BajaNomad

McLuLu has reopened!

oxxo - 1-15-2010 at 07:15 PM

We just drove down from Tecate to La Paz last Sun and Mon. The trip was uneventful as usual. The section of road through the Guadalupe wine country was still torn up but much more passable than early December on our trip north.

We stayed at Don Gus in GN on Sun night. Even though they were nearly empty, they gave us a room in the old section at the same price as the new section. It was not nearly as nice as the new section. The Internet was down and they said they didn't know anything about it. We needed to send out some emails that evening and we asked them if there was a Cyber Cafe in town. They sent us to Los Caracoles hotel for 15 pesos for 30 minutes on their computer. Los Caracoles has reduced their price of a room to match Don Gus and Internet is free. So, we will not be staying at Don Gus again.

We had a wonderful meal at Santo Remedio restaurant in GN. We recommend it.

When passing through Loreto on Monday, we decided to see if Lourdes at McLulu's had reopened, just on a hunch for lunch. YES! Same place, same menu, same prices. We were thrilled. She said she had spent some time with family in Constitucion and after a year or so, she missed the old business and decided to reopen. We had a wonderful visit and wonderful food. This woman is a treasure!

We passed right through the center of Constitucion with no problems with the policia. Came to a full stop at each stopsign. Traffic lights still not working.

We are now back at our Cabo home and loving every minute of it.

Life is good!

[Edited on 1-16-2010 by oxxo]

David K - 1-15-2010 at 07:31 PM

When were they closed?

We had great tacos there this past summer (July 2009):


Mulegena - 1-15-2010 at 11:09 PM

She's our regular gotta-stop when we go to Loreto. Saw her tonight just as she was closing up-- too late for her wonderful tacos this visit.

Its great; she always remembers us and asks about Mick's beautiful redheaded daughters. So sweet of her.

Binger - 1-16-2010 at 08:23 AM

My son and I are driving our new car from Phoenix to our home in Cabo, leaving in 2 weeks. It is reasonable if we hit Tijuana by 5 or 6 in the morning, that we could make it to Gurerro Negro by sundown(6 PM).
And the best place to stay, I assume Los Caracoles , at least that is what everyone tells us. We are planning on an average speed of 50MPH. Then hopefully get to Cabo by the next evening at about sundown. Any other suggestions? and if we are coming via Phoenix, would it be quicker and is it safe to go the Tecate route rather than San Diego and Tijuna route. I understand it is a little tricky getting on the toll road at Tijuna, have to sure you go up on a ramp? Thanks for the help.

woody with a view - 1-16-2010 at 09:20 AM

sundown 6pm? not in this hemisphere....

oxxo - 1-16-2010 at 09:28 AM

If you are coming from Phoenix, DEFINITELY cross at Tecate and then take the road to Ensenada, HWY 3. We crossed at Tecate at 8:15 am, averaged 50mph and arrived in GN at 5:15pm, sun was down but still light (set you clock forward one hour in GN). We stopped for gas at Ensenada and San Quintin and then filled up again at GN. The service station at the west end of GN town is open 24/7. We did not stop for lunch the first day, we took along sandwiches and a cooler and ate in the car.

We left GN at first light around 6:45am and arrived in La Paz at 4pm. If you continue on, you will arrive in Cabo about 6:30pm. It will be dark, so take it easy those last 30 miles. We stopped for lunch (McLuLu's) and gas in Loreto and gas in La Paz on the second day.

It is an easy, easy trip. We average about 50mph. That means we open it up out in the desert on the long straight aways with no traffic. But always keep an eye out for livestock in the road. Respect the little villages and drive slowly through their confines. We saw a lot of bicyclists riding down, all of them riding south. Watch out for them too. There is no shoulder and they are riding in the driving lanes.

Enjoy! No stress, no strain, keep hydrated.

Binger - 1-16-2010 at 09:45 AM

Thanks great reply. I assume no safety problems with crossing at Tecate?
compared with Tijuana and no problems from there on to Enseneda as far as roads. . Guess the roads might be a little messy if they get the big rains next week but we are leaving on 1/28, the following week. Where do we get tourist passes or do we not have to worry about them until later. I am going to be down for a 10 days at my house, my son flying right back to Phoenix. Thanks again.

pacside - 1-16-2010 at 10:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Binger
Thanks great reply. I assume no safety problems with crossing at Tecate?
compared with Tijuana and no problems from there on to Enseneda as far as roads. . Guess the roads might be a little messy if they get the big rains next week but we are leaving on 1/28, the following week. Where do we get tourist passes or do we not have to worry about them until later. I am going to be down for a 10 days at my house, my son flying right back to Phoenix. Thanks again.


That sure is one nice son you have. Stop and get FMT at border crossing (any border crossing). Others can respond re Tecate and rain etc. You should be fine but remember if you find yourself getting dazed and tired even drinking those caffeinated drinks don't push it and have a backup plan on where you might stop if this happens. Like in El Roasario or Mulege the next day depending on where you stop the first night. If you end up driving 30 minutes in the pitch dark...don't freak out, it's doable, just pay attention, go slow and always be ready for any animal on the road or a big truck creeping into your lane...basically drive VERY defensively.

