Baja - wine, whales and fish

[spikemd]

Traveled down into Baja this past week for an awesome vacation. This trip was less offroad but still quite an adventure. Headed to San Diego Friday night before crossing the border at Tecate Saturday morning. Rolling down in a new vehicle, I wanted my FMM travel visa stamped as the vehicle insurance states it is required. We parked state side, walked to office, got stamped and then walked back across after waiting in line for 30 minutes. Another in our group, crossed, then parked and walked back saving a lot of time. Live and learn.

 

[spikemd]

Headed through Tecate, and to Guadalupe Valley, the wine region outside of Ensenada. It's a beautiful valley with tons of wineries and restaurants. With Covid still in effect, many were requiring reservations in advance so we were turned away. But we did taste at Bodegas F Rubio. They have an excellent restaurant as well but weren't seating inside. We camped at El Valle RV park which had clean bathrooms and warm showers. Traveling with kids and women, priorities shift a bit.

 

[spikemd]

While at the winery, a Mexican from Tijuana had a stunning 2016 last edition D90 #2 of 10 in a beautiful grey color. Super nice guy and he has an older 110 as well.

 

[spikemd]

Next morning, headed into Ensenada for some fish tacos at El Fenix. Super fresh and tasty and they had a smoked marlin that was amazing. Then did the tourist chaos at La Bufadora, a big blowhole on the coast. It is overrun with vendors selling everything u can imagine, but the kids enjoyed it. We usually travel to avoid the crowds...

Grabbed some fresh mangos and firewood to keep heading south. We made it to Catavina just as the sun went down. One of the cardinal rules in Mexico is to NOT DRIVE at NIGHT! Highway 1 is considered one of the most deadly highways in the world for a reason. No shoulder, big trucks and yes, we did see a cow in the middle of the road.

In Catavina, I had some cool campsites picked out but everyone elected to grab a meal and hotel room for $60.

 

[Knickter]

Amazing Baja, that is one awesome vacation

 

[spikemd]

Heading south, we went to Guerrero Negro. Found a killer beach campsite at Campo Esmeralda about 40 min north of the town. Had the whole beach to ourselves. They actually want more to come camp with them. They had flush toilets and low pressure showers. The tidal changes are amazing. 100 yards of beach and then water on the rocks. Kids loved playing in the waves.

 

[1leglance]

Love me some Baja and heading down for the NORRA Mexican 1000 in a couple weeks.
Thanks for the heads up on Campo Esmerelda as that is new to me and will check it out.
Great pics and writeup, yeah wife and kids can change the trip but the memories are worth it.

 

[bax229]

Nice write up...had no idea there is a whole wine scene in Guadalupe.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Campo Esmeralda? how did you find it?

 

[SDDiver5]

Nice write up...had no idea there is a whole wine scene in Guadalupe.

It's awesome and a simple drive from San Diego. Highly recommend it. Good wine, great food and the views are amazing.

 

[SDDiver5]

Great write up. I love baja and cant wait to go back.

The person with the white defender- Does he live in San Diego? I feel like I've seen that rig in Point Loma a few times.

 

[spikemd]

We are all from the Sacramento area. We found Campo Esmeralda on iOverlander.

 

[spikemd]

We did whale watching in Guerrero Negro and saw a bunch of baby whales eventhough we were at the end of the birthing season. Mom's and babies will be heading north all the way to Alaska this summer.

 

[wurningdirt]

Looks like an awesome trip. can't wait to have one soon