Hoping Nomads and Lurkers will take the time to post their regular stops between crossing the TJ border and Bahia/BOLA. Where do you stop to buy
food, alcohol, tortillas, gas? Where do you stop to exchange money or use an ATM? How about your choice of hotels? And of course, your favorite
places to eat...
Please share your secrets....
I just found a new one to share. Las Margaritas Restaurant in Ensenada (Calle Primera 925, Esquina con Alvarado--that's the main tourist street).
They have a pretty decent bowl of Aztec (tortilla) soup for just $4.50. Their entree prices are touristy, but the soup is worth it. Stay away from
the vegetable fajitas, they were a poor choice for us. Great service.
They are located right next door to Los Churros, where one can buy a freshly made churro that has chocolate inserted into the middle for just 9 pesos.
Imagine that. And not too bad for a greasy, sugary treat.805gregg - 7-13-2007 at 02:05 PM
I stop for gas, if needed, and beer always needed, toward Maneadero there are gas stations and a huge sub agencia. I typically stop only for food.
I've made Bof LA in 10 hrs with motorhome. I will try to make Guerro Negro on first day, on next months trip. I've been through north Baja so many
times I don't need to stop.
Favorite Stops
CaboRon - 7-14-2007 at 01:11 PM
OK, Nomads, I'd like to hear about your favorite stops too!!
Let's start with BajaCactus. I will be making this drive in the first week in October.... Particularly interested in secure parking for all my
worldly possesions which will be piled in and on top of my Bronco..... Hope not to have to unload the roof at each stop...... CaboRonbajabum - 7-14-2007 at 01:38 PM
My normal profile for a trip to BOLA is: Top off tank at Pemex in Camalu and buy beer at agencia across the street. Then top off again in El Rosario
and at the gas station at the La Pinta in Catavina if open or out of the barrel from the guy across the street where I also fill up 2-5 ga cans for
the inflatable or emergency use. stop for Brunch at either the place just north of SQ on the left hand side called mission something or other or in El
Rosario at the little taco joint on the right (El Poblano?), awesome hand made tortillas. In BOLA my favorite resteraunt is the Las Hamacas for a
grande margaritta and a sea food combo or take them the days catch and let them prepare a fresh fish feast! On the way home we always stop at either
EL Poblano for tacos in Maneadero or El Pique between Maneadero and Ensenada for Adovada tacos or a carne asada torta (or sometimes both!). In recent
years I have stopped going to BOLA because of all the change and modernization. It stayed basically the same for the 30 years I have been going there
untill about 3 years ago and now its just not the same. I have opted for Gozaga bay instead or to just drive right on by and head farther south.Bob and Susan - 7-14-2007 at 07:09 PM
gas station at the hotel in catavina is not open now but they are digging it up again for later
Closed Already ?
CaboRon - 7-14-2007 at 09:01 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
gas station at the hotel in catavina is not open now but they are digging it up again for later
I thought that gas station just opened within the last year .... Is this
digging thing a tradition with the gas stations in Baja ?? Sign me,
Confused CaboRonHook - 7-14-2007 at 10:11 PM
Why would you gas up at Catavina if going to BOLA after stopping at El Rosario? Two stations in BOLA now.
Well, unless you get truly atrocious mileage.
[Edited on 7-15-2007 by Hook]thebajarunner - 7-14-2007 at 10:20 PM
Centro Mexicano, directly across the parking lot from Costco, is an awesome place for groceries, fresh pan, deli stuff, premium wines, you name it.
Wish we had one here in Gringolandia.
The Bancomer on the West side coming into Mandeadero is an excellent ATM stop, very low fees, and easy to access.
Cannot imagine why anyone would buy any gas except from Antonio in El Rosario!!!
The little restarante at Catavina, across the hiway from the gas station, is very good.
Just a few of the "Must Stops" enroute South.Debra - 7-14-2007 at 11:05 PM
Not recommended for you Georock........
but, Bajarunner, try the place right at the cut off for Gonzaga Bay. About 5 years ago I noticed alot of semi trucks parked there (a good sign
right?) My instints were right on! Great food! And cheap! Very nice people. The only draw back is if you have to go "potty" I hope you have
brought your own. Outhouse only, and a very used one.Hook - 7-15-2007 at 06:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Debra
Not recommended for you Georock........
but, Bajarunner, try the place right at the cut off for Gonzaga Bay. About 5 years ago I noticed alot of semi trucks parked there (a good sign
right?) My instints were right on! Great food! And cheap! Very nice people. The only draw back is if you have to go "potty" I hope you have
brought your own. Outhouse only, and a very used one.
Sounds like Rancho Nuevo Chapala. Great huevos rancheros!thebajarunner - 7-15-2007 at 07:44 AM
Debra, thanks,
I have been trying to get our gang to stop there for years, it just never fits the flow, somehow....
Gotta do it!
By the by, the difference, as you well know, between men and women,
for us men, all the world is our bano... Peloncito - 7-15-2007 at 09:28 AM
I just made the drive (full length, TJ to Cabo) twice in four weeks. I filled up in Rosarito topped off in El Rosario then filled up again in
Vizcaino. Of course Vizcaino is passed the exit to the BofLA and I am driving on 1 versus down through San Felipe along the east coast. In any case,
it seems like more and more Pemex stations popping up along the way.
As far as beer, sodas and snacks.... Any Modelorama, La Tienda, or taco stand on the side of road I see!toneart - 7-15-2007 at 09:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
OK, Nomads, I'd like to hear about your favorite stops too!!
