When a large part of the United States remains buried under a mountain of snow, our MotoQuest team gears up for one of the most affordable international trips on our schedule – the Best of Baja! Just like the dog days of summer, you deserve a break from the wearisome winter and there is no better place to take advantage of it like a trip south of the border.
MotoQuest offers two itinerary options based on your preference – a Southbound journey that starts in Los Angeles and ends in San Jose del Cabo or a Northbound journey that starts in San Jose del Cabo and heads back up to our Los Angeles rental facility. Both adventures hit the same stops, so it’s completely up to you where you want to begin your trip.
Best of Baja (Southbound)
February 1, 2020 – February 10, 2020
March 1, 2020 – March 10, 2020
February 6, 2021 – February 15, 2021
March 6, 2021 – March 15, 2021
Best of Baja (Northbound)
February 13, 2020 – February 22, 2020
March 13, 2020 – March 22, 2020 (SOLD OUT TO CUSTOM GROUP)
February 18, 2021 – February 27, 2021
March 18, 2021 – March 27, 2021
So what can you expect from a trip south of the border? First off, if you have any reservations about making the trip south, check out the video below. MotoQuest founder Phil Freeman goes through what to expect when you’re traveling to Baja. [Just a heads up, you’ll probably want to go as soon as you watch and see what you could be a part of!]
There is so much to love about Baja, but we decided to poke guides RoKo – who will be staffing the March Southbound trip – and Phil Freeman specifically about a few highlights on the trip like what it’s like to pet a whale, what visiting the various historical missions is like and what their favorite thing to do in Cabo is!
What is it really like to pet a whale?
Phil: I am not one to get too excited about petting zoos, roadside attractions or wildlife preserves, but when I came face-to-face with a Gray Whale in San Ignacio Lagoon on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, it was nothing short of cosmic. During our Best of Baja motorcycle trips, we spend two nights in the San Ignacio area so our riders can experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. The whales are spending the winter months in these warm waters to birth. These gentle giants will come right up to the boats so you can actually touch them. When I heard of this trip, I thought it would be a bit gimmicky, but when one of the whales coasted towards the boat, turned sideways and nudged my hand, I looked into its eye and a magical connection was made. It’s hard to describe it, you just have to do it for yourself. Our Best of Baja Northbound and Best of Baja Southbound adventures both feature this fascinating wildlife experience, and it is included in the package. Just one more reason to visit Baja!
RoKo: Gray whale cows teach their calves to interact with the small boats full of humans, as if we were a bathtub toy, so she can take a much-needed nap while her baby plays. They’re like giant puppies that feel like eggplants with barnacles, curious and playful, and want to be pet. Sometimes mom comes to the boat for some love, too.
What mission is your favorite to visit and what about it stays with you each time?
Phil: The missions are always a highlight, but the history of Mission San Javier is compelling. We head out to this mission as an extra ride, and it is not only a delightful ride, but the 300-year-old olive tree nearby ignites the imagination of days when the mission was founded.
RoKo: The extra ride to Mission San Javier requires some off-pavement riding to get to, but it’s worth it.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Cabo?
Phil: We stay on the San Jose del Cabo side in a resort that is connected to the ocean. It’s easy living there. You’re given a wristband good for drinks throughout the complex. At any time, you can walk out onto the beach. It’s a far cry from roughing it, but what the heck, you are in Baja!
RoKo: Run full-steam into the ocean! Then have a fabulous dinner with tour guests, and relax! If folks fly into Cabo a few days before a Northbound tour or stay a few days after a Southbound tour, this is a great place to have friends, family or partners join for part of your vacation. You could even consider renting a car to explore Todos Santos (great surfing) or Los Barriles (kiteboarding), or even join a sailing or snorkeling trip nearby.
Lastly, is there anything else you personally think makes Baja – the beautiful peninsula itself – so special for a motorcycle rider?
Phil: I think the inviting nature of the locals, the fresh seafood, the open, spacious countryside and the brilliant night skies are reasons why someone would come to Baja. From desert solitude to ordering a drink from the pool, Baja puts you in a relaxed state. It’s the place you can rely on to recline and reset.
RoKo: Vast expanses of the open road. Sweeping and technical curves. Huge cacti.
Also, La Paz – the capital of the state of Baja Sur – is a highly regarded vacation destination for tourists and Mexican Nationals alike. The atmosphere is like a toned-down Puerto Vallarta: festive and friendly with a focus on sea life. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez “The World’s Aquarium” as it is the most biologically diverse body of water on our planet. He is honored in La Paz with a statue on the Malecon and more recently with a nearby island officially named after him.
Now the choice is up to you! Which adventure would you choose? Northbound or Southbound?
Only Two Spots Left on Amazing Ecuador Adventure This November
The deadline to join the Ecuador Adventure is coming up on September 4. MotoQuest found Phil Freeman will be leading this intimate group ride from November 4 – 16, 2019 and we are certain that you’ll feel his passion for this country and all it has to offer. As a University Exchange Student, Phil fell in love with the extremely bio-diverse country of Ecuador and now as an avid motorcycle adventurer, he’s curated an amazing itinerary for more people to experience all the stunning beauty Ecuador has to offer. From volcanos to rainforest to beaches, Ecuador has it all!
