BajaNomad

San Felipe from Ensenada road info

Baja_Itzcoatl - 5-20-2013 at 02:42 PM

Hello All,

I’m driving to San Felipe from Ensenada this coming weekend. The map shows one road that can get me there. I assume there’s no way I can get lost. I’ve been traveling to Ensenada since 1988 so I’m familiar with driving in Baja. However since I’ve never been to San Felipe I’ll appreciate any input I receive regarding the drive and what to expect once there. My baja experience is Rosarito Beach, Puerto Nuevo, Ensenada for weekend trips. But after reading a lot of the posts on this site it sounds like its pretty safe to drive outside my comfort zone. San Felipe has been chosen as my first “new” location to explore. Also, this weekend being MDW, does San Felipe get crowded with people? If yes, that would be a plus.

Just take Highway 3

bajaguy - 5-20-2013 at 03:46 PM

From Ensenada, eastbound. Can't get lost. Fill up with gas in Ensenada and get a couple of bottles of water. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive, you pass through a couple of small villages.

You will pass through two military checkpoints. One at Ojos Negros, and one at the intersection of Hwy 3 and Hwy 5, just north of San Felipe.......from the San felipe checkpoint just follow the highway as it curves to the right. San feliepe is about 20 miles down Hwy 5 from the checkpoint.

TMW - 5-20-2013 at 03:54 PM

The drive from Ensenada is easy. Take hwy 3 out of Ensenada and just before hwy 5 at KM197 there is a military checkpoint. After that you will murge right onto hwy 5 thru another checkpoint, but usually they don't stop you, and on to San Felipe in about 30 miles. On hwy 3 there will be Baja 500 pre-runners, the race is the following weekend, so be careful. I doubt there will be any large number of people but much more than a regular weekend. Take your time and enjoy the country side. Either going or coming back there is a really great taco stand in Trinidad. Turn at the PEMEX gas station and go down about 3 blocks on the right. It's an open air type place. Have fun.

willardguy - 5-20-2013 at 04:13 PM

at km 163 turn south toward diablo dry lake to the power line road. turn left to the second power pole and share a coldy with OX! :yes:

David K - 5-20-2013 at 04:24 PM

Here's a brief road guide I will hammer out for you:

Highway 3 (Ensenada to San Felipe/Mexicali) is also the same highway number as the Tecate to El Sauzal/Ensenada road: Mexico #3.

As stated above, it is a single paved road with only a couple a paved side roads off of it (Ojos Negros, Valle de Trinidad, San Matias). The first 20 miles (to the Ojos Negros road) is quite curvy as it climbs through the mountains... the rest of the 110 miles to Highway 5 (Mexicali to San Felipe road) is mostly flat and straight.

The next town after the Ojos Negros turnoff is 'Independencia' and it is right on the highway. There you may see a wide graded road to the left signed to Santa Catarina (it is 5 easy miles away), which is a Paipai Indian village, well known for colorful pottery... beyond the village is the site of 42nd California Mission 'Santa Catalina', founded in 1797 and destroyed in 1840. Nothing but stone and melted adobe outlines of the church and fort remain on the level hilltop, above the cemetery.

The next town is Valle de Trinidad (Colonia Lazaro Card##as), mostly to the right of the highway when you drop down into the big Trinidad Valley. The 20 mile graded dirt road to Mike's Sky Rancho is 10 miles east of Trinidad and that is followed by the paved spur into the village of San Matias, named after the pass that you soon drive through that separates Baja's two primary mountain ranges: the Sierra Juarez on the north, and the Sierra San Pedro Martir on the south.

Once through the pass, you enter the San Felipe Desert and in less than 40 miles you will reach Highway 5 (Military checkpoint) at a point 32 miles north of downtown San Felipe... and 90 miles south of Mexicali.

(links to photos of Mission Santa Catalina or Mike's Sky Rancho available)



[Edited on 5-20-2013 by David K]

CortezBlue - 5-20-2013 at 04:36 PM

I don't have a clue why anyone needs to detail how to get to San Felipe from Ensenada.

Take Hwy 3 East, young man, you can't miss it.

It is very scenic and a good road.

DavidE - 5-20-2013 at 04:57 PM

Maybe a help...

