Future Baja Mexico Trip

[RON CT110]

Hey Folks,

Got back from a family cruise vacation; we found a bargain priced pkg for 4 - coincided with a family member getting married on the same ship. We took a 4-day Carnival Cruise from Long Beach, CA port to Ensenada Mexico in the super sized cruise-liner called the Carnival Paradise - see pic link below. Next time we might want to try the 4-day Cruise to Cabo San Lucas.



Cruise was a blast; was like a mini-city with several different restaurants to choose from, casino, theater, comedy show, spa/wellness class, dancing, swimming w/giant water slide, laser tag for the kids, love the food and best of all Camp Carnival for the kids; array of activities for the kids (while my wife and enjoy the night life, dinning and cruise life). My kids want to come back. They miss the carnival mascot Freddie! Lol.

Anyways, when we arrived in Ensenada; I was pleasantly surpise the placed cleaned-up a bit.

Last time I was there 20 years ago. Drove down from LA at that time (I was living in San Pedro, CA), crossed the border, and drove down to Ensenada with a bunch of buddies; lots of old bldg and streets littered w/trash.

This time around after our Cruise liner bus dropped us off downtown, felt pretty safe walking around with my family. Cleaned up downtown even with Starbucks. Had lunch and drinks at Mango Mango, and walked passed by Pappa & Beer (was just too crowed that day w/booze cruisers).

Went on a wine tour... one of the activities I didn't have time to do was the Jeep Tour.

This tour is caravan type tour (U drive and follow the guide - which I don't mind); basically you are renting a Jeep with a tour guide. Must be 25 or older to drive the Jeep (no Land Rover) w/3 people or you can have the tour guide drive you (rather drive); drive along country side, hit some of the wineries, and continue to drive along the mountainside viewing Northen Baja's wilderness.

Has anyone driven down to Baja Mexico and checked-out Ensenada mountain side or perhaps beyond; wiling to share your experience?

I like to do this Jeep Tour next time but w/our Land Rovers and drive down to Baja and do our own exploring. Or perhaps some folks can take the cruise (to get the wife to go) and meet up w/others (who prefer to drive down/cross the border) and be passengers for those who willing to drive (perhaps pitch in cost of gasoline for fuel consumed while in Ensenada).

Understand the concern about drug wars on the border and central Mexico, but seem relatively safer in the Baja area.

Post up if you have been to Ensenada and explored its wilderness/mountain side.

Perhaps we can take our Land Rovers over there on trip to Baja Mexico.

Thanks! Here are some personal pictures to share from my trip:

[TJAdams]

It sounds fun, I'd like to do a "tour" drive like that with my Range sometime. Any details on the route the tour took?

-TJ

[Desertcrawler]

I've been south of the border during the Baja 1000. It was a lot of fun with good wheeling and lots of exploring.

[Antonio]

i am down for any thrip down the border. I usually drive down south of mexico once a year. About 1200 miles off the border of Texas and I have never had any problems with the law or people.

I will like to go visit the Copper Canyon. I heard is just like the Grand canyon. I can help with the logistics and language. :-)

http://www.mexicoscoppercanyon.com/canyonmap.htm

[Phil.]

consider me subscribed to this thread

[RON CT110]

i am down for any thrip down the border. I usually drive down south of mexico once a year. About 1200 miles off the border of Texas and I have never had any problems with the law or people.

I will like to go visit the Copper Canyon. I heard is just like the Grand canyon. I can help with the logistics and language. :-)

http://www.mexicoscoppercanyon.com/canyonmap.htm

Excellent; looks like we have a translator on board!

[RON CT110]

consider me subscribed to this thread

Hey Phil, you might be the first Sport owner to cross the board from US to Mexico; excellent if you can join and this trip pans out.

[RON CT110]

I've been south of the border during the Baja 1000. It was a lot of fun with good wheeling and lots of exploring.

Looks like we have a quide (smile); thanks for volunteering your service Chuck.

Someone told me to consider crossing on the Tecate site vs Tijuana; less hassle, traffice and potential delays: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.57...75,-116.618611

[RON CT110]

It sounds fun, I'd like to do a "tour" drive like that with my Range sometime. Any details on the route the tour took?

-TJ

Rough planning now for poss 2011 trip; hope you can make it.

[Phil.]

Hey Phil, you might be the first Sport owner to cross the board from US to Mexico; excellent if you can join and this trip pans out.

nah. wasn't adam spiker on that trip in LRL mag?