HERR42
01110010110101
can one of you describe the route you take, the drive time, and where you go?
for you experienced baja folks...
- Thread starter HERR42
- Start date
Baja...
Our way of travel in Mexico is to just take off. We did that the first time as well. Travel as far as you can until you think you need to turn back and then do that. Anything others tell you about won't be your own discovery. Keep the "unknown" factor alive and it will be an adventure not a planned tour.
Time is a hard thing to take with you to Mexico. They don't go much by it and it will be hard for you to, not knowing what obstacles you might run across. It took two days to get a pinion gear repaired in our truck one time....after we found someone to do it. The roads flooded on us once on the mainland and we had to camp for another two days....not Mexico but last winter in Guatemala the country ran out of cash money while we were there...that took two weeks to straighten out.... due to a huge bank embezzlement deal and a problem in France where they have their money printed. I guess someone burned the old bills before they got the new ones at the same time the printer got the wrong paper and had to reorder. Point being, leave your watch at home and give yourself as much time as you can. If you can't take time, just explore a small area. That's my take on it and I am sure there are plenty of other views. I think Baja is a great first driving trip into Mexico. It is very easy there.
In fact we are thinking about doing a 2 week trip with motorcycles down to La Paz, across on the ferry to the mainland and then back north home sometime this winter....2 weeks is plenty of time for that...esp. having been both side of that route before.
Have a great time....I know you will.
Brian
Our way of travel in Mexico is to just take off. We did that the first time as well. Travel as far as you can until you think you need to turn back and then do that. Anything others tell you about won't be your own discovery. Keep the "unknown" factor alive and it will be an adventure not a planned tour.
Time is a hard thing to take with you to Mexico. They don't go much by it and it will be hard for you to, not knowing what obstacles you might run across. It took two days to get a pinion gear repaired in our truck one time....after we found someone to do it. The roads flooded on us once on the mainland and we had to camp for another two days....not Mexico but last winter in Guatemala the country ran out of cash money while we were there...that took two weeks to straighten out.... due to a huge bank embezzlement deal and a problem in France where they have their money printed. I guess someone burned the old bills before they got the new ones at the same time the printer got the wrong paper and had to reorder. Point being, leave your watch at home and give yourself as much time as you can. If you can't take time, just explore a small area. That's my take on it and I am sure there are plenty of other views. I think Baja is a great first driving trip into Mexico. It is very easy there.
In fact we are thinking about doing a 2 week trip with motorcycles down to La Paz, across on the ferry to the mainland and then back north home sometime this winter....2 weeks is plenty of time for that...esp. having been both side of that route before.
Have a great time....I know you will.
Brian
lqhikers
Senior Member
jeff, new baja explorer
jeff first i agree with brian,1st rule do not plan to be anywhere at a certain time things come up that you have no control over and if you let it bother you it will ruin your trip! my suggestion for first trip would be to head to mexicalla cross border drive to san fellipe spend your first night there then you will really enjoy the getting away from the tourist areas!after that make sure you have all supplies you need as there are very few spots to get anything including gas,from this point plan on remote camping all the way to baja gonzaga.spend some time in that area as their are rustic camp grounds on beach basic supplies and gas most of time!go on down the road for 20 miles and visit Cocos corner and meet Coco one of the last neat people in baja on the order of the clam man for you oldtime baja people!! give your self at least a long week to enjoy and i'm sure you willreturn to baja for many more trips! get mexican insurance,smile drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
jeff first i agree with brian,1st rule do not plan to be anywhere at a certain time things come up that you have no control over and if you let it bother you it will ruin your trip! my suggestion for first trip would be to head to mexicalla cross border drive to san fellipe spend your first night there then you will really enjoy the getting away from the tourist areas!after that make sure you have all supplies you need as there are very few spots to get anything including gas,from this point plan on remote camping all the way to baja gonzaga.spend some time in that area as their are rustic camp grounds on beach basic supplies and gas most of time!go on down the road for 20 miles and visit Cocos corner and meet Coco one of the last neat people in baja on the order of the clam man for you oldtime baja people!! give your self at least a long week to enjoy and i'm sure you willreturn to baja for many more trips! get mexican insurance,smile drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
chnlisle
Post Master
Jeff Les is on the money there and the road from Puertocitos to Gonzaga will test the rig a tiny bit and give you some great views of the Sea of Cortez. I first met Coco 20 years ago when he had a long black ponytail. Now he looks like me gray and bald. Back then he just opened his tire shack in the middle of nowhere. Of course back then there were very few people at Gonzaga. Now he has a compound and has managed to thrive and as Les said he is one of the last great guys around. And a character to boot.
