BajaNomad

East road south now our go-to route

Santiago - 7-5-2013 at 09:32 PM

For those of you who are traveling from central California or further north, you should really look at going thru Mexicali, through San Felipe, connect to Mex1 at La Chapala and then south. This would not be an option for those who don't want 40 miles of dirt/rocky road.
The distance to the Sacramento area is about 950 miles via I-5/San Yisidro/Mex1 to BOLA. Going thru Mexicali/Gonzaga/Coco's is about 975 miles; but is about an hour shorter. This includes the 2 hours from La Chalapa-to-Gonzaga. Of course, when this section is paved, the time will at the very least be cut in half, making this route about 2 hours shorter.
The real plus for us is that when we leave BOLA, it takes us about 10 hours to make San Yisidro and about 9 hours to make Mexicali, and we arrive with very little road stress. There simply is no traffic for miles on a really great road, once you get a few miles north of Papa Fernadez.
We left Alfonzina's after lunch and made Mexicali in about 4 hours - and never saw a truck. This will change when the road is completed to Hiway 1, then the traffic and trucks will be greater, but for now it's a sweet drive.
For whatever it's worth, our crossing Friday morning, 7:30AMish, at Mexicali was maybe 15 minutes.
On edit: we did meet a southbound semi about 5 miles SOUTH of Coco's?? Loaded with rolls of steel traveling maybe 5 MPH. crazy. By the way, Coco was not at his camp. A young man said he was in Ensenada.

[Edited on 7-6-2013 by Santiago]

elgatoloco - 7-5-2013 at 11:42 PM

Nice to have options. With folks utilizing your suggestion maybe now I can get from Camulu to Soccoro in under 90 minutes. :saint:

Honestly we just did the trip to mid peninsula for second time in a few months and the roads in Baja are overall as nice as they have ever been. Except for the parts that aren't of course.

:biggrin:

BajaRat - 7-6-2013 at 06:28 AM

I'm in love with that side. It was an expedition in the past, now just a day trip. :cool:

woody with a view - 7-6-2013 at 06:32 AM

can't wait for aug 1. gonna give it a try.

BajaRat - 7-6-2013 at 06:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
can't wait for aug 1. gonna give it a try.



Now you will get to meet Coco ! :cool: And finish off the day with a coldie in Asuncion...... Hell thats a cerveza commercial

woody with a view - 7-6-2013 at 07:03 AM

:light:

LaTijereta - 7-11-2013 at 07:02 PM

Last time South... It was 7 hours from Tecate crossing thru Ensenada to the Chapala "turn-off"..
I would guess the "east route" would be simular time back through the Mexicalli bypass to Tecate..:yes:

Bajaboy - 7-11-2013 at 07:10 PM

We are now using that route when camping is "bearable" at Papa Fernandez...easy drive to Gonzaga from BA and then an easier drive home with no hassle to San Diego via Mexicali.

woody with a view - 7-11-2013 at 07:20 PM

when is it unbearable, Aug 1?:biggrin:

Bajaboy - 7-11-2013 at 08:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
when is it unbearable, Aug 1?:biggrin:


If I'm without kids and wife...any day is bearable

David K - 7-12-2013 at 07:02 PM

The East Road summary:

Mexicali to San Felipe: 125 miles paved (1/3 is four lanes wide and all but 3 miles is new, wide highway with wide shoulders or 'bike lane'). Add 65 good paved miles if you cross into/out of Mexico at Tecate.

San Felipe to Puertecitos entrance road: 52 miles paved with over 40 miles old style, narrow pavement with sudden, steep dips ('vados') that will do damage if you go too fast!

Puertecitos Jcn. to Gonzaga Bay Pemex/ Alfonsina's Jcn./ Rancho Grande: 44 miles with 41 miles of wide, new paved highway and 3 miles of graded dirt road.

Gonzaga Bay Pemex to Highway 1 at Laguna Chapala is 35 miles of graded dirt road... surface may be washboard requiring very slow or very fast speed depending on the vehicle!

