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eyefuel
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 8-23-2013
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Planning First Trip
Hello All,
I am planning my first trip from Orange County down to Cabo! We will be traveling from August 31 - September 8th. I have been going to Punta Cabras
with my family since I was an infant, and have plenty of experience with Baja, but have never been south of Colonet. I have lots of questions.
Is it feasible to make it to Cabo in 2 days? We were thinking of trying to get to Santa Rosalia the first day, then Cabo the second day.
Our goal is to surf and spearfish as much possible. We want to hit a few spots in Cabo, then start to head back to Todos Santos. I imagine with our
limited time, it would be unreasonable to expect to be able to make it to Scorpion Bay and Abreojos on the way home, what do you think?
Does anyone on here spearfish? Any good shorediving spots we should stop at?
What are the best websites to check weather and surf reports (I have been checking Surfline). What are your expectations for weather/swell that week?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for responding. Please direct me to any stickies or threads that have this information already.
Thanks,
Ian
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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you are crazy to try and drive to cabo and back in a week. just go to scorp or abre and relax!
edit: believe me, driving isn't that much fun!
[Edited on 8-23-2013 by woody with a view]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Woody is right. Seems you're planning a driving trip. Slow down and enjoy Baja. What you don't see on this trip ain't goin' nowhere. You can
catch it on a later trip.
Welcome to BajaNomad, by the way.
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mtnpop
Senior Nomad
Posts: 597
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Location: Colorado/mulege
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Its a good 14 hours to Sta. Rosalia or Mulege on a good day.. then 8 or so hours on to Cabo... Plus,,, that is the height of the hurricane season in
the eastern pacific... so this gives you something else to keep an eye on... could hang you up for days....
just sayin.... others may disagree which is their option...
but some say no storms this year.... We wait until Oct. which didn't work out at all last year... Listen to Woody and Dennis....
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MMc
Super Nomad
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Registered: 6-29-2011
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Is the goal to drive to Cabo or is it to have to surf and spearfish? Are you camping or staying in hotel? With kids and wife or guys trip?
You do know you'll be driving when swells are hitting. I am famous for driving into or away from swell. It's not fun.
Yes, Cabo is doable in two days. We do in 21 to 26 hours of driving time. What time are you going to leave? Do you have your paper work? (Ins. tourist
permits, Pesos)
Abreojos is 1-11/2 hour off the Highway. Stay in town or at Campo Rene. Easy to do in one day. There are high points off shore you'll see the waves
breaking over them, they might be holding a few fish. I would rather catch a surf on the way to Cabo.
Scorpion Bay would be in from south and out the north road, plenty of reports on how to do it. It is going to rain there this weekend so any road
condition report before Sat is off. ask all the guys pulling in how it is. 
Both of these spots are as good most farther south
Surf lie is about as good as any.
Lots of folks will tell you that you need more time, takes 3 days to drive. Hey it's your trip. Check your u2u.
"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: 65102
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Hi Ian,
As stated above, the 1,000 mile drive to Cabo (from Tijuana) is better done in 3 days since night driving isn't recommended and the highway is very
narrow most of the way with range cattle, burros, military check points and towns with reduced speed limits. If you are young and get started at
sunrise each day... that would be the exception, but you will come home pretty beat and not very relaxed, I think!
There is just so many great places in Baja north of Cabo... I would make Woody's recommendations of Punta Abreojos, Scorpion Bay (San Juanico) or the
Nomad favorite of the Pacific Coast: Bahia Asuncion as the max. destination with only a week vacation. They are all reached by paved road now, with
perhaps a few pot holes to dodge.
Spear Fishing might be best done at Bahia de los Angeles or Bahia Asuncion for a 1 week vacation... It is about 8-9 hours from the border to L.A. Bay
(400 miles)... a bit more for Asuncion.
Hope you have a great trip and please post a trip report when you get back!
David
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basautter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
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Cabo is one of my least favorite places in Baja (right next to Tijuana). Getting there in two days would be tough, but you might make it. If you are
looking for an over priced tourist trap, or bill fishing (ok, it has one good attribute), then go. Try San Juanico for beach, surfing and tide pool
picking. Loreto or La Paz are other places to consider if you want more of a city. Todos Santos is another option if you are going to the Cape.
Enjoy! I did my first trip over twenty years ago, and go three times a year now.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-5-2003
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I know its a bone of contention with some people, but the coop does not allow diving in Abreojos. Now if you want to challenge the Coop's
authority......
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MMc
Super Nomad
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Didn't know about the no diving, Thanks.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
I know its a bone of contention with some people, but the coop does not allow diving in Abreojos. Now if you want to challenge the Coop's
authority...... |
All this coop talk made me think that JR had come back to haunt us.
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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I would concur with Woody and Dennis above and try to dissuade you from a rip to the tip in the time you've allocated. You mention "plenty of
experience in Baja" so you already know that driving the Rte 1 in a hurry is not a trip to take lightly. Losing driver-side mirrors would be the least
of your worries.
The simple answer to your question is "Yes, it can be done in two days" but the more important question is "Is it smart?" I suggest that you pick a
spot that will extend your Baja experience without robbing you of quality time at your destination.
