Baja 2025

clayhubler

clayhubler

Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2019
Messages
393
Reaction score
2
C Dory Year
1986
C Dory Model
26 Pro Angler
Vessel Name
Merlin
We are planning a short trip to Baja in the spring. I plan to trailer the boat down to the Bay of LA and stay for 2 weeks. Anybody have any recommendations on parking?
Any advice about the trip is greatly appreciated. This is our first time.
Thanks!
 
Looks like a great trip! What a beautiful spot! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Did you have any issues going through customs either way?
 
No troubles at the border. I would say it was approximately 1.5 hours each direction, including wait time.

The only downside to the whole trip was the long rough drive. I don’t recommend trailering all the way to La Paz to anybody. And I definitely would’ve preferred a tandem axle trailer. The roads were so bad in fact that I don’t believe I’ll ever tow a trailer past San Felipe again.
 
Where was the roughest section? There is a good Facebook sight on Baja Road conditions. It seems very up to date, with frequent posts:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BajaRoads/

You make me jealous with the photos--and going there. Been years--and it all changes. First sailed down the Baja Coast in the late l960's, leading several groups of other sailboats.
 
The worst roads were just north of Guerrero Negro on Highway 1. Some sections of road are fine. Mexicali to San Felipe was only about three hours.
 
Hi Clay,

There will be a few local folks that will be happy to store your trailer for a fee for a bit. Likely no real worries with that. I do not have any specific places or persons. The people of Baja are pretty friendly and do try to be helpful.

My wife and I have been going to Baja with our small camper for a couple of months every other year or so for years. If you have some questions PM me and I will send you my phone number and you are welcome to pick my brain.

As others have said you definitely want to come down through Mexicali/ Calexico using hwy 3 to incept one on your way south to Bay of LA. Do not take hwy one down from TJ. Many places to camp on the way down, no problem. For an excellent guide to places to camp, where to get fuel, ATMs, water etc. you will want to download the https://ioverlander.com/ app

If you intend on camping in the boat in Bay of LA it can be a very rough anchorage at many places. I'm sure it will be a cool experience but it will be a tad expensive. But hey its an adventure with a C-Dory!!!

John
 
I still have the "Sea" book of aerial photos of all of the coves and coast of Baja, done in the 60's. If anyone would like a copy of one or more of the coves, give me a shout, and I'll scan the photos and chartlets. Most of the charts available then were of the 1800 vintage, with some of the famous Painter: Whistler's graphics in the margins. I still have some of those charts also. If I have duplicates, I would be happy to share if anyone wanted one or more of these.
 
Hi Clay,

Great pictures "Hammerhead" looks most awesome in the clear blue water.

Not sure about the toes in a few of the pictures (LOL)!

Hope you had a great time, and the boat did well with no damage from the terrible roads.

Been looking for you on the Columbia River. So many Seals and Sea Lions eating all the smelt the fishing has been less then horrible.

Tight Lines!!!!!
 
That is indeed a great cruising guide. My sister got me a copy and marked it up with notations after they cruised down there for about five years on their sailboat so it was really nice.

Ed, I am doing repairs as I type this and will be putting the boat in the water today at Ridgefield. After I get the boat in its slip, I’m gonna have to work on the trailer which was nearly completely destroyed. I think I can repair it and I’m going to add a second axle.
 
Hi Clay,

I just checked out that ramp today. It has been years since I have launched out of Lake River. I figured if the Columbia was still litered with Seals and Sea Lions maybe the Multnomah Channel or the Willamette would be a better option.

I cannot believe the size of Ridgefield and the construction detours. Looks like a mini-Seattle.

Good luck on the trailer. If it looks half as good as all the repairs to "Hammerhead" you should be ready for some more 4 wheeling, airborne action heading back to Baha :thup
 
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