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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Tim
Do yourself a favor.
Stop in San Ignacio. The mission is very interesting and this place is the best for relaxing:
http://www.ignaciosprings.com/main.html
Killer breakfast and dinners.
..plan to stay the morning after and go for a swim or kayak. Stop in Casa Leree and say HI to Jane.
You really need ressies so email today! Get one of the yurts with a bathroom if you can and tell them you will want dinner. Sometimes they have pork
dishes from their pigs that have been raised on dates and they are delicious.
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The Sculpin
Nomad
Posts: 401
Registered: 9-3-2002
Location: Back in the Saddle
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Mood: Riding into the Sunset, looking for a sunrise.
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I live in North County San Diego, and it takes me 6 hours to get to San Quintin. I usually leave around 4 or 5 in the morning, get the tourist cards,
and stop for tacos at Yosemite Sam's in Lazaro Card##as. You're in LA, leaving at 8 in the morning, I would add 2 to 3 hours. That would get you in at
4 or 5.
San Quintin to Mulege is a haul. Perfectly doable, but you will have those funny knots in your shoulders that only a Margarita Grande or 2 can unwind.
I would also suggest Don Eddies or the Old Mill - they're right next to each other, and very picturesque.
Do they still have those yurts in San Ignacio? That might be a good stop off place. I didn't look at the website DavidT offered up.
Whoa there, Cowboy - pull back on those reins!
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
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Mood: suavidad
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Tim,
thought about this alot, and since you are driving both ways, I am going to recommend something radical:
only go as far as Mulege - save Loreto for another vacation - from Hotel Serenidad you can visit the exquisite beaches to the south (about 45 minutes)
and then you can stop in Guerrero Negro or any other town between San Quintin and Mulege - to go from San Quintin to Mulege in a day will not be fun
or relaxing.
Trust me on this one - Loreto will await your next trip and deserves a week all by itself and you can slow down the trip to a relaxing pace.
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Tim
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: LA area
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Baja_girl that sounds like a plan. I laid out the details to my wife and she agreed on everything, so I think we're set! I just need to make the
reservations, crossing my fingers all goes well on that end.
Thanks to everyone for their input!!
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honda tom
Nomad
Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
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tim, if you were to call discover baja today and email a picture of your birth cert and your dl (yours and wifes) they could have your tourist papers
done for you and mailed to you before you leave. this will save you sooo much time and posible hassel at the border. if your not sure the mail will
make it you can pick the stuff up at their office just off the 5 in SD. they charge you an extra 5 bucs on top of the mexico fees, you do however have
to become a member 39 bucs, but with your member card, discounts at hotels will recoup those fees.
san quitin to mulege is an easy day drive, with lunch in GN or San Ignacio.
i will be in loreto tues through sun in a large F250 (gray) with fishing boat. have a great trip.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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You still need to stop at the border to have the tourist cards stamped/ authorized... It takes but 5-10 minutes to do it all right there at the
border, so why not do it all then?
Tim needs to see the process as it is now anyway for him to be up to date... Tim is the host of http://TimsBaja.com and co-host of Fred Metcalf's Baja California Traveler's Message Board.
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Tim
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: LA area
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Honda Tom -- thanks for the info. Normally I think that would be a good idea but my trips to Baja lately seem so few and far between. We'll make it
down as far as Bahia Concepcion -- if we get to Loreto I'll keep an eye out for you! We'll be driving a White Toyota Tundra.
David thanks for the pics from your last trip -- you gave me part of the inspiration for this trip! I need a vacation after these last few months at
my job!!
[Edited on 8-28-2007 by Tim]
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honda tom
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Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
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Tim I dont know what your wife expects from your trip... but nobody else responding to your questions does either..... so these are all opinions.
If you make it the extra 1.5 hours to Loreto......
loreto has a huge grocery store. (and many small ones)
loreto has an international airport.
loreto has more hotels than any town between la paz and ensenada.
loreto has more eating places than anything between la paz and san quintin (guerrero negro might be a tie)
I am taking my wife and kids to Loreto this Nov. I think that the difference between Loreto and Mulege Is huge. In Loreto you can stay at your
choice of several hotels that are "on the beach".
