| Pages:
1
2 |
raymorrone
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 10-5-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Introductions and a few Qs
Hello Nomads,
I'm Ray, a motion graphics designer in SF...and I'm Julia, a part time waitress at a brewpub and part time oil painter.
We've been reading the site daily since we started planning our 10-day Baja camping/roadtrip 5 months ago. We leave in 9 days, (Oct 17 - 27th) so we
finally mustered the courage to post!
So...umm..hello!
OK. We bought the Baja guides and read ALL of the posted trip reports. But We still have a few Qs and if you would be so kind as to schooling us a
bit, we would certainly appreciate it.
Our #1 Q:
After an early AM crossing in TJ and spending the first night in El Rosario (It seems EVERYONE agress on the Baja Cactus) Should we wake early and
drive onward to BofLA (4 or 5 Hrs?) Or continue on HW1 to Mulege (7hrs?)
All we want is peace and quiet, taco stands, pacificos and stunning views....and to not get too lost (we splurged on a GPS!)
Please let us know what you think! And hopefully if our paths cross with any of you, we'd love to buy you lunch and pick your brain further!
Thanks!
Julia & Ray
Ray and Julia
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20372
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by raymorrone
After an early AM crossing in TJ and spending the first night in El Rosario (It seems EVERYONE agress on the Baja Cactus)
|
Wrong. Never say EVERYONE agrees. Skip Baja Cactus and stay at Catavina. MUCH nicer place to stay in Catavina.
| Quote: | Originally posted by raymorrone
Should we wake early and drive onward to BofLA (4 or 5 Hrs?) Or continue on HW1 to Mulege (7hrs?)
All we want is peace and quiet, taco stands, pacificos and stunning views....and to not get too lost (we splurged on a GPS!)
|
hard to answer that Q. If you want to go to BOLA, then go to BOLA. BOLA and Mulege are very different. How do we know which place you will like?
Both places are very nice. Perhaps you should go both places...
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Welcome to BajaNomad, Ray.
You'll get a ton of advice in a little while. Nomads, for the most part, are day people....except for the Goats who like to roam around at night
eating out of the neighbors trash cans.
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
welcome to the sandbox Ray & julia...while baja cactus is great, Catavinia area is stunning and unique. BOLA is just a short hop off the highway
so check it out too...and if it is a bit too steamy there and in Mulege, you can head over to the cooler pacside and visit all of us over here
too...lots of options...be flexible..have a wonderful, fun trip.
check your U2U box up by the sign in.
|
|
|
BajaDove
Nomad
Posts: 194
Registered: 11-23-2008
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
The most fun thing is 'Baja decisions' Stop where you feel comfortable and when it's time wake up say 'been there done that' and move on down.
spend a night in or near Santispac *Bay of Conception* beauty fix.
Most of all take it in and love where you are.
If its not where it is, its where it isn\'t.
|
|
|
SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7433
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
We always push on to Catavina if daylight permits, and we make sure it does. Very pretty place and it puts you that much closer to your destination.
We went to BoLA once. Have not returned. Check it out if you have the time though, many people like it. Baja is for exploring.
|
|
|
CasaManzana
Nomad
Posts: 398
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Was Mulege:Posada Beach/now Zihuatanejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Naykid
|
|
The Cactus is indeed a great place...no pool like Catavina has but very delux rooms and WiFi (none in Catavina) AND at half the price. BoLA is worth
the jaunt for a day if you have not been there before, if for no other reason then to say you have been there. If you stay in Guerrero Negro I
recommend the Cowboy Motel ($400 pesos), first one on the left (also WiFi'ed). And as you can see, there isn't anybody that agrees with anybody on
this board
Things are expensive, but at least we get a free trip around the sun once a year
|
|
|
BajaDove
Nomad
Posts: 194
Registered: 11-23-2008
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
Forgot the best view of Land's End is from the Costco Parking lot.
