BajaNomad

Driving to Coco's Corner, need a little help.

Ruben - 4-6-2006 at 12:27 PM

I've been down the pacific side all the way to San Quintin several times, and I'm a regular down on the pacific side, but I'm making my first crossing at Mexicali.

I'll be heading down the 5 to San Felipe. Then Saturday hoping to drive down to visit Coco's corner. We'll be taking my 2WD Toyota 4Runner.

Can somone give me an idea how long of a drive it is down to Coco's corner?

Where does the pavment end? Puetecitos?

Am I in for a rude awakening as far as road conditions?

Anyone been down that way lately?

I'd really appreciate any tips you can give me.

Thanks,
:biggrin:
Ruben Leon
bajacali@gmai.com

eetdrt88 - 4-6-2006 at 02:53 PM

bring beer...and bring alot,in case I run out:biggrin:

Bob H - 4-6-2006 at 03:47 PM

Ruben,
As I understand it, they are now working to pave the road to Puertecitos and only have made it to around KM 50-somthing. Then the pot holes are awful and it's slow going around them. After Puertecitos (air down at the closed Pemex there) the road becomes bad washboard (unless it's been recently graded which I don't think happens too often). Eventually, some day, the road supposedly will be paved all the way through Gonzaga past Coco's on to Highway 1. People have reported sightings of surveyers recently that indicates this is what they want to do. It's well worth the terrible road conditions to get there and your 2wd will do just fine. Gonzaga bay is absolutely beautiful as is the entire drive to get there from Puertecitos. Stop for some ice cold beer at Cowpatty's on the way down. That stretch took us six hours in our Cabover Camper, but we were really going slow. After you pass Gonzaga Bay (and there is a military stop there - and those guys get real excited when someone finally comes through) the road is a lot of sand. After Coco's more washboard through the dry lake bed area (Lake Chapala) to MX-1.

Give us a trip report when you get back - please!
Bob H

bajalou - 4-6-2006 at 04:29 PM

Cowpatty's lost their liquor license and are trying to get it back - so its soft drinks and food only right now.

More than a Day trip?

Ruben - 4-6-2006 at 04:53 PM

Hmmm... 6 hours huh. I was thinking I could leave in the am and go down to Coco's and be back at San Felipe at Sundown. Does that sound unlikely? :?:

I will definitely post a trip report complete with pictures.

I found this site and it's great. Thanks for the tips.

Anyone else want to chime in here?
:D


Thanks,

Ruben Leon
"El Gato"

Bajaboy - 4-6-2006 at 05:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ruben
Hmmm... 6 hours huh. I was thinking I could leave in the am and go down to Coco's and be back at San Felipe at Sundown. Does that sound unlikely? :?:

I will definitely post a trip report complete with pictures.

I found this site and it's great. Thanks for the tips.

Anyone else want to chime in here?
:D


Thanks,

Ruben Leon
"El Gato"


It it a long drive but well worth it. Instead of driving to Coco's, I'd suggest taking a trip down the coast. There are a number of beaufitul beaches between SF and Gonzaga. Pack an ice chest and enjoy the beauty.

I'm headed to Gonzaga myself on Tuesday.

Zac

David K - 4-6-2006 at 05:27 PM

Bob H drives a BIG cab over camper, very slow going... I drive a Tacoma, muy rapido... Here is Toyota driving time...

Mexicali to San Felipe, 126 mi. : 2.5 hrs.

San Felipe to Puertecitos, 55 mi.: 2 hrs. (15 rough miles)

Puertecitos to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, 50 mi.: 3 hrs. (rough, but scenic)

Gonzaga to Coco's Corner is 23 miles, 1 hr. (easier dirt road)

Coco's to Hwy. 1 (Laguna Chapala) is 13 mi., 1/2 hr.

Now, I actually can pass through faster, but it isn't the Baja 1000 afterall, so enjoy yourselves.

By the way, Coco's is just a place to stretch your legs, have a beer, and be amused at what a one legged fellow has done...

As Zac says, there is lot's of pretty coastline... At Gonzaga's Pemex, turn left and go to Alfonsina's for a great meal.

Enchanted Islands south of Puertecitos:



Gonzaga Bay at Alfonsina's:



Friendly pelican at Alfonsina's:



Coco watches Baja Angel sign his guest book:

Ruben - 4-6-2006 at 05:56 PM

Wow Thanks again. I guess I wanted to check out Coco cuz from one I read and seen on a couple Baja DVD's he's like practically a local feature, or maybe a living legend, ha ha. I've just seen his little spot in so many pictures that I figure man I better get down and check it out.

