jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
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Mood: Needing Baja!
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What month for a Baja road trip?
I am planning to make a one month (give or take) road trip down Baja and back in the next 18 months. I will be traveling from Washington and plan to
zig and zag both directions to visit as many of the great locations you folks share here as possible. Obviously some months are good for some things
but not for others. I would like to do the trip in Feb. to include seeing the whales, but it is not the most practical month for me. I know I can't
have it all, but I'm going to get every bit I can. So, what are your various opinions? Please include advantages and disadvantages of the periods you
might suggest. I know I'll get a lot of opinions and that is what I'm looking for. You guys are so great at sharing your knowledge and your love of
Baja. Thanks in advance for your input!
John
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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Mood: up on step
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wow, do i have the first shot atcha, john...ok...my read...gotcha choice of one of two months, as far as i'm concerned, that being may and
october...at least those are my two favorite months to drive the spine....typically really nice weather, not much wind on the water, not too hot/not
too cold, chance of green and wildflowers,great fishing, yada, yada..that's if you want to make the full meal deal and drive to lands end...it's just
gorgeous; the entire trip...we're in love.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Russ
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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If this is more of an exploratory "road trip" I'd pick May. In Oct there may have been or will be storms that could hamper your driving. By May the
roads have been repaired. But stay tuned here for current conditions. I like early Nov. best though because the trip can be really green, air temps
are mild, water temps are still warm and the fishing can be really good.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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I agree with the previous posts. My favorite is mid October as the water is still warm and the weather will not be in the 100s, more like the high
80s or so.
As Russ said, May might be better for you as the roads and weather might be in a little better shape.
Spring or Fall, you can't go wrong!
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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February is a very good time for Baja - and seeing the whales - at all three places - you've got the time - would be a huge bonus for you. Downside
is that the days are short and the water is a bit cold. So you need to prioritize your desires and activities and choose accordingly. If you want to
include a couple days in Sierra San Pedro Martir you'd likely want to do that with no snow or storms. Might be fun to cross at Tecate and go through
the National Park, come out Mex. 3. Are you camping or hoteling or RVing?
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Mexicorn
Senior Nomad
Posts: 772
Registered: 9-15-2009
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I agree with the October poster.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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May and October are prime months for mild weather...
We like it warm, with warm Cortez water, so June-Sept. works for us...
Remember that late July, August and early Sept. is traditionally too hot and too humid for a lot of folks.
We have had great trips in April and November... Dec. through March can be too cold, or just right (except for the water) ... there can be wind or
calm then, too.
The answer, any time you can spend in Baja is a good time!
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Desertbull
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 8-27-2003
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July...less people great swimming on both sides, it's not that hot and if it's hot you get to drink more cold beer!
DREAM IT! PLAN IT! LIVE IT!
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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The timing depends on what you like to do.
Are you a fisherman (boat or shore)
Are you a wind surfer?
Are you a board surfer?
Are you a desert hiker?
Is it the high country you are after?
Are you mostly interested in visiting the missions?
Are you mostly interested in spending time on the beaches?
Are you interested in the cortez or the pacific side?
Skin diving coral reefs without wet suit?
Seeing calving whales?
How heat tolerant are you?
Different months for each goal.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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oct-feb for the waves. mar-sept for everything else.....
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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jan to april for whales and this is one of the goals according to the first post
sept to dec for fishing
i agree the summer is WAY TOO HOT - in the 100"s except on the Pacific
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Some very good info here. I think Skipjack Joe laid out the priorities. That said, it is true that traveling Baja will be affected by the season. For
instance, in the spring, given at least normal rainfall, the desert will be ablaze with color. Just depends on what floats your boat. As for the
October aficionados, I have to believe that the later in October, the better. Bottom line is that you virtually have to make multiple trips to Baja to
witness and enjoy what it has to offer. the whale season just doesn't coincide with the best fishing. Etc. Etc. Etc. Do you think the whales know
this?
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
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Mood: Needing Baja!
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Thanks for all of your input so far, keep it coming. I have spent about two months total in Baja previously, but it was in one and two week chunks.
These visits were to Loreto, Los Barriles and San Jose del Cabo with just day trips beyond those towns. I loved them all but being a teacher my visits
have been confined to summer (July/August) and a week or two in April. I agree, the late summer is HOT, at least for me. I plan to take my time and
visit both coasts as I go. My greatest hope is to meet as many of you and the friends you have throughout Baja. Also, I can't wait to see many of the
places you share in words and pictures. It's such a treat when I have visitied the places shared here. I'm leaning toward Oct/Nov at this point. I'd
like bearable weather, with warm water and decent fishing. I plan to camp mostly but stay in a motel maybe 2 days a week. Depends on whats available.
I want to do some shore fishing and I will bring Kayaks, but will also want to hire a panga here and there. In the back of my mind I'm hoping that one
of these little places I experience will sink a hook in me and that I can't resist coming back in retirement part time.
Anyway, keep any advice you might have coming my way.
John
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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great John, you narrowed it down to fishing and you have picked what should be one of the BEST months for it ... be sure to visit us in La Bocana by
way of Campo Rene (great for birdwatching - lunch - just gorgeous) then Punta Abreojos for the sheer beauty/surf and La Bocana for some of the nicest
locals around and a superb seafood meal to be had with the famous Joaquin (and to meet Baja Nomaders Blanca and Les too - of course !!!) ...
When you get here, ask Les why we live in La Bocana 
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BooJumMan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 929
Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
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I did a road trip to Cabo last August and probably wouldn't do it again  It was
awesome because there weren't many people around but trying to sleep in a tent with that heat with no way of cooling off was pretty heavy. So my words
of advice is Baja any month but August 
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
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Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Mood: Waiting
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Baja has many shades. Spring flowers I didn't know existed being mostly a late summer and fall explorer. October '08 in BCS after a wet hurricane
looked like Ireland. I like warm water so it's August and September for me.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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You say you will be camping - that rules out July,Aug,Sept in much of baja.
The best fishing in the remaining months are Oct, Nov, Dec, May, June: Oct-Dec for all of baja. May-June on the lower Cortez.
Oct/Nov is really a good all around time because the waters are still warm for pleasant swimming. So you have good camping, water sports (no wind
though), and still good fishing.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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If I wasn't running with the hounds this fall, I would be in Baja all of October and November.
As it is, I will settle for December thru June. It's all very good, believe me.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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