BajaNomad

LA to San Jose Del Cabo 4th July weekend (ish)

shermsla - 5-26-2022 at 07:11 PM

Hi, total novice here. I've read a number of the posts regarding the drive South (which are enlightening) but I still have a number of questions that I'm hoping you (very) helpful people can answer!

Some background. My wife and I have visited Los Cabos many times, have bought a plot of land to build a house and have now rented an apartment to use while all that happens. And we plan to drive down over the holiday weekend to deliver a car for our use. We've never set foot on the rest of Baja and we certainly don't have unlimited time (unfortunately).

The original thought was to drive to Guadalupe day 1 (from LA), obviously crossing at TJ, then spend nights 1 and 2 there, set out day 3 and get to SJC on day 4. Flying back to LA the next day.

But, having read several of the posts I'm beginning to wonder if we're being too ambitious, so I'd like to ask the following:

If we go route 1 through TJ and spend 2 nights and a day in Guadalupe should we plan on spending 2 nights, rather than 1, to complete the journey?

Or should we just go Mexicali route 5 and spend 3 nights on the road?

In either case, I'd be eternally grateful for recommendations (in both cases) on which towns we should realistically aim to get to for our overnights and where in those towns we should stay and eat.

And if there's anything else I need to know, well, I'm all ears!

Thanking you all in advance,

Sherms.

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 5-26-2022 at 08:06 PM

I prefer the east side (MX 5) when I travel south from Northern CA, mainly because it avoids a lot of SOCAL, TJ, and Ensenada traffic! I have never driven it in July though, and the west side of the peninsula is probably a little cooler.

If I was starting my drive from L.A., I think I would cross at Tecate and either drive down through Guadalupe, or head east on MX 2D over the La Rumorosa grade which will bypass a lot of Mexicali traffic.

RFClark - 5-26-2022 at 08:10 PM

Hi,

We go back and forth often. If you have never driven the road you should plan on 2 nights and 3 days to get there. Going down HWY5 you can spend night 1 in Guerrero Negro. Spend night 2 somewhere around Loreto and drive to SJC on day 3. It stays light later this time of year and the total driving time is about 19 Hrs. 6 or 7 hours driving per day is plenty. There’s a military checkpoint between Mexicali and San Felipe at HWY 3. The next checkpoint is prior to Guerrero Negro. The 3rd is at San Ignacio. The last military checkpoint is about 26KM prior to Loreto.

There are 2 police checkpoints at La Paz but both are currently unmanned. Currently because of accidents there is an increased police presence between La Paz and Los Cabos.

shermsla - 5-28-2022 at 02:59 PM

RFClark. LA to GN in one day? Google maps tells me that a 13+ hour drive. Currently we’re thinking of stopping night 1 in Mexicali, then i think night 2 in GN, night 3 in Loreto and arrive SJC day 4. Does that seem realistic?
Anyone got any sleeping/eating recommendations in those places.
Thanks again.

Howard - 5-28-2022 at 05:30 PM

I just sent you a U2U

RFClark - 5-28-2022 at 09:02 PM

We leave from San Felipe, so yes a night there and you can reach San Ignacio the 2nd Night. There’s a B&B in San Ignacio called Ignacio Springs. They have yurts, a great bar, serve dinner for a little extra and include breakfast.

It’s about 6 hrs from San Felipe to San Ignacio. That gives you more time to sightsee between Santa Rosalia and Loreto the next day. Good Chinese food in San Felipe and Santa Rosalia. The General’s in San Felipe for tacos. There’s a good Mexican Restaurant just south of the 5/1 junction which is about 2 hrs south of San Felipe it also has point to point internet suitable for WiFi phone calls.

Mulage south of Santa Rosalia has a number of good restaurants. We like Hostorico Las Casitas for food and they rent basic rooms too!

George’s in Loreto is my favorite there. There are other good places. We usually stay at Hotel Tripui south of Loreto they have a good restaurant and there’s good restaurant at the Marina next door.

There’s a great beach restaurant/Bar called Vista al Mar between Loreto and Tripui really worth the stop.

Constitution has lots of restaurants. Baja Teriiyaki is good!

We don’t stop in La Paz often but lots of good places.

Todos Santos is worth a stop if you have time the Hotel California is great for food and as a place to stay.

Pescidaro is on the Highway has lots of excellent restaurants if you like Carnitas tacos, Carnitas Machin is to die for! Also Lucky 23 Restaurant next door.

Just outside Cabo is the Colucci Café has great food and coffee drinks.

Cabo is full of places!



David K - 5-29-2022 at 07:12 AM

Good job RF! Very helpful data!!

Since I am a map guy, let me give the town spellings, as they might appear on highway signs:
Ciudad Constitución (abbreviated: Cd. Constitución)
Pescadero

AKgringo - 5-29-2022 at 07:35 AM

I read an article a couple of years ago about Pemex stations in Baja Sur, which included a map. The article had been translated from Spanish, and it included English versions of the various towns.