Sounds to me like I would be hard pressed to get to Coco's and back to San Felipe all in one day. :no:

I really wanted to check it out though. And I definitely want to check out Gonzaga, I've read so much about it and heard stories of how beautiful it is. I really appreciate the help, and the pictures.

The drive time estimates are great! THANK YOU David K!

Maybe if we get up crack early we can make it there and back, but then that's not much time left to smell the roses.

I'm going to try and charge it.

I wonder if there is anywhere to rent a room in Gonzaga??

Anything else I should look for?

Thanks again.

rts551 - 4-6-2006 at 06:38 PM

Ruben

I just went that way two weeks ago. The road has not been graded in a while and is pretty rough. But very pretty. We prefer it over Hiway 1 this time of year.

It is not a one day round trip unless you want to miss all the sites. Plan to stay in Gonzaga - There is a small Hotel - Alfonsina's.

Ruben...

eetdrt88 - 4-6-2006 at 10:02 PM

you will have a blast at Coco's,his place is something out of a strange dream....I wouldnt reccomend 'charging it" unless your rig is race ready,the roads pretty brutal in a few spots...take your time and enjoy the drive,trust me you will be glad you did...

David K - 4-6-2006 at 10:15 PM

Yes, a motel at Alfonsina's or rustic rooms at Punta Bufeo are your non-camping options.

I forgot to give the link to a small Coco's Corner web page: http://vivabaja.com/coco

Here is one photo of Andree giving Coco a hair cut...





[Edited on 4-12-2006 by David K]

Bob H - 4-7-2006 at 05:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Bob H drives a BIG cab over camper, very slow going... I drive a Tacoma, muy rapido... Here is Toyota driving time...

San Felipe to Puertecitos, 55 mi.: 2 hrs. (15 rough miles)

Puertecitos to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, 50 mi.: 3 hrs. (rough, but scenic)

Now, I actually can pass through faster, but it isn't the Baja 1000 afterall, so enjoy yourselves.



My six hour drive was from Puertecitos to Gonzaga Bay. Like David said, in your 4-runner you should be able to make it in five hours. I would take my time and really enjoy the scenery.
Bob H

Tomas Tierra - 4-7-2006 at 08:24 AM

After that run past Coc'os and out to hwy 1, where do you intersect hwy 1??

I'm a Pacific sider, but that sounds cool!

[Edited on 4-7-2006 by Tomas Tierra]

rts551 - 4-7-2006 at 08:30 AM

Laguna Chapala

Tomas Tierra - 4-7-2006 at 08:31 AM

which is roughly around wich pueblo??

rts551 - 4-7-2006 at 08:36 AM

North of the Bahia de LA turn off about 30-40 miles

Tomas Tierra - 4-7-2006 at 08:53 AM

Thanx- sounds like quite a run... gas available in there somewhere??

Ruben - 4-7-2006 at 09:03 AM

Ok, I'm thinking maybe I could drive to Coco's and then maybe just stay at Alfonsina's Sat night on the way back, and then head out to San Felipe Sunday and then back home to Carlsbad that afternoon.

So I'll be cool without the 4WD on the road even if the conditions are rough?

Does Coco sell Beer, or just sodas? Is he or someone always there pretty much? I'm planning on leaving around 6am and just taking it at an easy pace.

Yes my friend Jorge and I will have plenty of beer/food for anyone that we meet along the way. Hopefully we can use that as trade if we get stuck somewhere. I'll be in a gray 4Runner with California plates.

I'll take plenty of pictures and give a detailed report upon return.

Ruben
:spingrin:

Ruben - 4-7-2006 at 09:04 AM

Oh yeah, is Gas available at Gonzaga?

sounds like a great plan...

eetdrt88 - 4-7-2006 at 09:10 AM

there is a gas station that might be open if not you can get gas across the street at the Rancho Grande market,although occasionally they run out....coco is usually down there and he has a fridge which is stocked with cold pacificos...we always try to bring him something since he is in the middle of nowhere and has no access to any stores closeby,last time we brought a bunch of skin lotion and a jacket...but anything you can think of i'm sure he can use:yes::yes:

Ruben - 4-7-2006 at 10:48 AM

Anyone know how I can contact Alfonsina's ???? I might want to crash there on Saturday night if needed.

