BajaNomad

san diego to gonzaga bay

buddha - 1-15-2014 at 05:48 PM

How is the road to Gonzaga Bay?

I heard the road was improved and maybe it is all paved now?

No problem for a 2WD truck?

David K - 1-15-2014 at 05:53 PM

Hwy. 5 is paved from Mexicali to the arroyo just north of Papa Fernandez' camp driveway, Bahia San Luis Gonzaga... about 2.5 miles north of the Gonzaga Pemex at Alfonsina's road (and Rancho Grande market).

From the Pemex to Hwy. 1 is about 36 miles... and that is rough, graded dirt road.

chuckie - 1-16-2014 at 03:49 AM

Graded meaning they rolled the rocks over once or twice:o

basautter - 1-16-2014 at 05:22 AM

Watch out for the arroyos between San Felipe and Puertecitos. Not all are marked, and some are deep and steep! From Puertocitos to Gonzaga is smooth sailing, except for the last couple of miles, which is gravel. Have fun!

David K - 1-16-2014 at 10:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by basautter
Watch out for the arroyos between San Felipe and Puertecitos. Not all are marked, and some are deep and steep! From Puertocitos to Gonzaga is smooth sailing, except for the last couple of miles, which is gravel. Have fun!


Exactly, the late 1980's paved road from the San Felipe airport road to Puertecitos is old style, narrow, sharp turns, steep dips, not for high speed. The 2007+ highway from Puertecitos to Gonzaga is new style, paved shoulders (bike lanes), bridges, high speed.

North of Puertecitos:









South of Puertecitos:














EL HUERFANITO (The Little Orphan)




EL MUERTO (The Dead Man)

buddha - 1-16-2014 at 09:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by basautter
Watch out for the arroyos between San Felipe and Puertecitos. Not all are marked, and some are deep and steep! From Puertocitos to Gonzaga is smooth sailing, except for the last couple of miles, which is gravel. Have fun!


So the last two miles to Gonzaga Bay is rough going? The arroyos between San Felipe and Puertocitos are doable but have to drive slowly?

Thanks to all for the help we are going down there in April, maybe they will complete the road?

David K - 1-16-2014 at 11:11 PM

I didn't say that...
Paved roads are rare in Baja so you can't fear dirt roads. 4WD is not needed on that road.

BajaIan - 1-28-2014 at 01:39 PM

Are road conditions to Gonzaga suitable for a 24 Class C? Also, I've crossed at Tecate several years back in a pick up truck and stopped just b4 the border crossing to buy my insurance but am concerned that the parking at the shop/gas station might be too small for a 24 footer, any thoughts on this?

paranewbi - 1-28-2014 at 03:07 PM

Saw a vehicle just like yours there a few months ago BajaIan...at pavement end just go slow, it's only a few miles to the heart of Gonzaga, a place called Rancho Grande. Really no problem for you.

Welcome to BN BajaIan!

BeemerDan - 1-28-2014 at 04:23 PM

I saw a post on advrider yesterday that said its now paved to the Pemex in Gonzaga:?:
When I was down in late Oct the bridge was open and pavement ended there.

David K - 1-28-2014 at 07:11 PM

See TW's report... some first layers of asphalt are already south of Rancho Grande... but it was dirt detours south of the bridge.

BajaIan - 1-28-2014 at 09:26 PM

Thanks guys appreciated

Gonzaga Bay

bajaguy - 1-28-2014 at 09:54 PM

Was there this week

Trip recap:

Highway 3 from Ensenada to Hwy 5 at the military checkpoint north of San Felipe is in great shape. Many areas of new pavement and resurfacing. Today they were paving at the military checkpoint at Ojos Negros.

From Hwy 3 south on Hwy 5 through San Felipe to the airport turnoff, no problems.

Hwy 5 south of the airport to Puertecitos, plenty of vados, some marked, some not. Slow down and it will be ok. Again, road work, resurfacing several sections.

Puertecitos to the bridge just north of the turnoff to Papa Fernandez' is paved and in great shape. Watch out for rocks on the highway....apparently whoever built the road didn't bother to step back the road cuts and many areas have mini rock slides.

A military checkpoint just south of the Papa Fernandez' turnoff. South of the Papa Fernandez' turnoff to the PEMEX at Gonzaga Bay and further south the road is graded dirt, pretty smooth, no pavement being laid, but road prep getting ready for asphalt.

Trip can be done with 2WD or a motorhome, just drive slow.