Ave CORTES in Ensenada is the blvd that'll take you the right way.

DENNIS - 5-20-2013 at 05:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE


Ave CORTES in Ensenada is the blvd that'll take you the right way.



Just follow the cars that have machine guns sticking out the windows. They're going to work in Trinidad Valley.

Baja_Itzcoatl - 5-21-2013 at 11:57 AM

Thanks everyone, I’m traveling from Downtown L.A., stopping in Ensenada for one night, then off to San Felipe. The people I’m traveling with are afraid because they believe all the negative hype! I’m printing your responses to show how easy and safe the drive will be. If this trip with them goes well I may convince some of them on a later date to go on my ultimate goal…. the road all the way down to Cabo!

DavidE - 5-21-2013 at 02:16 PM

"Just follow the cars that have machine guns sticking out the windows. They're going to work in Trinidad Valley"

Stick your issues of Guns & Ammo, High Times, and Soldier of Fortune under the front seat.,

Word!

Bajahowodd - 5-21-2013 at 05:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
I don't have a clue why anyone needs to detail how to get to San Felipe from Ensenada.

Take Hwy 3 East, young man, you can't miss it.

It is very scenic and a good road.

David K - 5-21-2013 at 10:06 PM

For some people it's the journey... not just the destination... If you just wiz through Baja (or life), you miss most of everything there is to see or do...

There are hot springs, gold mines, Spanish missions, good food, guest ranches, orphanages, photo vistas and more along Hwy. 3. Or, you can strap on some blinders and set the cruise control to San Felipe... what ever you want, but to not want data of what's along the way limits what can be enjoyed. Remember, for every one who asks about a road in Baja, there are a thousand who will also want to read about it.

mcfez - 5-22-2013 at 01:57 PM

Good directions here David. Details and landmarks here will keep the traveler from worry..................
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Here's a brief road guide I will hammer out for you:

Highway 3 (Ensenada to San Felipe/Mexicali) is also the same highway number as the Tecate to El Sauzal/Ensenada road: Mexico #3.

As stated above, it is a single paved road with only a couple a paved side roads off of it (Ojos Negros, Valle de Trinidad, San Matias). The first 20 miles (to the Ojos Negros road) is quite curvy as it climbs through the mountains... the rest of the 110 miles to Highway 5 (Mexicali to San Felipe road) is mostly flat and straight.

The next town after the Ojos Negros turnoff is 'Independencia' and it is right on the highway. There you may see a wide graded road to the left signed to Santa Catarina (it is 5 easy miles away), which is a Paipai Indian village, well known for colorful pottery... beyond the village is the site of 42nd California Mission 'Santa Catalina', founded in 1797 and destroyed in 1840. Nothing but stone and melted adobe outlines of the church and fort remain on the level hilltop, above the cemetery.

The next town is Valle de Trinidad (Colonia Lazaro Card##as), mostly to the right of the highway when you drop down into the big Trinidad Valley. The 20 mile graded dirt road to Mike's Sky Rancho is 10 miles east of Trinidad and that is followed by the paved spur into the village of San Matias, named after the pass that you soon drive through that separates Baja's two primary mountain ranges: the Sierra Juarez on the north, and the Sierra San Pedro Martir on the south.

Once through the pass, you enter the San Felipe Desert and in less than 40 miles you will reach Highway 5 (Military checkpoint) at a point 32 miles north of downtown San Felipe... and 90 miles south of Mexicali.

(links to photos of Mission Santa Catalina or Mike's Sky Rancho available)



[Edited on 5-20-2013 by David K]

mcfez - 5-22-2013 at 02:00 PM

Well tell them that we always take out kids....grand kids...and their friends to our place in San Felipe...........then we let them roam about. The big issue is that you speed like a mad devil......you may get a ticket.
Quote:
Originally posted by Baja_Itzcoatl
Thanks everyone, I’m traveling from Downtown L.A., stopping in Ensenada for one night, then off to San Felipe. The people I’m traveling with are afraid because they believe all the negative hype! I’m printing your responses to show how easy and safe the drive will be. If this trip with them goes well I may convince some of them on a later date to go on my ultimate goal…. the road all the way down to Cabo!

David K - 5-22-2013 at 02:03 PM

Thanks Deno!