| Pages:
1
2 |
vetra
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 3-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
Rosarito/Ensenada day trip advice
My wife and I will be making a short 3 day trip to San Diego at the end of this month and while there, would like to take the opportunity to do a day
trip to Rosarito/Ensenada in part to soak in some different sites—I understand the drive down is quite scenic and in part to get a feel for the area
as a possible retirement destination in the not too too distant future. Our mission over the next couple of years is to at least see some areas we
read about as retirement possibilities so that we can narrow down the list for further, more in depth exploration.
Other than a brief walk over the border to Tijuana on a business trip to San Diego shortly after 9/11 I’ve got some newbie questions that maybe you
folks can help me with:
1. We will be driving over. I know about the need to get Mexican insurance, obeying speed limits, and pretty much limiting driving to day time hours.
From what I have read, the toll road is the way to go and most places report that once on the road the drive is pretty easy and the road is in good
repair. (Though actually a couple of posts here have indicated the need to watch out for potholes and instances of vandalism—rocks placed on the road,
etc.) Anything in particular I should be concerned or particularly cautious about on the drive down?
2. What do you do with the vehicle when in the towns—do you need to find secure parking or is parking on the street ok?
3. We would like to visit some beach areas while visiting are there usually convenient parking areas in these locations? Parking while exploring Punta
Banda?
4. From what I have read, it seems that Ensenada is the furthest point south of the official tourist zone—does this include Punta Banda and La Fudora?
5. Would like to explore Ensenada a bit—beyond the tourist zone—either by foot or by car—are there particular neighborhoods we should definitely stay
out of and may be more importantly some areas we definitely should see—for instance, I can’t think of the name right now, but I did run across mention
of an area up in the hills (I think it is marked by a big flag or something that is supposed to provide a scenic overlook on the town and the ocean.)
6. One of the things we had hoped to do during this trip is some whale watching—though I understand that late March is probably pushing the season a
little bit. I checked into some tours, but unfortunately they are about 4 hours in length which will eat up way more time than we have on this all too
brief visit. Nonetheless we would like to get out on the water a bit—would it be possible to hire a panga to go out for an hour or so?
7. Same sorts of questions apply for Rosarito regarding walking around or exploring the town by car—any neighborhoods we should avoid, what should we
do with the car? Any places of particular interest we should see—even if it is just neighborhoods that might give us a feel for how the gringo
community lives dwon here>
8. Is this a doable itinerary?
a. Leave San Diego early in the morning—somewhere between 7-8am arrive Ensenada sometime mid morning (10:30 ish?) Probably traveling on a Sunday.
b. Spend 4-5 hours in Ensenada, walking around, Punta Banda, maybe brief harbor tour.
c. Leave Ensenada to Rosarito sometime mid afternoon—3-ish? Maybe stop in Puerto Nuevo for some lobster.
d. Spend a few hours in Rosorito and head back to San Diego.
Sorry for the long post. Any suggestions or advice on any of the above will be a great help!
|
|
|
beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by vetra
e ocean.)
8. Is this a doable itinerary?
a. Leave San Diego early in the morning—somewhere between 7-8am arrive Ensenada sometime mid morning (10:30 ish?) Probably traveling on a Sunday.
b. Spend 4-5 hours in Ensenada, walking around, Punta Banda, maybe brief harbor tour.
c. Leave Ensenada to Rosarito sometime mid afternoon—3-ish? Maybe stop in Puerto Nuevo for some lobster.
d. Spend a few hours in Rosorito and head back to San Diego.
Sorry for the long post. Any suggestions or advice on any of the above will be a great help! |
Absolutely NOT. You're trying to cram way too much into one single day. You never said where you were currently living nor how often you could get to
San Diego with the intent of exploring into Baja but you really need to reconsider an itinerary that would afford you more time in each of Rosarito
Beach and the Ensenada area. Concentrate your efforts on one area and then stretch it out into at least a 3-4 day weekend. Maybe then you could get
some ideas from locals on things that are ireally mportant to you.
Just do it!
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3826
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Go out on whale watching boat in San Diego - some whales are returning now. Cross in Tecate, stop at a couple wineries. Have fish tacos in El
Sauzal. Go to Ensenada for shopping, walking around. Drive to Estero Beach if you want for a little beach time, beer at the restaurant. Head back
via Mex. 3, have dinner at Los Naranjos, cross in Tecate.
|
|
|
vetra
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 3-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
yeah, I guess I was thinking we might have been pushing it with all the things we had hoped to do on a one day tour--given that our time is short,
which might be the more interesting town to spend our time in Ensenada or Rosarito. Again, I realize we are not going to get the full flavor of the
area in a one day trip...but just want to see what the area looks like, pick up a little bit of the vibe.
To answer your question earlier, we live in Chicago, don't get to San Diego often, well actually almost never--my wife hasn't been and I've only been
there once for brief business trip, though we have been to California 5-6 times. . But as I said we are seriously considering Mexico as a retirement
option and would like to see some places that we have read about as popular reitirement havens--gotten get out of these gloomy Chicago winters and
looking for a cost effective way to do it. Have only been to Mexico once--Oaxaca and the Oaxacan coast--Mazunte--loved it but scouting places closer
to the border...Retirement is a ways off--6-8 years, just want to start some initial scouting...hope this helps.
