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dallass16
Since 01 Nov 2015
3 Posts
Gig Harbor, WA
Kook
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Sun Nov 01, 15 8:53 pm Baja Bound! La Ventana questions! |
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Ok so my friend and I are planning on caravanning with an old dude down to la ventana the day after xmas for some epic kiting! We all haven't made this trip before and we are in hopes of some advice-- whatever ya got let us know! Horror stories and all! My friend and I (both 20 y.o girls) will be going with an old surfer who has been to the north baja ( years and years ago) but other than that we really have no idea what we are getting into . Have been reading up on drive times, where to and not to stop, but would love more insight from all of you experienced baja travelers!
-- we have already booked to stay at a house in el sargento too -- _________________ Dallas Edge
Stoked on Life// |
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runaway
Since 31 Aug 2010
66 Posts
Anchorage
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Sun Nov 01, 15 10:35 pm poor old guy |
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I wonder what is considered "old" to these young ladies LOL
have a great trip. try to find others to caravan with in the North...the South seems mellow and beautiful |
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wylieflyote
Since 30 Jun 2006
1634 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster
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Mon Nov 02, 15 4:47 am |
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http://forums.bajanomad.com
BajaNomad is one excellent source for all things Baja, with information such as "How to cross the border with proper paperwork" "Which border crossing is best" "Best places to stay on your route" "What to bring" "Where to avoid"
Sign up and ask your question and you will get quality replies. I used to have an image-by-image border crossing page that really helped with getting through Tijuana. I'll find it.
There are even constant caravans forming if your inclined to use that method.
Open mind. If you've got some arrogance leave that at home. Never hurry. Enjoy.
Signed... older than "old guy" _________________ CGKA Member
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Kip Wylie |
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dallass16
Since 01 Nov 2015
3 Posts
Gig Harbor, WA
Kook
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Mon Nov 02, 15 12:17 pm |
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Haha thanks guys! With all respect nothing wrong with older guys :p just thought I'd be specific so you knew it wasn't just young girls crossing the boarder alone! _________________ Dallas Edge
Stoked on Life// |
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deminimis
Since 15 Jul 2014
326 Posts
On the Rocks
Obsessed
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Mon Nov 02, 15 3:04 pm |
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Just scratching the surface.
Always get out of your rig to keep an eye on the pump when filling up. Actually, don't fill up, ask for a set amount ($500 pesos, for example). Also, the Pemex at the north end of Villa Jesús María rips you off when it comes to the volume of diesel purchased (by a lot). Not sure about gas, but I would assume it's the same story. That is about the worst Pemex I've come across in recent years, so avoid it if you can. If possible, keep going into Guerrero Negro for fuel (your likely stay-over anyway). However, the taco stand across from the Pemex in Villa Jesús María is pretty decent (round building).
As mentioned above, Bajanomad is a great source.
In Spring when we crossed at TJ, we did it on a Sunday morning. First time we did our paperwork after crossing at TJ (we usually camp/park on the US side, walk across the night before, do our paperwork, then cross/rip at first light). Crossing/paperwork on Sunday morning was a breeze. Easiest TJ crossing we ever did.
I have friends that hang out in TJ. No thanks. With an overabundance of caution perhaps, we cross with empty bladders and don't stop (or relax really) until well south of Ensenada. Well, I take that back, the wife and kids had to make a pit stop while on the toll road last time. That said, we have never had a single problem with anyone from Baja ever. A hell of a lot safer than, say, So California, in my opinion. Can't wait to get back. March can't get here soon enough.
We spent a couple days in San Ignacio one year (stayed in a yurt). Pretty cool place if you have the time. Actually, we've stayed just about every place you can in Baja over the years (off-roading, following the 1,000 routes, just exploring, camping at beach to beach to beach, etc) and there are tons of great places to hang out. LV is probably about our least favorite, but it's got the wind and we get to hang with friends, so there we go. Cabo Pulmo is a must, if you have the time.
