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hairwild
Junior Nomad
Posts: 30
Registered: 7-2-2010
Member Is Offline
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Driving first time and with kids!
Hi to all, I feel so blessed I found this website! I want to thank you all for helping me figure out insurance (bajabound), and for all the tips I've
been reading every chance I get. I love the fact that I haven't found a "you'll get killed/ robbed/ kidnapped" nasty comment like I've received from
friends and family after announcing our plans. I want to believe Baja is still safe even thou I confess, I'm more weary of policemen than robbers.
As a typical newbie, I'd like to ask you all to share comments, suggestions, and the like regarding driving Baja with DH, toddler, and two teenagers.
We will be staying in La Paz, and we have 3 days to get there, one because we want to enjoy the ride, and 2, because our 2 year old will go nuts strap
in the car for more than a few hours at a time. We plan to do a quick stop in Cabo once we're in La Paz (our teen girls say it's "THE" place to go of
course), but we really just want to see, learn and enjoy the real Baja. Please, any advice where to spend the first night? how far can we go if we
keep stopping for bathroom breaks, pictures, etc? That is my DH's main concern. Not finding a place to sleep. We know we won't drive at night, and
it's very scary to find ourselves at sunset not knowing where to go. Thank you so much for helping us out, and hopefully this will be the first of
many trips down Baja!
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Call me a sentimental old fool but I love the cataviña area with it's "whatever the heck it's called these days" hotel. Used to take me four hours to
drive from Ensenada to El Rosaio (but I drive slow) and then it's another 76 miles to Cataviña. The hotel was/is mid scale. Others on this forum will
have vastly more current information about this and where to eat. This place is still thankfully a wide spot in the road so directions are useless.
Regardless, gas up at the gasolinera in EL ROSARIO, and let the kids do their bathroom thing. Around two hours later you'll arrive in Cataviña.
Second night in Mulege or Loreto may be an option.
These are going to be long but not killer driving days. Start out after breakfast. You'll have another shot at what you passed on your way back.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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3 Days is about right for one way, which allows for plenty of stops along the way. I would agree that the hotel in Catavina would make a good stop
for the first night. A nice spring-fed swimming pool there, and restaurant. If you're up to it, go down the road just a tad to Rcho. Sta. Inez, have
a soda, and take a walk in the arroyo - see the blue fan palms, lupin. Get the driving kinks out. Maybe Mulege the next night. Start early to allow
a diversion of 1 hr-2 hr. to see the Mision San Fernando - just enough off-road without risk for a real Baja look-see. The mission, pot sherds,
stream, birds, history, quiet. Or a drive to El Marmol - awesome onyx quarry, Baja desertscape. Guerrero Negro for a meal and trinket shopping?
It's the little things that make a trip fun. When you come upon Vizcaino (so of Guerrero Negro), there's a gas station on the right, and there might
be someone near there selling honey, dried mango, oranges, candied figs and other stuff. The honey is wonderful; the oranges so sweet. Stop and get
some. Get some tamales at the trailer at the gas station on the left of Hwy. 1 at Jesus Maria. There are plenty of hotels in Guerrero Negro too.
San Ignacio is a nice stop for an hour or so - see the mission, trinket shopping, sit by the river and picnic, restaurants. Task the teenagers with
taking photos, learning Spanish; bring some stuff for them to give to less fortunate.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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You will have to remember that you will be on "kids time".
Our youngest in now 9 but did his first trip at age 2.
Here are some suggestions;
Day 1 plan on either the Desert Inn (whatever they are calling it these days) in San Quintin or if you get farther, BajaCactus in El Rosario. If you
are amazingly speedy or get a really early start, there is a Desert Inn affair in Catavinia also.
For day 2 consider 3 options depending on how far you get.
1. San Ignacio - the Bed and Breakfast (morning brain can't come up with the name).
2. Santa Rosalia - the motel just south of town on the water.
3. Mulege - the Serinidad so the kids can hit the pool.
You can make La Paz from any of these three in one day.
