Baja Peninsula in August

[pappy]

So anyway:
What kind of hot are you thinking of here?
What is the weather in August like on the Pacific side?
Most information regarding places to visit/things to see, seems to pertain to the eastern shore. Is there a reason for this?
Is there a big difference between the eastern and western shore?

At this point I am beginning to think that it will just be plain to damn hot, and possibly inhumane for our faithful canine traveling companion. What are your thoughts?
Kevin R.

Well, my first reaction is to buzz over to Bajanomad and start asking questions there. While there are some knowledgeable folks here, the wealth of info is over there.

Also, you need to check into the dog. Taking it to Baja should not be a problem, but getting it home could be.

Hot. I've seen it in the 90's and dry, I've seen it in the 100's+ and been uncomfortable, on the verge of miserable, on the Gulf side.

Where to go? Look at the map, plot a course, and go. Ya, there are places I've been told about, word of mouth. But the best places are the ones I discovered. And I ain't telling. And don't assume all the roads are mapped. I can think of two places I've been that were not on the maps, and I would go back again ... for the remoteness, the solitude, the adventure, and because some times it's a great place.

The Gulf side is good most of the way down. Personally, I like the Pacific side best on BCN, mostly just north of the state line. There are some good places south too. Don't forget the mountains, and the palm canyons. Explore, explore, explore.

 

[cpg]

I am just starting to seriously think about going to Baja the first week in august or so. (will be in the neighborhood)
Never been, always wanted to go.
My problem is there seems to be almost too much information out there to wade through, that BajaNomad site looks like a wealth of resources and I did not even know it existed till you guys mentioned it.

So anyway:
What kind of hot are you thinking of here?
What is the weather in August like on the Pacific side?
Most information regarding places to visit/things to see, seems to pertain to the eastern shore. Is there a reason for this?
Is there a big difference between the eastern and western shore?

At this point I am beginning to think that it will just be plain to damn hot, and possibly inhumane for our faithful canine traveling companion. What are your thoughts?
Kevin R.

On the gulf side it will be hotter. The further south you go the clearer the water becomes clearer. San Francisquito has the tropical white sand beach with the aqua marine clear water. Excellent snorkel/dive. Fishing will be great.

The weather will be hot, it will be hell if you get a night with absolutely no breeze. If there is a breeze you can sleep. I would bring a 12 volt fan.

During the day lots of sun screen go for a swim get under the shade before your shoes melt in the sand have a cold pacifico. When the water turns to sweat repeat.

You need a source for shade. Plenty of water I use at least 5 times more than
colder months. Also Ice will not last long a 12volt fridge and some solar panels will work great you will have plenty of high intensity sunlight.

Summer is a great time to see lots of reptiles also.

Pacific side will be cooler because of the ocean and will almost always have some air moving.

You may also experience a thunder storm with lots of rain and wind.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Pacific side will be cooler because of the ocean and will almost always have some air moving.

That sounds like my saving grace. I am starting to wade through all the info over on the Nomad site, thanks for the insights, sounds like an amazing place.
JuttyShabango, sorry for the highjack, perhaps we will see you down there.

 

[JuttyShabango]

No worries. I've pretty much figured out where I'm going but there is a ton of great info over there.

My wife and some friends are probably gonna fly to Cabo and we'll rent a house for a couple days layover before heading back up the peninsula.

 

[pappy]

BTW. Travel in Baja is not as fast as the states. It will take you much longer to get down and back than you think.

 

[Live to Ski]

By the way JuttyShabango, I'm assuming that you Don't have a sticker of your avatar on your rig. It might draw the wrong kind of attention in mex. (by the way, I love Garcia and the crew).

 

[JuttyShabango]

No stickers other than Mud and Marlin on my rig right now Besides, the way I dress, you'd never know I dig the Dead

Pappy,

Plannin on no more than 50K an hour down there for travel and varied road conditions. I've got the time so gonna take it..

