioned it should be enough. Looks like I may need to scale down the plan a little
|
Sounds like too much driving with the kids couped up.
The drive down the penninsula is pretty, but kids may not appreciate the drive and may be bored stiff after first 500 miles of desert, and will be
doubly bored on drive back north.
I suggest you fly to Cabo, spend time on beach and water, then do a driving tour in rental car up along sea of cortez.
|
|
|
Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3602
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
|
|
Relax, have fun
| Quote: | Originally posted by newtobaja
My worry is that the kids will only remember the drive and not the fun. I do want to go back a second time |
Factor in 2 additional days for driving. I've always done the drive in 4 days with a night in San Quintin or Rosarito, and then a night in
Guerrero Negro, Loreto, then Todos Santos. On the 4th day, Loreto to La Paz/Cabo is an easy drive arriving early-afternoon.
The stupidest thing I can think of is driving from San Ysidro to Cabo in a hurry. It's a trecherous road to seasoned drivers and newbies need to
be especially careful.
This is an adventure of a lifetime from first time down to last -- so, make frequent stops, and stop in the Playa Santispac area and enjoy the water.
The kids won't have as much fun if the Driver is stressed.
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
There are several sections of mountain driving that have hairpin turns. One must obey the posted sinage to be safe. On the other hand, there are long
stretches of straight, flat highway, that I must confess, I have hit 100mph on from time to time. It's a mixed bag. From Ensenada through San Quintin,
it's a crapshoot regarding slow moving trucks and busses. Once your pass through El Rosario, despite the fact that the traffic will have disappeared,
you will encounter the first of several mountianous, serpetine sections of the road. In between these section, you will encounter a road, that while
only two lanes is basically flat and straight. Very unlikely that there will be anyone in authority along this stretch. So unless you feel obligated
to comply with the ridiculous speed limits....
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
I think that's too much time in the car driving, with children. You don't mention what you like to do other than intend to do some fishing, and the
kids would like a swimming pool at the hotels. I think you should spend some time in Bahia de los Angeles. You can fish, snorkle, hike, little
museum, take a boat out to an island and explore, swim. Then the back way to Mision San Borja. Spend a couple days here if the room is available.
Great cultural experience. Onward, stopping for pictographs, hiking, grocery shopping, a few hours at a beach, etc. Lots to do so you're really
enjoying the drive. I think you'll get more out of your trip if you don't go so far, but rather, see the sights en route. Like most trips, you'll
most likely change your itinerary after a few days.
|
|
|
805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
|
|
Make sure you bring warm clothes, I spent a christmas about mid Baja, Bahia Conception to Lugui, and I was glad to have down jackets. If you want to
be warm, try the mainland. I spent Thanksgiving in Z-town and it was 86 air 80 water perfect.
|
|
|
cpinkviv
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 11-10-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
We have traveled with our kids the length of Baja in our truck and camper. Our kids have been as young as 3 which was challenging. My husband
doesn't drive longer than 6 hours/day if we can help it. We take plenty to keep them busy and have snacks to keep them full. As we move through
different areas we stay longer depending on what is going on in the areas and the weather (wind!). Be ready to change seats with the kids if they get
restless and start picking at each other. The tiny markets along the way are great places to stop and the kids can pick a snack and you can change
seats.
It's your first trip and 2 weeks is probably okay but it will feel like alot of driving. We get through Northern Baja as fast as we can and then
enjoy ourselves. Don't miss some of the most beautiful beaches on the Sea of Cortez side below Mulege. The missions you can get to are wonderful and
can be educational. Keep an eye out for what is going on in the towns as far as local celebrations. You may find getting to Cabo is not nearly as
important as staying in Loreto (or wherever) and watching the Feast of the Guadalupe (or whatever). In other words, keep it flexible with the local
culture and weather guiding you.
We pull our kids out of school an extra week as we consider the education they get on the road just as good as the one in the classroom, if not
better. I ask their teachers well ahead for the work which also keeps them busy on the road. It's well worth the extra week but then again we are
camping and not paying for a hotel so it is affordable.
Your wife may decide after this trip that having your own bed and being able to cook eat your own food when you want may be a better idea. Maybe next
year - you will become one of us! Having Christmas on a secluded beach with a driftwood tree and a potluck with the rest of the campers in the
afternoon was the best Christmas ever.
As you have probably read- don't drive at night! Also, there are many places where there is no shoulder so don't plan on stopping just anywhere.
Be flexible and have fun!
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
Sorry I wasn't thinking...my four day trip includes one day in California, US...duh.
I also think there are nicer places to visit than Cabo. I prefer being off the beaten path, hanging with the locals. |
Try Punta Banda, Estero Beach and LaJoya camp....beach, warm weather and plenty of "local color"
|
|
|
Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
|
|
Good point Terry. But, my van is not there...........so "local color"?????????????????????????
|
|
|
newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
thanks cpinkviv.
| Quote: | Originally posted by cpinkviv
We have traveled with our kids the length of Baja in our truck and camper. Our kids have been as young as 3 which was challenging. My husband
doesn't drive longer than 6 hours/day if we can help it. We take plenty to keep them busy and have snacks to keep them full. As we move through
different areas we stay longer depending on what is going on in the areas and the weather (wind!). Be ready to change seats with the kids if they get
restless and start picking at each other. The tiny markets along the way are great places to stop and the kids can pick a snack and you can change
seats.
