TRAVEL CLUB
New Temporary Boat Importation Rules for Baja From the DBTC Office The temporary boat importa on laws have changed for Baja -The toll road from La Mision to and now every boat over 4.5 meters (15 feet) that will be taken Ensenada is s ll closed. The Baja down to Baja needs to have a temporary boat import permit. government has said that they are To get your boat importa on, you will need to stop at the pu ng a temporary patch on the border (Otay Mesa or Tecate – NOT San Ysidro) with your boat highway and will re-open it within two and paperwork. Go to Aduanas (customs) and they will direct months. A permanent road will take you to Banjercito to get the permit and pay the fee. another 6-8 months to complete. The detour on the paved free road only The permit is valid for 10 years and is good for mul ple entry. If adds about 10-15 minutes to your trip. your boat is already in Baja, you will need to go to Pichilingue in La Paz with your boat and paperwork to get the permit. You will -The San Ysidro/El Chaparral border need to have the original and 1 copy of each of the following: crossing has received $226 million in federal funding which will go to re- Passport or passport card rou ng the southbound 5 to connect Migratory paperwork (FMM, temporary or permanent directly with El Chaarral and pay to resident visa) complete the 62 inspec on booths for Boat tle or registra on northbound drivers. Motor serial number If there is a lienholder on the boat, you will need to have a -Follow along with us on the DBTC blog le er from the lienholder gran ng permission to take the and other social media outlets for the best of Baja. Links below. vessel to Mexico $52.20 U.S.D. (pesos, dollars, Visa or Mastercard) Let’s Baja!
For specifics on the paperwork you will need and more Hugh, Carol, Jen, Maythé & Monica informa on about the new process, please see bit.ly/1fveNgC
Do you follow Discover Baja on Facebook? We have the latest Baja news, info and events. We’re giving away free key PEMEX PRICES: chains to members who Like us on Facebook. Stop by the office Magna: $3.64/gal PESO EXCHANGE RATE: to get yours today! Premium: $3.71/gal $13.36 to $1 U.S. dollar facebook.com/discoverbaja Diesel: $3.76/gal 1 The Scoop on the FAST PASS Lane From our While the Ayuntamiento de Tijuana (the authori es who run the Fast Pass program) keep a ght lip on We love to hear your feedback members… things, we’ve tried to put together on things you’d like to read as much informa on as possible about, great places you’ve been about the Fast Pass program, how to and comments on what we it works, direc ons to the Fast Pass can do to be er serve you. lane at the San Ysidro border, and Please email us at a list of establishments that have [email protected] the fast pass available for patrons. You can see all of the informa on Love the newsle er. We are at bit.ly/1gyoF9X newcomers to the DBTC and have been spending our me in San Felipe. It is close enough that we DBTC Archive Article: LA Bay, 1993 can go down for a weekend. I would love to hear more about what is going on in San Felipe if that is possible. What is exci ng, and a must do in San Felipe?
Thank you for all that you do. Sandy
DBTC Note: Welcome to the club, Sandy! We’ve put together the ar cle on page 7 in you honor – full of great insider informa on about San Felipe. Enjoy! ______
It would be good to let folks know about which places to get fast passes at. Gracias, Kevin
DBTC Note: We agree! Unfortunately, the Ayuntamiento de Tijuana, the authori es that run the program, will not release a list of establishments that have the Fast Pass available. We’ve put together our own list of places that currently have the fast pass DBTC note: 21 years later, hiking Red Mountain is s ll a great available for patrons (to the best ac vity for kids and adults of all ages and LA Bay is a wonderful of our knowledge) but it’s always place for the en re family to enjoy. Jen has graduated from a good idea to call ahead to the wri ng Jenny’s Jaunts to talking about adult ac vi es to enjoy establishment to verify. Please in Baja (www.theothercalifornia.wordpress.com), although see our ar cle on this page for she s ll thinks the views from the top of Red Mountain are more informa on. pre y great. 2 ON OUR RADAR FOR FEBRUARY
Gray Whale Season It’s already shaping up to be a great whale season. If you’ve never encountered the friendly gray whales up- close and personally, this is the year to do it! Call the office if you need recommenda ons or help with booking. FEB 2 FEB 3 Día de la Candelaria Observa on of Día It’s tamale me! The lucky winner who found de la Cons tución the Baby Jesus figurine in their piece of Rosca This holiday celebrates the current Mexican th cons tu on, promulgated in 1917. on Día de los Reyes on Dec. 6 gets to host a th rd tamale party for friends and family today. The actual holiday is February 5 , but Feb 3 Combine it with a Super Bowl viewing party will be the day of observance when banks and this year for double the fun! some businesses may be closed.
