FNG's - New to the Baja, But Not Mexico - Xmas 5th Wheel Trip??

Hey Amigos. Friend recommended this site. My wife and I have 2+ solid weeks of vacation 12/23-1/9 and seriously need a break from aging parents and recent 15 degree Northern New Mexico nights. Planning on staging our ol' Blue Moose Dodge Cummins and 24' 5th wheel in Cottonwood, AZ in prep for a trip down Baja California. Been heading to Puerto Penasco since about 1963 (I was 5 then) with my family and friends. Leonardo was the only guy who sold ice and shrimp then. Anybody remember him? Folks finally confessed to us that the all-night dancing on the tables at the Playa Hermosa Cantina was a direct result of Tio Hector's Margaritas AND good ol' SKF Dexedrine. Ah, the 60's....
Swanyway, we have a couple good weeks and don't want to kill ourselves trying to get to Cabo. No point, I'll bet. We're thinking Mulege' for our first trip. What do you think? Cottonwood to Tecate is a bit over 400 miles, or one day. A couple- three more days and we ought to find ourselves far enough south to be warm. Thinking about leaving the small 5th wheel in Mexico for future 2011-12 winter trips (can we do that?) and taking the ferry back to the mainland on the way north. Just thinking out loud. Looking to set up the camper for 10 solid days in one spot, searching out the best deal on Noche Buena and de-compressing from work and disintegrating parents. Any advice is appreciated. We already know the part about carrying spares and not driving at night, etc, etc. We speak fair espanol and treat locals with respect. I'm looking for local knowledge and recommendations about where to head to. Dry camping is OK for a few days, but we prefer a small park, oceanside with hookups, a nearby restaurant and cantina. Who doesn't? Thanks for any help making the trip go smoother. If you're in Mulege' and see a '93 blue Dodge p/u with a 24' Komfort 5th wheel attached, please come by for a cerveza. Hunter & Charlotte

Still have the wife. Daisy the Bullmastiff died 11/4. RIP Daisy, best dog that ever lived.

[Edited on 11-10-2011 by ElCazadorAZ]

Since you have the trailer, you don't want to miss the entrance to the ranch. As you enter the small town of Cataviña going south, there is not much there. On the left you will see the bright pink Linda's motel and on the right the quite nice Mission Cataviña Hotel.

It is only a short distance to the turn-off on the east side of the highway, but the sign is small---go slow and watch for it. It is not much bigger than the sign right by the ranch that is shown below.





[Edited on 11-7-2011 by DianaT]

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

This foto brings up a serious question. We've all seen millions of white painted rocks along the Byways of Baja, but has anybody ever seen anyone painting them?
I'll bet not.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS This foto brings up a serious question. We've all seen millions of white painted rocks along the Byways of Baja, but has anybody ever seen anyone painting them? I'll bet not.

Once, just once and it was at an army stop---but I don't have photos to prove it.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT Once, just once and it was at an army stop---but I don't have photos to prove it.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS This foto brings up a serious question. We've all seen millions of white painted rocks along the Byways of Baja, but has anybody ever seen anyone painting them? I'll bet not. Once, just once and it was at an army stop---but I don't have photos to prove it.

Give her Hell, Ralph. She's tryin' to slip one in on us.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS Quote: Originally posted by rts551 Just the facts Diane. Just the facts. Do you have GPS coordinates for the turnoff pls. Give her Hell, Ralph. She's tryin' to slip one in on us.

Ralph is bad, very, very bad. Besides, I don't want to see ElCazadorAZ driving off the road while he is checking a GPS.

I believe the turn-off is about 1 hour 34 minutes and 16 seconds from the bridge in El Rosario---I think.

SANTA YNEZ (ranch owner's spelling)/ SANTA INES (most maps)... Is close to 1 mile south of Cataviña, on a paved side road (since those are rare, an easy to spot specially with the white rocks).

Close up Almanac folding map and AAA map of the area:





Baja California Guidebook map of 1975:



Just for fun, Cliff Cross Guide Map of 1970 (before Highway One was built here):



Edit: On the above map, Cataviña is where Rancho Resolana was before the highway was bulldozed through in the summer of 1973.

[Edited on 11-7-2011 by David K]

Quote:

Originally posted by David K Quote: Originally posted by ElCazadorAZ I don't use a GPS! They suck the brain right out of your head! Gimme the papyrus version of a map any day... Thanks, all, keep 'em coming! H. [Edited on 11-7-2011 by ElCazadorAZ] SANTA YNEZ (ranch owner's spelling)/ SANTA INES (most maps)... Is close to 1 mile south of Cataviña, on a paved side road (since those are rare, an easy to spot specially with the white rocks). Close up Almanac folding map and AAA map of the area: Baja California Guidebook map of 1975: Just for fun, Cliff Cross Guide Map of 1970 (before Highway One was built here): Edit: On the above map, Cataviña is where Rancho Resolana was before the highway was bulldozed through in the summer of 1973. Once again David K comes thru with the epic maps. DK: check your U2U. [Edited on 11-7-2011 by David K]

As long as I am able, I will be a conduit between the past 'dirt road days' of Baja and the present!

Here is a 1962 map of that region...




[Edited on 11-8-2011 by David K]

1974 Auto Club Map (from Barry A collection):

Wow, nice map, David.

Barry

That was an older, no longer published, 'collectors price'... since then a new Almanac was published. I buy extra copies myself, as these things can be more valuable than stocks!