BajaNomad - Which way to get there?

Which way to get there?

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 05:09 PM

If you were driving from Tucson to Baja would you take the mainland route and get the ferry from Guyamas to Santa rosalita or drive to Tecate then head south? I'm trying to figure out which makes more sense. I'd plan on going to Mulege, La Bay, and La Paz while in Baja

sancho - 12-25-2007 at 06:12 PM

I would definately go thru Calexico/Mexicali
down Mex Hwy 5, turn west on the
Hwy to Ensenada, then down Hwy1
to Mulege, the price of the ferry
with auto from Guaymas,
approx I'm guessing $200-$250
dollars, don't know the ferry site
offhand, but unless you want to take
the ferry ride, I would go down the
baja hwy

Skeet/Loreto - 12-25-2007 at 06:26 PM

Dom:
I would take the Ferry Route. I have taken that route more than Several Times, the first before the Road Opened in Baja.
It gives you a chance to see the difference in the People of the Mainland and Baja.
You also may get a chance to see some of the Fish Life on the Sea of Cortez.
My wife and I always took a small Cabin and were very comfortable.

Which ever way you go, Have a Great Trip/

Skeet/Loreto

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 06:32 PM

I'm looking at my map now. Are you talking about going Mexicali to Tecate then to Ensenada? Otherwise taking the 5 south to the 3 to Ensenada looks like a fair bit of back tracking.

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 06:33 PM

Speaking of the ferry, I keep trying to look at the site but it isn't working. I'm not sure if it's because I'm on a mac.

JZ - 12-25-2007 at 09:13 PM

I'd take the ferry. But I hope you don't get sea sick easy. If you are going in the Winter or Spring there's a good probability you will get some rough seas.

capt. mike - 12-26-2007 at 09:50 AM

ferry for sure altho i haven't done it.
but that drive over to Tecate will be a long one from tucson.!!
the guad valle is nice to see tho and good vin to sample while goin sur.

David K - 12-26-2007 at 10:13 AM

Ferry is expensive, so if through Baja Norte:

Stay on I-8 until you get to the Campo exit and go just past Campo to Tecate... then to Ensenada...

Mex. 5 south from Mexicali to the Ensenada (Hwy Mex. 3) to go to Ensenada is going back north needlessly to Ensenada... I-8 is better and free than Mex. 2-D from Mexicali to Tecate... and no Mexicali city traffic. Tecate is much easier to get through.

I presume you do not want to use the rough dirt road south of San Felipe/ Puertecitos for a tremendous short cut via Gonzaga Bay?

sancho - 12-26-2007 at 11:58 AM

This site may have some info
price of passage with vehicle
$300
http://www.ferrysantarosalia.com/htm/rates.htm

JZ - 12-26-2007 at 12:51 PM

Damn, the ferry is expensive! That's ridulous.

domromer - 12-26-2007 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
This site may have some info
price of passage with vehicle
$300
http://www.ferrysantarosalia.com/htm/rates.htm

How bad is the dirt road? I've got a subaru with decent clearance and I'm up for some adventure.

How long does the dirt road take?

Is it scenic?

David K - 12-26-2007 at 06:49 PM

The dirt road is graded, but very rocky in places... a Subaru will get through no problem, just go slow.

Pavement ends at Puertecitos (55 miles, 1.5 hrs. so of San Felipe).

Rough dirt road surface to Gonzaga Bay, 50 miles, 3 hrs. from Puertecitos (with photo stops, it's beautiful).

Gonzaga Bay Pemex station to Hwy. 1 is 36 dirt miles (1.5 hr.), but better than the previous section, by far.

The beaches south of San Felipe are some of the best in Baja, and the giant tide exposes so many sea shells!>>>

Leaving Puertecitos, the road is actually good for the first 8 miles towards Gonzaga because of the mine being worked in the hills, maintaing the road.>>>

The road does get rougher, however...>>>

The view back north , about 18 miles from Puertecitos.>>>

And the view south of the Enchanted Islands.>>>

4WD is not needed, just good tires and slow driving:

Bahia San Luis Gonzaga comes into view...>>>

My web page background photo is Gonzaga Bay: click: http://vivabaja.com

The shore south of San Luis Gonzaga Bay in front of Campo Beluga:

Usually also called 'Gonzaga', this larger bay to Punta Final is actually 'Ensenada de San Francisquito' (but that is a mouthfull!)

South of Gonzaga Bay, a stop at Coco's Corner for a beer and to sign Coco's guest book is a tradition!

The Baja desert is awesome!

A visit to Bahia de los Angeles (41 paved miles from Hwy. 1) is well worth it!:

Viva Baja !!!!

