Baja Tour Description

We’ve taken our many years of experience trying different routes, seasons and destinations and created what we believe represents the best all-around Baja Norte bicycle tour. It’s a mix of riding through peaceful desert scenery and jumping into the cultural adventure that the cities offer.

We also break the tour into two concurrent routes in order to accommodate riders of differing abilities.  The Slower Group consists of riders of average fitness, while the Faster Group will cycle more miles and enjoy the chance to do more climbing.  We all end up at the same destination each day, and riders have the luxury of changing groups each day, depending on how they’re feeling.

The day-to-day descriptions, photo galleries and elevation maps will provide you with a good idea of what the tour is like. Enjoy!

Day 1: Over The Border

From our hotel in Chula Vista we will all ride down to the border and pick up our visas.Faster Group -  We’ll have an urban adventure as we cycle through town on our way to the beach town of Rosarito for lunch and a chance to withdraw money at the bank ATM. We have a great ride along the Pacific as we make our way to our cliff-side hotel in La Fonda. Slower Group- We’ll split taxis after we cross and have them kindly drop us off in Rosarito to check out the beach, stroll around town, and grab an early lunch before cycling off to our hotel down the coast. Photos: Tijuana To La Fonda Elevation Map: Chula Vista, CA To Border Elevation Map: Border To La Fonda (Faster) Elevation Map: Rosarito Beach To La Fonda (Slower)

Day 2: Valle de Guadalupe

After a fortifying breakfast we climb up into the hills for 6 miles or so, then cruise back down to sea level. After a break we have another climb into the mountains on our way to Valle de Guadalupe, Baja’s version of Napa. The riding gets much easier as we pass rolling fields of vineyards and wineries. In the afternoon we can take a winery tour or relax by the pool at our beautifully-landscaped inn.  The Faster Group will have the option of an out-and-back desert ride. Photos: La Fonda To Valle de Guadalupe Elevation Map: La Fonda To Valle de Guadalupe

Day 3: Ensenada Town

We’ll ride through the other side of the valley to the city of Ensenada, meeting up at the waterfront promenade under the biggest flag you’ve ever seen. We’ll spend the night in the heart of the city and explore, taking in the sights and sounds of a bustling Mexican port and eat some of the best seafood you’ve ever had. There is good wine, great food and plenty of time to absorb the local flavor.  For those who can’t sit still, we offer an optional afternoon cycling tour through Ensenada’s varied neighborhoods. Photos: Ensenada Elevation Map: Valle de Guadalupe To Ensenada

Day 4: Ensenada Beach

The two groups will split today. Faster Group – It’s off to the high desert plain and to the little town of Ojos Negros up Mexico 3. This will be your first true taste of Baja isolation. We’ll leave our panniers at the hotel and pick them back up when we return to town. Slower Group- Sticking to the coast, the group will head South and out to the finger of land called La Bufadora. We’ll drop our panniers off at Estero Beach Resort for some easier riding. Both groups will reunite at Estero Beach Resort. Elevation: Ensenada To Ojos Negros To Estero (Faster) Elevation Map: Ensenada To La Bufadora To Estero Beach (Slower)

Day 5: Erendira Emptiness

We’ll leave the tourists and the beaches behind as we head off to spend the day riding through cultivated farm valleys. We’ll see olive groves, fields of wheat, strawberries, and you’ll figure out where your winter tomatoes come from. We have a couple of tough climbs during the first half of the day, but will be rewarded with a long, gradual loss of elevation for the rest of the ride. We’ll have a gorgeous 12 mile trip on a lonely road along a dry river bed that ends in the tiny town of Erendira. The Slower Group will start early. Photos: Erendira & Farm / Country Elevation Map: Estero Beach To Erendira

Day 6: Day Off / San Vicente

The Slower Group takes the day off. We’ll be staying at a cool hotel/hostel that sits on a bluff above the Pacific. You’ll have your choice of a private room or super-cheap dorm-style rooms. This place is clean and friendly and offers a well-stocked kitchen for our use. There are lots of activities to enjoy such as surfing, kayaking, diving, mountain biking, hiking and staring at the ocean. The Faster Group has the option of a 42-mile out-and-back trip to San Vicente. Elevation Map: Erendira To San Vicente

Day 7: Back To Ensenada

The reverse of Day 5, both groups again ride back to Estero where the hot tub awaits. One of our favorite descents is on this day’s ride: just before San Tomas we have a spectacular 7-mile drop that leads to lunch. Elevation Map: Erendira To Estero Beach

Day 8: Over The Border

We’ll ride to the Ensenada bus station, 10 miles, and get tickets to Tijuana. Buses leave every half hour, so we can have some brunch before heading back. Depending on how long it takes to get through immigration, we can bicycle back to San Diego or take the trolley.

Dates

Places, Miles and Elevation