BajaNomad

Easiest border crossing for San Felipe?

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 07:31 AM

Travelling in a 24 ft class C motor home with kids. Been through Tecate b4 and found it to be easy but never done it in an RV.

Mexicali west crossing

John M - 1-29-2014 at 07:45 AM

The west Mexicali crossing is pretty straightforward. Highway 111 through the center of Calexico actually ends directly at the border crossing into Mexico. About 1/4 mile after entering Baja you'll take a right turn onto Adolfo Lopez Mateos and this eventually becomes Highway 5. At each major intersection through Mexicali there are signs reminding you which lane to be in for San Felipe. The drawback is that you are driving through town (and related traffic) for 20+ minutes or so instead of just a few minutes in Tecate.

I'm attaching a map of the immediate crossing area.



You can disregard the visa stop information.

John M

Crossing

bajaguy - 1-29-2014 at 07:50 AM

I second the Mexicali crossing. Hwy 3 from Tecate would be out of your way and it would be quite a ride for kids in a motorhome. They are also doing road repairs/paving all along HWY 3 from Ensenada to the jct with Hwy 5

Mexicali looks to be quicker and a straight shot south on a fairly good road.
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaIan
Travelling in a 24 ft class C motor home with kids. Been through Tecate b4 and found it to be easy but never done it in an RV.

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 08:32 AM

Thanks, I thought if I crossed at Tecate, the best route from there would be 2D?

bajaguy - 1-29-2014 at 08:37 AM

That is going to be an interesting ride down La Rumorosa grade.

I suggest east on Interstate 8 and south on 111.
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaIan
Thanks, I thought if I crossed at Tecate, the best route from there would be 2D?


[Edited on 1-29-2014 by bajaguy]

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 09:03 AM

Thanks Bajaguy

2D

John M - 1-29-2014 at 09:10 AM

2D would be the logical route from Tecate - features a terribly long & quite steep descent for a motorhome. 2D would bring you to the very southern edge of Mexicali, missing all the town traffic. I'd suggest someone who had driven 2D in a like vehicle should comment.

mcfez - 1-29-2014 at 10:12 AM

See all the entries.....
http://bryanmaultasch.blogspot.com/2011/05/series-of-border-...

We prefer the east.....it's a few miles further to get to on the USA side...but makes up the time by NOT having to deal with all the traffic of the old gate once it is passed (city traffic).

Don't know what ages your kids are...but I would sit them down for a few minutes and explain to them that the military check point 20 miles north of SF is not a threat of any sort. Somethings kids dont understand.......

San Felipe is a great destination......we have roots there. Be sure to go down to Gonzaga Bay.....a paved road now and the kids will love the road.





[Edited on 1-29-2014 by mcfez]

index.jpg - 11kB

dasubergeek - 1-29-2014 at 10:37 AM

Traffic in Mexicali is not the scrum that it is in Tijuana... so I'm with those who say just cross at the normal West border crossing and head south on Hwy. 5. Don't do 2D in a high-profile vehicle if it's at all windy.

Bajajorge - 1-29-2014 at 10:53 AM

I agree with Mcfez, the East crossing is a much quicker way to Hwy5. Ten minutes, maybe. All RVs must use the right lane, a quick inspection and you're on your way.

CortezBlue - 1-29-2014 at 11:19 AM

Which child do you love best?????

For me it is the East. If you have a large vehicle it is a straight through shot. If you do get secondary, it is a very large area that you can pull into without any problems

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 11:34 AM

By East, is that Calexico East? Yes the plan is to make our way down to Gonzaga.

sancho - 1-29-2014 at 12:11 PM

That has been debated before, Mexicali West/East, I go
east on 8 out of San Diego, take a right on, I believe it
is 98, a side road, some 15 mi. west of Calexico. Cross
at the Old Downtown west crossing. There is maybe
4 mi. of city type driving, 10 siganls or so, until you
leave Mexicali for the open road, not bad at all,
have done it in a 24 ' MH, but everyone has there favorite, but I believe parking at the East Crossing can be easier for
getting an fmm, if that is in your plans

David K - 1-29-2014 at 01:05 PM

Ian, you don't say where you are coming from?
San Diego and Orange County:

805 to 94 to Tecate >>> Hwy. 2-D to Hwy. 5
OR
805 to 8 to 111 south to Mexicali >>> Hwy. 5

Tecate is less stress than Mexicali... and much smaller city, however you do have the long downgrade on 2-D to the desert and it isn't as RV friendly as I-8, but it is 2 lanes each direction, like I-8, only a toll road so between Tecate and Hwy. 5 you will pay over $10US (total) for the three tolls combined (El Hongo, La Rumorosa, Mexicali south).