Let's start with BajaCactus. I will be making this drive in the first week in October.... Particularly interested in secure parking for all my
worldly possesions which will be piled in and on top of my Bronco..... Hope not to have to unload the roof at each stop...... CaboRon
Ron,
Regarding Baja Cactus:
First of all, make a reservation so you can be sure of getting one of the newer rooms that everybody raves about. I too, rave! Usually, you can park
in the lot inside the compound, surrounded by the hotel rooms. The front desk is open 24 hrs., and they watch. This works if you only have your
vehicle and aren't towing anything. I have stayed there several times with no problems. On some of the trips I am towing my 16' trailer and cannot
park inside. On those trips I have had to park down the driveway, near the entrance. It is still walled in but vulnerable to the street. I didn't
really feel that secure there but have not lost anything or had anything tampered with.
Be careful eating at Mama Espinosas. I got a horrible case of food poisoning there from eating crab burritos. I had to extend my stay at Baja Cactus
for 72 hours. I even passed out and found myself on the floor next to the bed. The last thing I remembered was sitting on the toilet. The staff was
worried about me and very attentive. Antonio was there too and the staff told him about me, and also that I was a Nomad. He personally offered to
drive me to the clinic, which I declined. He did drive me to a pharmacy and a grocery store, and offered his continual attention and concern.David K - 7-15-2007 at 10:35 AM
Baja Cactus has security cameras all about... and they are monitored by motel staff as well as people in Tijuana who can alert the staff if they see
anything suspicious.
We will be there next Friday and Saturday evenings... Baja-Rosario Cultural Festival 2007Hook - 7-15-2007 at 10:41 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by thebajarunner
Debra, thanks,
I have been trying to get our gang to stop there for years, it just never fits the flow, somehow....
Gotta do it!
It definitely is NOT convenient for breakfast, coming from the north or south. Since we often are coming from a night in SQ or ER, we just have some
fruit on the road and put up with the grumbling stomachs until we get there.
But it is worth the wait...........Packoderm - 7-15-2007 at 02:07 PM
On the way down, I always stop at the supermarket and the cerveza agency south of Ensenada for Pacificos and groceries. I stop at the cervesa agency
on the way back to turn in my bottles. I always buy gas at Baja Cactus's and Catavina - my VW bus has a very small tank. We stop for in the boulder
fields of Catavina for a picnic. I usually pull out the camp stove and cook something up and heat up tortillas. On the way back, we always stop at the
donut shop south of Ensenada. I used to stop in Rosarito, but I've read too much bad stuff here on Nomads, so I will pass on that until things get
better.
????
bajaguy - 7-15-2007 at 02:16 PM
Donut shop south of Ensenada.......good God, man....directions, please!!!!!!!!!!!!Packoderm - 7-15-2007 at 02:23 PM
I couldn't give exact directions. I just keep my eye out for it as I head back. It is just north of the impromptu flea market fronting the shops on
the east side of the highway. The shop has a pretty good selection of donuts - and you can use their bathroom.wilderone - 7-16-2007 at 09:53 AM
Change money in San Ysidro -your choice of a dozen exchange places; I pick up newspapers at the 7/11 at the third toll booth to take to the checkpoint
guys, and sometimes a litre of coke or 7-Up if it's 99 cents; buy beer, salsa casera at the Gigante store on the corner; look for a fruit stand next
to the road as you're leaving Ensenada - buy giant mangos, avocados, pineapple.Martyman - 7-16-2007 at 02:38 PM
We typically stop south of Ensenada at the Gigante or another supermercado for groceries and Tequila. There is an ATM nearby. We always hit Cielito
Lindo on the way up or down for the Jaiba (crab) and a room and a moonlight howl. In Ensenada we hit the fish market and in the evening have 1 or 4
Herradura margaritas at Hussongs. We also stop for ice/whatever at the market in El Rosario and of course gas.Hook - 7-16-2007 at 02:49 PM
Moonlight howl in the rooms at Cielito Lindo, Marty????
Too much information...............wilderone - 7-16-2007 at 04:43 PM
oh, si, the tortillas -- there is a small grocery store in El Rosario after you make the turn - right side - newer. It has about 8 different kinds of
locally made tortillas - sold from coolers. So good - like crepes. And also, forgot to mention the smoked fish place in Ensenada - open early in am
and most fish is gone by 1 pm - 2 pm. Great for snacking and no-cook dinner with chilled white wine.Martyman - 7-17-2007 at 10:56 AM
NOT IN THE ROOM ...down at the beachSlowmad - 7-17-2007 at 03:02 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone And also, forgot to mention the smoked fish place in Ensenada - open early in am and most fish is gone by 1 pm
- 2 pm. Great for snacking and no-cook dinner with chilled white wine.
talkin' the fish market here or?
Catavina for breakfast...
BAJACAT - 7-17-2007 at 09:45 PM
Umm chilaquiles.or for lunch fishmachaca..haa I have to go back there!wilderone - 7-18-2007 at 09:07 AM
No, the Ahumada shop. After you make the right turn onto the main drag, go about 3 (4?) blocks - past the McDonalds - the next one - there's a liquor
store on the corner - there's a left turn pocket - go one block. It's on the left. Says "Ahumada".Slowmad - 7-18-2007 at 09:23 AM
Thanks! Hook - 7-18-2007 at 10:38 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
NOT IN THE ROOM ...down at the beach
Ah-ha.....THAT kind of moon on the beach!pappy - 7-19-2007 at 08:30 AM
gas up and get some ballenas and ice for the dirt roads(and any other last minute supplies) in el rosario....if we go below catavina top off the tank
there or down near bola turnoff...
I thought that gas station just opened within the last year .... Is this
digging thing a tradition with the gas stations in Baja ?? 
Sign me,
Confused 
