I need some advice on the on the general direction of the prevailing winds down the west cost. I realize it is Northwesterly, but I would like to see if there is a generally accepted degree direction. I also realize it can change based on lots of variables. We will be going down the coast from San Diego to Caba San Lucas for the Baja Ha-Ha on Octobr 29th and returning the latter part of November or first of December. In trying to plot a couple of options for the return, one is referred to as the Baja Bash if you go up the coast with the wind on your nose for 800 miles and very few anhorages and fueling docks, or whether we choose to go out to sea and head towards (but not to) Hawaii and then tack back to San Diego. One is motoring all of the way north and the other is sailing. We would prefer the sailing option but it depends on how far westerly we need to go before we can head northeasterly to San Diego. Our limited experience with the degree direction is approximately 130 degrees from the northwest going downwind and approximately 310 degrees heading back up Baja. I also understand that November and December are the best times to go both south to Baja and north from Baja. Is there anyone that has taken both routes (inside and outside) back up from Baja at this time of the year and if so approximately how far out and at what bearing did you go before tacking to San Diego, if that is where you returned to. This is our first trip that far south so we do not have any experience. We have read most of the Baja books ie: Mexican Boating Guide (the new one), Charlies Charts of Mexico, MexWx, etc. etc. We have a 2006 Beneteau 473, so we are not concerned about the boat being able to handle either route, but would like some input. If we can get some general degree direction of the northwesterlies then we can plot an approximate course to determine how far out (toward Hawii)and what bearing to determine approximately when we can tack to San Diego and at what bearing. This would obviously give us a better understand of the total miles and therefore better forcast the number of days, etc. If it is too far and too long then we may pursur the inside route. Of course we realize that all of our plans can change based on the reality of the weather at the time we are about to return north, but we would like to do as much planning with certain sets of assumptions that certainly are subject to change. Thanks for any help. Rich
