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ADVseeker
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Posts: 5
Registered: 5-12-2020
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question about November travel
First of all let me say thank you for having me on the forum and the wealth of knowledge this forum provides, ive been lurking and reading many times
before but just finally joined because i have a few questions.
Also let me add that i have been through baja once before, 2 years ago a buddy and i did 3 weeks on offroad bikes, with camping and hotels and fell in
love with baja. But i am now married and looking to show my wife the beauty of the peninsula.
We are planning a trip for 2 weeks in my little off-road built ford ranger with a rooftop tent and plan to camp 60% of the time and hotel 40% of the
time. We were originally coming in April until i found out about santa semana and the crowds, so we rescheduled until the end of may but obviously the
corona virus stopped that.
So now i am looking at coming down in November, either just before or just after the Baja 1000, i would love to see the race but really want to avoid
crowds and have some nice quiet beach time with my wife. The weather seems like it'll be great then but my biggest worry is how will bad are the bugs,
especially no-seeums, mosquitoes and flies, i know how the bugs can really kill a camping trip, is November an okay time with reduced bugs, or should
i just try to postpone the trip until spring when hopefully there are even less?
thanks for any help and i will have more questions im sure.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Welcome to Nomad!
During the few days around the race, you can avoid Ensenada, most other areas won't be an issue other than on race day(s) and a look at the coarse map
will show you where the race is running.
Bugs should not be an issue and really only have for us been a problem in the summer down at Bahia Concepcion (near Mulege) and then only around
sundown (mosquitos). Stick a Bounce sheet in your hat!
As I tell others who ask, let us know what you want to see or do since Baja has about every possibility for outdoor activity, and a few indoor ones,
too!
Then, we can suggest places to check out. I can help you with historical sites (missions, visitas, cave art, mines) as well as roads (kilometer
markers, mileages) as I traveled most of the popular Baja routes researching a future guide in 2017-2019.
On the Nomad Road Conditions forum you can see the maps I made for the guide as well as two pre-publication sections of the 6 section guide. San
Quintin to Guerrero Negro and Guerrero Negro to San Ignacio. Both sections include side roads so the width of the peninsula as well as the length is
covered.
I think most of us here will be happy to help!
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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Quote: Originally posted by ADVseeker  | ..... my biggest worry is how will bad are the bugs, especially no-seeums, mosquitoes and flies, i know how the bugs can really kill a camping trip,
is November an okay time with reduced bugs, or should i just try to postpone the trip until spring when hopefully there are even less?
thanks for any help and i will have more questions im sure. |
ADV,
Welcome to BN....you will likely get tons of suggestions reflecting what others liked about Baja.... some good tips will surface (and one guy will
flood you with maps and a litany of his favourites).
Bugs???? I am one who believes the Corona 19 bug is the only one to worry about at this time.... Off takes care of the bugs that you refer to.... not
really a Baja deterrent.
Your hope that November might be a trip possibility makes sense, however, a lot of us are wondering when such travel is possible, responsible, and
enjoyable.
Don't rely on BN forum as your primary Baja research tool... it is a good one, but says more about the individual members than Baja itself....
Don't believe everything you think....
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honda tom
Nomad
Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
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Nov. around race time will be great. Plan on getting a race map and work in some of the smoother track sections. during prerunning you will find
friendly and helpful people along the way, make sure to go the direction of prerunning traffic, course markers every 5 miles, and your ranger will be
fine. This year is a loop race, so you wont find much race stuff south of cocos corner on the cortez side/ el rosario on the pacific.
South of Bahia Los angeles along the sea of cortez is some great stuff. San Francisquito is a must.... the water will be cooler in nov. you can get
in the ocean but probably not for long periods of time.
2 weeks is plenty of time for exploring... may be pick a southern point such as Loreto for a couple of hotel days. across the peninsula a beautiful
run across to san juanico on the pacific. keep itenarary loose.... have fun.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3494
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Too many variables down South. I'm speaking for Pescadero, BCS. Bugs may or may not be around in November. Usually they've thinned out but no
guarantees. Last November, the bugs (noseeums) drove me crazy. Constant, unrelenting, in my nose, eyes, ears. No way around it but to deal
with it. Some years are buggy, most not, in November.
I wouldn't change travel plans around whether bugs might be around or not. Get what you get down South.
Pacific waters from Todos Santos South in November high 70s - low 80s. Coolest has been low 70s. That's down right warm to me. Air
averages 75.
