Going to Sonora!

[Quebec Gen]

Hi there fellow road trippers,

I am planning on making a short one week trip to AZ (by plane) at the beginning of February and then drive to Puerto Penasco with my friend Bob Schaller for a couple of days. We were wondering if anyone knew of a nice inexpensive place to stay in or near Rocky Point for 2-3 days. We don't mind rudimentary rooms as long as they're not dirty or buggy. Since we both enjoy good food, we'd like to sample a couple of seafood & typical Mexican restaurants and maybe a bit of nightlife (live entertainment??). Any recommandations? Are there any town worth visiting in that area? Any historical site?

Another thing : if you know of any natural or semi-developed hot springs in that area or in southern/central AZ, please let us know. We've already been to Tonopah but I heard there were a couple of them further east towards the New Mexico border ?? I guess I should buy one of those guide books about hot springs after all...

Thanks!
Gen

[RoadTripper Brad]

A local Arizona Band that spends a LOT of time in Rocky Point always put together a huge concert there called Circus Mexicus. It's a tradition. Anyway, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (the band - AKA RCPM) have a lot of recommendations for those who are going to their concerts:

From RCPM:

"· Pinacate Condominiums (beachfront/across the street from Circus Mexicus venue)
· Peñasco del Sol Hotel (beachfront/across the street from Circus Mexicus venue) – Remodeling – reopening date TBD.
· Las Gaviotas Condos (very short walk to venue)
· Playa Bonita Hotel (beachfront/walking distance of venue)
· Laos Mar (behind Playa Bonita/walking distance of venue)
· Sandy Beach-area lodging: Short drive or taxi to venue. Includes Sonoran Sea, Sonoran Spa, Sonoran Sun, Princessa, Casa Blanca and Bella Sirena."

They are frequent visitors to the Sunset Cantina and JJ's Cantina. RCMP Also recommend local eateries:
From RCPM:

· Sunset Cantina
· Max’s Café
· JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay
· Xochitl’s (pronounced Zoe-chees) in Cholla Bay
· Rocky Garden (down from Manny’s, great omelets!)
· Old Port/Fish Market restaurants: Portofino, Blue Marlin, Friendly Dolphin
· Latitude 31
· Puesta del Sol
· The Reef (upscale dining/Sandy Beach)
· Taco stands: tons of them, selling tacos for about $1 each.

As soon as you said you were going to Rocky Point, I checked with the band's website for recommendations. They spend so much time there, that they are practically Rocky Point residents!

As far as towns between the Border and Rocky Point, I can't think of any that I would recommend.

-Brad

Citation:
Quotes from RCPM are from (www.azpeacemakers.com/circusmexicus/faq.php)

[AZBuck]

I've never been to Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) myself, but my daughter has. Since she is usually there in the company of her two very young sons, nightlife has not been high on her list of activities. However, she does recommend a few things that are fun to do...

1. CEDO is a non-profit that does marine studies and tours, you can spend the night there on the porch which is great for only a few bucks, but there might be a min number of people, I have taken school groups and spent the night, they have a kitchen so you can cook. If they won't let 2 people spend the night, I would still go there and check out the gift shop made out of recycled materials and they have a great talk about the Sea of Cortez on Saturdays I think around 5:00, that is very informative. CEDO is located in Los Conchas

2. Cet-Mar Aquarium is a third-world zoo, you feel like you are in the basement of Sea World, very funky, but the only place I know where you can touch and feed Loggerhead Turtles (I think they are Loggerheads, they are HUGE) and you can feed sea lions....it is a fast and fun little side jaunt. It is on the way to Los Conchas.

3. The fish market, which is downtown Rocky Point is a great place to find shrimp and shopping, it is where all of the American tourists hang out you can find food and drink. We eat at a small taco stand called (I think) Mary's and get fish tacos for a buck.

4. The grocery store is off the main road as you are coming into town and it is a great place to buy CHEAP food, including yummy pastries, cheese and vegetables, I have tended to stay away from the meat, but have eaten everything else without trouble. The name of the store is Super Lay. We have even gotten pints of beans and tortillas from the deli which makes a great meal.

5. My 2 favorite restaurants are Mannys which is an American hang out right on the beach with lethal margaritas and edible food. The other is "El Dolphin" which is near the fish market and looks over the harbor.

6. Breakfast burritos, Mexican women walk the beach in the morning selling homemade burritos, these should not be missed. They are delicious, they come in potato, meat (meaning churizo), and bean all are great...and cheap. They usually sell tortillas and salsa too.

7. The Sierra Pinacate is one of Mexico's only National Parks and it is just north of Rocky Point. There are amazing craters there that are nearly 850 feet deep. It is a rustic, sandy road, but the visitor center is on the way into Rocky Point and if you're into ancient volcanos and geology this place is amazing! Many many people don't know about this place and it is likely you won't see anyone else. (AZBuck notes: I have been here on field trips when studying Planetary Geology. It IS otherworldly.)

AZBuck

[Quebec Gen]

Wow! Thanks for all the intel guys! We are looking forward to try some, if not, a lot of those suggestions, especially the breakfast burritos!

Gen

[RoadTripper Brad]

Wow! Thanks for all the intel guys! We are looking forward to try some, if not, a lot of those suggestions, especially the breakfast burritos!

Gen

Wow, Gen! Bringing out the Spanish!

Breakfast burritos are good, and surprisingly easy to make. There are a lot of different combos out there that you can experiment with even at home. My work cafeteria makes some very good breakfast burritos, Americano style. I get one every morning, and I'm usually full till way past my lunch time!

I started making them at home... very easy to make, at least these ones are. Just eggs, cheddar, and some brown-and-serve sausage, wrapped in a tortilla and served with some off-the-shelf pecante salsa. I haven't found a good 'authentic' salsa that I like, most have too much of something.

It's good to hear you're coming back to AZ. And be sure to say Hi while you're down here!

-Brad

[Quebec Gen]

Have any of you guys been to San Carlos? It is 250 miles from Nogales on Federal Highway 15 and from what I saw on the internet, it seems to be very hilly and beautiful.

Another city I'm curious about is Monterrey. For some reason, I've always wanted to visit this industrial mecca but never knew anyone who've been there. It is considered to be the safest city in Latin America (while Juarez and TJ are at the far bottom of the list) so I guess there must be some tourism industry out there. Needless to say, I wouldn't drive to Monterrey by myself but I do have an interest in visiting it someday.

Wow, Gen! Bringing out the Spanish!

Actually Brad, for some reason, I'm better at learning German than Spanish. That doesn't make any sense since French, my native language, has a latin root just like Spanish:o). My Spanish pronunciation is apparently very good but I can't seem to remember whole sentences. Of course, I'm sure if I'd live in the south west, I would get over this and get to practice it everyday. Another reason to move down there. Not many latinos out here.

Just eggs, cheddar, and some brown-and-serve sausage, wrapped in a tortilla and served with some off-the-shelf pecante salsa.

Like a lot of French people, I'm mostly used to have viennoiseries for breakfast (crepes, croissants, chocolatine, etc.) so salsa in the morning sounds like a terrible anachronism but I guess I could make an exception:o))lol This type of meal sounds more like lunch to me...which makes me real hungry because it is lunch time here.

Bonne journée!
Gen

[Quebec Gen]

Hi everyone!

Ok, so I just booked my flight from Manchester, NH to Phoenix. There is one stop en route in Baltimore (BWI Airport) and I will have a few hours to kill around lunch time so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of restaurants or attractions that are fairly close to the airport.

Secondly, we might change our plans a bit about Mexico and go to San Felipe in Baja instead of San Carlos or Puerto Penasco. I'd like to visit Parque Nacional de Sierra San Pedro Martir along the way. has anyone been there? Also, if anyone has any advice on routes, interesting cities (ex. : Mexicali) and attractions along the way and in San Felipe.

Thanks!
Geneviève