If its not where it is, its where it isn\'t.
|
|
|
PCbaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 79
Registered: 11-26-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
Hola,
If you make your way to Mulege (which I recommend) stop by Punta Chivato on the way. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in Baja and the weather
is perfect this time of the year. The Pacside is to cold and windy and will be for awhile. If you want a good nite sleep,I would continue on to
Catavina or GN. Baja Cactus is nice but to noisy at night because of the location.
Buena suerte
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
bola is easily reached in 8ish hours. go there first night and look around. mulege the next day and then make you plans accordingly. don't forget to
stop in san ignacio. get an ice cream and sit in the park under the largest tree in baja and marvel at the church/mission.
edit: stay at baja cactus on the way home. it's about 5 hours from the border and makes a perfect layover.
[Edited on 10-8-2011 by woody with a view]
|
|
|
BooJumMan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 929
Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
Catavina is an awesome place for sure to stay. Only problem is that to get to Catavina in one day is sometimes hard to do before nightfall (during the
winter months).
You'll most likely going to have to jam straight down there to get there, and not enjoy the drive, and sights to see on the way. Also, the stretch of
road between El Rosario and Catavina is sketchy at night. Lots of blind turns, winding through the high desert. So unless you get to El Rosario with 3
hours of daylight left, Id stay in El Rosario, and explore Catavina the next morning/day.
Also, you need to fill up at El Rosario no matter what because the next gas station isn't until Villa Jesus Maria...
When I am going south I usually always stay in El Rosario because I know what to expect, its cheap and I love Mama Espinosa's... But, I LOVE Catavina.
I always stop there and take a walk no matter what.
|
|
|
larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1499
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Welcome to BN. I would say that both destinations, Bola and Mulege, should be seen. Right now in bola the whale sharks are in and can be see in the
south bay after a short panga ride. If you are into fishing then try a little Dorado fishing, they are catching some nice ones inside the bay. Then
there is Mulege and the Concecion bay area, in a word "spectacular". You'll have a great time at both places.
Larry
|
|
|
bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
Posts: 587
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Airport Bum
|
|
Ray and Julia:
Congratulations on discovering the last place anywhere near California that is almost the way God created it.....outside of the cities that is.
You will find the people away from the border to be honest, religious, anxious to help and inventive in ways that never occur to a Gringo...ask about
seating a tubeless tire on rim with a little gas and a match at some stop you make.
I agree totally with the advice above to stop at Catavinia/Rancho Santa Ynez. It is unique with big rocks and flora that you won't most other places
on earth including Boojum trees!
We live part time just 8 miles over the hill....but a long fifty mile drive via Mex 1 and "Mex 5"....on one of Baja's most beautiful beaches. Our
place has only been easily accessible by air until recently. But if you want to see Baja the way it won't be for much longer come visit Alfonsina's
and Papa Fernandez's village. The trip North from there is on very good road now except for about 18 miles of dirt which has been graded. You can
make it from Alfonsina's beach y cantina to the border at Mexicali in about 6 hours via San Felipe....a little shorter than the trip to TJ and a
shorter border wait there too.
You will not be able to get your fill of Baja in 9 days. Come back and visit us...use your talent for graphics and be inspired by one of the last,
best, most beautiful places on earth.
Some old Bush Pilots such as I have been hoarding this place for 40 years....guess it's gonna be time to share.
BB
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Depends on when you can cross the border. Without long stops, Baja Cactus El Rosario is 5 hours south driving time. If you leave San Diego with a full
tank, you can make the 225 mile drive without stopping for gas and fill up at Antonio's station next to the motel. It is perhaps the finest highway
motel you will ever stay in and it is less than $40 a night (show them your Baja Nomad card or ask for Antonio for royal treatment). Mama Espinoza's
restaurant is next door, we often have breakfast there... but for dinner we prefer either Hugo's Tacos Mision (and art studio... tell Hugo hello from
me... point to my 'got baja?' sticker on the glass case inside) or Ed's place 'Baja's Best Restaurant/ Bar/ Bed & Breakfast' on the FAR end of
town across from the Turista Motel (which is nice if Baja Cactus is full). Ed's lobster dinner is yummy (ask for it made 'Ed's Way) and his Tequila
Sunrises are made with fresh squeezed orange juice!