If desired you can stay at an "upscale hotel" in loreto.
Loreto offers a malecon beach walk.
as I said these are opinions..... and I have thought long and hard about how important my wifes first road trip to baja sur is to me. I know that
what is offered in Mulege is not equal to what is offered in Loreto.
1 last point....taking your wife on a panga ride to isla coronado, for an afternoon of sitting and swimming, is hard to be topped.
In baja.... for most of us everything is great... but there are things to think about for the spouses.
good luck tim
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Tim
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: LA area
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Tom thanks for the input. You're right Loreto definitely has it's advantages. So far I've only planned 3 of the nights and we have 9 days total, so
really there is time to change the schedule if need be.
It's been 10 years since I was in Loreto so I probably will take your advice and we'll end up there for at least a night, if not 2.
We went to La Paz a couple of years ago (flew in) and she enjoyed it, and even though Mulege/Loreto is definitely not La Paz, I think I've filled her
in on what to expect, based on my previous experiences. She's also been to other areas in Mexico (she is actually Mexican-American) and while
comparing mainland Mexico to Baja is like comparing Los Angeles to east Tennessee, I don't think anything will really surprise her.
All in all I think the trip will be a good experience for both of us. If anything it's a wonderful chance to relax and do nothing, and that's always
a good thing!! 
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honda tom
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Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
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right on Tim. I know that a few years ago I took my wife to a hotel in ensenada... and compared with what I was used to staying in with my buds on
our motorcycle trips, it was great. My wife however didnt see it that way, and yes compared to US standards it was dirty,( I even recommend the
Serenidad to people, and its not up to US standards). Last year I pulled into the Estero Beach Resort with the wife and kids (just south of Ensenada)
and when we got home she was tellin all her friends what a great place we went to. SO I KNOW....
While in Loreto
find the Palapa resturant
rent a panga for a morning/afternoon to the island
find mckaws for a drink at sundown
find me and my buds for a few laughs and drinks on us
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3825
Registered: 2-9-2004
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I don't see an indication of what activities you will be seeking to enjoy. Just driving Mex. 1 from hotel to hotel is one way to travel, but you'll
be missing Baja. If you go as far as Loreto it will take you 2 days to get back. That means you'll have a 7-day vacation. You'll want to get out of
the car, right? Cross in Tecate and visit some wineries. Stop at the beach at Cielito Lindo hotel and have a beer at the Wet Buzzard. Stroll around
the boulder field and take pictures. Have a cold drink at Rancho Santa Inez and take a walk in the arroyo and see the blue fan palms. Find the
pictographs at Catavina. Visit mission San Borja and San Vincente. Go to Bahia de Los Angeles and spend the night - rent a boat and go out to the
islands and snorkle and hike. Spend a day at the beach at Laguna Manuela, walk along the cliffs and coves there - see the elephant seals. You want a
little "off read" experience, drive up to San Francisco and see the one pictograph mural that you don't need a permit for - spectacular views. Drive
to El Marmol and see this amazing quarry and its remnant historical artifacts. 9 days really isn't a very long time - slow down and enjoy.
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
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Mood: suavidad
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Tom and Tim:
I am second to no one in my love for Loreto - that is where I hope to live in my retirement and die, but....having said that...I think that Mulege
is far enough for a short trip - there is so much to see and experience along the way...Tim, trust me on this one...save Loreto and spend a few days
at the Hotel Serenidad to re-energize for the trip back up. Route 1 is not an easy drive, it will be hot, a little scary at times, frustrating when
there is a caravan of trucks in front of you...and it is soooo fun to stop along the way...its cheap enough to fly to Loreto and Tim, you can borrow
my Toyota when you get to Loreto...but trust me...you love your wife, wanna stay married? Stop in Mulege!!!!
xoxo
lisa
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Tim
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: LA area
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Wow so many opinions...what to do, what to do.... 
I guess I have been pretty vague about my expectations, and my wife's expectations, too. Sorry I just don't have much expectations, except relaxing.
My wife recently went back to college to get her degree and she has finals this week, so she's stressed to the max. She'd love nothing more that to
sit on a beach and drink a Pina Colada.
That being said we do plan to stop along the way. I have driven all the way to Cabo 6 times previously so I am aware of some of the things that are
"must see" but my main worry was I haven't done that drive in 10 years and I know things have changed in some places. My wife has been all over
Northern Baja -- including the wineries in Guadalupe Valley, the beaches south of San Felipe, and as far south as San Quintin on the western coast.
She even has family (cousins) who live in San Quintin, but it's undecided whether we'll tell them we're coming. 
My conclusion is to take it easy and do what I always do when I go on these trips -- just go with the flow. The great thing about Baja is there are
so many choices. Nine days seems like a long time but in reality it's not, what with so much to see and do.
Again I thank everyone for their opinions, I honestly do appreciate all the suggestions. There are just so many "must see" and only so many days to
get this all done. The last thing I want to do is stress that we only have 3 days and we haven't seen X or Y. Know what I mean?
By the way is it normal to be so anxious to get going that you actually count down the hours? For me it's 69 hours, 42 minutes.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tim
By the way is it normal to be so anxious to get going that you actually count down the hours? For me it's 69 hours, 42 minutes.
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Totally normal !!
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backninedan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 865
Registered: 3-8-2003
Location: Loreto
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Loreto is a mess right now, the streets have been torn up for 5 or 6 months and it looks like another 2 or 3 months (at least) before they are done,
maybe.
Just thought you may want to put this in your equation when adding up your trip.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Point your car south and see where the adventure takes you. Have options but go with your instincts. If you feel like making a long drive then do
so. If you feel like hanging out an extra day, then do so. Look to this board for ideas and not answers.
There's a chance I might be heading down on Labor Day. I will be driving from San Diego to Bahia Asuncion in one day. It's not that big of a deal.
Get an early start and you'll be fine...wherever you end up.
Just report back to us.
Zac
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
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Mood: suavidad
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...yes and no to Bajaboy's comments - its Labor Day weekend - lots of folks driving down - make sure you have reservations - I did everything by
internet and it was sooo easy and my friend and I felt welcomed and relaxed knowing we had a place to stay each night.
Tim, did you get the slide show? Weren't the sand dunes to die for? The beaches south of Mulege utterly delicious? Those are my favorite pics.
lisa
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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It's September in Baja...I think you'll be fine. Part of the adventure is the adventure....go out on a limb and enjoy. Or call a travel agent and
have them plan your trip for you....it's your vacation....enjoy!
Just my advice...take it or leave it.....
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Tim
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: LA area
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Dan - thanks for the heads up, I'll definitely take that into consideration.
Lisa - I did get the video but I'm at work (yuck) so can't open here. I'll check it out tonight. Thanks! Also I went ahead and made reservations
for the first 3 nights so we're cool.
Zac - great philosophy. My idea is to have a plan, but don't necessarily follow it!
That being said, an ounce of prevention (reservations) is worth a pound of cure, or in this case at least we have a bed to sleep on!!
Thanks again for all the info!!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
Point your car south and see where the adventure takes you. Have options but go with your instincts. If you feel like making a long drive then do
so. If you feel like hanging out an extra day, then do so. Look to this board for ideas and not answers.
There's a chance I might be heading down on Labor Day. I will be driving from San Diego to Bahia Asuncion in one day. It's not that big of a deal.
Get an early start and you'll be fine...wherever you end up.
Just report back to us.
Zac |
That is the way we like to travel --- plan one day at a time, and even that is subject to change.
Zac---I guess when we were your age we would have thought of making Bahia Asuncion in one day no big deal, but no more---and we are closer to the
border than you. Two days for us---or we get real crabby. How long are you going to be there?
Tim---have a great trip!
Diane
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