TMW - 4-7-2006 at 06:19 PM

If you've only been to San Quintin on the pacific side why not go down to Cocos and around to hwy 1 then back up thru Catavina (3 hotels) El Rosario (hotels including Baja Cactus at Pemex) and to San Quintin and north. gas out of cans across from the La Pinta hotel in Catavina. Gas at El Rosario. I would take a gas can with me just to be sure. If Gonzaga pemex is closed go to the right to the store and ask them. Be sure to eat at Alfonsinas while there.

coco's picture

BAJACAT - 4-11-2006 at 10:54 PM

Ruben this is a typical picture from coco's enjoy...

David K - 4-11-2006 at 11:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ruben
Anyone know how I can contact Alfonsina's ???? I might want to crash there on Saturday night if needed.


There is a thread right on Today's posts with your answer: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=14873

Coco's and back

John M - 4-12-2006 at 05:52 AM

I'd suggest to look at the mileages David K posted - you ought to be prepared to make it round trip in the event there is no gasoline at Gonzaga - take 5 gallons? Fuel mileage is not as good as it would be covering the distance on pavement.

Coco likes canned fruit & 7 UP.

If you air down enough to smooth out the rocky road (15 lbs?) you have to watch your speed on the return once you get to the good pavement nearer to San Felipe until you have the chance to air up. Low pressure tires sure get hot at 50 + mph.

Photo of Alfonsina's motel on Gonzaga Bay - a little blurry trying to enlarge a low resolution photo - but you get the idea.

And David - that's not my wife giving Coco a haircut - but a friend traveling with us, Andree.

John M

David K - 4-12-2006 at 07:25 AM

Oh, okay.... thanks... That's the caption I had associated with the pic since you sent it to me 4 years ago! I will fix!

There are lot's of pics of Alfonsina's motel at http://www.timsbaja.com

[Edited on 4-12-2006 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 4-26-2006 at 08:29 PM

If you drive too fast on your way to Coco's, your tires will be all torn up like David Ks from driving muy rapido. Air down those tires to 20 p.s.i. and just take your time. Enjoy the sights, too...

DianaT - 4-28-2006 at 08:59 AM

In 2003, we drove from Highway 1, stopped for lunch at Alfonsina's and continued home to Calexico through San Felipe. We had one flat tire before Coco's ---driving a little too fast and tires were getting old.
Fortunately, we had picked up a hitchhiker--he was much younger and helped with the change. :yes:

Question---Coco was at Alfonsina's eating lunch, and there seemed to be quite a loud exchange between him and the owner of Alfonsina's. Then each of them in private proceeded to tell us that the other one was crazy. Is this a usual exchange between the two of them?

We just smiled and enjoyed the entertainment.

Diane

P.S. The tire was gone, but we were able to buy a suitable spare at the rancho where we bought gas---nice looking Pemex, but no gas at that time.

Love that area



[Edited on 4-28-2006 by jdtrotter]

David K - 4-28-2006 at 05:23 PM

Yes indeed... I have had two rock induced flats along the stretch... One south of El Huerfanito (Corky rode right past when the kids and I were changing the tire)... BFG. The other north of Coco's... Futura.

In both cases I was driving at maximum warp speed (for that road in my Tacoma) and the tires were not deflated to 20 psi to absorb the shock.

When the Pemex is out of Gas, then it is usually available across the road at Rancho Grande... where tire repairs and used tires can be obtained.

The next tire service going south would be at Laguna Chapala... two shops there.

elgatoloco - 4-28-2006 at 11:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
.............Coco was at Alfonsina's eating lunch, and there seemed to be quite a loud exchange between him and the owner of Alfonsina's. Then each of them in private proceeded to tell us that the other one was crazy.

[Edited on 4-28-2006 by jdtrotter]


Crazy MIGHT be to strong a word. ;)

Eccentric?

jeans - 4-29-2006 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter


Question---Coco was at Alfonsina's eating lunch, and there seemed to be quite a loud exchange between him and the owner of Alfonsina's. Then each of them in private proceeded to tell us that the other one was crazy. Is this a usual exchange between the two of them?



I just read this post to my mom who has known Coco for years (They had a house there) She busted up laughing and said "That is the usual exchange between Coco and the World"