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chiku
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 12-13-2008
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First Baja trip
Thanks to all of you, I have nearly planned our first trip to Baja. I have been reading many posts on this site for months and it has helped me a lot
in planning our trip. I would love to get your suggestions/tips.
Sorry, this is going to be a rather long post but I want to give you an idea of our plan before I ask questions. I first thought about Baja for the
whales but as I read, I found too many places I want to visit. Now I am wondering if I'm trying to fit in too much. We are flying to San Diego and
then renting a car. So we have to cross the border by public transport and then rent a car at TIJ ariport.
Day1-we'll get a late start in driving so stop in El Rosario
Day 2- San Ignacio
Day 3- Mulege/concepcion bay
Day 4,5- Bahia asuncion
Day 5,6 - Guerrero Negro
Day 7- San Quintin
Day 9 - back to San diego after dropping the car at TIJ
We have one more day which I can't decide where to spend since I want to be all the places.
So here are my questions: Should we spend that extra day in Mulege or San ignacio (either lagoon or cave paintings) or Bahia asuncion or GN (to keep
an extra day in case the first one is windy)?
Am I planning for too much? We are in mid-late 30's and used to active/outdoors vacations.
Any suggestions on public transposrt to cross the border and renting a car?
Once again, sorry if this post is too long. We would love any suggestions from you all. Thanks.
I am very excited that less than a month we'll be in Baja
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Welcome to BajaNomad, chiku. Don't fret about post length. The longer the better when it's meaningful and Baja related. You'll be buried in
answers soon and have a good, safe trip.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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I'd say keep your plans tentative and go with what unfolds. Personally, I'd give up my days in GN or SQ for more days in Mulege or Asuncion. We'll
be in Asuncion from 12/28 until the 7th or so...look us up if you're around.
zac
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Welcome to Nomad!
Yes, don't 'plan' what to do with any extra days... just know you have them for a place that deserves an extra day...
Your trip sounds very much like the places we went to in July, 2007: http://vivabaja.com/707 (El Rosario, Remote Pacific Coast, Bahia Asuncion, Punta Abreojos, San Ignacio, Mulege, Concepcion Bay... back with a stop
at Guerrero Negro's old salt loading warf).
Where you want to stay longer depends on what you like to do...
Fishing and friendly people: Bahia Asuncion (look up Shari and Juan).
Beach: Bahia Concepcion or San Quintin at Pabellon or Cielito Lindo?
Whales: Guerrero Negro
History/ Culture... everywhere, but San Ignacio is tops! Mission, Museum next door, Casa Leree, Ignacio Springs B&B... wow!
HAVE FUN and give us a trip report when you retun, please!
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Day 1 - Ensenada or farther ?
Day 2 - South to San Ignacio B&B Yurts (stay if the weather is nice)
Day 3 - From San Ignacio, stop in Santa Rosalia / overnight in Mulege
Day 4 - Mulege for shopping and to hit the beaches south of town
Day 5 - Drive to Asuncion
Day 6 - Asuncion (fishing with Juan ?)
Day 7 - Explore Asuncion then head to GN
Day 8 - Whales in the AM / head north to El Rosario BajaCactus
Day 9 - to SD
This is the whirlwind trip for sure but with 2 adults it should be manageable.
And as Zac said "go with what unfolds".
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Mood: Thirsty
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Diver makes good sense...but....you might, on the first day make it to El Rosario, it just depends on what time you get out of Tijuana....and the
sooner the better!!
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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I'll go along with Diver's schedule, except for day 1.
My preference is to make it El Rosario, enjoy a quiet evening at Baja Cactus, then get an early start for San Ignacio and make sure you visit with
Juanita  @ Casa Leree.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Chiku,
Welcome!
Your itinerary looks workable. Like Bajaboy said, keep it loose and alter it as you wish.
Here is a suggestion: Using Mulege as a base,you can take a day trip to see the cave paintings and a two day trip to see San Ignacio, San Ignacio
lagoon and the whales. That way you could forgo Guerrero Negro and have more time in Mulege too.