chnlisle
Post Master
lqhikers
Senior Member
more Coco's pics! (baja trip)
jay after seeing yours pics of Coco i dug up a couple more.we were camped out about 8 miles from cocos in a canyon when we ran across one of cocos signs from when he first ended up in the area,plus my other half virginia likes this outhouse pics!,coast line pics show how remote it is (no people!)
jay after seeing yours pics of Coco i dug up a couple more.we were camped out about 8 miles from cocos in a canyon when we ran across one of cocos signs from when he first ended up in the area,plus my other half virginia likes this outhouse pics!,coast line pics show how remote it is (no people!)
Attachments
chnlisle
Post Master
Les you warm my heart. I have a tough time with all of the development at Gonzaga but never the less it still worth going to. One of these days I'll have to get a slide scanner and post some of my old 35mm's of Gonazga of 25 years ago. Our little caravan was the only thing on that incredible stretch of beach south of Alphosina's.
I remember you telling me about going out back through Cocos. Next time we head that way l'll get some directions from you to those gorgeous beaches. Now thats the way to do Baja.....while there still is a baja to do. And more great pix thanks.
I remember you telling me about going out back through Cocos. Next time we head that way l'll get some directions from you to those gorgeous beaches. Now thats the way to do Baja.....while there still is a baja to do. And more great pix thanks.
OP
OP
HERR42
01110010110101
this is exactly the type of info i want to hear....
why transit the border at mexicali rather than tijuana ?
why transit the border at mexicali rather than tijuana ?
chnlisle
Post Master
If you go to Gonzage the back way through San Felipe its the closer entry point. If you take the easier route down Mexico1 and head to Gonzaga at Catavina it's closer to enter at Tijuana.
If you choose the latter be sure to eat at El Jardin in San Quintin. You head out toward the bay and El Molino but watch for the signs pretty quick to El Jardin. It very well could be the best restaurant in Baja. San Quintin can be a bit edgy so dont be driving there at night which incidentally is good advice for the entire pennisula.
If you choose the latter be sure to eat at El Jardin in San Quintin. You head out toward the bay and El Molino but watch for the signs pretty quick to El Jardin. It very well could be the best restaurant in Baja. San Quintin can be a bit edgy so dont be driving there at night which incidentally is good advice for the entire pennisula.
erod
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2007
- Messages
- 664
this is a really cool thread you guys! my girlfriend and i are planning a trip to baja currently and these are some great tips and insight to take into consideration. cheers!
OP
OP
HERR42
01110010110101
San Quintin can be a bit edgy so dont be driving there at night ...
Please elaborate on this.
Please elaborate on this.
lqhikers
Senior Member
more baja info! for herr42 to ponder!