Pappy Jon - 12-26-2007 at 06:59 PM

If you are going down the Gulf road I would cross at Algodones. I always cross there when they open in the morning, and I'm coming from New Mexico. It's a little more involved getting to Hwy 5 (BCN2 to BCN3 to BCN4 to Mex 5), but not a big deal. Just watch your speed through those little towns.

domromer - 12-26-2007 at 07:01 PM

I did some more research. It looks like we will go San Felip/Gonzaga bay/LA Bay/Mulege. Nice pictures. I'll need to check out your website. Are there palapas at Gonzaga bay that can be used with tent camping? Also can you get gas and supplies there?

David K - 12-26-2007 at 07:41 PM

Yes, Campo Beluga... http://vivabaja.com/207/page3.html

domromer - 12-26-2007 at 08:14 PM

Do you get a lot of flats on the from San Felipe? My Subaru just has normal street tires. I can't any all terrains for it. I was thinking of carrying an extra spaire on the roof.

David K - 12-27-2007 at 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by domromer
Do you get a lot of flats on the from San Felipe? My Subaru just has normal street tires. I can't any all terrains for it. I was thinking of carrying an extra spaire on the roof.

New or almost new tires would be key. Having a good tire (or at least a tire in good condition) is important, sure. Go slow...

Tire repaires or used replacements have been available at Rancho Grande (Gonzaga Bay) in the past... the tire shop is behind the store (where you can buy food items, water, booze).

I posted several photos above, if that is something that interests you, then you will enjoy the journey no mater how bad the road.

Photo of my Subaru on the beach where we camped (Punta San Francisquito)... Subaru got me everywhere in Baja in the late 70's and 80's.

mailedD50.jpg - 38kB

losfrailes - 12-27-2007 at 09:45 AM

At the present time, wind conditions being what they are and projected, you will find the Ferry is not running. So regardless of the cost, you would be well advised to make the drive.

Further advice, altho the road to San Felipe is wonderful, consider the road across the peninsula to Laguna Chapala. It has been know to wreck more than one suspension system.

Best shot is to continue to Tecate and then drive down Mex 1. Road is paved and in generally excellent condition the entire way.

Phil S - 12-27-2007 at 10:07 AM

Having made the trip into Baja from Tijuana, Otay, Tecate & Mexicali I'd suggest if your driving with just "normal tires" and don't want to buy new ones for this trip, that you will probably find going through Tecate your best entrance. Couple years ago we drove to San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay, through Coco's Corner over to highway one. Ended up I had to replace two tires because of the "razor" rocks on part of the 'climb' in one area. You'll read older comments regarding the 'razor rocks' in prior comments several years ago. In case of break downs for whatever reasons, I'd rather be on highway 1. Going that way you'll "experience" it all!!!!!
Have a safe trip. Don't drive at nights because of the 'critters'. Fourlegged ones & maybe even some two legged ones. Report back when you return to Tucson.

BajaTrooper - 12-28-2007 at 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by domromer
I did some more research. It looks like we will go San Felip/Gonzaga bay/LA Bay/Mulege. Nice pictures. I'll need to check out your website. Are there palapas at Gonzaga bay that can be used with tent camping? Also can you get gas and supplies there?

David K - 12-28-2007 at 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaTrooper

Quote:

posted on 12-26-2007 at 06:41 PM

Yes, Campo Beluga... http://vivabaja.com/207/page3.html

osoflojo - 1-10-2008 at 11:30 AM

I have taken the ferry several times in the last year and the cost now is $3,230 pesos for a normal sized car and a cabin. Weather may delay the ferry if it is windy but it will go eventually. As of last week they are doing daytime departures from Santa Rosalia to Guaymas. I dont know if that is perminante or not. If you need more ferry info, U2U me.

turtleandtoad - 1-10-2008 at 11:40 AM

For a RV and toad, it'll run you somewhere between $600-1200 US depending on the size.

BajaWarrior - 1-10-2008 at 07:47 PM

Your Suburu is not checked out for the ride through Gonzaga, which has an unreliable source of fuel, and limitied services, like one tire shop for 80 miles. Don't get me wrong, the drive is beautiful. Carry that extra spare wheel and tire anyway, good idea.

Do yourself and your car a favor and drive to Tecate, then to Ensenada, then on down to your destination.

Save the Gonzaga Bay loop for another time, and have a safe trip.

Mango - 1-10-2008 at 09:28 PM

My Subaru made the road just fine last year. It took all day to drive from LA Bay to Puertocitos (and with time enough to stop and help a BMW rider fix a blowout for an hour or two) The road is really only bad between Gonzaga and Puertocitos...very bumpy

Just take it very slow and you will be fine.. maybe just plan on it one way.. on the way back, that is what I did and it worked out fine..