K9Sports
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Registered: 12-18-2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Baja Road Trip Dec 22 to Jan 2, 2011/12
Planning on a road trip and got a few of my questions answered but have a few more. Going deep into Baja, maybe as far as Cabo but not sure. No
planned agenda and just going where it looks good at the moment. Will be driving a high clearance Jeep Wrangler so off-roading is no prob for me.
Here's the first series of questions. 
1: I know there are at least 3 bays/lagoons for whale observation/calving. Which one would be considered the best?
2: In relation to the above, San Ignacio Lagoon seems to be on the top of some peoples list. Read of a 4x4 road that takes you to the best viewing
spot but don't know where that road is. HELP!
3: Bringing my dogs and found a couple dog friendly motel lists. Would it be safe to assume that if a motel is not on the list, they aren't dog
friendly? Or should I ask anyways?
4: What are the TOP spots NOT to miss in Baja. I know this is personal preference so please speak up yours.
5: Planning on putting on that "Sindicatura" sticker. Is this still a good idea? Does it still really help?
6: I would like to find a SMALL traditional old Mexico town to celebrate Xmas and New Years. Thinking San Felipe for Xmas and San Ignacio for New
Years. These may be even too touristy than I am looking for so if anyone has suggestions, it would be appreciated.
7: Is there a favorite website to get Mexican insurance online? Is full coverage recommended? Or do most people just get liability?
8: BEST places for snorkeling?
That's all I can think of right now. I really appreciate any and all responses.
Andrew
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
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I can help with some of your questions:
1. Having seen all three lagoons several times, I strongly prefer Laguna San Ignacio.
2. The road to the lagoon leaves the center of San Ignacio bordering one side of the big town square. It is easy to find and well signed.
4. Well, during the whale season certainly that is something not to miss. Aside from whales I would say don't miss Punta San Francisquito. Kinda
depends how far south you are going.
6. San Ignacio is definitely NOT touristy  Both of your suggestions sound fine.
Bahia de Los Angeles is also a fun place to spend the holidays.
8. Unless you are going to the southern end of the peninsula you won't find much in the way of snorkeling in the winter. San Francisquito has
excellent snorkeling at both north and south ends of the big beach but plan on very cold water.
PS December and January are a little early for the best whale action but there should be some early arrivals around.
Have a great time!!
[Edited on 12-18-2011 by Ken Bondy]
carpe diem!
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Ateo
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Bajabound for insurance. Just get full coverage. It may be cheaper to buy an annual policy.
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K9Sports
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Thanks Ken! I know the road to the Lagoon... even have it on my Google Maps ready to go. BUt there's suppose to be another road past all the camps
that will take you the the very tip with great views. I can't seem to find where I saw that but it's suppose to be accessible with only a high
clearance 4x4. The main road to the lagoon CAN be done with a regular car, no?
LOVE Punta San Francisquito from what I just read. Putting it in my map. Looking forward to that drive to get to the village... will also stop at
Bahia d LA. May spend an extra day there.
I was reading that the northern part of the Sea of Cortez is abundant with marine life and San Felipe was a great spot for that activity. Is this not
really the case for the winter months? The weather report has San Felipe in the 80s next week... so the weather looks good. Will I be disappointed?
Thanks for the tip Ateo. That's where I'll get my insurance.
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Ken Bondy
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Andrew - the entire Sea of Cortez is loaded with marine life, but San Felipe has wide sandy beaches with very high tides, not good for snorkeling. If
there is a good spot for snorkeling in or near San Felipe I am not aware of it. There is decent snorkeling at Bahia Gonzaga (Alfonsinas) off the
rocky point near the hotel. In my experience the good snorkeling spots are about the same year round, I was just warning you to expect cold water
carpe diem!
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K9Sports
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I think I may hold of snorkeling until I get to Punta San Francisquito. That place sounds fun.
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goldhuntress
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I don't know if Bajabound offers this but thru Discover Baja I buy a flexible 90 day policy because I make several 3 week trips a year. It's good for
any 90 days for a year and is a little cheaper then a annual policy. You do have to join which is $39 per year. They offer many other services too.
Have a great trip.
http://www.discoverbaja.com/membership.html
800.727.BAJA (2252)
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Ken Bondy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by K9Sports
I think I may hold of snorkeling until I get to Punta San Francisquito. That place sounds fun. |
Probably a good decision!
carpe diem!
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
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Andrew
This is a link to a log my daughter wrote about one of our trips to Punta San Francisquito, you may enjoy reading it and it will tell you a little
more about the place:
http://www.coleenbondy.com/personal/travel/baja_escape/Day7-...
BTW San Francisquito can be spotty in terms of services. At best you will have food, bar, ice, showers, flush toilets. At worst, none of the above.
But that beautiful beach, with one of the most spectacular views in the world, is always there. Best to be self-contained, however, if you have to
be.
carpe diem!
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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3: Bringing my dogs and found a couple dog friendly motel lists. Would it be safe to assume that if a motel is not on the list, they aren't dog
friendly? Or should I ask anyways?
------------Rooms in Baja are far more apt to rent with dogs than not.
4: What are the TOP spots NOT to miss in Baja. I know this is personal preference so please speak up yours.
--------------Gonzaga Bay and/or BOLA
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=53904#pid6346...
http://www.papafernandez.com/
http://www.blueroadrunner.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=...
5: Planning on putting on that "Sindicatura" sticker. Is this still a good idea? Does it still really help?
----------I wouldn't look for trouble with that sticker...this subject has been talked about many times here at the BN. Just obey the laws. If you get
a speeding ticket - it must be paid at the Police Station .......NOT to the cop. Accidents....you both have to go to the Police Station. Dont freak
out :-)
6: I would like to find a SMALL traditional old Mexico town to celebrate Xmas and New Years. Thinking San Felipe for Xmas and San Ignacio for New
Years. These may be even too touristy than I am looking for so if anyone has suggestions, it would be appreciated.
------We do Xmas every year at our SF house. The town has a light parade...but other than that...quiet due to the economics.
7: Is there a favorite website to get Mexican insurance online? Is full coverage recommended? Or do most people just get liability?
------Been with them for years. Club membership is cheap...great folks...newspapers
http://www.vagabundos.com/
8: BEST places for snorkeling?
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=47573#pid5446...
[Edited on 12-19-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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goldhuntress
Senior Nomad
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FYI, I received a Spot Connect email from my BF who is camping out past El Arco in the mountains and he said it rained out there yesterday and the
road out had been bad the day before on his way out, whats new, right? He was in BOLA a couple days before and it had rained there also. So, either
way you go be ready for an exciting, bumpy ride out to San Francisquito.
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fishingmako
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I would be very...very careful displaying the SINDICATURA STICKER, like what was said above this issue has been discussed many times on this board.
Unless you speak spanish very well and can answer a lot of questions that will arise, I would stay away from this...believe me YOU ARE ASKING FOR
TROUBLE! with that said I won't say any more, read between the lines.
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K9Sports
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 12-18-2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Ok.. no stickers and Gonzaga Bay is added to my waypoints!
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Gonzaga Bay is the first thing you see at http://vivabaja.com 
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