It's your first trip and 2 weeks is probably okay but it will feel like alot of driving. We get through Northern Baja as fast as we can and then
enjoy ourselves. Don't miss some of the most beautiful beaches on the Sea of Cortez side below Mulege. The missions you can get to are wonderful and
can be educational. Keep an eye out for what is going on in the towns as far as local celebrations. You may find getting to Cabo is not nearly as
important as staying in Loreto (or wherever) and watching the Feast of the Guadalupe (or whatever). In other words, keep it flexible with the local
culture and weather guiding you.
We pull our kids out of school an extra week as we consider the education they get on the road just as good as the one in the classroom, if not
better. I ask their teachers well ahead for the work which also keeps them busy on the road. It's well worth the extra week but then again we are
camping and not paying for a hotel so it is affordable.
Your wife may decide after this trip that having your own bed and being able to cook eat your own food when you want may be a better idea. Maybe next
year - you will become one of us! Having Christmas on a secluded beach with a driftwood tree and a potluck with the rest of the campers in the
afternoon was the best Christmas ever.
As you have probably read- don't drive at night! Also, there are many places where there is no shoulder so don't plan on stopping just anywhere.
Be flexible and have fun! |
|
|
|
newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
So looking at the thread, looks like I need to work out a reasonable driving timeline since that will make/break this trip. If it takes too long for
me to get to LP, then perhaps I am being too ambitious here. Let me post that in a couple of days for your comments
thanks
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Fred
Good point Terry. But, my van is not there...........so "local color"????????????????????????? |
Dennis; Bruce; Baja Mama...............
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Don't get overly cautious because of some of the posts. You can easily get to La Paz with three overnights, while driving only about 6 hours a day.
For example, starting at the border, you can get to San Quintin(184 miles) or El Rosario(221). Then Guerrero Negro is 222 miles from El Rosario. Next,
Loreto is 260 miles. Then 223 miles to La Paz. None of those legs should take over six hours, maybe lots less. What you do have to decide is whether
you are more interested in being in La Paz (and even the Cape area) or in stopping along the way. Lot's to see along the way. Just what your priority
is.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
I would suggest to NOT "try" and get anywhere... as in getting to Cataviņa the first day... Also La Paz and Cabo are NOT the supreme destinations in
Baja... They are both cities. Now if you want to spend time in a hotel and have full services... I would head to Vegas... cheaper and less stress!
However, if your goal is to "discover Baja"... then 2 weeks will be fine for a quick exposure...
Some ideas of where to go on the way south and/or the return home:
El Rosario (5-6 hours/ 220 mi. from the border) is the 'last town' heading south, in Baja Norte with 2 nice motels that are cheap (Baja Cactus and
Tourista) and lots of good eating (Mama Espinoza's, Tacos Mision, Baja's Best, many taco stands too)... It is also where you must top your gas tank,
as it is the last Pemex station for 200 miles. Gas is sold from cans in Cataviņa and the L.A. Bay jcn.
Driving through the border, getting your tourist cards, through Ensenada, through the ag zone of Camalu to San Quintin will take MUCH longer than any
other section of highway in Baja!
Enjoy the Cataviņa desert scenery the next day, hike the short climb to the painted cave, 2 miles north of Cataviņa!
140 miles from El Rosario is the 43 mile paved side trip to Bahia de los Angeles... Your first view of the Sea of Cortez... This is a sight you will
always remember...
Bahia de L.A. is a great place for the kids, too... Beaches, museum, taco stands, motels, camp grounds (on the north bound La Gringa paved road from
town)... La Gringa has sand and gravel beaches... full of sea life... See links to L.A. Bay sites for photos of this and other areas of Baja (below).
You will get there before sundown to settle in.
Remember it gets dark fast and early in December... and once you cross into Baja Sur, you lose an hour with the time zone change.
L.A Bay to Guerrero Negro is 125 miles and just south is the side road to the gray whale watching area... You did order a Baja Almanac, right?
Guerrero Negro to San Ignacio is 90 more miles... the town and mission is just a couple paved miles off the highway to be in a true desert oasis!
Campgrounds and motels here... The Yurts are fun at Ignacio Springs... be prepared for some evening critters, however! Here's our Yurt inside and out:
The highway reaches the Cortez at Santa Rosalia and Mulege is 85 miles from San Ignacio... another oasis on a river next to the Sea of Cortez...
Campgrounds, motels...
A few miles south is beautiful Bahia Concepcion... When your family sees this, you may not want to go any further south!
Many campsites or luxury accomodations at Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort.
If you do want to go on, then Loreto is 85 miles south of Mulege and this is the place where Spain statred the California chain of missions...
San Javier is a must see, just 22 miles inland, and half of that is now paved.
Just so much to see and do in Baja... and we are only 2/3 of the way down the peninsula at this point!
[Edited on 11-11-2009 by David K]
|
|
|
bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
|
|
After a photo tour like that, I would leave tomorrow!
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