the reason i suggested going through Mexicali for your first trip to Baja are the following ,going this way for a short stay you do not have to have a tourist visa,Mexicali is a less intimindating for a first visit ,easy money exchange on way in and out (Calexico border)easy to get through town to San Felipe,no toll roads etc.some nice camp spots on U.S. side if you are traveling far to get here(near salton sea) i suggest crossing over border early in the morning,things are calm gives you time to enjoy ride to San Felipe,past san felipe there are many small campos not like stateside campgrounds to stop at if you run out of daylight,past next small town (Puerto Cetos) there are some nice beaches to camp (one of the pics i show of coast line shows a beach 4x4 (Rough) only 10miles or so south of Puerto Cetoes ,very little traffic so you can enjoy.and the number 1 reason is that this part of Baja will not be like this in the near future as delvelopment is coming (paved roads etc)so enjoy while you can,in case you are unaware do not take any firearms,ammo,drugs big no no in mexico! so if you do not make to Bahia Gonzaga you will still have a great trip drive slow and enjoy "its the journey
the reason i suggested going through Mexicali for your first trip to Baja are the following ,going this way for a short stay you do not have to have a tourist visa,Mexicali is a less intimindating for a first visit ,easy money exchange on way in and out (Calexico border)easy to get through town to San Felipe,no toll roads etc.some nice camp spots on U.S. side if you are traveling far to get here(near salton sea) i suggest crossing over border early in the morning,things are calm gives you time to enjoy ride to San Felipe,past san felipe there are many small campos not like stateside campgrounds to stop at if you run out of daylight,past next small town (Puerto Cetos) there are some nice beaches to camp (one of the pics i show of coast line shows a beach 4x4 (Rough) only 10miles or so south of Puerto Cetoes ,very little traffic so you can enjoy.and the number 1 reason is that this part of Baja will not be like this in the near future as delvelopment is coming (paved roads etc)so enjoy while you can,in case you are unaware do not take any firearms,ammo,drugs big no no in mexico! so if you do not make to Bahia Gonzaga you will still have a great trip drive slow and enjoy "its the journey
Tomas Tierra
Contributors
Please elaborate on this.
Herr,
If you do go the Mex1 route down the Pacific side (TJ, Ensenada, San Quintin) I wouldnt stop to much, until El Rosario,45 mins. below San Quintin, or about 6 hours from the border. (El Jardin, San Quintin is a treat though.) Things above there just tend to be a little sketchy. Alot of big Agriculture, which means alot of migrants from the Mainland of Mex.
Baja Cactus motel in El rosario is good clean and secure. A great place to jump off from early on the second day. Its right next to the pemex in town..From El Rosario south, Baja starts.Ive never been down the east side talked about above.
NEVER DRIVE AT NIGHT!!! .!
TT
Herr,
If you do go the Mex1 route down the Pacific side (TJ, Ensenada, San Quintin) I wouldnt stop to much, until El Rosario,45 mins. below San Quintin, or about 6 hours from the border. (El Jardin, San Quintin is a treat though.) Things above there just tend to be a little sketchy. Alot of big Agriculture, which means alot of migrants from the Mainland of Mex.
Baja Cactus motel in El rosario is good clean and secure. A great place to jump off from early on the second day. Its right next to the pemex in town..From El Rosario south, Baja starts.Ive never been down the east side talked about above.
NEVER DRIVE AT NIGHT!!! .!
TT
Mexico....
Be sure to check out www.guadalupe-canyon.com if you are going in by way of Mexicali. I know there is a lot of interest in the San Felipe side however my experience there other than Canyon de Guadalupe is that I would never go there again....we enjoyed the hot spring in Puertocitos but that was it....We found that the coast was all bought up by gringos and it was actually quite hard to find a spot to camp on the beach. Now we did not take the road south of Puertocitos so have no experience there. I would also not recommend much south of La Paz except the very northern part unless you are partial to seeing a buildup such has California has along the coast and very few places to enjoy the beach.
Just my experience and opinion.
If you do go to Guadalupe Canyon, go during the week. There is a large influx of gringos and Mexican tourists on the weekend and they told us they prefer it if you make reservations with the daughter in CA.
Brian
Be sure to check out www.guadalupe-canyon.com if you are going in by way of Mexicali. I know there is a lot of interest in the San Felipe side however my experience there other than Canyon de Guadalupe is that I would never go there again....we enjoyed the hot spring in Puertocitos but that was it....We found that the coast was all bought up by gringos and it was actually quite hard to find a spot to camp on the beach. Now we did not take the road south of Puertocitos so have no experience there. I would also not recommend much south of La Paz except the very northern part unless you are partial to seeing a buildup such has California has along the coast and very few places to enjoy the beach.
Just my experience and opinion.
If you do go to Guadalupe Canyon, go during the week. There is a large influx of gringos and Mexican tourists on the weekend and they told us they prefer it if you make reservations with the daughter in CA.
Brian
chnlisle
Post Master
First driving at night generally is a bad idea because of many large animals(cattle donkeys etc) on the road. Also drunks not limited to cars but large trucks. Driving during the day is easier on the nerves and you can see stuff.