FEB 7-23 FEB 14 Sochi Winter Olympics Valen ne’s Day The Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia begin There’s no be er tonight with the Opening Ceremony. way to show that Baja aficionado in your life Whether you’re an avid cyclist and kayaker that you love them than to treat them to a or you consider drinking cervezas to be an li le bit of Baja. A book on Baja’s Missions or athle c event, get out and par cipate in your a life me membership to DBTC perhaps? own sport, Baja-style! discoverbaja.com/pdf/DB-gi -guide14.pdf
FEB 17 FEB 20-28 Presidents’ Day Todos Santos Not that we needed Film Fes val another excuse to get www.todossantoscine.org down to Baja, but a three-day weekend is a pre y good one. Why Enjoy award-winning, interna onally not spend a weekend in Guadalupe Valley acclaimed films that offer the best of Mexican, wine country or on the beach in Rosarito? La n American and Spanish filmmaking.
FEB 27-MARCH 4 FEB 28-MARCH 2 Carnaval in La Paz Baja 250 in San Felipe This large Carnaval score-interna onal.com/2014-san-felipe-250 celebra on is complete with parades, music, The famed off-road loop race starts and dancing and ornate floats and costumes. finishes in San Felipe. Other Baja ci es such as San Felipe and Carnaval is going on at the same me so Ensenada have Carnaval celebra ons as well. make sure to book your hotel early as there’s www.facebook.com/CarnavalLPZ going to be a lot of excitement around town! 3 BUEN PROVECHO: Beyond Tacos and Margaritas…
While just hearing the word Mexico may immediately conjure up images of tacos and margaritas, Baja has a far more sophis cated food and drink scene that’s growing rapidly in credibility and popularity. The Baja Med cuisine movement (Mexican food infused with Mediterranean and Asian flavors and influences) is exploding in northern Baja. Baja cra beer breweries are popping up in record numbers and the Guadalupe Valley wine country is expanding by the minute.
While we find the term “foodie” to be slightly snobby and grossly overused, for lack of a be er word, we’re going to be using this column, “Buen Provecho” (that’s “bon appe t” in Spanish), to bring you reviews of restaurants and bars to follow the “foodie” culture that’s developing in Baja. We hope you’ll find it all delicious. ¡Buen Provecho!
Buen Provecho: Baja Craft Beers tasting room San Diego is currently the capital of the rooms and are open to the public, but this old warehouse that’s been turned cra beer industry and Baja is not too one of the easiest ways to try a into a cra beer bar. far behind. You may find this sampling of some of these Baja beers They don’t have a phone number, and surprising coming from the country is to go to the Baja Cra Beers tas ng their website doesn’t have much known for Corona and Tecate, but room in Tijuana. It’s a bar with 42 informa on, but they are open 7 days there are tons of small cra beer beers on tap and about 300 more a week (Mon-Thurs 12:30pm to 12am companies that have popped up in the available in bo les. Many of the beers and Fri-Sun 1:30pm to 1:30am). They past few years. are local cra beers from Baja and accept credit cards and they have wifi Part of the reason that you may not they have some from San Diego available for customers. microbreweries as well. know much about these micro- www.bajacra beers.com. MAP LINK breweries is that Mexican regula ons Don’t miss local beers from Baja If you’re looking to make an make it difficult for many restaurants breweries such as Cucapá, Ramuri, a ernoon/evening of a Tijuana trip, and bars to serve any beers other than Insurgentes, Cerveza Tijuana or any of you could spend the a ernoon at BCB those owned by the two Mexican BCB’s own brews. Prices start at about tas ng room, and then head across beer giants – Grupo Modelo (Modelo, $3 for a beer on tap. They also have a the street for dinner at the newly Corona, Pacifico) and FEMSA (Tecate, full kitchen if you get hungry. It’s dark opened Verde & Crema restaurant Dos Equis, Sol, Bohemia). This means inside the bar, but the décor is nice. (from Chef Jair Tellez who brought us that it’s been an uphill challenge for Up-cycled wood has been beau fully Laja in Guadalupe Valley). Review to the Baja microbreweries. cra ed into stools and long bar tables, come soon. www.verdeycrema.com and old metal kegs have been turned A few of the breweries have tas ng into light fixtures. It all makes sense for 4 Return to Meling Ranch
