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billklaser
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Location: Loreto, Lopez Mateos
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Good advice on Tecate. We have Residente Permante visas, so not a problem.
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Lee
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  | The only problem with Tecate is getting an FMM, as it requires finding a parking spot by circling the one way streets and walking back through the
turnstiles to get to the INM desk at the border. Mexicali is super easy to get the FMMs, but you do have 5 miles of city driving.
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Makes me think you don't know Tecate, but, of course you do.
Maybe this'll help you if you ever go through there again.
Driving S. crossing into MX, drive straight one block and turn right. Drive down block and turn right again, then, driving one more block turning
right. You've driven around the block.
On the left side of the street, at the end of the block, where the immigration turnstile is, you'll see about 1/2 dozen traffic cones cordoning off
parking spaces. If an attendant is there, motion you'd like to park there and he'll move the cone.
I usually double park at the turnstile, no problem.
But, yeah, it's definitely not Chaparral. Just follow my instructions for Tecate -- and see how easy it is.
If this is complicated, you might think, like JZ, that Ensenada has horrible and stressful traffic and it's to be avoided when driving South.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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JZ
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In Tecate, don't roll through any stop signs. They are out for a pay day there more than anywhere in Baja.
Just not a fan of going out of the way to go through Tecate. Of course we have Sentri, like anyone traveling to Baja fairly often should have.
[Edited on 6-2-2020 by JZ]
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ranpar01
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Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the replies. Now that construction is back underway on our baja house I'm sure I'll be making this drive
several times per year and will try out different routes.
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AKgringo
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| Quote: Originally posted by ranpar01 | | Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the replies. Now that construction is back underway on our baja house I'm sure I'll be making this drive
several times per year and will try out different routes. |
This time of the year, driving south from Reno on 395 would be my choice of routes. Top off the tank in Carson City and you should be able to reach
Bishop without patronizing some of the most expensive gas stations in CA.
By heading toward Mexicalli you will avoid a long boring central CA valley drive, and a whole lot of L.A., San Diego, Tijuana and Ensenada traffic!
If you drive down again in the winter, I would recommend 95 south. At least once, you should try crossing at Algodones, or San Luis.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Lee
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Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Read your post again, David. Try rereading my post again.
You wrote ''the only problem is,'' regarding INM at Tecate -- then mentioned Mexicali as ''super easy.''
It's got to be perspective. I don't see Tecate as a problem and parking, in my opinion, is easy.
Otherwise, we are writing the same thing. 
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Lee
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Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Read your post again, David. Try rereading my post again.
You wrote ''the only problem is,'' regarding INM at Tecate -- then mentioned Mexicali as ''super easy.''
It's got to be perspective. I don't see Tecate as a problem and parking, in my opinion, is easy.
Otherwise, we are writing the same thing.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Lee
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Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ |
There is plenty of traffic on the 5 to help if there is a breakdown. So even in the summer months Mex 1 is more dangerous. Plus hours of stop and
go traffic. And then a curvy drive through the mountains where you see accidents all the time. And let's not forget how hot the stretch from El
Rosario, South is. You aren't avoiding the heat that much by going on Mex 1.
You have to drive Mex 1, once. But over all the 5 is faster and much less stressful. And you get to what Baja really is faster.
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Wow. It really is perspective driving The Baja.
I don't consider Hgwy 1 stressful driving through Ensenada, nor do I consider the road more dangerous in the Summer.
I don't worry about break downs and traffic is never a problem.
Personally, the best time to drive N. or S. through BCN is early Sunday. Laborers are sleeping in, along with most people.
It's even enjoyable to me. Hgwy 5 has it's advantages but you'll miss Ensenada if you go that way. And Jardines. Totally worth doing S. on
Hgwy 1.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: Originally posted by Lee |
Wow. It really is perspective driving The Baja.
I don't consider Hgwy 1 stressful driving through Ensenada, nor do I consider the road more dangerous in the Summer.
I don't worry about break downs and traffic is never a problem.
Personally, the best time to drive N. or S. through BCN is early Sunday. Laborers are sleeping in, along with most people.
It's even enjoyable to me. Hgwy 5 has it's advantages but you'll miss Ensenada if you go that way. And Jardines. Totally worth doing S. on
Hgwy 1.
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Agreed on all points, except for missing Ensenada. There isn't much to miss in this city. Terrible street pavement.
I don't know where people find truly stop/n/go traffic on Hwy 1. It is slow in San Quntin area, several traffic lights and topez, though between the
topez it usually moves steady ~30 mph during the worst hour. Weekend mornings are the best.
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SFandH
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I highly encourage EVERYBODY to take the east coast route through San Felipe. Please. Thank you.