If your 2 year old normally sleeps late, consider starting your days early and getting some driving time in while he's asleep. Also, no stops while
he's napping !!
Bring books and kids music and plan to read to him and sing silly songs !
Also keep lot's of his favorite snacks within easy reach.
Good one-hour stops (there are many others) along the way include numerous eateries in El Rosario, the rocks and desert in Catavinia, The town square
in San Ignacio, the town and bakery in Santa Rosalia, the town of Mulege, the beaches south of Mulege, the town of Loreto; and go SLOW through CC !
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Baja Cactus - El Rosario
La Serenidad - Mulege
La Paz
In Memory of E-57
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline
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a few thoughts. past maneadero you'll come to your first military checkpoint (unless there are sporadic ones at the toll booths or the tj one is open
again) and it can be a bit disconcerting to those not used to young men in uniforms carrying guns coming up to your car. right before you go up the
hill to this checkpoint is a really nice grocery store/restaurant called acamabaro...on the left...clean restrooms and nice people. after the
checkpoint you drop into the santo tomas valley (the palomar here is a fun place to stop too) and really get a nice taste of baja. make SURE your
spare is in good shape and however careful you are driving in the u.s., double that in baja with eyes open for potholes and cows. maybe google
"driving highway one in baja" or similar to get a feel for it...sounds like you are spending a few bucks on the trip so why not a few more for the
piece of mind of a sat. phone? and if you are going soon, it can be way hot south of catavina (which indeed is a great place to stop) so have plenty
plenty plenty of water/fluids and have a blast.
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KASHEYDOG
Senior Nomad
Posts: 649
Registered: 2-21-2007
Location: CARLSBAD,CA 619-990-0270
Member Is Offline
Mood: SO MANY TACOS, SO LITTLE TIME... Gotta Go, See ya there.... 
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Hey, Hairwild : ) I see you're getting a lot of great responses as to where to stay. However, it might help us to know where you are starting from.
[Edited on 7-3-10 by KASHEYDOG]
Don\'t mess with the old dog...... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience.....  ....  ....
Are you getting the most out of life OR is life getting the most out of you ?? 
Twenty years from now you\'ll be more disappointed by the things you didn\'t do then the things you did.
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KASHEYDOG
Senior Nomad
Posts: 649
Registered: 2-21-2007
Location: CARLSBAD,CA 619-990-0270
Member Is Offline
Mood: SO MANY TACOS, SO LITTLE TIME... Gotta Go, See ya there....
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Here's a web site to check out : )
http://inlapaz.com/Driving_to_La_Paz.html
If you decide to stop in the San Quintine area I would suggest the old "Desert Inn Hotel". It's a great place for the kids because it"s right on the
beach and is great for discovery walks and last I heard a few day ago it's only $40 a night. I'll attach a link and picture below.
http://www.desertinns.com/SanQuintin/#
DESERT INN FROM THE WATER
[Edited on 7-3-10 by KASHEYDOG]
Don\'t mess with the old dog...... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience..... .... ....
Are you getting the most out of life OR is life getting the most out of you ??
Twenty years from now you\'ll be more disappointed by the things you didn\'t do then the things you did.
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KASHEYDOG
Senior Nomad
Posts: 649
Registered: 2-21-2007
Location: CARLSBAD,CA 619-990-0270
Member Is Offline
Mood: SO MANY TACOS, SO LITTLE TIME... Gotta Go, See ya there....
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Another pic from the outside patio with a friend.
GRUPO PIÑOS ACQUIRES BAJA HOTELS: San Quintin -
Discover Baja Club:
The mega-agricultural firm on Highway 1, Grupo Piños, has purchased the former Desert Inn (was La
Pinta - El Presidente) on Bahia Santa Maria in
San Quintin. Promotional rates are still about $40 USD/night plus tax or $565 pesos total.