131 miles San Felipe to Laguna Chapala, 38 dirt miles



[Edited on 7-13-2013 by David K]

Alm - 7-21-2013 at 12:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
The distance to the Sacramento area is about 950 miles via I-5/San Yisidro/Mex1 to BOLA. Going thru Mexicali/Gonzaga/Coco's is about 975 miles; but is about an hour shorter. This includes the 2 hours from La Chalapa-to-Gonzaga. Of course, when this section is paved, the time will at the very least be cut in half, making this route about 2 hours shorter.
The real plus for us is that when we leave BOLA, it takes us about 10 hours to make San Yisidro and about 9 hours to make Mexicali, and we arrive with very little road stress.

...9 hours to Mexicali, and then you need 2 hours to get back to to I-5 or I-15. I might be wrong since my route is usually I-5 via SY or Otay, but the only time I had to drive from Calexico to SD/I-15 it was not enjoyable. Good couple of hours and a lot of gas to cross mountain ridges. With rain and fog at high elevations.

[Edited on 7-21-2013 by Alm]

David K - 7-21-2013 at 03:12 PM

Alm, from or to where? If L.A. or points north then don't go west to San Diego from Mexicali... just go north via Indio to L.A. or beyond.

David K - 7-21-2013 at 03:26 PM

Alm, from or to where? If L.A. or points north then don't go west to San Diego from Mexicali... just go north via Indio to L.A. or beyond.

Agreed

Bajahowodd - 7-21-2013 at 04:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco
Nice to have options. With folks utilizing your suggestion maybe now I can get from Camulu to Soccoro in under 90 minutes. :saint:

Honestly we just did the trip to mid peninsula for second time in a few months and the roads in Baja are overall as nice as they have ever been. Except for the parts that aren't of course.

:biggrin:


With the burgeoning agriculture business, that stretch of highway has become very frustrating for those of us heading farther South. A bypass would be wonderful.

That said, you may as well add Colonet to Soccoro for that matter.

woody with a view - 7-21-2013 at 05:01 PM

the 'burbs of San Quintin just keep growing.

Martyman - 7-22-2013 at 09:28 AM

I'd hate to miss El Cliente's smoked clams though.

woody with a view - 7-22-2013 at 03:22 PM

anyone know the name of the place at Gonzaga with AC? phone number?

TMW - 7-22-2013 at 03:45 PM

I don't know if they have AC or not but you could contact them and see.

gallesram - 7-22-2013 at 04:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
I'd hate to miss El Cliente's smoked clams though.

I always stop there for fish tacos and wonder what they're cooking over the coals in foil towards the back; are those the smoked clams you're talking about? How do they serve them?

Mexitron - 7-22-2013 at 07:01 PM

How about on the way back---how do the wait times at Mexicali compare to San Ysidro and Otay Mesa? I'd almost drive to the Yuma crossing to avoid those long waits:lol:

woody with a view - 7-22-2013 at 07:03 PM

:lol::lol::lol:

no kidding! i'm crossing at san luis and from what i can tell it is sleepy.

David K - 7-22-2013 at 07:13 PM

AC yes at El Sacrificio.... at least in July 2011.

tripledigitken - 7-22-2013 at 07:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
AC yes at El Sacrificio.... at least in July 2011.



David,

Yes they have ac in the rooms, not sure if they run 24hrs.

Can you confirm this?

Ken

David K - 7-23-2013 at 08:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
AC yes at El Sacrificio.... at least in July 2011.



David,

Yes they have ac in the rooms, not sure if they run 24hrs.

Can you confirm this?

Ken


Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Sacrificiogonzaga

Back in 2011, the manager was quite proud that they had 100% solar powered AC. You can see the AC in one of the cabin photos. I have nothing new to add, but perhaps you can ask on Facebook?

tripledigitken - 7-23-2013 at 08:33 AM

David,

Years ago on a very hot July evening we found the only hotel in Bahia de los Angeles with air conditioned rooms. After having a nice dinner we settled in to our cooled room and fell fast asleep. At 10pm the ac unit went off when the town's generator was shut off. After being peeed off we laughed, still do.

When we stay at El Sac. again this next Jan. I will try turning on the ac in the middle of the night.

Ken

David K - 7-23-2013 at 11:18 PM

Do you need it in Jan. ?

I guess they must have one heck of a battery and inverter set up to have AC without using a generator?

tripledigitken - 7-24-2013 at 03:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Do you need it in Jan. ?



That is the only time we will be staying there. Will be nice to know the system works for those considering staying there in summer.

Ken