BajaNomad

TECATE ROAD UPDATE

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 12:44 PM

OK....not now. I'm going to Sharky's and I'll fill you in when I get back.

Stay tuned..........

bajamigo - 8-25-2011 at 12:53 PM

You going via Tecate???
:?:

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 01:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
You going via Tecate???
:?:


I did yesterday....more from curiosity than anything. Wish I hadn't. Got a big divot in my windshield, one of those repairable starbursts.

Ok...again. I'm off to the gin-mill.

J.P. - 8-25-2011 at 01:08 PM

We went through the Tecate highway to San Diego Monday it was a little rough through the very short detours but as usual a nice drive arrived at the border about 8am. took about 45min. to cross

vandenberg - 8-25-2011 at 01:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
OK....not now. I'm going to Sharky's and I'll fill you in when I get back.

Stay tuned..........


The suspense is killing me.:biggrin::biggrin:

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 01:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
The suspense is killing me.:biggrin::biggrin:


You don't want to miss it. :cool:
OK....I'm outa here. There's a prize for the first one to guess who I am when I get back.

bajamigo - 8-25-2011 at 04:27 PM

Dorian Gray?

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 05:06 PM

Ok....here we go:


Road from Sauzal is excellent through San Antonio and Guadalupe town until mile 28 from the turn off where it turns into a pot-hole zone for about a mile.
Slow down for that...love your tires.

At mile 29, the roadwork begins, but not in the existing two lanes. It's on the side, to add a couple of lanes on completion.

At mile 32....more road work on the side, but not bad......maybe a hundred yards.

Entrance to the town of Testarazo....more roadwork. In the town, the road is OK and it seems they're building a foot-bridge over the road.

Far end of Testarazo....another half mile of roadwork.

Past Testarazo.....nothing more.
The trip amounts to around five miles of disheveled surface, under you or adjacent to the road.

Not bad, but I won't do it again until they get it together. I'll go up 2000 to the Tecate Toll Road and back over.

A word about the town of Testarazo:

It seems there's an industry there....one large building over the hill out of view........that has produced synthetic Testosterone for the Mexican Government since the 20s. That is the basis of Machismo in Mexican Society and when the government notiiced a drop in the levels of their warrior/citizen after the revolution, they decided to fortify it.
Their efforts still stand today as all of the ice-houses and brewerys that service bars and restaurants throughout the country are mandated to add the syntetic steroid hormone to their product.

Gotta tell ya....Testarazo is one bad-ass little town. Don't ever arm wrestle that kid who stands in the street with the Red Cross can.

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 05:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
Dorian Gray?


Jeeeeezo....Now what's she saying??

SFandH - 8-25-2011 at 05:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
There's a prize for the first one to guess who I am when I get back.


Mr. Hyde is my bet.

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by SFandH]

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 05:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
There's a prize for the first one to guess who I am when I get back.


Mr. Hyde is my bet.




I want your address so I can mail you a bag of fortified ice cubes.

SFandH - 8-25-2011 at 05:31 PM

I'd appreciate that. But forget the ice, the fortified will do.

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by SFandH]

Udo - 8-25-2011 at 06:16 PM

I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be!:barf:

Bob H - 8-25-2011 at 06:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I'll go up 2000 to the Tecate Toll Road and back over.



Thanks for the info DENNIS.

Is the 2000 road the one that turns off at Popotla? Is it well signed there and also is there good signage for the toll road to Tecate? And, then signage for the border crossing?

I think we will go back home from Ensenada this Monday morning via that route.

Bob H - 8-25-2011 at 06:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be!:barf:


I would not mind this compared to 3-hours waiting in TJ. I wonder if it would be better if you got there earlier, like 9am. And, most likely even better on a Monday morning, I hope!

Bob H - 8-25-2011 at 07:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
OK....not now. I'm going to Sharky's and I'll fill you in when I get back.

Stay tuned..........


Sharky's... Is this the place?

http://thebajaexperience.com/Sharky'sRestaurant.html

Edit: You may have to copy and paste the entire link to see it.

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bob H]

DENNIS - 8-25-2011 at 07:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Sharky's... Is this the place?



That's the place, Bob, but the fotos and other info is ancient. Doesn't even look the same now.

bajamigo - 8-25-2011 at 08:46 PM

The guy at the bar, on the left, looks awfully familiar.

DENNIS - 8-26-2011 at 05:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
The guy at the bar, on the left, looks awfully familiar.


That's a manequin. It's always there.
Not me, for sure. Long pants....shoes.....a terrible excess of kilos.....not me. :light:

Bob H - 8-26-2011 at 10:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I'll go up 2000 to the Tecate Toll Road and back over.



Thanks for the info DENNIS.