Even if we don't do anything on this trip, but drive down and drive back up at least it will give us some kind of feel for the place---I hope.
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
Better food, retirement options and cheap condos in Miami Beach. YOu can buy a condo in Miami that's twice the size of an oceanfront one in Rosarito
for about half the price. Not to mention the saftey and security. If you're realy considering retiring in Baja- consider the real Baja- way way way
south and away from the border where the water is clean and warm and the locals of all nationalities more inviting. JMHO though
|
|
|
vetra
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 3-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
ok--thanks for weighing in...like I said retirement is still a ways off, just on sort of scouting missions now--but I guess for the purposes of this
trip I guess what I am trying to ask is it worth it to take a day and drive down to Ensenada and back just to check things out?
|
|
|
Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
|
|
The Drive to Ensenada
on the toll road (Scenic Highway) is spectacularly beautiful, IF you have good weather. The last part that winds down the coast to the city rivals
Big Sur in beautiful ocean vistas, but the coast is prone to fog, so the views can be very hit or miss.
Are you prepared to spend three-to-four hours just getting to La Bufadora? The scenery is well worth it.
La Bufadora is great fun for first time visitors, with a half mile long alley of what you find at a carnival - many, many kischy souvenir vendors
mixed up with a few nice quality shops (art, jewelry, wood carvings, good leather items), street food stalls, churro hawkers and various street
entertainers.
At the end, you arrive at the sometimes underwhelming water spout, but it is a beloved tourist destination of choice for many Mexican families and
it's bound to be lively because of Semana Santa (Holy Week) when all of Mexico packs up their family and goes somewhere.
[Edited on 3-13-2008 by Gypsy Jan]
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
|
|
|
vetra
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 3-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
ok--thanks--that was helpful--3-4 hours just to get to La Bufadora--wow I guess I thought it was shorter than that--still it sounds like the scenery
on the way down is worth it--I am assuning this is still within the tourist zone. Any comments regarding parking in Ensenada?
|
|
|
vetra
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 3-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
Also--any other suggestions for things to do on Punta Banda
|
|
|
Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
|
|
Ensenada Nomads
I'm sure will give you a more comprehensive reply; I live forty miles north in Rosarito, but the harbour (Bahia Todos Santos) is a major cruise ship
destination, so the fish market is a very entertaining stop and you can walk up a block to Ensenada's main street for shops and food (Hussong's
Cantina is usually a must stop for a beer or two).
I suggest a Google search using the keyword "Ensenada" and see what comes up. I haven't looked at them lately, but baja.com and ensenada.com did have
much useful information in the past for tourists.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
|
|
|
DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by vetra
Also--any other suggestions for things to do on Punta Banda |
If you're going full tourist to P.B., I would stop at Gordo's for a drink. Hilarious place, if it's still there. I seem to remember a lot of hats .
. . .
I also like just hanging at the beach out at Punta Estero. [Insert Corona ad here.] But I'm a pretty boring guy. Activity-challenged, you might
say.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
|
|
|
susanna
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 2-17-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
My advise is to spend the night at the Grand Baja Hotel in Puerto Nuevo so you can see more of Baja,Check their website. Ask the staff at the front
desk any questions and also stop and meet my friend Jackie at Click- on. Com internet cafe and Business center just next door to the hotel there in
Puerto Nuevo. Also Chelas for Lobster in PN. I hear there is a place in Primo Tapia for Breakfast not sure of the name. You can learn more from people
that live there.we have met the nicest people when we were there. Good Luck!
|
|
|
Mike99km
Nomad
Posts: 178
Registered: 5-23-2007
Location: San Dimas and ? in baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Unless you have a POS car I would park in a guarded parking parking area. When the boats are in the parking is very hard. Don't make a target out of
yourself by driving something very nice if possible.
The blow hole has plenty of parking.
You are not suppose to travel pass the Ensenada area without papers but many do. The cruse ships run the masses out there all the time. Don't worry
about going to the blow hole.
For whale watching go to H & M landing in San Diego there boats are bigger and safer. They also have more range then the mexican boats. Also try
Point Loma Seafood some of the best seafood in town (smoked tuna sandwich). It's at the landing.
Part of the draw of Mexico is the slower pace and the living in the moment. if you have the time take the free road back to La Fonda it si very
pretty at this time and very different then the toll road about 30 mins. longer.
We plan to retire there and enjoy it .
You live the life you settle for.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W. C. Fields.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
I'd hire FDT to be your guide. While TJ is his speciality, I'm sure he could do a bang em up job of Ensenada and the Guadalupe Valley.
I like the idea of a couple wineries and some time in Ensenada. Pass on Rosarito.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
I'd hire FDT to be your guide. |
That may be pricey.
|
|
|
robrt8
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 12-14-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
I second Susanna's advice. You have a two day itinerary there at least. Have a good trip.
|
|
|
BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4999
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
I'd hire FDT to be your guide. |
That may be pricey. |
Actually, not likely.
And for someone traveling from Chicago, and only one day to maximize.... I can't think of a better suggestion than doing exactly
that.
--
Doug Means
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
|
|
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
|
|
Vetra
Check your u2u account.
At the top of this page in the corner on the right side.
|
|
|
robrt8
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 12-14-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Forward that to the rest of us Bajaguy. You can u2u me!
|
|
|
vetra
Newbie
Posts: 19
Registered: 3-12-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
What is an FDT?
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
