BajaNomad

Tecate to Bahia de los Angeles

motoged - 11-26-2008 at 11:38 AM

Nomads,
We will be driving crewcab w/ bike trailer from Tecate to Bahia de los Angeles in a week or so....I would like to ask a few questions:

1) What road construction is going on for that route?
2) Approximate driving time with a few taco stops?
3) We originally planned to overnight in El Rosario, and still might...but would try for BOLA before dark if possible (my previous trips make me think it is too long a leg for one day).

Gracias,
Ged

shari - 11-26-2008 at 11:42 AM

hi paisano...just came from ensenada and the road is being widened in places...pretty good shape but go slow on the newly oiled parts...not real great flagmen...as it's getting dark earlier...if it's too early when you get to baja cactus is el rosario...we kept going and stayed at the little pink hotel in Catavinia for thirty five bucks...ok room and hot water...lots of cattle on the highway...be very careful after dark...not adviseable...best to stay in el rosario.

DianaT - 11-26-2008 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Nomads,
We will be driving crewcab w/ bike trailer from Tecate to Bahia de los Angeles in a week or so....I would like to ask a few questions:

1) What road construction is going on for that route?
2) Approximate driving time with a few taco stops?
3) We originally planned to overnight in El Rosario, and still might...but would try for BOLA before dark if possible (my previous trips make me think it is too long a leg for one day).

Gracias,
Ged


There is LOTS of road work going on from Tecate to Ensenada, especially on the Ensenada end. That stretch took us about 2 hours a couple of weeks ago due to the work---and it is about 72 miles.

From the toll booth north of Ensenada---near where the Tecate road comes in, it takes us about 2 hours to get to San Vicente where we usually stop and eat. That, however, really depends on the time of day and what day----traffic in Ensenada can slow you WAY down.

From San Vicente to El Rosario, about 2 hours---depending on traffic.

El Rosario to Catavina---1 1/2 to 2 hours---and we have also stayed at the pink place, Linda's Cabanas----not fancy, but clean and nice people. There are places where they are working on the road there and it will slow you down some.

From Catavina to Bahia de Los Angeles, I don't remember because we usually head on down to Guerrero Negro.

Have a great trip!

Diane



San Quintin to El Rosario

David K - 11-26-2008 at 02:38 PM

Normally, without a trailer: Tijuana to L.A. Bay is 8 hours.

With a trailer, add 1/2-1 hour.

Starting in Tecate, add another 1/2-1 hour.

Tecate to Ensenada is the same distance as Tijuana to Ensenada, BUT the Tecate route south is only 2 lanes with mush curves and with cargo trucks.

Also, do you really want to drive that extra distance way up to Tecate from San Diego, only to come back down to sea level at Ensenada?

Daylight option: Otay crossing, south then east towards the Tecate toll road (well signed) then take the free, 4 lane BLVD. 2000 (BC 201) that begins just before the first toll gate, and is signed for POPOTLA/ ROSARITO.
Reach Mex 1 (mostly 4 lanes wide now) and drive about 7 miles south to Puerto Nuevo where you can hop onto the Ensenada toll highway.

Yes, it will be too dark to drive safely around 5pm.

Have a great trip and do some great rides in that beautiful country!

Bob and Susan - 11-26-2008 at 02:49 PM

i went into secondary at 9:30am in tj
imported some stuff...

arrived at the bay of la cut-off at 6pm no sweat

i think the drive is easily done in one day (IMHO)

Ken Cooke - 12-3-2008 at 06:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Nomads,
We will be driving crewcab w/ bike trailer from Tecate to Bahia de los Angeles in a week or so....I would like to ask a few questions:

1) What road construction is going on for that route?
2) Approximate driving time with a few taco stops?
3) We originally planned to overnight in El Rosario, and still might...but would try for BOLA before dark if possible (my previous trips make me think it is too long a leg for one day).

Gracias,
Ged


Ged, the road from Tecate to Ensenada is being paved, there is plenty of construction as you get close to Ensenada, and the road through Tecate in the hills are steep, and potholed. Be careful traveling those roads.

From my home in Riverside (91Fwy x 15Fwy South) to El Rosario took 12 hours on my way home last Friday. This includes stops. Mudslides in El Rosario didn't exactly slow us down, but it felt like driving on snow = slick. :!:

Overnight it in El Rosario, and your drive into LA Bay won't feel so intense. You will need to be alert after traveling all of those winding, mountain roads.

David K - 12-3-2008 at 06:42 PM

Good Advice from Ken!

Ken Cooke - 12-3-2008 at 07:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Good Advice from Ken!


My advice is only good because I was there last week. Memory fades, and road conditions in Baja change almost daily. That last series of rainstorms there last week was a real wammy. The mudslides in El Rosario were totally unexpected, and this is what made me concerned when we arrived into town after dark. I couldn't figure out why the road felt so slippery until we had street lights illuminating the mud that was spread all over the asphalt. Our Jeeps looked like we competed in a Louisiana mud bog event when we got home, too!

El Rosario Pemex station :o



The crust dried by the time we reached Santo Tomas

marv sherrill - 12-4-2008 at 08:51 PM

Note for all travelers - coming north from LA Bay, past the El Marmol turnoff - for the next ten miles or so - look for really nasty potholes - 18 inches wide and 6 - 8 inches deep!!! real tire killers Haven't seen anything like these in years - be vigilant - go slowly - Marv and Gail