BajaNomad

From Calexico to Cabo

ChrisandSandy - 4-18-2020 at 12:24 PM

Hello,
First time here. I was (tentatively) planning a motorcycle trip from Calexico to Cabo in October...Route 5, and then Route 1.
Has anyone done this? I was wondering if 3 days is sufficient time as I was planning to meet my wife (who will fly in) in Cabo.

Any information would be great.
Thanks!
-Chris

Howard - 4-18-2020 at 01:03 PM

Yes, it can be done. What is the mileage range on your bike?

Do you have tentative stopping points?

mtgoat666 - 4-18-2020 at 01:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisandSandy  

Has anyone done this? I was wondering if 3 days is sufficient time


Road is paved and well-traveled, countless motorcycles,trucks, cars, etc. do it every year. It’s a regular road.

Is 3 days enough? Ya. But it’s a long ride, and 3 day trip won’t leave you much time to see anything along the way. If time is short, then fly.

David K - 4-18-2020 at 01:42 PM

It is possible, but why zip through the best of Baja to just go to 'that place' at the tip? All I am saying is that there is so much beauty and wonder along the 1,000 miles to Cabo, you should try to enjoy it if this is your first time. Going to Cabo and saying you've been to Baja is like going to Las Vegas and saying you've been to America. Cabo can be fun, but it is pretty much all of what the rest of Baja is not.

So, what time can you be at Calexico to cross... as this will determine where you will get on the first day? If early, then you can easily make it halfway down, San Ignacio (stay at La Huerta, just past the mission/ town plaza). If not early, then there are many choices at Guerrero Negro, an hour and a half sooner than San Ignacio.

The second day, you might get to Cabo, but since that would require an early start plus many more towns to pass through, you should sleep in a bit, have breakfast (good restaurant at La Huerta), and stop along Bahia Concepcion for lunch at Playa Buenaventura (Mark & Olivia's). Make Loreto your next night... if too soon, then Ciudad Constitución.

The third day you can easily ride to Cabo and not get there in the dark!

I am happy to share photos, maps, and points of interest throughout the peninsula! My website is www.vivabaja.com for a heavy dose of Baja adventure planning ideas.


JZ - 4-18-2020 at 01:58 PM

Have your wife fly into Loreto. Direct flights from LAX.

Cabo is not Baja. It's a big tourist trap.

Do a side trip to La Paz. Get out on the ocean in Loreto and La Paz. It's a life changing experience. Watch the video in my sig, it was shot around Loreto and La Paz.



[Edited on 4-18-2020 by JZ]

ZipLine - 4-18-2020 at 03:26 PM

Loreto is a really nice place for a meet-up with your sweetheart.

All the way to Cabo? Can, but it would be safer and you will keep your concentration on the bike and road better with shorter days. There are plenty of places to go fast, but pretty decent coverage by Federales. It's a really nice place to look at, but you'll be focused on the road.

ChrisandSandy - 4-18-2020 at 03:26 PM

Thanks for all of the great feedback.
And about "flying" through Baja...I know...I know..:(.
Its an inaugural trip for myself, and a bit of a compromise with my wife. The plan is to do it a few times a year. On this trip, I plan to store my motorcycle in Cabo and reverse the process in a few months. I've investigated this quite a bit, and plan to spend many more days on future visits!

Thanks again!

Howard - 4-18-2020 at 03:56 PM

I also would give a strong vote for Loreto including storing your bike there.

If you must get Cabo out of your system (Most of us did at one time) rent a car in Loreto and drive to Cabo and spend as much or as little time as you want there and treat Loreto as your home base and venture out from there. It's only about a 7 hour drive from Loreto. It is a nice drive going one way down the East Cape and the other way going through Todos Santos. You can even spend the night in La Paz and get a feel of that.

If your going to party and get loco (Once again, like most of us did at one time) Loreto is not the place and Cabo would be.

Don't you love other people telling you how to spend your life! :biggrin:

del mar - 4-18-2020 at 04:00 PM

sounds like a blast! where you staying in Cabo and whats your ride?

ChrisandSandy - 4-18-2020 at 04:03 PM

Sounds like Loreto is the place to be. I'll keep that in mind. I'm riding a KLR650 down and (probably) staying at the Riu Palace. We spend a few days there last year, after flying in. It was very nice and to my wife's liking.

del mar - 4-18-2020 at 04:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisandSandy  
Sounds like Loreto is the place to be. I'll keep that in mind. I'm riding a KLR650 down and (probably) staying at the Riu Palace. We spend a few days there last year, after flying in. It was very nice and to my wife's liking.


I think Sandy's got the right idea! :coolup: salud!

ChrisandSandy - 4-18-2020 at 04:20 PM

:). That's what she tells me..
Thanks!

JZ - 4-20-2020 at 02:22 PM

I keep my truck and our bikes right by the airport in Loreto. We do 3-4 trips down over a few months before bringing them back.

Your wife will love Loreto. Stay at La Mision hotel. It's really nice.

BajaBlanca - 4-21-2020 at 01:41 AM

Loreto for sure! It is such a neat town. The beaches NORTH of Loreto (Bahia Concepcion area) are some of the most beautiful as seen from road. We live here and it still take my breath away every time we drive it.

Have fun and welcome to Baja Nomad ChrisandSandy!