In any event, have a great trip.
Allen R
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
All this coop talk made me think that JR had come back to haunt us.
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Of course, he never left, but it's best to add a hyphen to the word for clarity; CO-OP.
Keeps them out of the realm of "Chicken Coopers." 
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shari
Select Nomad
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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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Spearfishing is great right now in Asuncion for halibut & legal...perfect air temps make for pleasant camping and surfing...AND the part of the
road getting fixed got new pavement the last couple days...yeah..so it's now an hour off the highway again to Asuncion...we'd be happy to show you
some spots.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Wow. Those writing about doable in two days also have to remember that eyefuel noted that he/she lives in Orange County. I don't know where, but I can
say that with me living very close to Disneyland, it can sometimes take me as much as three hours just to get to the border. It depends on the day of
the week. That's why I always plan to stay at Jardines our first night. Even then, last time we went, it took us from 9am til 4pm to get to Santa
Rosalia. That did include a breakfast stop with Ed in El Rosario.
In general, the advice posted is solid.
However, in the spirit of different strokes for different folks, the Cabo haters ought to realize that while it isn't the wonderful, tranquilo place
it was 20 years ago, it is a major attraction for the well-heeled, considering some of the mega resorts that have blossomed. I can't go a week without
reading about some Hollywood type vacationing in Cabo. Can Jennifer Anniston be wrong?
That said, as someone who has visited Cancun for over 30 years, it is my opinion that Cabo is still a much more attractive place than what Cancun has
become.
Eyefuel, plan on three days. You'll be much happier, and much safer.
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eyefuel
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 8-23-2013
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You've all given me a lot to think about, thanks! This is exactly why I asked. Stopping at Abreojos on the way down sounds like a smart call, and we
may end up staying there. It will just be me and a friend, both 24 year old males, and we will be camping. The 3 spots I've really wanted to surf
are Abreojos, San Juanico, and Todos los Santos. I just took a trip to Cabo in May, but my friend has never been. I would like to cram everything in
to one trip, but it is looking more and more like it will be very difficult. Plus, this is definitely not going to be my last trip through Baja.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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whoa hold your horses ! first off, welcome to the bajanomad world, you came to the right place for opinions.
my husband drives FAST and I still think that driving straight to Cabo would not be fun ... or adviseable.
Do listen to everyone and drive to Punta Abreojos and surf there. there are very inexpensive accomodations whether in campo rene which is gorgeous and
only about 20 minutes from Punta Abreojos. Or you can stay with Dave Cope at CHELO'S - he is a surfer and SUP boarder. He can give you advice too.
Once there, it is an easy day trip to La Paz and even to Cabo, if you push it.
Shari in Bahia Asuncion offers camping and great surf too!
so, an intinerary that we who live here suggest is
1 day to san quentin and make it not a Monday so you can stay at JARDINES in san quintin and eat at the restaurant (closed Mondays).
then drive to Asuncion, for surf and spearfishing or Abreojos for surfing. THEN, if y ou desire, extend the trip south. That's my 2 centavos for
today.
Have fun.....
[Edited on 8-24-2013 by BajaBlanca]
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eyefuel
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 8-23-2013
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by MMcWhat time are you going to leave? Do you have your paper work? (Ins. tourist permits, Pesos) |
Forgot to mention, we are from Orange County, but will be staying in San Diego Friday night at a friend's house, so our drive really starts at the
border at ~5:00 am on Saturday the 31st.
We don't have our FMMs yet, I read on here that we have to get them as we cross the border at San Ysidro . Is this correct, or can we get them
beforehand (I've never gotten one, even though we go to Punta Cabras quite often)?
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Yes,you can get them before hand 2 ways, Discover Baja will sell them to you for a light commission, or walk over and get them a day or 2 before in
Mexico.
You will have to join Discover Baja to use them.
http://www.discoverbaja.com/
If you hit the boarder at 4:30 you could get a session in Abreojos that day.
I live in San Dimas and do this drive a couple times per year.
Cobo is within striking distance, so is scorps.
From Abreojos head north to Asuncion or La Bocana for spearfishing.
"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: 65102
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by eyefuel
... have plenty of experience with Baja, but have never been south of Colonet. I have lots of questions...
Thanks,
Ian |
Most of us responded based on this. Since the pavement shrinks south of San Quintin and pullouts are not frequent... we wanted you to know it wasn't
the same high speed highway of the north.
Then you replied with: "I just took a trip to Cabo in May" ? Was that by air, or did you drive? If you drove, then you are no longer a Mex 1 virgin,
so you have a feeling for what it is like south of San Quintin.
Have a safe trip!
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DianaT
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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Next time when you have more time and want to spearfish, I would suggest going out to Tortugas. A spearfishing guide we met in Asuncion told us that
Tortugas is a superior place for that sport and two guys we know who were considering buying property in Asuncion or La Bocana, ended up buying in
Tortugas just for the spear fishing.
Abreojos is a good place for surfing and Campo Rene is a beautiful place to camp, or stay in one of their cheap funky cabins. And if you want to stay
in a really nice place VERY close to Abreojos, check out Baja Blanca and the La Bocana B & B.
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