 

[pappy]

This is my track from last year. I was down there 10 days and it was rushed to get to the bottom and back. Of course I did a lot of exploring too. I only had a few days at the Cape.

 

[JuttyShabango]

Pappy,

that's pretty close to what I have laid out except Ensinada is on the list and Cabo.

What kinda range are you getting in your runner? I'm takin a built Mini truck on this trip with similiar specs to yours except bigger meats.

 

[pappy]

Pappy,

that's pretty close to what I have laid out except Ensinada is on the list and Cabo.

What kinda range are you getting in your runner? I'm takin a built Mini truck on this trip with similiar specs to yours except bigger meats.

Shoot, I don't know. I have the stock 17 gallon tank, a 14 gallon aux tank, plus 5 gallons on the rear bumper. I don't get gas anxiety ... well, sometimes depending on how far I push. Usually I get 18 on the freeway, much less off-road. Seldom do I dip into the NATO can, except for assisting locals.

Jon

 

[JuttyShabango]

Shoot, I don't know. I have the stock 17 gallon tank, a 14 gallon aux tank, plus 5 gallons on the rear bumper. I don't get gas anxiety ... well, sometimes depending on how far I push. Usually I get 18 on the freeway, much less off-road. Seldom do I dip into the NATO can, except for assisting locals.

Jon

Excellent. Most excellent. there will be enough to think about down there instead of rashioning fuel.

I like where you crossed, that was my initial plan but for some reason got to thinking Tecate or Mexicali. Will follow your lead there.

 

[Live to Ski]

The tecate to ensenada drive is pretty sweet. If i'm northbound out of ensanada, tecate is the only border crossing i do.

JuttyShabango, tell me your not wearing a monkey suit?

 

[JuttyShabango]

JuttyShabango, tell me your not wearing a monkey suit?

Okay, I'm not

 

[FloridaFJ80]

Sounds like an awesome trip.. I have thought about doing a trip like this this summer, We were planning on using the Pangea Expedition as a trip, they are in the expedition portal website. What have you budgeted so far the trip? (fuel, Food, hotel) what kind of tent do you have? You are coming from Ohio, I would be coming from Florida. would love to see if we can maybe make it work...

 

[JuttyShabango]

Sounds like an awesome trip.. I have thought about doing a trip like this this summer, We were planning on using the Pangea Expedition as a trip, they are in the expedition portal website. What have you budgeted so far the trip? (fuel, Food, hotel) what kind of tent do you have? You are coming from Ohio, I would be coming from Florida. would love to see if we can maybe make it work...

I'm flexible and think if we could have 3-4 rigs out there it would be an awesome time. So if you want to work something out, lets see if it can happen.

Budgeted so far:

Roughly 2500 miles of driving in Baja alone and about 2000 from my house to my cousins place in Phoenix. Lay over for a day.

Say 5K miles total roughly 350 gallons of fuel.

House in Cabo is 300 a night. Wife and kid are flying down to meet up and probably a couple others so cost per person their should be lower than you might expect.

Misc around Baja for fishing, BnB, Tourist stuff say 1000 for 2 weeks below the boarder.

Plan on 50kmh speed wise and about 300 miles a day with 4 days to Cabo.

In a nutshell

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I'm flexible and think if we could have 3-4 rigs out there it would be an awesome time. So if you want to work something out, lets see if it can happen.

Budgeted so far:

Roughly 2500 miles of driving in Baja alone and about 2000 from my house to my cousins place in Phoenix. Lay over for a day.

Say 5K miles total roughly 350 gallons of fuel.

House in Cabo is 300 a night. Wife and kid are flying down to meet up and probably a couple others so cost per person their should be lower than you might expect.

Misc around Baja for fishing, BnB, Tourist stuff say 1000 for 2 weeks below the boarder.

Plan on 50kmh speed wise and about 300 miles a day with 4 days to Cabo.

