marla
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 10-29-2003
Location: Long Beach
Member Is Offline
|
|
Loreto, San Javier, Rancho Viejo
Okay Nomads I am flying (gasp) to Loreto in the middle of April for a week with my rugrats. It will be weird not to have a car. I'm gonna be there
with Michael and Sandy. My friend Ana is coming with her little boy, Jackson. What is the best and/or most economical way to get out to the islands?
Is Coronado Island the best to teach the kids how to snorkel? Should we rent a car to drive up to San Javier? I saw a tour offered to Rancho Viejo
where the kids learn how to milk a goat though the cost was a tad horrifying. They would love that. Should we do it? Can you stay at Rancho Viejo?
Anything else we should not miss??? Gracias amigos!
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
|
|
|
Nikon
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 12-11-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
I can just speak to the snorkeling question. The place to teach them is in a pool at home, not while the waves are washing over them at the beach.
Holding onto the side of the pool with the head down and breathing thru the snorkel with no distractions.
I taught my four year granddaughter in thirty minutes and she left for Hawaii the next day where she took to it like a duck to water.
|
|
|
Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy contento
|
|
Hi Marla,
Gail's Daughter is the guide for the mission and the whale watching. Ask Gail she will direct you in the right direction. We drove out to the
mission ourselves it was a beautiful ride through the mountains. It's a couple hour drive. I don't know if the kids will appreciate the mission. Make
sure you eat breakfast at cafe ole. Since I didn't have kids with me I don't know if there is kid related things to see. The beach will be the best
thing for them. Gail can tell you who does the islands. Have a great time. Hope to see you at the booksigningApril23,2005,k
|
|
|
elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
The white sand beach on Coronado would be a great place to teach snorkeling...it's very sheltered and clear...no waves.
There is a place to stay at San Javier called Casa de Ana. You can find them from the Oasis Hotel website.
|
|
|
bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
You can stop on the way to San Javier at the cave paintings...not spectacular but a good "get out of the car" for the kids.
|
|
|
LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
Check out the beach at Nopolo
The point at Nopolo, just south of Loreto, is great place to snorkel. Easy access by car down from Loreto.
A panga ride out to Coronado should be for about $80 for a boat load (but well worth it if you get a ride around the island to see th seals on the
back side).
San Javier will be green, as well as Agua Premier at the pools just south of Loreto in the mountains.
|
|
|
bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Do you still have to have a permit to go to Agua Primero? It is beautiful
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64856
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Marla, if you swim at Nopolo, be sure to check for sting rays... it is April (mating season for rays). I saw a lot at Nopolo many years ago snorkling
there.
Rancho Viejo was the original site for Mision San Javier, founded there in 1699! It was moved to the present site about 1720.
Building began 24 years later in 1744 on the beautiful stone church and it was finished in 1758.
|
|
|
Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy contento
|
|
Great point David.
Marla teach your kids to always do the stingray shuffle when in the water. You just shuffle you feet along instead of taking steps.the rays will
hear/feel you coming and get out of your way. k
|
|
|
Julie
Nomad
Posts: 111
Registered: 9-8-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Marla,
Julie here at the Iguana Inn. Coronado is perfect for learning to snorkel as mentioned previously on this thread. David is right about the sting
rays, there are already a few around.
The "Loreto Shuffle' works but I would recommend thick soled aqua socks. You can pick them up pretty cheap at Target or Walmart. Stop by to say
hello when your in town.
|
|
|
tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: There yet?
|
|
lodging in San Javier...really? I have I just missed it on the last trips or it is new or...or ?
|
|
|
elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Tim
Casa de Ana $35 per night...find the link on the Oasis website: http://www.hoteloasis.com
|
|
|
marla
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 10-29-2003
Location: Long Beach
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks all! Well I booked us into the Hotel Oasis since it has a pool and I thought the kids would really like that. Seems like no one on this board
recomends it, gulp. so hopefully we will have a good experience there. If we rent a car can we drive up to San Javier? One guidebook sez the road is
passable for passenger cars another says high clearance only. I sort of wish now we were bringing the 4Runner but too late now. Keri I am hoping to
come to the booksigning! But it might be just a day trip...I wish I were in Baja now. Wonder how M is doing on her Caribbean cruise!
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
|
|
|
wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
I drove to San Javier in a rented VW bug. It was easy, although the road was recently graded because of storms that had done some damage. There was
also a place where I had to drive through shallow ponding for about 40 yards, but wasn't a problem -- the point being that conditions are dependent
on recent weather. The drive is some of Baja's best desert scenery, and you might still get to see plenty of wildflowers at the upper elevations.
There are signs near the fruit orchard where you might want to stop in too.
|
|
|
tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: There yet?
|
|
Thank you Elizabeth. I will modify my stay for my next trip up the hill. I have camped in the general area, just did not know their was a place to
stay. Do you know how long they have been operating? Tim
|
|
|
elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Tim
I don't know how long they've been there, since the first time I went there was only 3 years ago.
If you (or Marla or anyone else) stays, please post info on the accomodations...it's definitely on my list to stay and hike from there.
We, too have driven up there easily in a rental car in dry weather.
|
|
|
marla
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 10-29-2003
Location: Long Beach
Member Is Offline
|
|
We are planning to stay there one night, so I will let you know how it is.
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