The manager of the Hotel Mision Santa Maria is
Nelson Santos Pedrin.
Reservations: 616 165 9008 or email:
hotelmisionsantamaria@hotmail.com
Directions: Hotel Mision Santa Maria, from
H1 look for large plant Los Piños in the grove of
screened green houses, at ‘new’ Pemex station, turn West, go through the grove 2.5 miles to beach, the Hotel off to the left. Dog friendly too.
[Edited on 7-3-10 by KASHEYDOG]
Don\'t mess with the old dog...... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience..... .... ....
Are you getting the most out of life OR is life getting the most out of you ??
Twenty years from now you\'ll be more disappointed by the things you didn\'t do then the things you did.
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KASHEYDOG
Senior Nomad
Posts: 649
Registered: 2-21-2007
Location: CARLSBAD,CA 619-990-0270
Member Is Offline
Mood: SO MANY TACOS, SO LITTLE TIME... Gotta Go, See ya there....
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you might want to check out this TRAVEL PASS SPECIAL too.
http://www.desertinns.com/SanQuintin/index.cfm?type=travelpa...
Have fun  
[Edited on 7-4-10 by KASHEYDOG]
Don\'t mess with the old dog...... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience..... .... ....
Are you getting the most out of life OR is life getting the most out of you ??
Twenty years from now you\'ll be more disappointed by the things you didn\'t do then the things you did.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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bathrooms are at the gas stations
or any bush on the way since the gas stations are sometimes few and far between. have tp handy, even at gas stations. never throw tp in the toilets
make sure you have water and snacks in the car
on your way south, Bahia Concepcion is one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. Take time to jump in the warm 80 degree water there
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bajafam
Senior Nomad
Posts: 654
Registered: 9-6-2009
Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
Member Is Offline
Mood: DLTBGYD
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3 days to get there?! Wow you guys travel fast  We have two kids, 4 1/2 and 2 and
we get nowhere fast!! We are hoping this time to get to Asuncion in 4 days....of course, we are coming from Northern Arizona, so it's takes a full day
just to get to Yuma, and then the second day into Baja. This is our usual itinerary for the first couple of days:
1 ~ Yuma
2 ~ La Fonda
3 ~ Baja Cactus, El Rosario
4 ~ Malarrimo, Guerrero Negro
We've only ventured south of here, twice. Once to Asuncion and Abreojos, once all the way to Todos Santos. We enjoyed several hotels along the way:
Shari's San Roque Casa, Asuncion
Serenidad, Mulege
Kuyima, Laguna San Ignacio
Oasis Hotel, Constitucion
Hotel Perla, La Paz
Santa Rosa, Todos Santos
Bottom line, expect delays, and always, always Enjoy the Journey, no matter what it may include. We find that if we just relax and not worry about
when we'll get where we want to go, we have more fun along the way. Have a great trip!!
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KASHEYDOG
Senior Nomad
Posts: 649
Registered: 2-21-2007
Location: CARLSBAD,CA 619-990-0270
Member Is Offline
Mood: SO MANY TACOS, SO LITTLE TIME... Gotta Go, See ya there....
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Dead sea Lion on the beach near The Desert Inn Hotel. Sept 09 
[Edited on 7-3-10 by KASHEYDOG]
Don\'t mess with the old dog...... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience..... .... ....
Are you getting the most out of life OR is life getting the most out of you ??
Twenty years from now you\'ll be more disappointed by the things you didn\'t do then the things you did.
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hairwild
Junior Nomad
Posts: 30
Registered: 7-2-2010
Member Is Offline
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Thank you so much for all your advice! We live in San Diego, so we figure we'll cross the border around 5 or 6 in the morning. Some people say to buy
insurance before leaving, some say right when crossing. I think it'd be more convenient to buy it before that way we only have to deal with the "green
light/ red light" while crossing San Ysidro. Do you guys go to the "Nothing to declare" or the other lane? I want to take stuff to give away to
children whom we might encounter on the road, toys, clothes, etc., and also we're taking boogie boards and stuff, but our truck doesn't have a camper
shell so hopefully we'll get hotels with covered parking!