In a nutshell

You'll have a blast, Baja is a magic place. And it is fun in summer...I have been down there in summer for the last 5 years. It does get hot, but it is bearable. Stay in the shade from 12 to 3 with a few cold ones, jump into the water every half hour, and you will be fine. sitting in the water with a cold one works very well too

50kmh will be pushing it sometimes, but it'll work. You'll find out that it is a LOOONG peninsula, and if you want ot go see places 4 days is really short.

The drive from tecate to ensenada is nice, but the real baja starts south of el rosario.

There is 1 good mapbook out there, I am not sure if you can get it on the web. It is an atlas with GPS coordinates, if you want I can check what it is called exactly. I bought it here:http://www.discoverbaja.com/

Bring lots of sunscreen more than one hat-the sun can be brutal, and you will not get help for a sunstroke between quintin and la paz.

and prepare for very high winds. even if it is the most gorgeous evening, don't forget to windproof your camp. Baja can go from zero to 80mph within 2 minutes. I have seen tentpoles snap, chairs flying, tarps disappear in the distance, and fires spark for 50 yards.
It's a great country...I'll do San Diego to Cabo in March with my baby brother (well, he is 24 now), and we'll take 2 weeks.

have fun, and let me know if you have questions, or need a place to crash in san diego.
Jan

 

[JuttyShabango]

You'll have a blast, Baja is a magic place. And it is fun in summer...I have been down there in summer for the last 5 years. It does get hot, but it is bearable. Stay in the shade from 12 to 3 with a few cold ones, jump into the water every half hour, and you will be fine. sitting in the water with a cold one works very well too

50kmh will be pushing it sometimes, but it'll work. You'll find out that it is a LOOONG peninsula, and if you want ot go see places 4 days is really short.

The drive from tecate to ensenada is nice, but the real baja starts south of el rosario.

There is 1 good mapbook out there, I am not sure if you can get it on the web. It is an atlas with GPS coordinates, if you want I can check what it is called exactly. I bought it here:http://www.discoverbaja.com/

Bring lots of sunscreen more than one hat-the sun can be brutal, and you will not get help for a sunstroke between quintin and la paz.

and prepare for very high winds. even if it is the most gorgeous evening, don't forget to windproof your camp. Baja can go from zero to 80mph within 2 minutes. I have seen tentpoles snap, chairs flying, tarps disappear in the distance, and fires spark for 50 yards.
It's a great country...I'll do San Diego to Cabo in March with my baby brother (well, he is 24 now), and we'll take 2 weeks.

have fun, and let me know if you have questions, or need a place to crash in san diego.
Jan

Hell ya' Jan...thanks for the tips. There's a serious love affair with the place and lookin' forward to the first hand experiences.

If we end up takin' longer than even better.

Heard from Shari today for her BnB in asuncion

"The fishing is terrific, yellowtail just off the rocks and halibut off the beach in front of our beach house. Great surf, beachcombing, hiking snorkeling, diving, spearfishing...whatever tickles your fancy."

Sounds like a killer place to layover for a day or two..or three..

She has various accomdations..

 

[pappy]

There is 1 good mapbook out there, I am not sure if you can get it on the web. It is an atlas with GPS coordinates, ...

Baja Almanac. Terminally out of print. I ordered a new one last APRIL after trashing mine, and it's still out of print. The publisher keeps me informed, but it seems they are not getting reprinted anytime soon. The folded road map is worth it, though. I've gone through several. Save the AAA map for the latrine.

Jon

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Baja Almanac. Terminally out of print. I ordered a new one last APRIL after trashing mine, and it's still out of print. The publisher keeps me informed, but it seems they are not getting reprinted anytime soon. The folded road map is worth it, though. I've gone through several. Save the AAA map for the latrine.

Jon

yes, that's it. did not know it was out of print, thank you.
jan

 

[JuttyShabango]

TTT

Jan is there now...lucky bastage!!!

Still looking for anyone that wants to join.

Plans have taken a bit of a change though, my family will NOT be joining me in Cabo so I have no agenda to follow...which is good!