Assuming the border between Canada and the US is open for non-essential land travel, my wife and I are planning our first drive down to our new place
near San Jose del Cabo. I have enjoyed reading many great suggestions from all of the baja vets on the board. I am looking to consolidate the
thoughts and personalize it to a trip in the second half of October.
We will cover the I-5 part fairly quickly as we have been there and done that. We are looking for suggestions for the trip south from LA area.
1. Where is the quickest and safest place to cross the border into Mexico? We will load up our old 4Runner like the Beverly Hillbillies with personal
stuff we are bringing to our new Cabo home (roof rack and bikes on the hitch).
2. What time of day should we cross?
3. Where should we stay the night in the US the night before we cross? Smaller hotel of decent quality and fair price
4. We would like to spend 2 nights (one full day) in the winery region of the Guadalupe Valley. Cute little hotel with a pool and A/C suggestions?
5. After finding some new favourite Mexican wines, we would like to enjoy the drive down (maybe 4-5 days from Guadalupe). There are so many
spectacular places to see on the way south. What do you recommend? We live near some spectacular beaches on the East Cape, so long white beaches
don't need to be on the top of our list to see. We are looking for scenery unique to Baja.
6. I have read about the carjacking. I hope that it is an unusual circumstance and not quick to be repeated. Which route does everyone recommend?
Thanks in advance for the suggestions. Cheers.
David K - 9-5-2021 at 04:15 PM
Your #4 dictates crossing at Tecate which is popular with many anyway.
If you read Nomad, you might know that my advice might be to not rush across this amazing peninsula just to reach the bottom of it.
Explore and experience the great sites of the 'middle' and don't stick to a time schedule. eastmeetswest - 9-5-2021 at 04:42 PM
A very good point. We have plenty of time to explore the bottom of the peninsula using our home as a base. Some people recommend crossing the border
early in the day to get as far south as you can on the first travel day in Baja. Why? Is there a safety reason for this recommendation?David K - 9-5-2021 at 04:54 PM
Guadalupe Valley is only 30 minutes south of the border, so that cancels the fear of darkness idea.
Hard to see the views, the side roads, the cows sleeping on the highway, camping spots, in the dark. We recommend you figure to stop driving at least
an hour or two before sundown.
Some days, just don't drive (much). Places I can think of that deserve more time include: San Borja, Bahía de los Ángeles, San Ignacio, Bahía
Concepción.
Are you committed to I-5?
AKgringo - 9-5-2021 at 05:00 PM
My last trip down through Canada was in late October 2018. I crossed into the US at Sumas, driving a Kia Sportage pulling a small utility trailer.
I did not like being squeezed between the big rigs and traffic that was faster than I felt safe, so I headed east on highway 20, and traveled down the
east side of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada ranges.
It take longer, but is so much more to my style of driving than I-5 that I would do it again! I had to stop in Northern California, so I headed west
on I-80 at Reno, but you could continue south on highway 95 through Nevada, or through Carson City on 395 (weather permitting)and head toward El
Centro. Gasoline is much cheaper in NV than on I-5.
From El Centro, you could head west on I-8, or cross into Baja at Mexicali and head toward Tecate on Mx 2D.mtgoat666 - 9-5-2021 at 08:10 PM
Sierra de San Pedro martir (national,park)
Catavina (Baja’s version of Joshua tree)
Sierra San franscisquito (great drive into mountains, cave paintings if you have time)
San Ignacio (great old mission town)
The guadalupe,valley wineries are ok, like most wineries, sort of tourist traps to extract your money, and,you don’t care because it is pretty and
you are inebriated. There are some great restaurants.
Drive the 1. The 5 is boring desert wasteland, route down 1 has better scenery. David K - 9-6-2021 at 08:31 AM
Drive the 1. The 5 is boring desert wasteland, route down 1 has better scenery.
Some of that 'boring' scenery on Hwy. 5, south of San Felipe:
eastmeetswest - 9-6-2021 at 09:11 AM
Great ideas so far. Thanks to everyone. We know the wineries exist to extract our money. However, we love wine and we would like to drink Baja wine
while in Mexico rather than simply drinking Costco wines. This requires a bit of homework.
Any recommendations for accomodation in Guadalupe, San Borja, Bahía de los Ángeles, San Ignacio, Bahía Concepción? Cool lunch stops along the
way?
Muchas GraciasDavid K - 9-6-2021 at 09:27 AM
You mentioned 4Runner, so I assumed you were campers?
San Borja has camping papalas with flush toilets and showers. Bahía Concepción has a luxury boutique inn (Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort) and lots
of camping places. Some rental homes as well (Playa Buenaventura +).
San Ignacio: Hotel La Huerta (just past the mission, on the right).
Bahía de los Angeles has numerous camping places and motels. The Costa del Sol is usually the most popular. Hotel Los Vientos is north of town on the
road to La Gringa, and has had mixed reviews but the latest were positive.
I didn't mention it earlier, but if inclined to explore... Drive the paved road west from Vizcaíno to Bahía Asunción where Shari will take good
care of you at her La Bufadora Inn. Fishing, swimming, exploring, fossil hunting, and a growing appreciation will make you want to see this little gem
before it becomes the next 'Cabo'!
Want to see these places? My trip reports with photos and maps cover most of Baja:
[Edited on 9-6-2021 by David K]eastmeetswest - 9-6-2021 at 03:42 PM
Thank you. Excellent information and the trip reports are very helpful. We won't be camping because my wife is a hotel camper. We are excited about
seeing some of the sights on our first drive down Baja!JZ - 9-6-2021 at 04:22 PM
scenery on Hwy. 5, south of San Felipe:
