BajaNomad

Tecate to San Felipe? Or Mexically?

steve5555 - 5-20-2021 at 03:52 PM

Hey everyone, I live in Jamul 25 minutes on the US side from Tecate. I know that border crossing pretty well.

Im going to SF tomorrow early and debating whether to drive out to Calexico and cross there or go through Tecate.

Toll road cost? which is quicker etc?

Thoughts?

Steve

Tecate would be my choice

John M - 5-20-2021 at 04:00 PM

If you take the toll road east from Tecate you have the advantage of missing most of traffic and congestion through Mexicali.

I do not recall the toll - probably less than one-hundred dollars.

John M

Maderita - 5-20-2021 at 05:14 PM

I assume that you will be driving south on Highway 5 toward San Felipe? From Jamul, I recommend the route through Tecate. As John M said, you can avoid most of the Mexicali city traffic. The toll road to La Rumorosa, Highway 2D ("cuota") is safer and faster than the libre (free) Highway 2. The first toll booth at El Hongo is just under $5 ($4.60 a few weeks ago). Bring small bills for the tolls. There is a toll booth at La Rumorosa (summit of the grade) and another in the desert. Gear down on the steep grade to save the brakes.

La Casa de Piedra (historical stone house) is a nice stop to stretch the legs and view the desert/Laguna Salada. Eastbound, about 3/8 mile east of the Rumorosa toll booth. Several banners/flags may mark the tight entrance; it's easy to miss. If towing, better to park on the shoulder of the highway. My friend Alfredo Vizcarra owns Casa de Piedra and charges a few pesos.

Edit to add: Check the Tecate hours of operation. The border had been closed at 2:00 PM due to the pandemic. Recently extended to 4:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Rumor had it that southbound into Mexico may have longer hours, though I have not verified that.




[Edited on 5-21-2021 by Maderita]

steve5555 - 5-20-2021 at 05:53 PM

Hey Great advice! I will do that. Thanks Maderita and John!

Steve

David K - 5-20-2021 at 06:04 PM

I also recommend that route. Three tolls, with a total of about $12 for all three. Make sure you take the right fork for San Felipe, 2-D to 5, after the Laguna Salada valley.

[Edited on 5-21-2021 by David K]

steve5555 - 5-23-2021 at 09:00 PM

Hey thanks again. It was a quick trip. We went through Tecate both ways. We had a double axel trailer which raised the cost of the toll Road but still it was ~$24 each way.

BTW yes Tecate border crossing is open till 2pm weekdays and 4pm on weekends. It took us 2.5 hours get get back to US today as we got to the Mex side of the the Garita at 1230pm.

The other highlight for us was we drove out to Canyon Diablo West of San Felipe. Amazing! We swam in a pool with deep end of 8' of crystal clear water! Any other cool spots like this - let us know. I totally want to explore Baja more. The ranch hand charged us 100 peso each on the way in but it was well worth it.


Steve

JZ - 5-23-2021 at 09:11 PM

Pics?

steve5555 - 5-24-2021 at 07:32 AM



IMG_1221.jpeg - 227kB

more pics

steve5555 - 5-24-2021 at 07:36 AM



[Edited on 5-25-2021 by steve5555]

IMG_1149.jpeg - 252kBIMG_1179.jpeg - 236kBIMG_1192.jpeg - 216kB

David K - 5-24-2021 at 10:14 AM

Nice pic Steve! More, please!

steve5555 - 5-25-2021 at 02:38 PM

OK, finally figured out the pic posting. :-)

Thanks again for the info that made this possible.

Steve

JZ - 5-25-2021 at 05:58 PM

Wow, that is sweet. Looks like a blast. How was the water temp?


steve5555 - 5-25-2021 at 08:12 PM

70's or so. cool to get in but the comfortable. so clean!

Steve

Maderita - 5-27-2021 at 04:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by steve5555  
...Any other cool spots like this - let us know. I totally want to explore Baja more...

Hey Steve,
Did you make the rope traverse above the pool to go further up the canyon?
You're probably aware of Guadalupe Canyon? I will post a link here since this is a popular (crowded) place. There are two sides of the canyon with different ownership and campsites. This is one side:
http://guadalupecanyonoasis.com/index.html
If you want info on more remote places in northern Baja, send a U2U. The less publicity about pristine wilderness locations, the better. But happy to share with individuals who will respect nature.

[Edited on 5-27-2021 by Maderita]

PaulW - 5-27-2021 at 08:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by steve5555  
Hey thanks again.
The ranch hand charged us 100 peso each on the way in but it was well worth it.
Steve

=== ===
The GPS track I use bypasses the gate. The track follows the fence north of the corral and gate. That track still works after over 10 years, but it is no longer the well worn track that the rancher uses. Most folks forget the GPS and just follow the road and arrive at the gate. I am guilty of that and had to back up from the gate and resort to the GPS. Sigh.

BTW, That ranch with the gate in question is west of the main ranch called Santa Clara.

Another Map error:
The Atlas shows a road from Canyon Diablo heading north which does not exist.

David K - 5-28-2021 at 08:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Quote: Originally posted by steve5555  
Hey thanks again.
The ranch hand charged us 100 peso each on the way in but it was well worth it.
Steve

=== ===
The GPS track I use bypasses the gate. The track follows the fence north of the corral and gate. That track still works after over 10 years, but it is no longer the well worn track that the rancher uses. Most folks forget the GPS and just follow the road and arrive at the gate. I am guilty of that and had to back up from the gate and resort to the GPS. Sigh.

BTW, That ranch with the gate in question is west of the main ranch called Santa Clara.

Another Map error:
The Atlas shows a road from Canyon Diablo heading north which does not exist.


Make a list to submit to Benchmark for the next edition.

[Edited on 5-28-2021 by David K]