Have fun,
pacside

David K - 1-16-2010 at 10:57 AM

Hey guys... this is a thread in 'Trip Reports' about Mc LuLu's, in Loreto... Not the Q & A forum... ;D

Bob H - 1-16-2010 at 11:00 AM

Where, exactly, is Mc Lulu's?
Bob H

David K - 1-16-2010 at 11:02 AM

Bob: Mc LuLu's, in Loreto

It's on the main entrance road going into town from Hwy. 1.

pacside - 1-16-2010 at 11:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Hey guys... this is a thread in 'Trip Reports' about Mc LuLu's, in Loreto... Not the Q & A forum... ;D


Well soooooooorrrrrrrrreeeeeeeyyyyyyy:P

Just trying to offer some help. Saw a question in a thread and lacked prudence to look at threadtype to determine whether to answer or not. Shoot me now!!!!!!!!!!!:spingrin:

Always good to know David K is looking out for properly placed posts.

pacside

David K - 1-16-2010 at 11:05 AM

Well amigo... If anybody else wants to benefit from your information on roads and motels and driving south from Tecate... They will be challenged to find it in a trip report about McLuLu's being open... won't they?


Sorry, I didn't mean to sound bossy!:biggrin:

Bob H - 1-16-2010 at 11:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Bob: Mc LuLu's, in Loreto

It's on the main entrance road going into town from Hwy. 1.


I wonder how I missed this place.... Been through Loreto a few times... Bob H

pacside - 1-16-2010 at 11:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Well amigo... If anybody else wants to benefit from your information on roads and motels and driving south from Tecate... They will be challenged to find it in a trip report about McLuLu's being open... won't they?


Sorry, I didn't mean to sound bossy!:biggrin:


Point taken...however, Binger is a newbie and I figured he would read this thread.

No you don't sound bossy just your usual self...:bounce::smug:;)

pacside:dudette:

oxxo - 1-16-2010 at 11:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Binger
I assume no safety problems with crossing at Tecate?


Zero, nunca, nada. When driving through Tecate just be sure and come to a full stop at all stop signs..........even the ones that aren't there! ;D

Bajahowodd - 1-16-2010 at 12:43 PM

I'm with pacside on this. As newbie Binger posed a question on this so-called unrelated thread, was the correct response to just tell him to go away and start his own thread?? Come on! And for good measure, if Binger gets to GN as planned, consider Cowboy Hotel also. Rooms and rates comparable to Caracoles.

mulegemichael - 1-16-2010 at 01:39 PM

hotel malarimmo,(sp), in GN is our first choice everytime when passing through.

pacside - 1-16-2010 at 03:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
hotel malarimmo,(sp), in GN is our first choice everytime when passing through.


One of my favorite meals in all of baja was at the restaurant at the Hotel Malarimmo; it was a grilled scallop dish. I liked it better than San Remedio. More casual, outdoor seating. Could see car and dog tied to a pole. Can't offer hotel recommendations as I've never spent night in GN.

pacside

David K - 1-16-2010 at 05:29 PM

MALARRIMO ;D

Named after the the beach beyond Scammon'd Lagoon where the 'hook' of Baja grabs everything floating down the Pacific current... Famous for quicksand and ship wrecks.. the name means BAD TO GET NEAR.

Mike McMahan and family traveled there in the 1960's often... even found a torpedo!

nomad 032.jpg - 39kB

??

tehag - 1-16-2010 at 08:50 PM

Hey, DK, what's that got to do with Mc Lulu's?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

T

David K - 1-16-2010 at 09:06 PM

Not any more than all the talk about the Malarrimo restaurant!! LOL!!!

Have a good one!

805gregg - 1-23-2010 at 10:43 AM

In Loreto I always eat at Cafe Ole across from the bank.

rogbag - 1-24-2010 at 12:32 AM

"Could see car and dog tied to a pole."

Pacside -

You tie your car to a pole? Must be frisky.

One of my favorite road meals was also @ Malarrimo - sea bass of some sort and very tasty. Hotel room was nice and I got to park the bike next to the window - probably a small sense of false security.

SunnyDay - 1-24-2010 at 12:56 AM

Why is everybody in such a rush?

Even if the son is flying straight back and is just keeping mom company, he's flying by (at an average speed of 50 mph) some of the most beautiful, hospitable, interesting, historic spots on the world. Drives me crazy when everybody compares notes on how fast they can drive. And, yes, I've been on that road for over 20 years, usually alone (I'm a female) 3-5 times per year, so it's not just the novelty I'm suggesting, really.

Suggest get to El Rosario first night, stay at Cactus. Then, San Ignacio and stay at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g152205-d646592-Revi...

PS - get your tourist card before you go and buy your insurance too. Try online Mex insurance, or use our local http://www.discoverbaja.com/

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-24-2010 at 08:08 AM

David K Don't let the CCGPRS get you down!

Your Conservative Republican friend,

David Elinvestig8r M.



[Edited on 1-24-2010 by ELINVESTIG8R]

David K - 1-24-2010 at 08:34 AM

Never!:bounce::cool: