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AndyP
Nomad
Posts: 116
Registered: 12-8-2009
Location: Eugene, OR
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To echo Maryman: rushing isn't too fun or even safe, but I personally would do what I could to ensure spending the night in Catavina, which is an
incredible place. I love camping out at Rancho Santa Ynez for a few dollars. Walk across the arroyo and wander around taking pictures at sunset and
sunrise, experience the incredible stillness and smells and plant life and stars, sit around a campfire...
Everyone has different goals, but even a genuine 5 star hotel in El Rosario would bum me out knowing what was available a couple hours down the road.
For me Baja is about wilderness, and Catavina is a uniquely accessible example of it.
I've camped at the border and left early in the morning to make Catavina for my first night, or if you have time maybe make it your second night?
Just an idea.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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Quote: Originally posted by Martyman  | I would recommend doing some camping. Adventures happen when you are out in the boonies with a campfire at night. Not too many adventures sitting in
a hotel room.
Also, I tend not to stop at obvious gringo hangouts. We're in Mexico and if you want to experience Baja (not the Baja) ya gotta get a leetle dirty.
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My last trip to BoLA, I slept in my car with my dog. Is that dirty enough?
Early in the evening, over the loud Mariachi music from a few campsites away, I heard some noise next to my car. It was a coyote digging through my
stuff, and close enough to slam him with my car door.....if I really wanted to open it for a coyote!
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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JohnM99
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-3-2015
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Thanks again - Costa del Sol looks good. Thank you for the photos.
Weather is slowly turning to winter rain here (Victoria BC) - good time to head south.
Another question if I may - how is the toll road Tijuana/Ensenada? All OK to drive on now I think?
John
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Getting back to your first destination, we have for years driven from Orange County to San Quintin and stayed a a lovely family run hotel called
Jardines De Baja. Amazing verdant gardens that attract tons of birds. And they have a really good restaurant adjacent run by the hotel owners daughter
and her husband.
We usually stop heading South for breakfast at Ed's Baja's Best. It has zero curb appeal, but is really nice inside.
From there we head to San Ignacio and stop at Hotel La Huerta, and drive down for breakfast to Santa Rosalia to eat at El Muelle which is two blocks
above the church and a block to the left.
Then on to Loreto, where we we usually stay at family owned Hacienda Suites, which has a complimentary breakfast. Tons of good restaurants in and
around Loreto for dinner. We often go to Domingo's place which is right next door to the hotel, but there is really great buzz for a place out on the
highway which name escapes me at the moment. (Sabroso??)
Usually stay at Club El Moro on the East end of the malecon in La Paz. They also have a complimentary breakfast and it it an easy walk toward many
restaurants closer in, such as Tailhunter.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The Tijuana to Ensenada Toll Highway (Mexico #1-D) is just fine (until the next landslide)! It is signed and called "Scenic Road" (not toll road), to
beckon more tourists to use it, perhaps?
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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Los Barriles
I think that you would enjoy checking out Los Barriles since you will be driving right by it. I can not recommend a place to stay, since I camp when
I am there, but I like the ambiance of the area and the small town feel.
If the timing doesn't work out on the way down, it is a short day trip north after you get to Los Cabos.
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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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch | .... easy drive to Bola the next morning and getting ready for an amazing vista when you crest the last hill..... breathtaking.
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Couldn't agree more, one of THE classic vistas of Baja!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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^^^Yep^^^
edit: and then that first Pacifico Ballena once you get into town!
[Edited on 10-22-2015 by woody with a view]
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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This is your trip not ours do what you want.
Try staying in the wine county the first night then Cativina the next.
Catavina is very cool at night we love to hike up the canyons at night as you get away from the light the stars just get closer.
Bay of LA is also cool.
Bahia Asuncion or San Ignacio Both fun but very different, I'd go out of my way to Asuncion just for the people.
From there south there are really cool places so go a play it by ear, see something you like, stay there. there is a lot to see.
From Loreto to la paz is 4 to 5 hours
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This is your trip, do not get so wrapped up in our agendas. Go have fun!
| Quote: Originally posted by JohnM99 | Wow - thank you all for such good advice! What a great forum!
I had wondered if Catavina might be a bit far, so we will stop a little sooner the first night. I was attracted to the idea of seeing what that
landscape would be like at night. Will definitely look around there for some photography.
Any advice about favorite places in the south, and where you would stop? We have never been to La Paz - and plan to drive on the older road Hwy 1
between La Paz and San Jose, leaving the 4 lane. |
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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This will be just the first drive... it will create a desire to have MANY more! "So much Baja... So little time!"
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Another vote for Catavina the first day and then relax at BOLA and Costa del Sol the second...and check out the mission at San Borja. Or Jardines in
San Quintin...both hotel and restaurant...or the wine country...I always cross at Tecate...oh wait...and then...
Ya can't go wrong!!! Have fun.
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JohnM99
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-3-2015
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I have traveled a lot, but all planned/booked/scheduled and it is a big change to just go somewhere and see how it goes. Hard to "let go" of the urge
to plan everything to the last detail.
That said these comments are all so helpful. Very kind of all of you to take the time to post.
Re Los Barriles - that is one of the reasons we are taking our car to leave in Mexico - so it is easier to do trips from San Jose. Have never enjoyed
renting cars down there.
Looking forward to getting surprised.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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even though it is a proper town, I recommend a night in Ensenada! there are plenty of hotels (we stay at the el cortez because we like the
bougainvillea restaurant attached to it - the BEST filet mignon with mushroom sauce in Baja)
BAJA INN HOTEL EL CORTEZ
Paseo Calle Primera #1089 & Av. Castillo
Ensenada, B.C. 22800, Mexico
Tel: 01152 (646) 178-2307
Fax: 01152 (646) 178-3904
From U.S.: 1-800-303-2684
Within Mexico: 01-800-026-6999
E-mail: info@bajainn.com
Capacity: 75 rooms & 7 junior suites
....the Baja inn - EL CORTEZ is on the main drag for tourist shops and there is one in particular that has been there over 20 years, can't remember
the name offhand but will edit when I do. The owner buys art and artifacts from all over Mexico. We have done extensive travel on the mainland and
this store encompasses it all.
and you are cordially invited to visit US! we live in la bocana and since BAHIA ASUNCION is a must for its people and seafood and incredible
beach......we are only 1.5 hours south and very remote. we also have a great beach restaurant and cabanyas on the beach and a couple of B&B's (I
am partial to ours http://www.labocanahotel.com) but scott and kim are amazing hosts too.
from us, san Ignacio is an oasis that should not be missed. there is the mission and there is a recommended hotel called LA HUERTA, head up the road
past the Mission church at the main square. La Huerta hotel will be on your right.
From there, head to Mulege, explore or should you want to spend the night, here is a link
http://www.clementinemulege.com
a bit further south is Loreto - one of the cutest quaintest towns. There are so many places to stay and we have tried several. One link is:
http://www.cococabanasloreto.com
From Loreto we head straight to LA PAZA, so I have no more recommendations.
Have a wonderful and safe trip.
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Entrada1270
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 8-22-2013
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Hi, I sent you a U2U with our stop and hotel suggestions, all the way to La Paz. Enjoy the trip.
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MulegeAL
Nomad
Posts: 298
Registered: 8-25-2009
Location: PDX/Mulege
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If you and your gal are more morning-people than night, consider leaving El Rosario early for photo-ops south through Catavina early in the morning.
The vistas and photo ops south from El Rosario at low light angle can be incredible. This will take time, esp Catavina area. Take one of the many
dirt turns off into the boulder fields and wander around with your camera.
And, this helps avoid driving at night, better to have the road ahead get lighter than darker, esp considering you haven't done hwy 1 for a while and
the days are getting shorter. Stop early, decompress a bit then go wander off somewhere; have fun!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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One last thing you may wish to consider. You have stated that you will be driving from La Paz to San Jose on Mex1. There are some very hilly and curvy
sections before you get to Los Barriles that add time vs. doing the four lane through Todos Santos. However, if you want to avoid a crap load of slow
traffic and traffic lights, I recommend that you turn in to the SJD airport and hop on the toll road that will leave you off in San Jose non-stop
(except for the toll booth at the end).
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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bajahowodd - I think the restaurant you were trying to remember in your first post was SABOR.
It is off the road a bit and very delicious.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Why do first timers always ask the Internet for advice?
My first time in Mexico was done on the fly, no planning, just went, had only a cooler, sleeping bags and tent, and money for food and beer, did not
even have a passport!
The goddess Nike said it best: just do it!
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JohnM99
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-3-2015
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"Why do first timers always ask the Internet for advice?"
Actually, pretty funny. Going on a trip to experience new things, but still addicted to trying to plan the details....!!
Hard to change habits.... will try!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The Internet is for INFORMATION, not just gossiping and complaining!
Finding out what other like or dislike about Baja places can help improve your chances for a good time. Many do not have time to waste or unlimited
resources. Keep asking, I say!
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