By Carol Kramer reins of the ranch from Aida’s we got in, and the chilaquiles
“It’s snowing in Baja!!!” What children. There was work to be for breakfast the next morning was to have been a beau ful done and many renova ons were the best I have ever eaten. were planned. Meals, served family style, drive to the observatory in the Sierra San Pedro Mar r Na onal We returned a er Christmas always include people from Park with a view of the Sea of this year and what a beau ful many countries and lively Cortez to the east and the change. The rooms have been discussions. Staff was friendly and very accommoda ng. sparkling Pacific Ocean to the refurbished. Each has its own west, instead turned into a pot-bellied stove with a night’s A few years ago, Sandra got snow storm in which we supply of appropriately chopped sick. David promised that if she couldn’t see more than five feet wood outside the door. The was cured, he would build a ahead of us. That was nine pool has been redone and, on a chapel on the ranch. years ago and Hugh’s and my warm day, would be very Fortunately, Sandra is now first trip to the Meling Ranch. invi ng. The landscaping is be er and, fulfilling his promise, For years we had heard about charming with flower beds and David has almost finished the the famed ranch and Aida an que ranch equipment. construc on of the beau ful
Meling, the family’s ruling What hasn’t changed is the li le chapel just inside the front matriarch. We arrived just as wonderful cooking. We feasted entrance to the ranch. David Lang and his wife Sandra on a chicken dinner the night Meling were taking over the con nued on next page
5 The property, which is s ll a largest telescope is located. In 2002 the San Diego Zoo’s working ca le ranch, includes Across the valley is a California Condor Project began 10,000 acres of land on which spectacular view of Picacho del collabora on with Mexico to re- the ca le graze. It lies at the Diablo or Devil's Peak, the release condors bred in cap vity foot of the Sierra San Pedro highest point in the park, as well back into the wild in the Sierra Mar r Na onal Park known for as in Baja California, with its San Pedro Mar r. Once down to its pine trees and granite rock summit reaching 10,160 . It 22 birds, the condors now forma ons. This gorgeous park was a chilly 33 degrees. On the number over 405. The Mexico also includes the Na onal way back down the mountain, program has been a success. It Astronomical Observatory of we were able to tour the new was thrilling to watch two Mexico, built in 1971, and home museum located in the park. condors at the top of the to Mexico's largest op cal The Museo de Cultura e Historia granite rocks at the lookout telescope, with a diameter of Natural opened in August of interac ng with each other then 2.12 meters, and a weight of 40 2012. This beau ful building, swoop off their perch to soar tons in total. The observatory is full of light and color, contains over the valley. the second most important in exhibits about the history, In all, our trip back to Meling La n America. With the lack of geology and people of the area Ranch was a wonderful light and atmospheric pollu on, as well as the missionaries, experience. You can be sure, this site affords excellent soldiers, scien fic expedi ons, we won’t wait another nine viewing of the heavens. and the work being conducted years to return. at the Observatory and the On our recent trip, the sky was a California Condor Project. Visit the Ranch’s website at vibrant blue and there were five www.ranchomeling.com or six inches of snow covering Outside of the park on the way Discover Baja members receive the ground. We drove up to the back to the Meling Ranch, we a 20% discount at Meling Ranch top of the mountain where the stopped at the condor lookout. for weekday stays.