Pescadero showed up as "Fish Monger", and La Paz was labeled "The Peace".

pauldavidmena - 5-29-2022 at 09:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I read an article a couple of years ago about Pemex stations in Baja Sur, which included a map. The article had been translated from Spanish, and it included English versions of the various towns.

Pescadero showed up as "Fish Monger", and La Paz was labeled "The Peace".


Fish Monger is just south of All Saints, which is about an hour from both The Peace and The Ends.

boe4fun - 5-29-2022 at 12:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Good job RF! Very helpful data!!

Since I am a map guy, let me give the town spellings, as they might appear on highway signs:
Ciudad Constitución (abbreviated: Cd. Constitución)
Pescadero


Don’t forget Mulage!!!

RFClark - 5-29-2022 at 12:39 PM

Siri doesn’t do Spanish place names! That said it’s difficult to miss much there’s only one paved road going south!

David K - 5-29-2022 at 01:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by boe4fun  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Good job RF! Very helpful data!!

Since I am a map guy, let me give the town spellings, as they might appear on highway signs:
Ciudad Constitución (abbreviated: Cd. Constitución)
Pescadero


Don’t forget Mulage!!!


I didn't see that in his reply??

shermsla - 5-29-2022 at 02:46 PM

Thank you everyone, super helpful information.

DIWR17 - 5-30-2022 at 08:52 AM

If you're time limited, you can do it easy from Ensenada in 2 days. Yes, Hwy 5 is a much better trip but if you're coming from the LA area may be easier to go down 1. Border crossing going south at San Ysidro is a breeze. We're doing the return trip down in a week.

My usual schedule is, Hotel Coral Marina (Ensenada), Yurt Place(San Ignacio), San Jose by 6pm the next day.

Just watch your stuff at the Military checkpoint at San Ignacio.

shermsla - 5-30-2022 at 09:22 AM

Thanks DIWR17. We're booked thru the 5 route, 3 nights, Mexicali-GN-Loreto, 2 nights in SJC then fly back to LAX.
I'll let everyone know how we get on!

Howard - 5-30-2022 at 10:53 AM

Don't forget, you must get tested for COVID within 24 hours before your flight back to the states.

shermsla - 5-30-2022 at 12:34 PM

Yes, thanks Howard, we'll get that done at our hotel in Cabo.

Alm - 5-30-2022 at 07:01 PM

Before they finished Hwy 5, I used to take Hwy 1 from Tijuana to Bahia de LA. I don't think it ever took me less than 7 hours to get to the BOLA turn-off. Make it 8 hours to Guerrero Negro. There are curves, speed bumps, San Quntin traffic, 8-wheelers making it through the curves at 20 mph in front of you. This is a 2 lanes road, one lane each way.

RFClark - 5-30-2022 at 08:17 PM

Yes, that’s why HWY5 is better. San Felipe to the 28th 4 1/2 hrs at 100KPH! San Ignacio is about 6hrs plus a lunch stop and a gas fill up at the 28th!

BajaBlanca - 5-31-2022 at 03:15 AM

The military checkpoints can be scary if you have never seen them before. The guys have machine guns and sometimes ask you to exit the vehicle. They are looking for drugs and firearms. Take purses wallets and docs with you as you exit, keep an eye on the guys at all times.

In G Negro one pays a tiny fee for spraying the vehicle for agricultural reasons.

Congrats on the new home and new adventure!

boe4fun - 5-31-2022 at 07:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by boe4fun  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Good job RF! Very helpful data!!

Since I am a map guy, let me give the town spellings, as they might appear on highway signs:
Ciudad Constitución (abbreviated: Cd. Constitución)
Pescadero


Don’t forget Mulage!!!



Mulage south of Santa Rosalia has a number of good restaurants. We like Hostorico Las Casitas for food and they rent basic rooms too!

I didn't see that in his reply??

David K - 5-31-2022 at 08:15 AM

Paul, thank you for spotting that... My eyes are failing as I get old!
RF, it is Mulegé (moo leh HAY):light:

Alm - 5-31-2022 at 08:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
Yes, that’s why HWY5 is better. San Felipe to the 28th 4 1/2 hrs at 100KPH! San Ignacio is about 6hrs plus a lunch stop and a gas fill up at the 28th!

On Hwy 5 between the coast and up to Hwy 1 going 130 kmh feels like 100, curves are flattened up, barely slowing down.

Getting from LA to GN in one long drive would be "tolerable" via Mexicali and Hwy 5, skipping Tijuana and Ensenada, about 10 hours with quick lunch stop, pit stops, gas stops. Via Hwy 1 it's 2 hours longer and much more stressful. Hwy 1 is beautiful after El Rosario, no comparison to Hwy 5. Everybody should experience it at least once, preferably with plenty of time on their hands.