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KASHEYDOG
Senior Nomad
Posts: 649
Registered: 2-21-2007
Location: CARLSBAD,CA 619-990-0270
Member Is Offline
Mood: SO MANY TACOS, SO LITTLE TIME... Gotta Go, See ya there....
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I used to use this for all my short term trips. You can get it on line and print it out at home so there's no stoping for anything. Don't forget your
Mexican visas at the border. BTW....... print 2 copies. Keep one in the car and one on you, "just in case"  
https://www.mexicoensurance.com/quote_form.php?agente=bi
[Edited on 7-3-10 by KASHEYDOG]
Don\'t mess with the old dog...... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery! Brilliance only comes with age and
experience..... .... ....
Are you getting the most out of life OR is life getting the most out of you ??
Twenty years from now you\'ll be more disappointed by the things you didn\'t do then the things you did.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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We've been making the trip for many years from Central Orange County. There was a time when we tried to put as many miles behind us as we could, but
came to find that taking it slower and enjoying the hospitality of the many fine hoteliers and restaurateurs was part of the fun experience. Coming
from San Diego, as you will, my suggestion, noting that each day will involve somewhere between 200 and 260 miles of highway is:
San Quintin. While I prefer the Jardines de Baja hotel there for its intimate, family- run atmosphere, it beautiful garden setting, and great adjacent
restaurant, I would agree with previous posters that traveling with kids, the once Desert Inn, now called Hotel Santa Maria would be a good choice for
you. The place was completely renovated recently and it is right on a fantastic beach.
Guerrero Negro. Accommodations here are not great, but plenty to choose from, with my top three picks being Malarrimo, Los Caralcoles, and Cowboy
Hotel.
Loreto. Although many prefer to be up by the beach, we have enjoyed Hacienda Suites, a family run topnotch hotel that has a big pool. It is right next
door to one of the better restaurants in town, Domingo's Place. Also, recently opened is the Hotel Santa Fe on the adjacent block. It also has a pool.
As I mentioned, making these your overnight stops, you will not have to drive more than 260 miles in any given day. I would also recommend that you
don't miss stopping in such places like San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia and Mulege during the day to sightsee and give the kids a chance to run around.
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4349
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
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http://www.bajabound.com/
This is the fast, easy way to get insurance. We use it when we go down for short trips in the wife's car.
MAGA
marooons Are Governing America
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Oh, what the heck!
http://www.mexadventure.com/
There are a number of very reliable websites from which you can select your insurance. It's easy and fast and most store your info, so the next time
you go, it's even faster to get a policy. The only suggestion I can make is that considering all of the online sites are California surplus lines
brokers, you would likely be best served by whichever offers the widest selection of carriers from which you can select.
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hairwild
Junior Nomad
Posts: 30
Registered: 7-2-2010
Member Is Offline
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It sure looks complicated to buy insurance, 15 days is almost as expensive as a 6 month coverage! I can't decide which one to buy 
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Bajame
Nomad
Posts: 458
Registered: 6-12-2005
Member Is Offline
Mood: Baja Dreamin
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Be sure to stay a nite in San Ignacio, it so pretty! A great place to stay is Casa Leree, just a half a block from the Plaza. Juanita will be your
host. You get to experience staying at the first guest house in this cute town. The enclosed courtyard is beautiful! A little Stream runs through the
flowered covered yard and there a lot of things the kids can do there. Her place has so much of the history of the town and maps of the great hiking
places in the local area. The San Ignacio Festival is the last week in July. Other places to check is San Ignacio Springs B&B, on the river with
the best breakfast in town! Check out their websites for reservations. San Ignacio an Oasis in the desert!
We all want a peaceful world, filled with love and laughter, but we fill ourselves with anger and hate trying to fiqure out how to achive it.
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