3 DAY, 2 NIGHT BAJA EXPEDITION:
HIKING + WINERIES + BREWERIES + BAJA CUISINE
April 14-16, 2023
The Ensenada region of Baja California, only an hour and a half south of the border from San Diego, offers spectacular hiking through the coastal and woodland landscapes in full spring bloom as well as an explosion of wineries, breweries and fine Baja-Fusion cuisine in the Guadalupe Valley. This trip combines the highlights of all of these for a small group of 8 guests who will also enjoy fabulous ocean-view lodging in one of the area’s premiere coastal communities.
GO member Mike Wilken, your guide, is an anthropologist and naturalist who lives in Baja California and has worked in the region for over 32 years. Dr. Gerry Chavez, driver and co-guide, is a local geographer with an extensive knowledge of the environments of the region. Both are happy to share their knowledge of native plants and wildlife, geology, native cultures and history for interested guests.
The $470 per person cost includes a 3 day trip with transportation starting from the Tecate border and throughout the trip, four meals, ocean-view vacation home lodging, two wine tastings and a beer tasting. Guests cover three no-host meals, and any extra wine and beer purchases.
This trip is designed for 8 guests. Lodging is double occupancy in our comfortable ocean-view vacation home with extra sofas, living areas, kitchens, and garden spaces. Our transportation is in a 12-passenger van with room in the back for luggage.
Cancellation Policy - 100% refund if cancelled at least 21 days beforehand, 50% refund if less than 21 days to 7 days notice, no refund if less than 7 days notice unless canceling party finds a substitute.
MIGRATORY DOCUMENTS and crossing the border: Walking into Mexico: By parking on the US side of the border, you will avoid the long lines coming back, since you will walk back through the quick pedestrian entry at the end of trip. We will meet you on the US side and walk you through customs to our van. You will need to have a US passport and get a Mexican tourist visa (FMM) for this trip. You get it online, and there should be no cost because you are only going to be in Mexico for 3 days. Instructions will be sent to participants.
US Citizens must have a US passport for land-based border crossing back into the US. Non-US citizens should bring all necessary documents for re-entry into the US.
For more information, feel free to contact Mike Wilken: mikewilken@yahoo.com
HIKES EVERY DAY: Guadalupe Valley Canyon follows a creek that winds through a deep canyon with rustic, undeveloped hot springs and scenic landscapes. The group may choose to hike a couple of extra miles and see historic adobe ruins. A picnic lunch will be provided along the way. Approximately 4 hour hike.
Rustic hot springs along the way
Punta Banda trail follows the rugged mountain that forms the dramatic tip of the Bay of Ensenada, passing through fields of native Shaw’s agave plants and rare, beautiful coastal succulent scrub habitat. Our picnic spot provides breathtaking views of the Pacific coast and Todos Santos Islands. Approximately 4 hour hike.
Succulent sage scrub with rare and endemic vegetation
El Salto Canyon and Waterfall trail follows an oak woodland watershed that turns into a boulder-strewn deep canyon with fascinating geology, wildflowers and plant life, birds and the view of a waterfall from above.
Geological forces took millions of years to produce this wonder
DINING AND TASTINGS: Animalón Restaurant (group will decide on exact restaurant, the following are some examples)
Agua de Vid Restaurant
Wineries
The Guadalupe Valley is Mexico’s premiere wine-producing region.
Cava Sol y Barro
Clos de Tres Cantos
Casa Magoni
Cervecería Wendlandt, a hip and popular brewery right on the waterfront just minutes away from the Baja House.
Guadalupe Valley dining features everything from high-end Baja-Med Fusion gastronomy to down-home Mexican cooking. We will decide as a group based from a selection of options.
LODGING WILL BE AT THE BAJA HOUSE AND THE MEXICO HOUSE, which share the same garden and views. See a description of the Baja House here:
airbnb.com/h/baja-ocean-view-villa-rustica
We will also stay at The Mexico House, right next door with equally spectacular views:
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
Three days/two nights, April 14-16
We reserve the right to make minor changes as necessary to the published itinerary.
Day 1: Friday, April 14
9:00 Arrive to the US side of Tecate, leave cars in fenced parking lots ($5-10 a day) and meet 5 mins away at the Worthy Market on the first day. Guide will meet you there and walk you over border to get paperwork stamped and take you to the van.
9:30 Leave Tecate for Guadalupe Valley
11:00 Arrive Guadalupe Hot Springs trailhead.
12:00 Picnic lunch (provided)
3:00 Return to trailhead
3:30 Visit Guadalupe Valley artisanal winery for wine-tasting and tour
5:30 Dinner (no-host)
7:30 Leave for the coast
8:00 Arrive at the Baja House and the Mexico House, relax around bonfire
Day 2: Saturday April 15
8:00 Breakfast at the Baja House
9:00 Leave for Punta Banda hike, spectacular coastal hike with panoramic vistas
10:30 Arrive at trailhead
12:30 Picnic lunch (provided)
1:30 Return trip to trailhead
3:00 Depart for return to our home base
5:00 Arrive at the Baja House, margaritas, guacamole, salsa
6:30 Cervecería Wendlandt (local brewery), tasting and no-host dinner
9:00 Return to the Baja House and the Mexico House, relax around bonfire
Day 3: Sunday April 16
8:00 Breakfast at the Baja House
9:30 Pack up, leave for El Salto trailhead
10:00 Arrive El Salto trailhead
12:00 Finish hike, return to trailhead
1:00 Lunch at Baja Fusion-style restaurant in Guadalupe valley (no host)
2:30 Visit artisanal winery for tour and wine tasting
4:30 Leave for Tecate
5:30 Arrive at Tecate pedestrian border crossing, easy walk through customs and return to your vehicles.
The magic gardens of the Baja House, relax and enjoy!
Mike Wilken, your guide, is the author of the award-winning book Kumeyaay Ethnobotany.