Is the 2000 road the one that turns off at Popotla? Is it well signed there and also is there good signage for the toll road to Tecate? And, then signage for the border crossing?

I think we will go back home from Ensenada this Monday morning via that route.


DENNIS, what do you think?

DENNIS - 8-26-2011 at 10:39 AM

That's the one, Bob. I think the off-ramp is Puerto Nuevo. Get off there and turn north on the free road....through a Military checkpoint and another short distance to the Blvd. 2000 entrance.
Up the 2000 for I forget how many miles, 25 or so,
but the first of two large signs will direct you to Tecate. That's the free road and there's nothing wrong with that.
Another half dozen miles up 2000 and you'll see the second sign directing you to Tecate. That's the Toll Road. It's pricey by comparison....almost 90 Ps for sixteen miles, but it's a nice drive and much less crowded.

I don't remember too many signs in town directing you to the gate, but it's Tecate. How lost can one get? There must be signs, but I just don't look for them.

By the way....yesterday was really warm out there. Be prepared.

Bob H - 8-26-2011 at 10:45 AM

Thanks a million DENNIS!

David K - 8-26-2011 at 10:48 AM

Having taken both routes to Tecate, I recommend the Free Road (Mex. 2), as it is all 4 lanes wide to Tecate, and shorter distance.... Hey, and you will drive right by the huge Toyota factory where my Tacoma was built!

Going to the toll road is several miles longer, plus very expensive for such a short run.

I documented the route in my Sept., 2010 trip report... photos of the signs, etc.

Here, I extracted that part of the report for you, Bob:


We took the free road north for Ensenada, and as before, it was in great shape and very little traffic. At Popotla, we hopped onto the Corredor 2000 for 18 miles to the free Tecate highway (Mex. 2) which is 4 lanes wide all the way... only a couple of traffic lights until Tecate, as well. Popotla to the Tecate Border was 38 miles.



Mexican Independence day was Sept. 16, and many flags were flying, including this nice display at the Pemex station in El Florido.

The Toyota Tacoma Factory is passed along Highway 2... this is where my truck was made! 'Built in Baja for the Baja!'





No place to pull over, so a bit blurred!

Here are some of the signs as you drive through Tecate showing you the way to the U.S. border:







We were in line for 20 minutes, around 6:30 pm Sunday... easy!

Bob H - 8-26-2011 at 11:06 AM

Wow, thanks David K...... good stuff there.

David K - 8-26-2011 at 03:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Wow, thanks David K...... good stuff there.


You are welcome... that was posted here almost a year ago...

Bajahowodd - 8-26-2011 at 03:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be!:barf:


Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.

Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was going to finished soon.

That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time.

Bajahowodd - 8-26-2011 at 03:50 PM

"For restaurant dinning in the Punta Banda area, Sharky's has survived the good and bad seasons. They are open every day."

Off the web page. So, Dennis, do you do your dinning there, too?:lol:

DENNIS - 8-26-2011 at 04:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
"For restaurant dinning in the Punta Banda area, Sharky's has survived the good and bad seasons. They are open every day."

Off the web page. So, Dennis, do you do your dinning there, too?:lol:


Occasionally, yes. Baja Mama's has taken over the operations there. Her kitchen puts out comfort food and the wine comes out of a fine quality box. It's all right down my cholesterol loving alley. [not really....I try to eat right, but I did have my days]
Anyway....yes I sometimes eat there.

J.P. - 8-26-2011 at 04:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be!:barf:


Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.

Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was going to finished soon.

That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time.






Dont think it will ever be 4 lane but the parts that are finished are a shure nice two lane with wide sholders. makes getting around the trucks easy .:yes::yes:

Huh?

Bajahowodd - 8-26-2011 at 04:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be!:barf:


Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.

Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was going to finished soon.

That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time.






Dont think it will ever be 4 lane but the parts that are finished are a shure nice two lane with wide sholders. makes getting around the trucks easy .:yes::yes:


Been through there lately? If it's not going to be a fourlane all the way, then why are those construction crews wasting their time?

Por Favor

Bajahowodd - 8-26-2011 at 04:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
"For restaurant dinning in the Punta Banda area, Sharky's has survived the good and bad seasons. They are open every day."

Off the web page. So, Dennis, do you do your dinning there, too?:lol:


Occasionally, yes. Baja Mama's has taken over the operations there. Her kitchen puts out comfort food and the wine comes out of a fine quality box. It's all right down my cholesterol loving alley. [not really....I try to eat right, but I did have my days]
Anyway....yes I sometimes eat there.


And I know you hate the term, but, is not Baja Mama's that restaurant on the beginning of the spit, just before one gets to all those unfortunate houses?