My experiences with the race has been avoid Ensenada.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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paranewbi
Senior Nomad
Posts: 913
Registered: 4-15-2011
Location: San diego
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Loved to be camping at Papa Fernandez's (papa's) in November and watch the race at the entrance to Papa's. Not sure if the race is going nearby this
year though.
Your vehicle will be fine to get over the rise to the camping beach at Papa's (in the Gonzaga Bay area). Bring a rain tarp for your tent as we have
been rained on really hard there that time of year. Bugs were not present.
Get down to Conception Bay, your lady will love that area and the camp sites have some services. Most of the members on this site will recommend which
areas to stay at as their preferences.
Get ready to be educated! copy and past into a word page the suggestions!
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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Welcome ADVseeker!
November can be nice, but be aware that sometimes the north winds start blowing around that time. End of Oct/start of Nov is usually great weather...
Bugs can be bad depending on location. The worst I've ever been attacked was at Coyote Beach in Bay of Conception. No see ums were thick! As suggested
earlier, just be prepared and don't let the possibility change your plans. Take 100% deet and the Bounce dryer sheets may help as well.
Good luck and safe travels!
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 2-9-2004
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Bugs are hit or miss. My experience is that dusk is the worst. So just before dusk, I put socks on to wear with my sandals, put on long pants, long
sleeve shirt. I like to use mosquito wipes (no aerosol product waste), and then I tie the leftover wipe after using to my hat and my sandals. There
is clothing with insect repellant, and within that idea, you could prepare an outfit that is pre-sprayed with repellant. Use the insect repellant
candles, build a little fire. You could also bring a screen tent instead of a regular tent so you could escape inside if necessary without being too
cooped up. Camping in Sierra Nevada - had to wear a head net - there were swarms around your head all day - the head net worked. And of course, bring
plenty of Sting Eez, Benydryl cream, Tea Tree Oil, Cortizone to treat. One treatment that works (personal experience): bring some Q-tips. Boil a
little water, then dip the Q-tip in it, and apply right on the bite. It will take the sting away and heal faster.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2725
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Better go either before or after the race. My friends traveling to Sta Rosalia couldn't get a hotel room anywhere after Ensenada and had to make a
detour to BOLA. A few days earlier (or later) the crowds could've been in BOLA. Plus, police blocking the road and making you wait or go through
some sh-tty side streets.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The Score Baja 1000 race only goes into Baja Sur every second or third year +/-.
I think I heard that due to this year's uncertainty and to keep costs for racers and pit crews down, it will be a loop race in Northern Baja?
Now, the NORRA Mexican 1000 rally is a different story as all the racers stop each night so hotels are booked at key checkpoints or the end of each
stage of the rally.
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ADVseeker
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 5-12-2020
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Thanks everyone for the replies, and we will continue on with planning, i have most of my route planned already, i spent 6-8 months planning my
motorcycle trip and pouring over google maps and collecting GPX route from adventure riders so we will be using a lot of those but mixing in more
pavement to save time and to make it a bit more enjoyable, that deep sand and washboards were no fun on a bike but we could make it through the rough
stuff much faster at least. I hope the bugs are low during the first 2 weeks of November this year and ill keep an eye out to see if its a long wet
year or fairly dry, i imagine the bugs are less after a drier year?
As much as i would love to catch a glimpse of the race i think we will forgo it and aim for the first 2 weeks of november.
We plan on crossing at tecate, from my good experience last time.
A few of the big points i plan on hitting are canon de guadauple for a night or maybe one night on each end, definitely loreto for a few days ( it was
my favorite little town last time, the drive over the mountains to san Evaristo (that day from loreto, past mission san louis Gonzaga, to san Evaristo
was by far my favorite day riding, such beauty and coming over the hill to look down on the ocean and san Evaristo to an amazing lunch and beer at
maggie and lupes was just a magical day, plus we camped on the ocean just south or there, i plan on repeating that) we will camp at a beach by la paz
and turn around from there. Also agua verde, bay of conception, mission san javier, melling ranch again and hoping the observatory is open this time.
i was hoping to whale watch but we wont be there at the right time so we will try to seek out some whale sharks!!
My wife would love to find a great horse back tour along the beach if anyone has any recommendations?
id love to do some reasonably prices fishing for day.
i know 2 weeks isnt all that long, i really wish we had 3 weeks, but with work we cant swing that, and ill be moving soon ( in the coast guard) so
this is really the only opportunity well have to do a baja trip before we transfer.
and just for fun here is my little lifted ranger, on 33's with a full size spare front locker, rear limited slip and ill also have a good air pump and
recovery boards with my, along with all the other basic recovery gear.
i actually decided to built up a ranger becasue of baja, i saw soooo many ranger and explorers down there and realized that pretty much anywhere i go
i could find parts for it.
sorry its so long winded but thank you for all the info so far.
