GR5000
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 12-10-2013
Location: CA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Travel to Baja between Xmas and New Years
My wife and I are planning to drive from California down the Baja California peninsula possibly all the way to La Paz (and then, of course, turnaround
and drive back).
It's our first trip, and we don't have a set itinerary. Ideally, we could drive down and stop in the towns we come across along the way. I'm
thinking 2-3 days to drive down.
Is this a reasonable approach? Is it possible to get campsites or motels --> or should we plan a more strict itinerary and reserve these? What
towns would you recommend we stay in on the way to La Paz?
Any good guides for campgrounds and/or cheap motels in Baja that I could purchase?
Thanks so much,
GR
|
|
|
dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
That's a pretty long drive for a week. Why don't you pick someplace a little closer in as your turnaround point and save the long haul for when you've
got a couple weeks to kill?
|
|
|
prt328
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 2-13-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Do a Google search on Mexico RV maps and it will show you all of the stops/campsites along highway with commentaries. Also useful for calculating
mileage.
J on 12/31
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
that's 2 HARD days driving each way. for the virgen trip you shouldn't go farther tha mulege and that is one LONG day and a half each way.
|
|
|
Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
|
|
This thread is helpful:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=46913#pid5343...
|
|
|
MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
|
|
It's your trip do what you want, I always wounder anybody coming and asking questions to total strangers about what they should do.
La Paz is about 20 hours of driving. This is NOT DRIVING US HIGHWAYS. These roads are like driving mountain roads in National Parks. I have and love
to do the drive in 3 three days but usually do it 1.5 so I can do something else. Go! Have fun and if you don't make to La Paz you'll still have a
good time. Figure out your turn around time and have at.
We spent 10 on your honey moon and had a great trip, car trouble and all.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3854
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
I wouldn't go all the way to La Paz for a one-week trip. What kinds of things interest you? Museums, camping, hiking, fishing, beachcombing, eating,
rockhounding? You could easily poke along and do all those things en route, so that part of your day is spent out of the car. Also, must you camp at
a campsite or are you comfortable with boondocking? LOTS of camping places off the highway, not in a campsite. For your trip, the AAA Baja map should
be adequate, plus the highway signs.
Consider stopping in Ensenada to buy fruit, a restaurant in El Rosario for lunch, maybe a drive out to Punta Baja and camp there. If you cross in
Tecate, stop at a winery or two. Lunch at a taco place in El Sauzal. Hike around the boulder terrain near Catavina, see the petroglyphs, hike in the
arroyo at Rancho Sta Inez; check out the San Ferenando mission; maybe go to El Marmol and see the onyx quarry, hike around there - fascinating. Spend
a couple nights at Bahia de los Angeles. Gas and groceries there. Head north where there are several campgrounds. It's a long haul to the Gulf. If
you want to go that far, go some place around Conception Bay - might be full that time of year. El Requeson might have some room. Then head back
starting at first light so you have time during the day to take a break. It could be cold and windy that time of year - be prepared for freezing
temps.
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
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"
|
|
Great advice here...one more thing to keep in mind...make sure you keep your gas tank topped up because there are often shortages during the holidays
with all the increased traffic and of course drive EXTRA defensively as there are more borrachos on the road.
|
|
|
dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
And for God's sake, watch out for topes (enormous speed bumps the likes of which you've never seen in the U.S.) and vados (bumper-scraping dips that
allow water across). The joke is that in Mexican Spanish, "tope" means "tire shop 50 m ahead".
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
No further than 400-600 miles or so south (L.A. Bay or Guerrero Negro (whale watching) or San Ignacio... maybe Mulege and Bahia Concepcion, for a 1
week Baja trip... Days are short, you shouldn't drive at night on this road (narrow, animals are sleeping on it for warmth)... and the views shouldn't
be missed.
La Paz isn't the tip ... there is still over 100 more miles to Cabo San Lucas, as well. Save that for a 2 week vacation.
You want to see and experience some of the sites along the way? There are so many... It would help to know what is interesting to you?