Oh, eat tacos every chance you get. Lots of tacos.
We caravan'd once. We split before Ensenada (and later met up in GN for beers). It was just a pain (we were pulling a buggy with an underpowered Land Cruiser and couldn't keep up very well). For your first trip, following someone through TJ to the toll road probably eases any apprehension you may have. However, once you're on the toll road, no real reason to do it. Also, there are videos on youtube showing the route. Really easy to do. DO NOT drive Mex 1 at night. Cattle and who knows what else is on the road. Some truckers drive that road like they have a death wish and at night, it only gets worse. Better to end your day behind the wheel before the sun sets and go eat tacos, drink beer. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.
Watch for topes and pot holes.
When it comes to driving in Baja, this little PSA helps:
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deminimis
Since 15 Jul 2014
326 Posts
On the Rocks
Obsessed
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Mon Nov 02, 15 3:33 pm |
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Oh, if you can score a Baja Almanac, you might do it. Not sure when the next edition is coming out, but worth its weight in gold. Really more valuable if you're not staying on the beaten path, but good even if you just stay on Mex 1. A Garmin is good too. The nav in my truck is powered by Garmin and it even showed the trail heading into my friend's place in LV, which was damn impressive. |
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dallass16
Since 01 Nov 2015
3 Posts
Gig Harbor, WA
Kook
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Tue Nov 03, 15 10:58 pm |
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Awesome. Thanks You!! _________________ Dallas Edge
Stoked on Life// |
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A.K.
Since 01 Jul 2006
190 Posts
Stoked
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Wed Nov 04, 15 1:18 pm |
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I would get on the Ventana View email list serve. Be proactive and make a post requesting for a caravan. With this action you will quickly get replies from all the folks on the west coast who are driving to LV around the same time. I made the drive for the first time two years ago and had the perfect caravan group which included the following:
- larger caravan 3-4 cars
- one person who has made the trip several times and recently
- one person who is fluent in Spanish
- take at least 3 (or even 4 days) for the drive down (baja section). No reason to push everyone to the breaking point.
Enjoy it - this is one of the most epic drives on the planet.......Since you are going this far anyway - complete the journey by driving down to the very end ----Lands End Cabo San Lucas. |
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deminimis
Since 15 Jul 2014
326 Posts
On the Rocks
Obsessed
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Wed Nov 04, 15 1:48 pm |
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3-4 days for the Baja is good advice.
Me, I just can't do it, if left to my own devices. Buggy hauling trip from The Dalles area Day 1: San Diego and a couple hours of sleep at the border before day break, Day 2: GN, Day 3: San Jose del Cabo. That's a bit extreme. Generally, with a wife that won't let me drive non-stop and I swear has a bladder the size of a thimble, we take two days getting to the border and three days making the trek through Baja to LV. Again no night driving. However, this last trip, for the return, we'd let out at around 4AM, light up the road with our leds, and get some miles under our belt before day break. Doing that, we were able to take the back way home and beach camp every early afternoon. Damn, damn, damn, I can't wait for March. This thread is killing me.
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knotwindy
Since 25 Sep 2011
598 Posts
Addicted
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Thu Nov 12, 15 8:33 am |
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well, this might help, might not
yesterday 85 degree air, 81 degree water, blowing 29-33
a good time was had by all. which, in this case, means very few,
nice swell and elevator jumps,
come on down.... |
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Sella
Since 21 Apr 2007
1794 Posts
Doin' The Dalles
FLY'IN HIGH PIE GUY
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Thu Nov 12, 15 9:07 am |
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knotwindy wrote: | yesterday 85 degree air, 81 degree water, blowing 29-33
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Painful to read....but glad somebody is not letting it go to waste. |
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TommyK
Since 18 May 2015
47 Posts
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Thu Nov 12, 15 9:45 am |
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85 degree air, 81 degree water, blowing 29-33 ......
Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark ! |
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