SURFING HOLIDAYS IN MEXICO, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR
LORETO 'THE POINT' SURFARI - FLIGHTS, TRAVEL & TRANSFERS
You do need a passport to enter Mexico, however no visa is required. Each guest will get a tourist permit ($17, paid at the airport upon arrival) good for 180 days.
Getting to Loreto
There are direct flights to Loreto from San Diego, as well as a few cities in Mexico.
The airport pick ups and drop offs are coordinated with Alaska Air between Los Angeles and Loreto. This is also a good option for people travelling from Europe since LAX has lots of flights.
Flight: Alaska Air #216
Departing: San Diego at 10:00 a.m. and arriving Loreto at 12:45 p.m. Available: every Sunday.
Recommended return flights:
Flight: Alaska Air #217
Departing: departs Loreto at 3:45 pm, arrives LA 4:50 pm.
Available: every Sunday.
Expedia.com is an easy way to purchase tickets.
Flying With Boards: Always check the airlines policy regarding flying with boards. Aeromexico charges $50 per board, one way. The longest board bag you can bring is 9’ packed.
Getting to San Diego
San Diego is relatively easy to get to from most anywhere in the world. There are direct flights from major cities in the U.S. and some major cities abroad to San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Note: Los Angeles, located 100 miles (160 km.) north of San Diego, has a larger international airport. Many flights to San Diego will stop in Los Angeles for more info on arrivals in Los Angeles click here.
FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE
Most flights from Europe have one layover somewhere in the middle of the U.S.
LORETO SURF CAMP AND SURFARI GUESTS
If you arrive in San Diego the day before departure to Loreto (Mexico) we recommend you stay at:
King’s Inn
price: from $63/night
call: 1-619-297-2231
address: 1333 Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley, San Diego, CA
Mission Valley is located about 5 miles from the airport. Of course, you could also stay with friends in San Diego or at one of the many other nearby hotels or hostels if you wish.
All our Loreto trips run for 8 days. Trips start on Day 1, Arrival Day, when you'll be met at Loreto airport. We have further San Diego accommodation recommendations below.
Don’t fly into San Diego early on the morning of your departure in case your flight is delayed.
TRANSFERS - SAN DIEGO INT. AIRPORT TO MISSION VALLEY
For arrivals from 'out of town' we recommend you stay at a hotel (option 1) or Youth hostel (option 2) in Mission Valley and get a shuttle from the airport to your accommodation.
SHUTTLES
There are 2 shuttle companies that provide cheap and easy transportation from San Diego Airport to King’s Inn in Mission Valley (or other hotels in Mission Valley or anywhere in San Diego):
• Xpress Shuttle 1-619-591-0303
• Cloud 9 Shuttle 1-800-974-8885
Both charge about $12/person and $5/surfboard. No need to make a reservation because the shuttles run 24 hours a day. When you get to the airport, grab your bags and either call the company on a free courtesy phone, or go out to the Shuttle For Hire sign on the street and ask for a shuttle.
OPTION 1 - RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Stay at a Hotel in Mission Valley. Here is a list of recommended hotels near Mission Valley, San Diego:
In the morning if you need transportation to the airport you can take a taxi cab, this will cost about $10.
OPTION 2 - RECOMMENDED YOUTH HOSTELS
Stay at a Youth Hostel in Mission Valley. You can take a shuttle to the hostel from the airport. This is by far the easiest way to get there, and will cost about $10/person (see above for shuttle instructions). Here is a list of recommended Youth Hostels near the pickup point in Mission Valley, San Diego:
Hostelling International San Diego
location: Downtown San Diego
price: dorm beds costing about $20/night
call: 1-619-525-1531
address: 521 Market St., San Diego
email: downtown@sandiegohostels.org
Hostelling International San Diego
location: Point Loma, San Diego
price: dorm beds costing about $20/night
call: 1-619-223-4778
address: 3790 Udall St., San Diego
email: pointloma@sandiegohostels.org
To get from either hostel to the airport you can take a cab which will cost about $20. The hostel receptionist will be able to call a cab for you.
LOS ANGELES ARRIVALS
Arriving in Los Angeles: Los Angeles, located 100 miles (160 km.) north of San Diego, has a larger international airport. Many flights to San Diego will stop in Los Angeles where you will board a smaller plane and fly to San Diego, in which case you will pick your luggage up in San Diego. It is best to get a flight that gets you all the way to San Diego! If your flight stops in Los Angeles your two best options for getting to San Diego are:
1) Cloud 9 Shuttle
1-800-974-8885).
A sedan for up to 3 passengers costs $260 (bring straps or a soft surfboard rack to put your boards on top). A shuttle van for up to 7 passengers costs $300 (you’ll need straps or a soft rack if your boards won’t fit in the van). Ask about this when you book. They will pick you up right from the airport and drop you right off at your hotel. The ride takes about 2-3 hours, depending on time of day. This way is easiest!
2) Taxi – Bus – Taxi. Take a taxi from the airport to the Greyhound Bus Station (about $45). Then take a Greyhound Bus (214-849-8100) to San Diego. Buses depart at least every tour, 24 hours a day. The ride costs $17/person, plus $20 excess baggage fee if you have boards, and takes about 3 hours. When you arrive at the bus station in downtown San Diego take a taxi to your hotel. A taxi from the bus station to Mission Valley will cost about $20. This journey will take about 4-5 hours, depending on time of day. If you have a big board bag, the taxis might not let you put it on the roof. Take the option #1 shuttle instead!
ON THE ROAD
Transportation between Loreto and 'The Point' takes 4–5 hours and is in our air-conditioned 2006 15-passenger Ford E-350 van with a roof rack for all the boards, gear and bags..
There is one hour of dirt road leading to the point—yeehaw!.
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