Baja has every activity, here is a list of SOME:
Beaches
Fishing
Surfing
Hiking
Camping
Hotels
Four Wheeling
Ancient Rock Art Sites
Old Spanish Missions
Old Mines
Photography
Botany
Geology
Drinking at Cantinas
Eating Fish Tacos
Night Clubs
Click on the link below or right here for a sampling of the variety in Baja... 15 days to Cabo and back... Had a blast, everywhere!: 15 Days of Baja
adventures, July, 2012: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=61576
|
|
|
BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
welcome to bajanomad!
best of luck on your trip and most importantly, there are some great places to see along the way.....for the first time visitor
stop at Bahia Asuncion for a day or so
stop at Campo Rene for a day (very rustic) - it has a cool lagoon, nice n inexpensive restaurant right on the lagoon
definitely stop in San Ignacio for a couple hours - an oasis that shouldn't be missed
stop in Mulege - historic town with lots of character and good eateries
and I would end this first trip in Loreto, myself....such a great place to RELAX,lots of ma and pa stores to stroll around, history surrounds you and
the drive between Mulege and Loreto is one of the most beautiful in the world In My Opinion.
Take everyone's advice and don't drive at night- there are cows on the road and they will stop you in your tracks. Not pretty.
Remember to FILL UP THE TANIN EL ROSARIO. It will be a long ways before you see the next gas station.
I don't know of any book that gives the motels and hotels ... I think you will be fine winging it. Have fun and let us know how it went.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
TANK IN EL ROSARIO... yes indeed... no more Pemex gas stations until you reach Bahia de los Angeles or Villa Jesus Maria or Guerrero Negro.
However, gasoline is sold from cans at Cataviņa and the junction to Bahia de los Angeles... $1.50 more per gallon.
|
|
|
Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
|
|
Welcome to the site! Lots of experience here.
Agree with other comments: it's a long peninsula with lots to see. Take the time to savor the sights and don't rush. Keep the gas tank and stomach
full.
Also try this site for Information and itineraries: http://www.bajainsider.com/driving-baja/baja-road-report.htm
Have fun!
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
|
|
|
GR5000
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 12-10-2013
Location: CA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Guys,
Thanks so much for all of the advice. I really appreciate it. Regarding what we're interested in, definitely seeing some of the beaches, hiking,
desert scenery. We do a lot of offroading/ hiking in the U.S., but given that this is our first trip not sure how far off of the beaten path we'll
want to go.
It does sound like Mulege or Loreto make sense as the turning point so thank you for that advice. I'll also research the suggestions above.
Best regards,
Greg
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by GR5000
Guys,
Thanks so much for all of the advice. I really appreciate it. Regarding what we're interested in, definitely seeing some of the beaches, hiking,
desert scenery. We do a lot of offroading/ hiking in the U.S., but given that this is our first trip not sure how far off of the beaten path we'll
want to go.
It does sound like Mulege or Loreto make sense as the turning point so thank you for that advice. I'll also research the suggestions above.
Best regards,
Greg |
Hi Greg,
We could help tailor points of interest if you tell us what type a vehicle, and your off road drive skill comfort zone.
Here is a sample of a quick trip to Bahia de los Angeles with some side trips: http://vivabaja.com/105/
Extreme Off Road 4x4 road is going to Mission Santa Maria: http://vivabaja.com/msm2010
Medium dirt road skill is going to Las Pintas Fossil Grotto: http://vivabaja.com/pintas/
Easy dirt road skill is going to El Marmol Onyx mine (the 4 mile road on to El Volcan is also now easier having been graded for the barite mine at La
Olvidada): http://vivabaja.com/marmol/
|
|
|
GR5000
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 12-10-2013
Location: CA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Wow... just incredible photos. Those look like some amazing trips. Would definitely love to explore those areas one of these days.
So I have a stock Liberty 4x4. I've taken it offroad a lot primarily in the Calif. desert... so am comfortable in those conditions. However given
that it's stock my ability to tackle some of the more advanced roads that you showed is limited and certainly wouldn't attempt alone.
I really appreciate the info.
Warm regards,
Greg
|
|
|
Leo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 518
Registered: 9-23-2004
Location: Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: could be better
|
|
This is a very busy time of year since most Mexicans are on the road as well for vacation or family visits.
If you need motels, book them or stop early which means that you will have more fun to go no further then Mulege and the beautiful beaches just south
of there.
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Although I love both Loreto and La Paz, if you are only traveling for a week, Mulege should be your absolutely farthest South point. Otherwise, you
will be spending most of your trip driving.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
