BajaNomad

Calexico/Mexicali crossing South 4 San Felipe

Phil S - 10-14-2011 at 08:20 AM

After reading about the northbound Sentri thread & David K's comment about his not going that way, leads me to wonder if other southbound travelers also find another way to get to San Felipe. We are coming from Phoenix area. Pro's & Con's are always helpful.
Thanks in advance

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by Phil S]

bajalou - 10-14-2011 at 08:31 AM

I like to enter Mexico at Algodones. I enjoy the drive through the farming areas. But if you don't, then turn left and head toward San Luis Rio Colorado and hit Mex 2 just west of San Luis. Nice wide fast almost freeway to Mex 5 and south.

One thing though - this has narrow streets and a couple sharp turns, not suitable for large motor-homes or trailers.

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by bajalou]

mcfez - 10-14-2011 at 09:26 AM

I never had any delays or issues entering Baja thru Mexicali. Getting back thru (north into Calixico is a long ordeal though.

Algodones...as bajalou said...is GREAT...... heck...it's a side trip itself!

Phil S - 10-14-2011 at 09:44 AM

aMy plan is to go south through San Felipe Gonzaga Bay, hoping to stay overnight at Alfonso's, then to Hwy 1 & south to Loreto & Cabo. If the road is good traveling on the way down through San Felipe etc, I'd like to return also the same way. But this will be Nov/Dec time, and rains might make this road iffy????? Any comments about what bad weather might do to this road?

mcfez - 10-14-2011 at 11:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
aMy plan is to go south through San Felipe Gonzaga Bay, hoping to stay overnight at Alfonso's, then to Hwy 1 & south to Loreto & Cabo. If the road is good traveling on the way down through San Felipe etc, I'd like to return also the same way. But this will be Nov/Dec time, and rains might make this road iffy????? Any comments about what bad weather might do to this road?


I spend the majority of my time in this area....Oct thru April. Rain has never been a issue. Fact is...when it does rain...what a great thing to watch in the desert!

Monday ,October 10, 2011

Autumn arrived with a sigh of relief from everyone last Wednesday as the first cold front went through and we are now set to start the winter season in San Felipe. Halloween is practically over, the American big box stores are full of Christmas goods and spring is just around the corner.

What have we learned over the summer?

In Mexico the national tourism economy is doing fairly well. Visitors to San Felipe from Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali have kept the local bars, restaurants and hotels doing good business and the SCORE Tecate 250 brought a decent boost to the economy in September.

There has been a significant tightening of safety in regards to boating and water sports as a result of the tragic loss of the Erik.

The construction crews building the highway connecting us to Mexicali have finally got their act together and are doing work in units of distance that do not require miles of off-road diversions by travelers.

Our rainy season did not show up - not good news for the local aquifer.

The war against the drug cartels continues unabated and the death toll continues its inexorable climb. San Felipe remains quiet and untrammelled.

http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/news/index.html

nbacc - 10-14-2011 at 02:56 PM

Never had any trouble going through Mexicali to San Felipe. Like Deno says though........going back is a nightmare most of the time. If you go back that way take a book on tape. Nancy

David K - 10-14-2011 at 04:15 PM

Just to be clear... my comments about the avoiding Mexicali traffic to Keri was NORTHBOUND to the U.S.

Southbound, the fastest and most common route for us in San Diego County to to go I-8 east to El Centro area, then south on 111 to Calexico and the border. I used to use the 98 shortcut from Ocotillo, but find staying on the freeway longer a faster bet... and 111 has like 2 signals to Calexico.

Once across the border, it is well signed to San Felipe... follow the railroad tracks at first... they are in the center of the boulevard you want to be driving on (goes southeast for 5 miles to a major fork... right to San Felipe (across the railroad tracks) or straight for San Luis R.C., Sonora.

Northbound from San Felipe to back home we go to Tecate now... using 2-D toll highway and the Libramente Mexicali toll road from Hwy. 5 that avoids all of Mexicali city traffic.

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by David K]

mcfez - 10-14-2011 at 04:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Just to be clear... my comments about the avoiding Mexicali traffic to Keri was NORTHBOUND to the U.S.

Southbound, the fastest and most common route for us in San Diego County to to go I-8 east to El Centro area, then south on 111 to Calexico and the border. I used to use the 98 shortcut from Ocotillo, but find staying on the freeway longer a faster bet... and 111 has like 2 signals to Calexico.

Once across the border, it is well signed to San Felipe... follow the railroad tracks at first... they are in the center of the boulevard you want to be driving on (goes southeast for 5 miles to a major fork... right to San Felipe (across the railroad tracks) or straight for San Luis R.C., Sonora.

Northbound from San Felipe to back home we go to Tecate now... using 2-D toll highway and the Libramente Mexicali toll road from Hwy. 5 that avoids all of Mexicali city traffic.

[Edited on 10-14-2011 by David K]


If I may add to your directions.....I always stay in the middle lane once past the border gates.....reason being is that about a mile down (or more)...that curving turn always has cars parked half way into the far right lane. A real humdinger to get to the left lane at the last minute.

Good directions DavidK.....

David K - 10-14-2011 at 04:33 PM

Thank you Deno! As with any directions... use your best judgement, as they are only as good as the last time any of us went there! For me, it was July.

Bajajorge - 10-15-2011 at 08:50 AM

Going back North is always a hugh pain. Especially if you have any type of trailer or camper. Forget having Sentry or whatever kind of passes. Once you got something hooked to the rear of your vehicle, be prepared to sit and wait, and wait, and wait, and then get sent to Secondary. Oh well, I guess you can thank Al Quaida and now the freakin Iranians.