You will probably encounter wind in Mulege. Bring warm clothes and layer them. It is not tropical! It is cold at night and mornings. Usually it is
sunny every day and it warms up nicely.
Regarding driving, the days are much shorter now. Prepare to alter your overnight stays if you see you are going to run out of daylight. The stretch
after El Rosario is the longest. Maybe a stop in Asuncion on your way to Mulege would work, if your furthest destination is Mulege. During the winter
I plan two overnights enroute to Mulege. During the summer...one. Those overnights are merely sleepovers, as I am focused on getting to Mulege.
You have lots of options. Everyone's suggestions here are workable. Even though you will be traveling during the high season, I think this year, hotel
vacancies shouldn't be an issue. If so, there are options for that too.
So, to sum it up, I would spend your extended times in Asuncion and Mulege.
Have fun! Ask for me at Scotties Restaurant in Mulege. I would love to meet you.
Tony
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Hmmm sounds really exciting. I am targeting the same region for a future adventure and I like your plan. The forementioned advice is excellent to skip
SQ, GN for more time in pueblos and remote places in the region on the Sea of Cortez and Paciifc. I wonder what kind of car you will rent. I do
believe that any car can work as the worst case is the dirt roads are washboard and at worst you will get stuck in sand and shovel your way out or be
pulled out.
But here's a tip, since you will be remote at times you will encounter small stores occasionally but you may find yourself out in the middle of no
where, hungry or thirsty so will you bring a cooler, if not you may find an old bucket and bags or soft coolers work wonders. What will you eat? Do
you plan to cool out? Will you kill rabbits and grill over a fire? Fish and grill? Eat out?
Just wondering what food ideas you have?
May I plug google maps as a great way to plan your trip in the region which is seemingly more and more focused in the area to the west, east, north
and south of San Ignacio.
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
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Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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Hi, Chiku. Just wondering, why rent a Mexican car? Rates are mostly higher than US & you MUST pay daily insurance - more than doubling the cost.
If you have a Gold credit card, you can decline the CDW in the USA.
When in Mulege, its worth the bumpy drive to Ray's Hacienda de La Habana restaurant for an idyllic dinner!
Anyway, have a great time in Baja.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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You might consider whale watching for your extra day if you're in the Jan-earlyMarch time frame. That would be GN or San Ignacio. (looks like Diver
already said that. So, I concur).
If you're after warm weather I would spend more time on the cortez side, mulege/concepcion. The asuncion area should be windy (not swimsuit weather).
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Are you nuts? Making a trip to Baja?
Just look at the recent headers in Today's Posts: American woman fatally injured at La Ventana; Rosarito police officer shot, killed in patrol
pickup; Trapped in Baja; ITALIAN TOURIST FOUND (DEAD!).
And the scariest one of all..........................Flying with Capt. Mike. 
Dont do it! At least cold weather can be waited out. Chop more firewood or something.
If you're still determined.............forget El Rosario if you are leaving TJ any later than about noon, this time of year. I personally think the
stretch from TJ to ER is the toughest part of the peninsula, especially if light is fading.
Have a great trip.................my lead-in was MOSTLY in jest. 
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AcuDoc
Nomad
Posts: 331
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: The Seven Seas and Thailand
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Chiku
I'd take the advice of a few and skip GN and SQ. Here is my 2 cents
Day 1
If leaving late from SD stop in Ensenada
Stay at Hotel Colon. I used to stay there every time for $25 a night five years ago, not sure what it is now. Clean, SD tv, walking distance to town,
safe secure parking in enclosed courtyard with security guard that actually stays awake.
I'd park my truck and 16' boat right outside my door, literally.
Day 2
Bahia de Los Angeles
Day 3
Bahia de Los Angeles
Day 4
Mulege/concepcion bay with lunch at Rice and Beans (San Ignacio and top off gas)
I've never stayed here but thinking of doing so on my next trip
http://mulege.org/naranjos/naranjos.htm
Day 5
Mulege/concepcion bay
Day 6
Bahia Asuncion
Day 7
Bahia Asuncion
Day 8
El Rosario stay at BajaCactus
Day 9
back to San Diego after dropping the car at TIJ
When traveling thru Santa Rosalia don't miss Playa Negra Restaurant/Cantina near ferry terminal in Santa Rosalia (PJ isn't that the name of the place)
Mn it's been awhile need some help here guys. Don't miss the fish taco at the place across the street from Hotel Mulege. Which by the way is a great
place to stay in town. Not expensive, clean, tv, a/c safe parking in enclosed courtyard, walking distance to everything.
