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time needed for Baja trip?

Discussion in 'Trip Reports' started by Rujack, Oct 26, 2018.

  1. Oct 26, 2018 at 3:21 PM
    #1
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    I’m trying to figure out some details of a trip to Baja Ca this Christmas. My wife and four year old will be driving from the SF Bay Area to San Jose del Cabo. I’m wondering how much time to factor in for the distance from Mexicali to SJ del Cabo. I don’t want to rush it, but want to know from those who’ve done this trip how much time they took in days, and how many hours/day they drove. I’m also interested in any tips! I’d like to avoid major highways for as much of the trip as possible. Basically looking to strike a balance of scenery, seclusion, and safety. Which I realize is subjective.


    Also, any info on how auto insurance will work for this.


    Anyway, curious to hear feedback.
     
  2. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:00 PM
    #2
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Please see my trip reports below for ideas. I drove over 15,000 miles in Baja the past two years researching for a new road guide. I also have made 30 maps to cover much of the area my guide does, this year.

    I hope you are not thinking of Los Cabos as being the main destination... Baja has so much more to offer and that is why they put Cabo at the tip, so you can see the rest of Baja without having to go to that zoo!

    OK, so for insurance: www.bajabound.com they sell top rated insurance and you do it all online... If for more than 3 weeks, get a 6 month or 1-year policy as it may be cheaper.

    Mexicali to Los Cabos is 3 days of driving... but as I said, see Baja... camp or motel it along the way. San Felipe, Gonzaga Bay, L.A. Bay, Guerrero Negro (whale watching in winter), San Ignacio, Mulegé, Concepcion Bay, Loreto, San Javier... and there is still more Baja!

    You heard that Hwy. 5 lost a few bridges, a month ago, from the hurricane? There are dirt detours but motorhomes and trailers are not recommended.

    How else can I assist?

    afb4788f-0a5b-4681-9294-18c27d1d15c1_76be13e7754a4d50087faeb55a9e95a07144b301.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
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  3. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:15 PM
    #3
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    We’re meeting my mom and sister, who are flying in, in San Jose del Cabo.

    My sister’s been to Baja several times and she has a few ideas for the itinerary including Loreto, Magdalena Bay, La Paz and Espiritu Santo...

    The plan so far is to camp as much as possible.

    I didn’t know about the damaged infrastructure on 5, thanks for that info and for the insurance tip.

    So Mexicali to Los Cabos is three day’s driving. How many hours / day would you estimate?
     
  4. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:17 PM
    #4
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    Is “Los Cabos” a generic term for the tip of the peninsula?
     
  5. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:21 PM
    #5
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Yes, the airport is called Los Cabos Int'l. The region is composed of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas... two cities with Cabo (cape) in their names... the (two) capes = Los Cabos.
     
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  6. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:25 PM
    #6
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    So how do you want to fit camping and off-roading into the time schedule... Leave a week before the flight? How long in Mexico?
    If all you want to do is drive... you can average 50 mph if not towing and stay on pavement. Hwy. 5 has 20 miles unfinished south of Gonzaga Bay, plus 6 miles of detour north of Puertecitos (that got destroyed). Now there are the detours around washouts. Are you looking at the Baja forums or Facebook pages?
     
  7. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:26 PM
    #7
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Oh, in winter, it gets dark early and driving at night is not recommended.
     
  8. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:35 PM
    #8
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    OK, just let me know if you want some trip planning assistance.
    I will need to know
    *How many days in Baja, with how many nights you want to camp.
    *What facilities do you need, such as: bathrooms/showers, palapa (shade room), or nothing but a bitchin' spot under the stars on a white sand beach!
    *Are you an experienced four wheeler... have you driven in deep sand before?

    Be aware that while December is usually clear and sunny, nights can be very cold, there may be wind, and the sea water is very cold in winter (and very warm in summer)!

    My 2016 Baja Extreme, all Toyota Tour:

    https://www.youtube.com/v/kAWGzW4bR9Q

    In the video, in this order:
    San Felipe, Shell Island (Percebu lagoon), Gonzaga Bay, Coco's Corner, Mission San Borja, L.A. Bay (Bahia de los Angeles), Calamajue Canyon, Giant Cave Art site, Bahia Concepcion, Bahia Asuncion, Las Pintas petroglyph and fossil site, La Lobera sea lion crater, San Quintin oyster farm.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
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  9. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:51 PM
    #9
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    Thanks for all the info David. Doing bath and bed time now with the kiddo so a bit distracted.