As for San Quintin. It has gone from a sleepy little town (I first went there 36 years ago) to the largest agricultural area in Baja. It's a 15 mile garish strip mall with all of the problems of a big city and lots of single men with money to spend. I have never felt threatened there and I go through it a lot. Not as much as Tom but during the day it just feels safer to me. Just my dos centavos.
The road south of Puertocitos has great views of the Sea of Cortez but it can be a challenge after the rains. Having said that every time I go I see a family of Mexicans in a 64 ford wagon taking there time and making the trip. I like that road but Pam prefers going in through Catavina.
I dont think I'd get an argument here if I said Baja has changed and continues to change dramatically. The longer you wait to go the more it will look like an American Colony. The rest of you guys can weigh on that.
Just a word about Bay of LA. The road now is nicer than Mexico 1 and with that brings more traffic but I think its still worth going there. It doesnt take long and a side trip to Mission San Borjas is worth doing. Be sure to stop at The Ejido house (the local caretakers). They are lovely people and will give you a great tour of the restoration work and the history (they have no love for the Franciscans). They are very poor and a small donation is always welcomed and they do some nice hadicraft work too. Also Its not a bad place to camp or just to picnic. Its a fun rough road through some great scenery as well.
Bay of LA is very commercial now but you must go to the sea turtle sanctuary its fantastic. We camped near there in may of '05 and had a hump back singing to us all night long. These kinds of experiences really are life changing.
The fact of the matter is if you love Mexico and Mexicans Baja is heaven on earth. It is far and away my favorite destination and I've been going there starting with when my non spanish speaking but adventursome parents used to take me there back in the late '40s ('48 Pontiac) until now 50+ years and still passionate about the place. I've run on way too long but GO!!!!
Here are a couple of pix from that trip also.
As for San Quintin. It has gone from a sleepy little town (I first went there 36 years ago) to the largest agricultural area in Baja. It's a 15 mile garish strip mall with all of the problems of a big city and lots of single men with money to spend. I have never felt threatened there and I go through it a lot. Not as much as Tom but during the day it just feels safer to me. Just my dos centavos.
The road south of Puertocitos has great views of the Sea of Cortez but it can be a challenge after the rains. Having said that every time I go I see a family of Mexicans in a 64 ford wagon taking there time and making the trip. I like that road but Pam prefers going in through Catavina.
I dont think I'd get an argument here if I said Baja has changed and continues to change dramatically. The longer you wait to go the more it will look like an American Colony. The rest of you guys can weigh on that.
Just a word about Bay of LA. The road now is nicer than Mexico 1 and with that brings more traffic but I think its still worth going there. It doesnt take long and a side trip to Mission San Borjas is worth doing. Be sure to stop at The Ejido house (the local caretakers). They are lovely people and will give you a great tour of the restoration work and the history (they have no love for the Franciscans). They are very poor and a small donation is always welcomed and they do some nice hadicraft work too. Also Its not a bad place to camp or just to picnic. Its a fun rough road through some great scenery as well.
Bay of LA is very commercial now but you must go to the sea turtle sanctuary its fantastic. We camped near there in may of '05 and had a hump back singing to us all night long. These kinds of experiences really are life changing.
The fact of the matter is if you love Mexico and Mexicans Baja is heaven on earth. It is far and away my favorite destination and I've been going there starting with when my non spanish speaking but adventursome parents used to take me there back in the late '40s ('48 Pontiac) until now 50+ years and still passionate about the place. I've run on way too long but GO!!!!
Here are a couple of pix from that trip also.
Attachments
Tomas Tierra
Contributors
Tomas Tierra
Contributors
OP
OP
HERR42
01110010110101
i really appreciate all of this commentary.
chnlisle
Post Master
Jeff just one more thing about night driving. Mexico 1 isnt like US 1. We are talking world class-take your front end out-pot holes in some areas. You cant see them at night. The get much worse after the rainy season. Baja is the poor red headed step child of Mexico. There is very little money for keeping roads in great condition.
craig333
Riley's Human
Is that the only reason? One thing I can do is light up the road in front of me. How's the availability of diesel down there?
Similar threads - WTW
- Collywobble
- Gear Exchange
- Replies: 0
- Views: 636