6 Ask a Local: San Felipe The insider’s scoop on the home of fish tacos and giant cactus!
OUR LOCAL: Lauren Cremascoli TOWN: San Felipe HOW LONG: over 20 years ABOUT LAUREN: My husband, Franco, and I started going to San Felipe and camping so we could vaca on with our dogs! They love the freedom at our place and being able to really cut loose on the beach. It did not take long to make friends and find just the right “campo” at which to buy a house. Then we sold that one and bought four at the north end of our piece of Heaven (Rancho Percebu) and built them out and now rent out three and use one for ourselves. Franco is a re red pain ng contractor and has done most of the building, electrical (solar), plumbing, etc. by himself. He is down there most of the me Oct-June to take care of the guests. I am a Realtor® serving San Diego since 1987. If you had to describe San Felipe in San Felipe has been there since the goes through September. This three words, what would they be? 40’s and was where the Old Mission means that the temperatures can be Peaceful, unspoiled, full of friendly Beach Athle c Club guys used to well over 100° with humidity over people! hang out. They supposedly sat 90%. The ocean water is like
What are some of the best ac vi es around drinking at the Miramar and bathwater and not refreshing. AC to enjoy in San Felipe? Fishing, came up with the idea of the 3- barely cools a room with swimming, shelling, exploring the person baseball team leading to the temperatures and humidity like this. desert and mountains near our place; Over the Line Tournament held We close up our houses during the yearly in San Diego. summer as do many of the ex-pats watching the Baja off road races; living there. walks on the beach with my dogs Any good shopping? The li le shops
What's the best street food? Fish on the main street have the usual Annual events that are worth Mexican trinkets and there are street making a trip to San Felipe? Off road and shrimp tacos! San Felipe is the HOME of the fish taco. vendors who sell silver jewelry. The racing events put on by SCORE; the town now has a Calimax grocery Baja 250 which will be Feb. 28, Mar 1 And your favorite sit-down store that has everything you could & 2 this year. The Shrimp Fes val in restaurant? Rosita. possibly need. Fresh tacos (corn and October is fun and there’s a Blues flour) can be bought from locals who Fes val every spring. What are some of the best hotels in the area? El Cortez is a great op on make them in their homes. During Things people shouldn’t visit San (Costa Azul is terrible). shrimp season you can buy huge Felipe without seeing or doing? Visit fresh shrimp for a lot less than we the area where the giant cactus are – What are the best beaches to visit? pay for small frozen ones here in our The one at Laguna Percebu has the south of town. A very large one was stores. The fresh fish is also a great shipped to Spain for the world’s fair. longest and cleanest stretch of nice buy from local fishermen – or catch sandy beach. Punta Estrella is also your own like we do. What's your best insider p about nice but not as big. visi ng San Felipe? If you want night The best "local spot" in town? Club life and glitz, don’t come here. If you Any popular nightlife or Miramar Bar entertainment? Most people party want a place where you can relax, be within their own communi es; There What’s the best me of year to yourself, party with friends, fish, are several bars in town that are nice; visit? October through June. The sleep, read a book, ride your quad or the Miramar on the main street in monsoon effect starts in July and dirt bike, San Felipe is the place for you. 7 By David Kier
The mission of San Ignacio de Kadakaamán was founded in 1728 by The Spanish Missions on the California Peninsula: Padre Juan Bau sta de Luyando as the 11th Spanish mission in California. San #11, San Ignacio de Kadakaamán (1728-1840) Ignacio was the northernmost mission for the next 23 years and today is the most northern Spanish mission in the state of Baja California Sur.
The site for San Ignacio was visited in 1716 by Jesuit Padre Francisco Maria Piccolo on an expedi on from the mission at Mulegé. Piccolo had heard of a large se lement of Cochimí Indians and much fresh water at their home, called Kadakaamán. Once there, Piccolo found hundreds of na ves awai ng conversion. Padre Piccolo named this place ‘San Vicente’, and that later would be changed with the founding of the mission. Padre Luyando and two soldiers first built a chapel and a house of s cks and reeds. Later those were replaced by San Ignacio mission in 2001. Photo by Jack Swords. larger rooms made of adobe and stone. Corn, wheat, olives, figs, sugar Flash floods were frequently Spanish government gave Franciscan cane, pomegranate, co on, Arabian responsible for agricultural losses, so President Junípero Serra the task to date palms, and 500 grapevines were the Jesuits had massive dikes built. The occupy ‘Nueva California’, the ‘new’ soon planted at San Ignacio. During largest was called a ‘muralla’ and was land to the north of the peninsula. Spain Luyando’s final year at San Ignacio his three miles long, twelve feet high and was concerned that Russia or England grape vines produced the mission’s up to forty feet wide. Protec ve dikes would advance upon it. A er only five first vintage, 1733. had been destroyed twice before this years on the peninsula (now called final one was completed, in 1762. ‘An gua California’), the Franciscans Many expedi ons were launched out Remains of the muralla are located just handed over mission du es to the from San Ignacio in search of new east of San Ignacio. Dominican Order of Preaching Friars, in mission sites. The most famous was in 1773. 