Baja Explorer Caravan

The Vagabundos Del Mar Club has been safely leading caravans throughout Mexico for sixty years. We are returning to Baja California with the “Baja Explorer” caravan, excited to get our toes in the sand, enjoy wonderful food and soak in the welcoming, warm Mexican culture. Here is what our plan is.

• Oct 31: We will meet up at Potrero Park near Tecate and get acquainted with our fellow adventurers. We will enjoy a campfire and happy hour. Potrero Park is a San Diego County Park and has electrical and water hook-ups, water and a dump station. 
• Nov 1: We will carpool to Tecate, a 20-minute ride from Potrero. We will park on the USA side of the border and walk into Tecate. There we will purchase our FMM (tourist Visa) which can take a little time depending on how busy the customs office is. After we are all processed, we’ll enjoy lunch at a small sidewalk cafe (great tacos) and return to the USA and Potrero. At Potrero, we will once again get together for a discussion on the do’s and don’ts of Baja travel and customs. 
• Nov 2: We’re in no rush to get on the road in the morning, headed to Tecate to be processed into Mexico. Our destination is Sordo Mundo in the Valle de Guadalupe (Ruta del Vino) RV campground. We will arrive early and those who wish can go on an escorted wine tasting trip. Sordo Mundo has electricity, water and a dump station.
• Nov 3: Up and out headed to the Larzaro Cardenas area of Baja, south of Ensenada. On our way south, we’ll stop in Ensenada to shop at a grocery store to stock up the refrigerator. Our stop for the night will be at the Santa Maria Hotel. We will set up in a parking lot next to this beautiful hotel sitting right on the beach. There is a great restaurant and cantina in the hotel and we’ll enjoy a happy hour and group meal. Always a great stop. Dry camping.
• Nov 4: Up and on the road, headed to Catavina, camping at Rancho Santa Ynez. Rancho Santa Ynez is an interesting area, dark at night with a million stars looking down. It is also close to some ancient cave paintings that we can car pool over too and take the short hike up to view them. Dry camping. 
• Nov 5: Continuing south, our next stop will be at Guerrero Negro. We will camp at Malarrimos Hotel and RV Campground. Here we can enjoy a group meal at the on-site restaurant and do some grocery shopping. Full hook ups.
• Nov 6: The following day we will get on the road, headed towards Mulege where we will spend the night. Those interested can explore this wonderful small village with its narrow streets, great restaurants and colorful shops. Electric and water, dump station.
• Nov 7-10: No rush today as we only have a short drive to Loreto, our home for the next four nights. We will be staying at the Rivera Del Mar campground, within walking distance to the Mission, restaurants and shops. Loreto is a great place to explore and relax. We can be transported up to the San Javier Mission with a guided tour and a great, authentic Mexican lunch at a working rancho before returning to Loreto. There is ample time to go shopping, fishing, snorkeling or exploring this beautiful small town. Full hook-ups.
• Nov 11-13: The fun in Loreto has come to an end, so we saddle up and begin the trip north. First stop will be at Santispac area in the Bahia Conception area, camping on the beach for three nights Here, there is a nice beach front restaurant and colorful beach vendors. A popular activity is a boat ride to explore the nearby islands and dig for clams, always a fun trip. This is a beautiful area, very popular with the “snow bird” groups. 
• Nov 14: Continuing north, we will spend one night in San Ignacio. Our campground will be El Padrino, situated among the towering date palm trees and walking distance to the town square and mission. The town square offers restaurants, shopping for hand crafted treasures and ice cream. The beautiful mission is well worth exploring, built prior to the founding of the USA. Full hook-ups. 
• Nov 15-16: Keep on trucking; we will head to Bahia de Los Angeles (BDLA),  camping on the beach at Campo Archelon for the next two nights.  Here is an on-site coffee shop run by young, eco-friendly owners. We will have time to enjoy a wonderful meal at my friends’ resort, just a short walk from our campground. If sufficient interest, we can arrange for a eco tour of the off shore islands, looking for marine life. BDLA also has an interesting small museum that’s well worth the visit. Dry camping.
• Nov 17: Our next stop will be at Gonzaga Bay at the Rancho Grande beach front campground. This will offer us the opportunity to relax with our toes in the sand and enjoy happy hour. Dry camping. 
• Nov 18-19: Our next two nights will be in San Felipe at Victors RV. Victors RV is located within walking distance to the Malecon and all the restaurants and shopping. Victors has an on-site beach front restaurant and cantina where we will share a “adios” group meal. I have always enjoyed my stay here, convenient to everything and preparing to return to the USA. Full hook-ups.
• Nov 20: Up early and headed towards the Mexicali East Port of Entry where we will be processed back into the USA by US Customs. Once cleared and back on US soil, we will group up and say our good-byes and begin the trip home. 

This is a tentative itinerary and can change due to unforeseen circumstances like weather or road closures. I have personally made this trip a number of times and look forward to returning and visiting with Baja friends. We will pay as we go, that is, each caravan participant will be responsible for payment of camp sites and activities as we travel.  This keeps the cost down and leaves you more taco money!  If interested, contact the Vagabundos office at (707) 374 5511 or Vagabundos.com for more information. You can also send me questions via email at [email protected], I will be glad to answer any questions. Dogs, kids and happy campers are welcome. The caravan is limited to only eight rigs, keeping the group small enhances the experience and doesn’t overwhelm the local services. Also, you must travel in a self-contained RV as some of our Campsites do not offer restroom facilities. 

I must include a disclaimer: there are sections of the highway that are narrow with no shoulder. When we meet an oncoming simi truck or bus, it can make up sit up and take notice, however we have traveled up and down these roads without mishap by slowing down and paying attention. There are also sections of the road that are riddled with pot holes. That is the reason that we travel at a reasonably safe pace, never in a rush, stopping to smell the cactus (roses)  when necessary.