Cataviņa is 1.5 hours (76 miles) from Baja Cactus... and you can enjoy it more if you are not rushed. The short climb up to the painted cave (2 miles
before Cataviņa) is a must if you are able to do that. See my link to the Cataviņa area photos to see the petros and hill they are on top of at http://vivabaja.com/tours
If the hotel is full at Cataviņa (it doesn't have many rooms), there is a rustic motel on the other side of the highway and a bit north called Linda.
Or, go a mile past Cataviņa and take the paved road left to Rancho Santa Ynez (food and bunkroom with shower). The president of Mexico slept here and
so did Steve McQueen when his Baja racer broke down, so it is historic. Santa Ynez was a major checkpoint in the original Baja races and has been used
a few times when the race occaisionally comes this way.
Bahia de los Angeles is a must visit, even if just for a day... you will see why when you first see the bay from the road going in. There are several
taco stands, restaurants, motels, campgrounds in the little town. It has a great museum displaying the area history and natural wonders. A drive north
to La Gringa is popular (paved part way, from the traffic circle with the sail boat statue in the middle). 2 gas stations (always top off before
heading anywhere from here), as well.
In Baja Sur (on Mountain time, so you loose an hour at the state border where the giant eagle monument is), a must is to take the paved side road a
mile + into San Ignacio, do NOT miss this, side road by the gas station... an oasis in the desert with a huge river that comes out of the ground, and
goes back into the ground on each side of the oasis. The mission (church built over 200 years ago/ founded in 1728) faces the town plaza. Casa Leree
is one of the many places to stay if you like the feel of San Ignacio!
The next oasis on Highway One is Mulege, and just past is Bahia Concepcion... and you have read about that I am sure!
Have a great time and welcome to Nomad. Naturally for all this help, we expect a trip report and photos!!!
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Oh, to get you Nomad card... go here... print it out and sign your name to it: http://www.bajanomad.com/club/card.htm
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
David K, those BN cards are sweet!
|
|
|
elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4349
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
Member Is Offline
|
|
Don't drive at night.
MAGA
marooons Are Governing America
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5938
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
I think if you have 10 days you should really see the Pacific side too! I really only focus on Baja surf destinations so I'm not sure what to
recommend for you, but to be able to see a little bit of both sides of Baja should help you figure out where you want to go on your future Baja trips.
Will you be in a truck or passenger car? Dirt roads ok? There are numerous pacific camp spots north of El Rosario if you find yourself in this area
and want to explore. Grab the Baja Almanac and look for dirt roads heading westward. You'll usually end up at a cool desolate beach. Or take the
paved road to Erendira and head north or south for semi desolate camping.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by ateo
David K, those BN cards are sweet! |
Yah, and we need to remind Doug to change the year to 2012 on them if he hasn't yet! 
http://www.bajanomad.com/club/card.htm
[Edited on 10-8-2011 by David K]
|
|
|
Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaDove
The most fun thing is 'Baja decisions' Stop where you feel comfortable and when it's time wake up say 'been there done that' and move on down.
spend a night in or near Santispac *Bay of Conception* beauty fix.
Most of all take it in and love where you are. |
BajaDove gives excellent advice, and I concur.
Baja brings out the romantic adventure spirit in all of us.
End of October is a great time to visit. Baja's "autumn" if you will.
The constant cold winds that come out of the north haven't begun,
and the waters on both sides of the peninsula still have plenty of warmth, so plan to get wet.
The Pacific side of the peninsula will still be warm and nice.
The eastern peninsula will be cooler with less humidity but still hot days.
Listen to your Hearts.
Walk the Beauty Way.
[Edited on 10-8-2011 by Mulegena]
[Edited on 10-8-2011 by Mulegena]
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