Anyhow that is my thoughts
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bajaandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 769
Registered: 2-7-2004
Location: North County
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Mood: Adventurous
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Welcome to the board. Like others have said, keep that itinerary open. Shoot for some main spots, but be open to side adventures. I'd try to make
El Rosario the first night and spend the night at the Baja Cactus, as others have mentioned. It's only about 4 or 5 hours south, so unless you like
to dawdle (which I don't recommend in that neck of the woods) you should make that no problem. From there, keep it open and have a great time. Be
sure to post that trip report when you get home!
subvert the dominant paradigm
"If you travel with a man, you must either fall out with him or make him your good friend."
JBL Noel
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chiku
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 12-13-2008
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Wow, I am really impressed, so many replies in a few hours. Thank you all!
The trip was initially planned to see whales. So, we’ll definitely visit either GN or San Ignacio. I know it’s supposed to be rather early but hope to
at least get to watch a few whales. I like the idea of keeping it rather tentative as Zac and David suggested.
We are not camping. Do we have to book in advance or can we get hotel/motel room last minute?
Zac and Tony, we will definitely try to look you up. I think we’ll be there in Asuncion and Mulege at least for a day or two.
How long is the drive from TJ to El Rosario? I am hoping to make it if we leave TJ by 11am or so.
Gnukid, surely we’ll have some snacks, water with us but we don’t plan to kill rabbit or fish and grill. We are not camping this time so we will not
have any camping gear. We will be eating out.
Baja&Back, I have read that US rental companies do not allow cars further south than Ensenada so we have to rent in TJ. Is it wrong information?
If we could rent in San Diego and drive south that would have been much easier.
Hook, hmmm.. yes we are mostly determined.. as yet. I have been reading the news and that’s why not very keen on stopping in Ensenada.
In fact, the stop SQ on the way back, was just to break the long drive from GN to San Diego.
Again, thanks to all of you. I am sure, I’ll be back to ask some more questions. I am very excited to visit Baja (after reading so much) and to meet
some of you.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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You'll get different responses on the time from TJ to El Rosario but count on 5-6 hours. As for hotels, Baja Cactus will be the only one you might
have an issue with that I can think of. Most hotels will fill up as it gets dark, though, depending on when and where you're headed.
As for eating along the way, you might consider stopping at a loncheria for a good and inexpensive meal. Look for the 18 wheelers parked outside for
an idea of which ones are good.
Follow your instincts and you'll have a great trip.
zac
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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We look forward to meeting you here...maybe go fishing with Bajaboy and Juan??? I would definately see the whales in GN...drive to the lagoon just
south of GN...go out in the morning and continue on your merry way...this is because early in January...Ojo de Liebre scammons lagoon) is much more
likely to have whales as it is the first lagoon to get whales...san ignacio happens later in the season....see ya when we see ya...have a safe trip
and enjoy the bbq rabbits.
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Kell-Baja
Nomad
Posts: 360
Registered: 1-18-2003
Location: San Diego
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At this point, the only thing I can add is Welcome and have a wonderful first trip to Baja.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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I don't know if camping is an option for you or not. If so, you might want to check out this gear rental company where you pick up camping gear in
Ensenada. They say these prices are for the duration of your trip. I don't know of anybody who has rented from them, but it looks good form their
website.
http://www.baja-outfitters.com/gear.html
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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There are US rental companies in SD that allow their cars to go into Baja but they are more costly, in part due to the "extra" Mexican insurance that
they require.
You can easily save $100 per week by renting in TJ.
Someone had posted a great set of directions for taking the trolly or something from the airport. Maybe they will speak up again ?
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