If you are coming from anywhere else, head for Calexico/ Mexicali West or the Mexicali East crossing. and then go south to San Felipe... 125 miles. Gonzaga Bay is another 95 miles south. Don't be in a rush!

nbacc - 1-29-2014 at 04:11 PM

I am with McFez. It is pretty easy nancy

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 05:55 PM

Thanks everyone. To answer David K, coming from Canada with a pretty open slate other than I want to make it to Gonzaga for a decent chunk of time.

David K - 1-29-2014 at 06:14 PM

Gonzaga is great... but after a drive from The Great White North, I hope you get to some other spots, as well. Bahia de los Angeles, Bahia Asuncion, Bahia Concepcion should also get a few days, and each for different reasons.

Gonzaga is rustic, so don't expect touristy party places there. It is a great beach, bay, and some interesting geology nearby (if it is too windy to be on the water).

See my 'self-guided tours' web page for links to photos of various points of interest grouped around many Baja destinations. Several for Gonzaga (hope you have a 'toad' or motor bike to explore out from your RV): http://vivabaja.com/tours

These are clickable links on the web page:

Bahia San Luis Gonzaga Area

Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay
Alfonsina's Beach
Onyx Springs create a mineral glacier
Molino de Lacy ruins & grave
Las Palmitas oasis and Santa Maria Canyon
El Camino Real to Mision Santa Maria
Santa Maria Canyon from the air
La Turquesa Canyon
La Turquesa Grade
Calamajue mission site
Campo Beluga (Gonzaga Bay)
Coco's Corner 11-06
Alfonsina's 11-06
more Coco's Corner



[Edited on 1-30-2014 by David K]

Tacodawgtim - 1-29-2014 at 08:07 PM

I am heading down next week with a friend on Harley's to San Felipe. Another friend is leaving in a few days we are waiting to confirm all the detours are done. I like the east boarder,pretty simple to get to, gas station just before the border and two hours later I'm in San Felipe, if no detours. I have heard the five bridges are ready just one small detour was still being worked on. Don't need to ride the bikes over their gravel roads. The rest of HWY5 is great

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 11:02 PM

Yes David, I've been to LA Bay and Concepcion on several trips, love those areas. Never done the Northern Cortez area and really want to b4 Gonzaga etc gets developed now that the road is paved.

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Gonzaga is great... but after a drive from The Great White North, I hope you get to some other spots, as well. Bahia de los Angeles, Bahia Asuncion, Bahia Concepcion should also get a few days, and each for different reasons.

Gonzaga is rustic, so don't expect touristy party places there. It is a great beach, bay, and some interesting geology nearby (if it is too windy to be on the water).

See my 'self-guided tours' web page for links to photos of various points of interest grouped around many Baja destinations. Several for Gonzaga (hope you have a 'toad' or motor bike to explore out from your RV): http://vivabaja.com/tours

These are clickable links on the web page:

Bahia San Luis Gonzaga Area

Mission-era warehouse ruins on the shore of the bay
Alfonsina's Beach
Onyx Springs create a mineral glacier
Molino de Lacy ruins & grave
Las Palmitas oasis and Santa Maria Canyon
El Camino Real to Mision Santa Maria
Santa Maria Canyon from the air
La Turquesa Canyon
La Turquesa Grade
Calamajue mission site
Campo Beluga (Gonzaga Bay)
Coco's Corner 11-06
Alfonsina's 11-06
more Coco's Corner



[Edited on 1-30-2014 by David K]

grace59 - 1-30-2014 at 07:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tacodawgtim
I am heading down next week with a friend on Harley's to San Felipe. Another friend is leaving in a few days we are waiting to confirm all the detours are done. I like the east boarder,pretty simple to get to, gas station just before the border and two hours later I'm in San Felipe, if no detours. I have heard the five bridges are ready just one small detour was still being worked on. Don't need to ride the bikes over their gravel roads. The rest of HWY5 is great

It is my understanding that all the detours are done! The road to San Felipe is finished. They are still working to smooth out the bumps where the road joins into the new bridges. Post about your trip. My husband is really wanting to ride his Harley all the way down, but can't find a riding partner and I really don't want him going all that way alone.

bajaguy - 1-30-2014 at 07:35 AM

Get him a SPOT!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
My husband is really wanting to ride his Harley all the way down, but can't find a riding partner and I really don't want him going all that way alone.

dizzyspots - 1-30-2014 at 01:04 PM

So the 1st time (07) we used the Algodones crossing....guess it was "scenic" thru all the farms but SLOW!

since then we have crossed at San Luis...coming over from Tucson to Yuma.

Would the Calexico East be a better choice...pulling a 19ft boat...and making that sharp left into secondary at San Luis has been a PITA...your thoughts??

Jaybo - 1-30-2014 at 01:23 PM

Have they done any work on the 5 bridge just before Gonzaga?

bajaguy - 1-30-2014 at 01:25 PM

That bridge is completed and the pavement ends there
Quote:
Originally posted by Jaybo
Have they done any work on the 5 bridge just before Gonzaga?