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K7BVT
Junior Nomad
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Place to stay between Mexicali and San Felipe
We heading down to Baja and plan on crossing the border at Mexicali on Sun 11/4 around 5PM bound for San Felipe and wonder about staying some place
in-between to avoid driving in the dark.
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mjs
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Location: Off grid in San Felipe
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Probably best choice to just stay in Mexicali. Fiesta Inn, Real Inn Mexicali and Colonial Inn are all conveniently located on Hwy 5. That said, we
drive the road south to San Felipe at night on a regular basis.
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JZ
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I'd feel better about driving at night to SF than staying the night in Mexicali.
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PaulW
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We do that drive all the time with no issues. Night travel is not an issue. Road is in great condition and I have not seen any issues since the new
road was completed.
Agree staying in Mexicali is a crap shoot. Between Mexicali and San Felipe there are no known places to spend the night.
If you are really afraid just stop at a hotel in El Centro or Calixico and do the drive the next morning.
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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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This.....VVV
Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  |
If you are really afraid just stop at a hotel in El Centro or Calixico and do the drive the next morning. |
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TMW
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I've stayed at several different hotels in Mexicali with out any problems. There is a cluster of hotels near the Colonial that are good to stay at.
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bonanza bucko
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I agree completely with PaulW......just start the trip in the morning from El Centro. There are also some nice places to stay in Calexico.
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JZ
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If you are rolling into Calexico at 7-9 pm, continue on to SF for sure. Super easy drive.
If you are rolling in at 10pm or later, stay in Calexico.
I wouldn't stay in Mexicali.
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willardguy
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enjoy some wonderful chinese food and stay at the Lucerna in mexicali
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Barry A.
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I TOTALLY agree!!!! Many fine restaurants within the Hotel Lucerna area.
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David K
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| Quote: Originally posted by K7BVT | | We heading down to Baja and plan on crossing the border at Mexicali on Sun 11/4 around 5PM bound for San Felipe and wonder about staying some place
in-between to avoid driving in the dark. |
If this is your first drive into Baja or into Mexico, you will be driving in darkness, there are NO motels along the highway between Mexicali and near
San Felipe, which is 2.5 hours drive from the border.
While I agree with others that it is generally safe and an easy drive, doing a new area in the dark is just poor planning. The Hotel Lucerna is big,
fancy and close to Mexico's greatest Chinese restaurants. I just don't know if rush hour city traffic in Mexico (to get there or other hotels) is the
thing you want to do right away?
[Edited on 10-31-2018 by David K]
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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Early darkness
Clocks get set back one hour on Sunday the 4th. You will be losing an hour of daylight.
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freediverbrian
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Good point it will be dark at 5:00pm
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TMW
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The Best Western on the right as you enter Calexico on Route 111 is an excellent hotel.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
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For me, a night at the Lacerna would be far preferable to anything in GringoLand. Really enjoyed my stays there and in TJ Lacerna.
And, anyone fearful of spending first night in Mexico really needs to rethink the scary aspect of venturing further into this dark and mysterious,
always treacherous country.
And, dare I mention this..... driving south to San Felipe after dark is hardly a challenge, nor is there much 'scenic beauty' that you will miss.
Maybe that drive needs to be done in the dark so you don't waste good daylight hours that can be enjoyed elsewhere.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Got dogs??
Best check out places that are pet friendly
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JZ
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner | For me, a night at the Lacerna would be far preferable to anything in GringoLand. Really enjoyed my stays there and in TJ Lacerna.
And, anyone fearful of spending first night in Mexico really needs to rethink the scary aspect of venturing further into this dark and mysterious,
always treacherous country.
And, dare I mention this..... driving south to San Felipe after dark is hardly a challenge, nor is there much 'scenic beauty' that you will miss.
Maybe that drive needs to be done in the dark so you don't waste good daylight hours that can be enjoyed elsewhere. |
My Mexican friends don't like to hang out in Mexicali.
For me I'm more concerned about theft. We have our bikes and a ton of gear.
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bajaric
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When driving south from the border through Mexicali I have noticed several motor court motels with brightly lit signs that say "Desde xxxx pesos" that
would probably do in a pinch. However, driving into Mexicali in the dark during rush hour might be a bit of a challenge if not familiar with the
route. When presented with the same scenario we stayed at the Motel 6 in El Centro, very basic accommodations, but the bright side is you can get
food at nearby Lucky Chinese Restaurant; excelente! Nothing like chowing down on some Chinese takeout in a Motel 6, that's living the good life --
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajaric | | When driving south from the border through Mexicali I have noticed several motor court motels with brightly lit signs that say "Desde xxxx pesos" that
would probably do in a pinch. However, driving into Mexicali in the dark during rush hour might be a bit of a challenge if not familiar with the
route. When presented with the same scenario we stayed at the Motel 6 in El Centro, very basic accommodations, but the bright side is you can get
food at nearby Lucky Chinese Restaurant; excelente! Nothing like chowing down on some Chinese takeout in a Motel 6, that's living the good life --
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and they'll leave the light on for you!
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
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Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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It's only a two hour drive to San Felipe from Mexicali... I drove it heading north before sunrise a few days ago. Of any road in Mexico, I would feel
pretty safe at night - I didn't see any animals on/near the road, there is a fence to keep them away. Do NOT however drive at night on Mex 1, there
were more animals than I have ever seen on and near the road.
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