BajaNomad

Mex 1 southbound

BoenBaja - 10-29-2024 at 10:28 AM

Crossed at TKT Saturday around noon. Got the green light but was pulled into secondary because of my Alaskan camper. 30 minutes to inspect then re-park my truck in the alley and get my FMM. Road to Ensenada in good shape, lunch at El Trailero was excellent as usual. Continued south and got pulled over by a couple of Policia Municipal officers just south of Maneadero looking for a mordida. Waisted about an hour of their time before they gave up without getting a peso. The usual “you’ll have to return to the station in Ensenada” didn’t work as I said that I had plenty of time and didn’t mind going back at all. The main highway southbound is showing some decay in spots with potholes that can do significant damage, so keeping the velocity down is a good idea. Got to Los Olivos Campground near San Quintin around nightfall and had a safe and relaxing sleep. Left at 7:15 AM, stopped at the Los Pinos Pemex for diesel and coffee and then at Parcela 8 for a good breakfast. Road south from there was as usual, with the worst part being between Punta Prieta and Jesus y Maria, so I was driving at about 35 mph to be able to dodge and slow for the relentless potholes. Good lunch at the Muelle Taco place (no truck this time, the restaurant is now open.) On to Andres Alvarado (Vizcaino Junction) for fuel, pesos at the Azteca Bank ATM, and some groceries at the Leyes supermarket. Got to Bahía Asunción late afternoon. Will spend 5 nights here before heading to La Paz for our fall clinic. Hope to catch some fish for smoking and canning while I’m here. More to come when my journey south continues.

David K - 10-29-2024 at 12:30 PM

Wonderful to see your trip report, part 1. Thank you.
Good for you to stand firm with the bad police!
Parcela 12 is now 8, or am I goofed up?
I hope you have an awesome trip!

BoenBaja - 10-29-2024 at 01:51 PM

Hola David, I’m prolly wrong on the number! It was pretty early and the caffeine hadn’t kicked in yet!

windgrrl - 10-31-2024 at 05:58 AM

Very helpful report. Many thanks and safe travels.

wilderone - 10-31-2024 at 06:57 PM

Fish for smoking and canning in Bahia Asuncion? You bring them home to smoke and can, or get it done in town? Would love to hear about your fishing on your trip. See any whale sharks?

BoenBaja - 11-1-2024 at 07:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
Fish for smoking and canning in Bahia Asuncion? You bring them home to smoke and can, or get it done in town? Would love to hear about your fishing on your trip. See any whale sharks?


I brought down my Big Chief smoker, pressure cooker, and about 30 wide mouth pint jars for canning. I have a great recipe for the brine solution for smoking and another one for canning (including garlic and a jalapeño.) No whale sharks seen.

Check under the recipes section for the recipes.

[Edited on 11-1-2024 by BoenBaja]

windgrrl - 11-2-2024 at 03:45 PM

Easy crossing at Tecate at 9:00 am today. Busier than usual, but there is a large set-up for Dia de Los Muertos in the town square below.

Registration (truck + bumper pull RV) - glanced in trailer and truck rear and on our way. Quick break at Maneadero near Las Canadas. Fuerza Estadal and Guardia going back and forth a few kilometers each way, giving chase and stopping vehicles (locals).

Pretty smooth trip overall with a few pre-runners, potholes as noted above, more and more agricultural and residential development, beautiful marigolds for sale in every main drag and placed in shrines and cemeteries along the way. Traffic jam in centre of San Quintin as usual. Lovely sights and wonderful cooking smells along the way on a sunny Saturday.

surfhat - 11-3-2024 at 12:39 PM

I have wanted to stop at Parcela number whatever it is for years.

When heading south from overnighting at Jardines I am always looking forward to filling up at Antonios and a breakfast at Mama's.

When driving north I am always looking forward to stopping at the Mision de Santa Maria on the beach in San Quintin and their fine restaurant.

Since breakfast at Parcela may not be in the cards when ending south, what about the afternoons when heading north? Do they serve breakfast all day long?

I will find out for myself and make a point to stop by on my next trip north to the Santa Maria.

David K - 11-3-2024 at 03:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat  
I have wanted to stop at Parcela number whatever it is for years.

When heading south from overnighting at Jardines I am always looking forward to filling up at Antonios and a breakfast at Mama's.

When driving north I am always looking forward to stopping at the Mision de Santa Maria on the beach in San Quintin and their fine restaurant.

Since breakfast at Parcela may not be in the cards when ending south, what about the afternoons when heading north? Do they serve breakfast all day long?

I will find out for myself and make a point to stop by on my next trip north to the Santa Maria.


See Km. 16 entry in my road guide (2017 research):



surfhat - 11-4-2024 at 10:38 AM

Thanks David. I need to stop saying Jardines is in San Quintin. duh.

I knew that but seeing it on a map one more time, maybe it will stick. haha

I absolutely love the Valle de Cirios and Catavina and am committed, or should be, to taking the 1 for the rest of my days.

David K - 11-4-2024 at 11:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat  
Thanks David. I need to stop saying Jardines is in San Quintin. duh.

I knew that but seeing it on a map one more time, maybe it will stick. haha

I absolutely love the Valle de Cirios and Catavina and am committed, or should be, to taking the 1 for the rest of my days.


Oh, it is in the San Quintín valley, very close to the bay with the same name, so you are okay!
I also like the Cataviñá area and staying in El Rosario, which we miss by using the faster Hwy 5 to go south.

BoenBaja - 11-10-2024 at 07:10 PM

I left Bahía Asunción Saturday around noon for the drive south after having lunch at Don Ramon’s (best shrimp and fish tacos around). Took my time driving south, waved through at the military checkpoint near San Ignacio after explaining about our La Paz clinic and showing the soldiers some feet and other components we use for building prostheses. Tried for an early dinner at Dany’s in Mulegé but they were closing so went back to cross under the bridge and stopped at the Mariscos restaurant (blue building before crossing under the bridge). Really good large combo seafood c-cktail which I had about half left over for breakfast the next day. Drove to Playa Requeson for a good night’s sleep, ate breakfast and was on the road fairly early. Waved through the checkpoint north of Loreto but then lost my driver side side view mirror to a guy who was moving into my lane. He was trying to pass a truck and hit my mirror so hard it broke out the mirror, even though it folded back! Pulled over but he never came back, so I got into my camper and pulled out two handheld mirrors which I taped into place. Got fuel in Ciudad Constitucion and made it into La Paz for a good lunch at Bismarkcito. Was going to camp in my truck but the La Balandra Rotarians had got me a room at the Catedral Hotel. Overall a nice trip as the road conditions seemed to me to be much better than in the north. More info about the clinic later.