Is it not run by gringos? Just wondering if that's what I'm thinking about, since we found the folks there to be extremely nice.

That said, maybe I missed something, but didn't Sharkey's change ownership into the hands of a local Mexican family? And if so, are you saying they are contracting with the folks at Baja Mama's??

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bajahowodd]

Blvd. 2000 is Dangerous After Dark

Gypsy Jan - 8-26-2011 at 05:00 PM

The TJ police do not patrol there and there are many dead areas for cell phone connection, and then there are the people who dump dead bodies there.

The Free Road, Highway 1, through Tijuana metro area is safe and well-supervised by police, emergency and road travel services.

The only drawback is that it is a slower drive with several traffic signals.

DENNIS - 8-26-2011 at 05:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
And I know you hate the term, but, is not Baja Mama's that restaurant on the beginning of the spit, just before one gets to all those unfortunate houses?

Is it not run by gringos? Just wondering if that's what I'm thinking about, since we found the folks there to be extremely nice.

That said, maybe I missed something, but didn't Sharkey's change ownership into the hands of a local Mexican family? And if so, are you saying they are contracting with the folks at Baja Mama's??

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bajahowodd]


Baja Mama's used to be out on the spit close to the old hotel, in one of those expropriated houses. That's why I refused to go there. They closed a while back.....maybe a year.

Sharky's has changed managers a number of times, but owners only once. The present owner [he's had it for a maybe five years] is a roofing contractor in California and has had to rely on others to handle his investment. I think this time, it may work for him. It's the same group of nice folks you evidently have met.

David K - 8-26-2011 at 05:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
The TJ police do not patrol there and there are many dead areas for cell phone connection, and then there are the people who dump dead bodies there.

The Free Road, Highway 1, through Tijuana metro area is safe and well-supervised by police, emergency and road travel services.

The only drawback is that it is a slower drive with several traffic signals.


While this was perhaps true back in 2006-7 when that highway opened, do you think it is still a valid concern with so much more traffic using it now?

I Am Sorry to Deliver Bad News

Gypsy Jan - 8-26-2011 at 06:01 PM

But yes. our local friends still say, "Don't drive Blvd. 2000 at night."

David K - 8-26-2011 at 06:25 PM

Of course, don't we recommend no night driving anywhere in Baja... specially near Tijuana!:light:

J.P. - 8-26-2011 at 07:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be!:barf:


Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.

Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was going to finished soon.

That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time.






Dont think it will ever be 4 lane but the parts that are finished are a shure nice two lane with wide sholders. makes getting around the trucks easy .:yes::yes:


Been through there lately? If it's not going to be a fourlane all the way, then why are those construction crews wasting their time?




Yes we were through there this past monday . we go that way at least once a momth. The part from Ensenada out for 15 0r 20 miles is 4 lane the part up the mountain to Tecate is finished and is a really nice wide 2 lane with sholders . they are working on the middle part and taking out the bad curves looks like two lane to me.

David K - 8-27-2011 at 09:16 AM

Yes... new 2 lane between Tecate and Ensenada and south of Maneadero too... all that work is just to make a wider TWO lane road... with wide 'bike lanes' (shoulders) on each side! Still will be slow and dangerous if you are behind semi-trucks... unless they drive partly in the 'bike lanes'!

Thanks

Bajahowodd - 8-27-2011 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
And I know you hate the term, but, is not Baja Mama's that restaurant on the beginning of the spit, just before one gets to all those unfortunate houses?

Is it not run by gringos? Just wondering if that's what I'm thinking about, since we found the folks there to be extremely nice.

That said, maybe I missed something, but didn't Sharkey's change ownership into the hands of a local Mexican family? And if so, are you saying they are contracting with the folks at Baja Mama's??

[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bajahowodd]


Baja Mama's used to be out on the spit close to the old hotel, in one of those expropriated houses. That's why I refused to go there. They closed a while back.....maybe a year.

Sharky's has changed managers a number of times, but owners only once. The present owner [he's had it for a maybe five years] is a roofing contractor in California and has had to rely on others to handle his investment. I think this time, it may work for him. It's the same group of nice folks you evidently have met.


No doubt that the Sharkey's location has way more visibility and easier access. Kinda seemed to me that in the old location, most, if not all of their bidness came from the folks on the spit, who were mostly vacation renters.

DENNIS - 8-27-2011 at 05:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Kinda seemed to me that in the old location, most, if not all of their bidness came from the folks on the spit, who were mostly vacation renters.


Not at all. There haven't been a lot of vacation renters.
The clientele is local expats who have adopted this place as a center of attention and a family oriented dining experience with friends. If someone doesn't like what they've been served.........well, they can throw their plate full of food against the wall and leave. It's OK.