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elgatoloco
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Ditto.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by Lee | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ |
There is plenty of traffic on the 5 to help if there is a breakdown. So even in the summer months Mex 1 is more dangerous. Plus hours of stop and
go traffic. And then a curvy drive through the mountains where you see accidents all the time. And let's not forget how hot the stretch from El
Rosario, South is. You aren't avoiding the heat that much by going on Mex 1.
You have to drive Mex 1, once. But over all the 5 is faster and much less stressful. And you get to what Baja really is faster.
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Wow. It really is perspective driving The Baja.
I don't consider Hgwy 1 stressful driving through Ensenada, nor do I consider the road more dangerous in the Summer.
I don't worry about break downs and traffic is never a problem.
Personally, the best time to drive N. or S. through BCN is early Sunday. Laborers are sleeping in, along with most people.
It's even enjoyable to me. Hgwy 5 has it's advantages but you'll miss Ensenada if you go that way. And Jardines. Totally worth doing S. on
Hgwy 1.
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I like going south on hwy 1 for ensenada, catavina and food options.
The scenery and restaurant options on hwy 5 are lacking.
5 is ok on way home when time is short
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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del mar
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go down one way come up the other. yes everyone should experience hwy 5 unfortunately the adventure is gone with the new highway and really....the
only cool part is the stretch between puertecitos and gonzaga bay!
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Alm
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Absolutely. With everybody gone to Hwy 5, traveling Hwy 1 will get easier yet.
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thebajarunner
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Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Make the loop....
Whenever possible, wherever I travel, I try to take a different route returning from the outbound track. Down and back, same track.....no way... give
me me new scenery every time.
Ensenada.... yeah, such a drag. At least ten full minutes to transit end to end.... ruins the whole trip for sure....
Going down 1 you have the great coastal scene along the TJ Cuota. What a way to get revved up about visiting Baja. Also, at the south end of
Ensenada (ten whole minutes to get there) are great last minute shopping opportunities, and a wealth of banks with ATM to get pesos, right on the
Walmart plaza.
San Quintin is always annoying, and always quicker than it seems.
On the way back, absolutely come up 5. Such a fresh view and always new stuff to see. Plus more great sea views after you leave Gonzaga.
Always take the loop, life is too short to get in a single track rut.
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner | Whenever possible, wherever I travel, I try to take a different route returning from the outbound track. Down and back, same track.....no way... give
me me new scenery every time.
Ensenada.... yeah, such a drag. At least ten full minutes to transit end to end.... ruins the whole trip for sure....
Going down 1 you have the great coastal scene along the TJ Cuota. What a way to get revved up about visiting Baja. Also, at the south end of
Ensenada (ten whole minutes to get there) are great last minute shopping opportunities, and a wealth of banks with ATM to get pesos, right on the
Walmart plaza.
San Quintin is always annoying, and always quicker than it seems.
On the way back, absolutely come up 5. Such a fresh view and always new stuff to see. Plus more great sea views after you leave Gonzaga.
Always take the loop, life is too short to get in a single track rut. |
Ensenada is a great city. Way better than la paz. Why would anyone pass up a meal and shopping and visiting friends in Ensenada? Much more to do in
Ensenada compared to la paz, and the weather is 10x better in Ensenada rel to la paz.
San quintin is never annoying. Unless you are all wound tight and upset by life and people. Get a flocking grip on yourself if you get anxiety
spending a few minutes behind a slower vehicle.
San Q has good ice cream stop, good restaurants stops, and is not 120 deg F like chithole San Felipe side of the penn
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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honda tom
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Location: middle calif
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first timers should see both sides once.... after that... 5 is the relaxing baja drive that you came for. hwy 1 through so many towns and lights and
buses .... mostly nothing to see there. hwy 5 is the faster route to points south.
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thebajarunner
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Hiway 1- Cirios and Catavina
For me the highlight of driving down Baja is Catavina!
It is the "Yosemite" of Mexico
Missing it both ways...
uh uh... not interested
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SFandH
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Speaking of Catavina,
Saw Ralph at Rancho Santa Inez just south of Catavina last month. I'm sure some here know him. He stayed later this year because of virus in the US
concerns. He's getting up there in years.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: Originally posted by honda tom | | 5 is the relaxing baja drive that you came for. hwy 1 through so many towns and lights and buses .... mostly nothing to see there. hwy 5 is the faster
route to points south. |
Sort of.
Hwy 5 is more relaxing except for the 20 unfinished miles.
Hwy 1 goes through many nondescript towns for about 2/3 before it joins Hwy 5, then after El Rosario it's is just desert and mountains.
Hwy 5 is the faster route to the points South of BOLA turn-off, if you are coming from points East of Mexicali, otherwise the time saving is
questionable.
Catavina... I would say it's not something to take Hwy 1 for. Stopped there once - yeah, well... Skip it unless it breaks your long trip
conveniently. Ralph is a wonderful guy, regardless.
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