The Baldwins go to Baja! Trip Report! (pic heavy)

[16CVs]

Been to Baja three times but only for a week each time. I feel safer in Baja ten in parts of San Mateo county, granted we don't have cows on the road and wash outs.

Part of my daily scenery are Bums and pan handlers and tents on the side of the road. I never saw any of that in Baja.

I want to go back and spend some more time, my AC is ice cold now so I'm looking for some hot season traveling.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[calsurf]

Awesome trip Nate, glad you and Nancy had a great time. Hope you had some time to enjoy some San Diego scenery, food & beers. My wife and I always enjoy seeing your adventures and tips, keep it going, cheers.

[coqcitywesty]

Great report and fantastic photos thanks for sharing. Baja is definitely on the bucket list as is a whale expedition. I had the identical fuel line issue in 100 degree temps with full tank of gas, a hot Westy and melty asphalt in a hotel parking lot in Boise one summer. When I tried to force the connection closed, it separated completely and I was stuck under the van, my arm covered in gas and my thumb over the end of the hose until I could summon passing help with my free arm - all worked out well in the end, but admittedly, I was contemplating where to roll if things ignited, lol.

While I have some trepidation as to travel in Mexico, it's primarily over food safety, having contracted Montezuma's revenge while on vacay there previously. Seeing you and Nancy freely noshing away on street tacos would suggest that this should not be a concern or...? Again, thanks for posting.
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1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES

[elizer]

Sigh. I am of the One Day people. I've flown there many times. And can agree that driving at night there is not advisable.

Takes a quite few more vacation days to get there from the dang east coast. But, the baja of the east (Florida) is getting repetitive and we will eventually need to head that way to explore more places.

Thanks for sharing and when I do make it I will refer to this thread for tips!
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91 syncro westy fas tdi

[kaalualu]

Great to see you cast fears and rolled down and back with minimal negatives.
I always found Baja to be a friendly territory.
There's a lot i miss about the Continent, but my Baja adventure memories are at the top.
First trip to the tip, '74, 3 guys, 6 surfboards in '63 VW.
1960 Rambler and Toyota Hilux following adventures.
Last one '76.
Those spots out in the everywhere desert, Pacific side,so special.
World has changed but Baja is still a wild natural place!! Thank you for your adventure report!
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'84 Transporter 16" CLK's/LED's/ AT's/Mansi injectors
'86 Wolfey Weekender Westfalia AT's/otherwise stock
Sold-'82 TinTop Diesel

[thatbaldwinlife]

[Corwyn]

Great trip! Great to meet you guys (the real legends ). I hope you got home safe. I went straight up 95 through Nevada; dry all the way. Keep posting!
Sam
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'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[termuehlen]

We had that exact same fuel line failure at the connection between the hard plastic line and the flex line over 15 years ago now. Lost all of the gas in the tank rather suddenly. When we pulled over with all the fuel gone, we looked out the window and were amazed to be looking directly at Mount Rushmore monument (Hwy 244 near Keystone SD). We took a lunch break and waited for a tow into town. It took a little while to get refueled and fix our leaky hose clamps with hardware store supplies so we delayed our return home and spent the night in a hotel with a swimming pool. Sometimes having a small "break down" makes you feel like you are able to handle what your travels may throw your way and increase your confidence in Westy travel. Thanks for the great trip reports!
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[ALLWAGONS]

[thatbaldwinlife]

[thatbaldwinlife]

[Corwyn]

I have been travelling to and in Baja California for 15+ years and have yet to encounter any problems with crime, the locals, the police or the military. Sure, if you go places you shouldn't, express negative attitudes about Mexico or generally act superior, there will be trouble. Have fun, drive slowly, be nice and leave your politics at home.

I love Baja California and wouldn't hesitate to return.
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'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[Schuylersister]

Oh 'm so glad you made it to Baja Nate and Nancy! There's so much to offer there and I only wish your next trip is much longer with more adventures off road to beautiful places.

[thatbaldwinlife]

[Schuylersister]

"Did you get down this year?"

Didn't get down there this winter. Too many land/property issues and family things. Hopefully next year! I know it so well now that it's easy to just chill for a month and then venture into new territories. I did come home last year the fast way from BOLA through San Felipe and Mexicali. Unless I'm in a big hurry I would not do that again. But we all like different things. I like to go down via Tecate. Last year I stayed just south of the border on indigenous land. Then hwys 3 and 1 through Ensenada at 7:30 am on a Sunday. It was a great drive which I'll try to repeat. So beautiful along the Malecon early morning and Ensenada is a lovely city without the mid week traffic. Got a little lost and that was fun too, see pic. Just one tip (of many) and discovery for me last time.

[thatbaldwinlife]

We finally put together a video from the trip. Here it is if you wanna check it out!
First time in Baja! We take our VW Vanagon Westfalia on an adventure to Mexico!

Link

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1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel

[jimf909]

Nicely done. Great shots along with funny and poignant commentary.
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- Jim

[Corwyn]

Another great video! Who are Sam and Jay? Next time I hope you get to La Paz - a gem of a city and a short jump to Todos Santos. Safe travels!
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'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[Microbusdeluxe]

We've been to Baja twice, 3 months each time. As you know it is wonderful, especially the whales. We've also taken two 4 month trips throughout Mexico and, on the last one, into Guatemala. We've never had any problems and really love the culture, the people and especially the food.

While there could be security issues, we've found that a bit of awareness coupled with kindness opens a lot of doors. Having said that, I actually hate to encourage people from traveling there because it seems like every year there are more and more tourists getting in my way!!
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'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
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[thatbaldwinlife]