Road tripping in Baja California

[Frankie Stapleton]

I'm going on a road trip with a friend and need to know if anyone has had any recent (last coupla years) traveling and/or camping in Baja California. Anyone have input for me? Mahalo

[Menehune]

Which side - Baja is BIG!
Pacific side- Sea of Cortez?
Main roads or "anywhere"?
Been to San Felipe (Sea of Cortez) a few times recently and have friends who have a home there - hot in the summer/fall - cold in the winter/spring - it's desert!. Flew to Cabo San Lucas within the last five years - loved it! Another friend of mine goes down EVERY year (Pacific side) camps and surfs in some "secret spots" - feels safe enough to take his teenage son.

[csgray]

Frankie,
Email me. I have some friends who are living in Todos Santos far down the Pacific side and a BIL who goes down there a lot and used to run kayaking trips down there. I can ask them specific questions for you when you know where you want to go. My daughter is in central Mexico right now (Leon) and she says cost of living is WAY down from 3 or 4 years ago. She has been going there since she was 14, 10 years now and says Mexico is not as safe as it used to be, but if you know something about the language, the people, and the culture she thinks it is pretty safe still. She does recommend getting past the border areas as quickly as possible.

Carol

[mdd7000]

And this is on the topic of Puna when other topics get deleted that do have a relevance?

[Sean]

Hey Frankie,

I would get the Baja Almanac -even if you're not leaving the highway. This almanac sells out and is worth the $30 or so bucks. http://www.baja-almanac.com/

Just for kicks, here's a website detailing a panga trip from LA to San Felipe via Cabo. This guy's story is funny and a great read for the sailor or the sailor at heart. http://www.bajaexpo.com/circumnavigation/chapter1.htm

I have two basic rules for Baja: Don't drive at night and don't camp alone. That being said, my last trip to Baja had a bit of both.

Cheers Frankie and don't count on that gas station having gas.

Sean

mdd7000, Good question, perhaps because this has to do with a Punawebber asking for advice from other Punawebbers, not trying to rile people up or push people's buttons with political stories or touchy topics.

[mella l]

I would check out the state department web site for travel recommendations in light of the current news.

mella l

Paris London New York PUNA

[David Shaw]

One of our favorite camping spots is Playa Santispac, about 12 mi outside (S) of Mulege in Baja Sur. Beautiful bay, lots of swimming/snorkeling available. A plus
depending upon time of year is the water, fish, and produce venders who show up and sell their goods from the back of their trucks. You don't even have to drive into town. Ana's bakery and restaurant was open last time we were there, (06) but isn't always there.
Baja is different from interior Mexico, their economy is much like Hawaii's in that tourism is a big part. People are nice, welcoming, and helpful. You do need basic Spanish to get by, though.

-dwajs

[dmbwest]

Nice weekend loop from San Diego ... Tecate > Laguna Hansen > Ensenada and back up.

Laguna Hansen while most likely dry is stil a fun Trip. Pine forest, smooth sandy roads, cool air and some neat places to explore from camp.

aloha,
pog

[Samdooby]

La Paz...

If you are into diving (spear-fishing), check out La Paz...[]

[Frankie Stapleton]

Thanx for your pointers, everyone. That's just the sort of input I needed. I'm going with a longtime friend, an ex-Marine, who has fixed up his truck and wanted to explore some of the cave paintings, visit friends and just check out Baja. I went on a brief kayaking/camping trip several spring breaks ago and just loved the geology, the geography, etc. I'd always wanted to go to the Sea of Cortez so we were kayaking out of Bahia de los Angeles. However, we didn't get to spend enough time on the Pacific side. Hope to do a bit of both this time around.

My ex and others are concerned about the drug warfare going on at border towns with mainland Mexico but I thought Baja was pretty free from that sort of activity. I'll defintely check out the state dept's website and the almanac as well. Carol, I'll be in touch in the next few days. Hope you're enjoying spring break!

Thank you, everyone! Buenos noches! Panchita