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 659
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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Check out Baja By Horse / Rancho La Pila in La Misión (between Rosarito and Ensenada). Marty leads horseback trips along the river and estuary to the
beach. She has excellent, strong horses and a wealth of experience. Be sure to check out her amazing photos on her web pages.
https://bajabyhorse.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bajabyhorse/
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18058
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by ADVseeker | I hope the bugs are low during the first 2 weeks of November this year and ill keep an eye out to see if its a long wet year or fairly dry, i imagine
the bugs are less after a drier year?
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Bugs... depends on location, weather. The summer and early fall moisture is from hurricanes and other rains. Hurricanes may predict how buggy things
are.
I recall a few years ago a big hurricane came up the peninsula, and then there was an epidemic of dengue fever (Disease transmitted by mosquitoes)
Which would you rather have, dengue or covid-19?
[Edited on 5-14-2020 by mtgoat666]
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
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| Quote: Originally posted by ADVseeker |
and just for fun here is my little lifted ranger, on 33's with a full size spare front locker, rear limited slip and ill also have a good air pump and
recovery boards with my, along with all the other basic recovery gear.
i actually decided to built up a ranger becasue of baja, i saw soooo many ranger and explorers down there and realized that pretty much anywhere i go
i could find parts for it. |
Nice truck! I'm on my second Ranger, a 2000, and love it. Never let me down and economical to maintain. Last year in Wyoming, I fixed three
separate flat tires on other travelers vehicles I encountered. Having a good air pump and tire repair kit aboard really came in handy. A lithium
charger/starter is another vital item to have on board as well. I've started two fellow teacher's cars in the parking lot at school this year alone.
John
[Edited on 5-14-2020 by John Harper]
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Your Ranger will get you to some great offroad sites - like La Trinidad pictograph cave. You can fish in Mulege too, as well as Bahia Asuncion. IMO
going as far as La Paz in two weeks is a little ambitious.
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honda tom
Nomad
Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
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youve got a great trip planned.... check out the road to/from san ignacio - san juanico via the salt flats. maybe on way down you do Santa Rosalia,
mulege,Loreto..... on way north Loreto ,La Purisma, san Juanico, San Ignacio.
Good choice on the Ranger... (fords with beams)
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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Nice looking Ranger! That's your tent on the back? Any pics of it set up?
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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A lot of travelling encouragement at a time like this?????
What makes you think the races will be happening? And as Mexico is out of control with the plague. November's second wave there won't be a pretty
travel destination.
But we can talk trucks, I guess.
[Edited on 5-15-2020 by motoged]
Don't believe everything you think....
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Just a note to think about. If you take the pacific route along the 7 sisters from the turn off north of Catavina at KM168 to the ocean and down to
Santa Rosalillita you'll find beautiful beaches and some good surf fishing. Best fishing is early morning and just before dark in the evening. You'll
mostly catch yellow fin croaker, corbina and surf perch. Also be aware of the puffer fish, if not familiar look em up, they are poison. To me nothing
taste better than fresh fish right out of the ocean.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64722
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by TMW | | Just a note to think about. If you take the pacific route along the 7 sisters from the turn off north of Catavina at KM168 to the ocean and down to
Santa Rosalillita you'll find beautiful beaches and some good surf fishing. Best fishing is early morning and just before dark in the evening. You'll
mostly catch yellow fin croaker, corbina and surf perch. Also be aware of the puffer fish, if not familiar look em up, they are poison. To me nothing
taste better than fresh fish right out of the ocean. |
Agree with you... The corbina (and related croaker)were our favorite surf fish to catch (and eat)! We lived on the beach in Del Mar (San Diego area)
and my dad was out front with a pole in his hand as often as possible.
When we went south of San Felipe, in the mid-60s, my dad said this sure looks like corbina territory (even though it was nearly 3,000 coastal miles
from Del Mar)! We did a test... and sure enough corbina hook up on our baited lines!
We knew the corvina was famous around San Felipe and had caught them casting with lures. The name is almost exactly the same (especially in Spanish as
the v is almost a soft b, in sound) but a totally different fish.
I think you all have seen the photo of my mom with a double hook up of corbina from a trip in 1967? That was on the bay they now call Bahia Santa
Maria... we just called it 'The Lagoon' before any campo was there.
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