    Not sure yet about the camping / off roading schedule. I’m working this from both ends, trying to figure out what is possible with 20 days round-trip. 5 days will be spent with my mom and sister doing the aforementioned activities.

    It’s been a long time since I’ve driven in sand, and I then had a different setup. I was on wider 36” tires and generally speaking, my load then was much lighter than it is now. And I’m now running 255/85/16 tires, and I’m not sure how well the narrow footprint will perform in sand, esp with the added weight, even if aired way down. I have one pair of traction boards and will be buying another.
     
  10. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:54 PM
    #10
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    OK, no worries... I had two kids I raised alone, so I understand the routine... now I have 4 grandkids!

    Study my trip photos and let me know what is interesting (beaches, missions, food, rock art, etc.).
    Here is the thread on Hwy. 5 conditions with photos of the damage on Oct. 1:
    http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=91388
     
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  11. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:54 PM
    #11
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    Facilities needed are minimal. It would be nice to catch a hot shower and a palapa at some point. But under the stars on the sand and water sounds great.
     
  12. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:55 PM
    #12
    mipawlus

    mipawlus #332 Veteran Overland, #159 TTC, #69 in your heart

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  13. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:55 PM
    #13
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    :hattip::cheers:

    Will do. It may take a couple days!

    Thanks again David!
     
  14. Oct 26, 2018 at 7:57 PM
    #14
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    In L.A. Bay, I recommend Campo Archelon... nice showers/ toilets... palapas with big canvas cots to sleep under the stars. Great tacos in town, just a couple miles away. Depends on when you cross the border for how far you can get. L.A. Bay is about 6 hours from Mexicali normally.
     
  15. Oct 26, 2018 at 8:22 PM
    #15
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    Would you recommend driving straight to L.A. bay? This is likely possible. I seem to think I heard that the farther the south, the better.

    We’re looking for nature, distanced from light and noise pollution at night. I like the cave art, petroglyphs etc. We’d be interested in historical points of interest that are in smaller towns or villages. We want avoid cities as much as possible.
     
  16. Oct 27, 2018 at 10:36 AM
    #16
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Then you sure don't want to be in Cabo!
    Seriously, you can mix crazy Cabo and the real Baja on the same trip! My wife and I did on our 2012 trip. Have a look at the website I made for it: http://vivabaja.com/712/ It was a combo of beach camping, missions, rock art, guest rooms, swimming with sea lions, a pretty full Baja experience.

    Mission San Borja and the Montevideo Painted Cliff are great... and both off the road to Bahia de los Angeles. See them both near the end of my Trip #2 report.
     
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  17. Oct 27, 2018 at 11:47 AM
    #17
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    Ok, update from my sister:

    Meet in either La Paz or Todos Santos.
     
  18. Oct 27, 2018 at 8:06 PM
    #18
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Once you have reviewed my links and have questions, I will try my best to help. Baja has an endless supply of sites to see so this trip will only be an introduction and likely change your life... yes, it is that awesome.
     
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  19. Dec 19, 2018 at 7:39 AM
    #19
    Rujack

    Rujack [OP] Stop Global Whining

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    @David K

    We stayed in San Felipe last night. Our departure was delayed two days, so our itinerary got a bit screwed up. We have to be in La Paz by Saturday afternoon and I’m wondering if there is a route connecting approximately San Francisquito and Santa Rosalia. We’re traveling with our very energetic 4 year old, so driving time per day is often limited. We’d like to stay in Bahia de Los Angeles tonight, but: 1) not sure if that will get us far enough today; 2) if there is a route continuing south from there along the gulf side toward Santa Rosalia. Our map shows a paved road to San Francisquito from Bahia, but nothing continuing from there, in a southerly direction. We are trying to avoid back-tracking as much as possible at this point, so going from the 1 to Bahia and back is not ideal at this point.

    Any tips??

    :hattip:

    Also, I have maps downloaded for Gaia. If anyone has tracks to share that would be great!
     
  20. Dec 19, 2018 at 7:48 AM
    #20
    trdordcsb

    trdordcsb Well-Known Member

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    good luck on your trip south today. i was there for thanksgiving and from San Felipe to where the 5 meets the 1 is a lot of detour and construction. lots of washed out roads and bridges plus the last part of the 5 was never finished. it took us way longer than expected and we only went from Bahia to Puertecitos. Bahia was my destination so I cant help with anything south...thats my next trip but looking at google satellite images and I dont see anything going south. you might need to back track a little.
     
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