1746 and led by Padre Fernando In 1765, Padre José Rotea discovered a Consag to the Colorado River delta. skeleton he believed was of an 11 foot The beau ful cut stone church of San This expedi on finally put an end to tall man at the mission visita of San Ignacio, whose construc on was the idea that California was an island. Joaquín. This firmed up the legends he started by the Jesuits, was completed in The next mission beyond San Ignacio heard of ‘giants’ that lived on the 1786 by the Dominican, Padre Juan was not founded un l 1752. For many peninsula before the Cochimí Indians. Gómez. San Ignacio proved to be a very years it had existed on paper under ‘Giants’ were the Cochimí explana on successful mission and remained open the name ‘Dolores del Norte’ with for how the high ceiling cave art sites un l 1840. The building con nued on hundreds of bap sms for it performed near San Ignacio were painted. serving as a parish church for the new by Padre Consag, When a loca on, Mexican popula on. Today, the grand funds, and a Jesuit priest finally All 16 of the Jesuits in California were stone church is the center of the town became available, the mission’s name removed from their sta ons and le of San Ignacio and faces the plaza. was changed to Santa Gertrudis by the peninsula in February, 1768. The request of the benefactor Don José de Franciscan Order was chosen to replace la Puente, the Marqués de the Jesuits and arrived to take on their Villapuente. du es in April, 1768. Within a year, the
David Kier is co-author of ‘The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California, 1697-1834’. The book is available for purchase at the DBTC offices (call 800-727-2252). You can follow along with the series to learn about the history of all of the Baja California missions on the DBTC blog and in future newsle ers. 8 Directions to the San Ysidro SENTRI Lane NOW We’ve put together a PDF with photos and direc ons to the 50% OFF! ONLY elusive SENTRI lane entrance at San Ysidro. Go to bit.ly/1a7V5oK $8.50! to download and print for your reference. Good luck!
JOURNEY DOWN BAJA 2014 CALENDAR! The Baja Calendar is back and it is a treasure! The Baja Jims, Jim Hendricks and Jim Cline, have teamed up again to bring you a gorgeous, visual journey down the peninsula. Featuring twelve full page photographs and more inset Photo submi ed by Edie Munk, taken by friend Jody LcLeod of her photos, the calendar begins in son Ryan at sunset me in Punta Banda on Edie’s porch. Tecate and takes you all the way down the Baja peninsula to Land’s End in Cabo. When you can’t be Why We Baja: Member Travel Photos traveling in Baja, this calendar will Why do you Baja? Is it for the taco stand you can’t get enough remind you of what you’re missing. of? The father/son fishing trips? The encounters with nature Perfect for your home or office and and wildlife that you can’t get at home? Or the peaceful an absolute winner as a gi . moments before the sun goes down when the whole world is So cover, 14” X 11”, $16.95 $8.50 aglow? Email us your “Why We Baja” photo moment and we Call 800-727-2252 to order yours may publish it in the next newsle er. Or, if you Instagram, today! follow us @discoverbaja and tag your photo with #whywebaja
CASITA IN TRIPUI - Beau ful, completely-furnished, turn-key house available in Tripui, south of Loreto. Space A-19, with parking and pa o in front and cactus garden in the back. Living area has two-ton air condi oner and four ceiling fans. Includes TV-VCR, Telmex telephone, landline with internet connec on. Bedroom has walk-in closet, and full bathroom with tub. Lots of storage, drawers, bookcase, leather sofa with end tables. Kitchen area has two refrigerators, chest freezer and gas stove top. Dining area has le table with six chairs. Mexican dishes and pots and pans included. Detached brick bodega with hot water heater, washer and dryer, sink, toilet and plenty of storage space. Just $69,000 USD. Local phone 133-0504, or US phone 619 467-5958.
This is a monthly online publica on of DISCOVER BAJA Travel Club. 3264 Governor Drive San Diego, CA 92122 Phone: 619 275-4225 or 800 727-BAJA Fax: 858 458-0722 www.discoverbaja.com email: [email protected] © 2013 DISCOVER BAJA, Inc. Unsolicited stories and photos are welcome, but should be accompanied by postage if they are to be returned. On-line submissions may be sent to [email protected] No part of this newsle er may be reproduced, except for personal use, without wri en permission from the publishers. 9