BajaNomad

Driving from San Diego to Cabo - Single

mb_123 - 6-23-2022 at 08:42 PM

Hi There,

As I am not able to fly due to claustrophobia, strongly thinking to drive from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and it will be a solo drive w/ a BMW. Even the car is 10 years old, still looks new and luxury. My concern is if the car looks luxury and solo driven, would I be increasing car theft chance ? Staying in hotel in Baja, between Cabo and San Diego, would the luxury car create any issues more than a regular car ?

Is there any Baja highway car stalking by bad actors ?

Thanks for any input.

Marty Mateo - 6-23-2022 at 08:59 PM

I’ve driven a few times in a new Ram towing a new toy hauler and never felt like a target and slept on the side of the highway with truckers . I always feel a so much safer once I’ve left the states and crossed into Mexico. Anything can happen of course but I think it all comes down to your attitude and how you interact. I’ve always found Mexican folks to be very generous and caring. I highly recommend driving, so much to see along the way .

RFClark - 6-23-2022 at 10:41 PM

MB_123,

We drive from Mexicali often so I can’t speak to the north part of HWY1. The part we drive is safe during the day. Parts of the road are narrow and lacking in a shoulder. There’s lots of trucks and livestock on it. A 10 year old beamer isn’t remarkable and won't stand out! Drive carefully and have a good time!

Bob and Susan - 6-24-2022 at 04:55 AM

sorry an old BMW is not a luxury car

new cars are way better

people wont even look aat you

AKgringo - 6-24-2022 at 06:38 AM

While anything is possible, I believe the chances that your car would be stolen while making the trip is low enough to be a non-issue. If anything, I think your BMW would be less of a target than a more common make such as Chevy, Ford, or Toyota.

SFandH - 6-24-2022 at 06:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mb_123  
Hi There,

As I am not able to fly due to claustrophobia, strongly thinking to drive from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and it will be a solo drive w/ a BMW. Even the car is 10 years old, still looks new and luxury. My concern is if the car looks luxury and solo driven, would I be increasing car theft chance ? Staying in hotel in Baja, between Cabo and San Diego, would the luxury car create any issues more than a regular car ?

Is there any Baja highway car stalking by bad actors ?

Thanks for any input.


Consider spending two nights on the road. There are a few options for where to stop for the night. Ask if you want suggestions. You'll get many. Those of us who drive the peninsula all have our favorite places. It's my experience that flat tires happen more often in Baja. Be prepared for that. Know where you're going to spend the night and get there before sunset.

Carry and spend pesos. Get them at a Mex bank ATM. No contraband.

A nice Beemer will make for a comfortable cruise.


[Edited on 6-24-2022 by SFandH]

mtgoat666 - 6-24-2022 at 06:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mb_123  
Hi There,

As I am not able to fly due to claustrophobia, strongly thinking to drive from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and it will be a solo drive w/ a BMW. Even the car is 10 years old, still looks new and luxury. My concern is if the car looks luxury and solo driven, would I be increasing car theft chance ? Staying in hotel in Baja, between Cabo and San Diego, would the luxury car create any issues more than a regular car ?

Is there any Baja highway car stalking by bad actors ?

Thanks for any input.


Highway robbery is rare.

Don’t drive at night. Because 1. The cows and other livestock are on road at night, 2. The shoulders are nonexistent in most places, and hard to see missing road/shoulder or potholes w/o daylight, and 3. The rare highway robberies typically occur at night.



[Edited on 6-24-2022 by mtgoat666]

BajaUtah - 6-24-2022 at 07:56 AM

That car won't make you a target but flashing cash and fancy watches and jewelry could - more likely in Cabo than on the road. Just keep your presence low key and you should be fine.

I would suggest packing some common failure spares in the trunk as those could be hard to find on the road. Oils and coolant should be easy but hoses, belts and BMW specific stuff would be more difficult. If they are common failures - I have no idea specific to your model - like coil packs, injectors and sensors they would be cheap and easy to toss in a box. You will find great local mechanics on the road - there was a list published here a while back, I don't know if it exists anymore - that can do the install but waiting for parts sourced in Baja could be brutal.

Have fun

BajaBlanca - 6-24-2022 at 08:06 AM

So, if this is your first trip then:

1 there are tolls on the good road between TJ and Ensenada. One can pay either in dollars or pesos.

2 Every so often there are military check points - they are looking for drugs and arms. Take your purse with you and any documents. Watch them at all times.

3 Be 100% sure to refill your tank in El Rosario as it is a LONG stretch to the next gas station.

4 There are some small villages, off the beaten path on your way south that you might consider visiting! Start in Bahia Asuncion and look for Shari at the Bufadora Inn. Tacos at Don Ramon's on fridays and Saturdays. Then go to La Bocana, we are not there but our small hotel is and the village is won der ful. Our beach restaurant is known for great margaritas and melt in your mouth lobster. Right after us in Punta Abreojos which has Antojitos Juanita restaurant right on the boardwalk - famous for delicious huevos rancheros and enchiladas suizas.

5 If you do go, please take gently used shoes to La Bocana for a family of 7 kids I help! Any sizes for kids from age 2 to 11 is good.

Feel free to write a U2U for any more info I can help you with!

David K - 6-24-2022 at 08:50 AM

I have taken brand new vehicles to Baja, before they had plates, and one the same day I got it... not BMWs, but new Toyota Tacoma 4x4s worth 32-34 K. This was in 2005 and 2010.

JDCanuck - 6-24-2022 at 09:00 AM

Guererro Negro is a long drive from Mexicali, and San Felipe (lunch break?) too short for the first day's drive. Anyone have an interesting place to stop overnite in between on the way down? We were thinking late morning out of Mexicali and then two stops to La Paz, perhaps Loreto would be the second overnite....suggestions?

David K - 6-24-2022 at 09:12 AM

From San Diego, you should drive east to Calexico then south through San Felipe. This is a faster route despite it seems like you are not heading the right direction going south from San Diego.
There is a terrible construction delay and detour just south of Ensenada. Then there are all the small towns that will slow your progress using Hwy. 1 (too many to name from Maneadero to El Rosario).
The only traffic and stop signs south of Mexicali on Hwy. 5 is in San Felipe. Plus Hwy. 5 is far more scenic with views of the Sea of Cortez and the islands offshore.

Bob and Susan - 6-24-2022 at 02:03 PM

i was just thru ensenada...no construction ...maybe a couple of yrs ago

boe4fun - 6-24-2022 at 02:05 PM

If you’re worried about vehicle theft, go to Harbor Freight for a cutoff switch. Easy to install, I have one one my GMC 1 ton truck.

https://www.harborfreight.com/battery-cutoff-switch-63425.ht...

David K - 6-24-2022 at 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
i was just thru ensenada...no construction ...maybe a couple of yrs ago


Now, not two years ago... seriously Bob, you know me better than that!
Southbound between Estero Beach and Punta Banda roads, they are widening the highway... Do you not see all the videos and photos of the mess posted on Facebook and Youtube?

Look:
Posted June 21, 2022:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajaoverlanding/permalink/32...

>>> If you are planning to go down south via Ensenada, think twice. Is a chaos just to get to Maneadero, a modernization work has begun in the highway but apparently the way they are doing it is not the best. A detour in gravel and no compaction to the road is causing that cars are being flooded in loose dirt. Up to 2 hours to go only 5km is being reported.

Hopefully it was so bad they fixed it immediately... that would be a first!


[Edited on 6-24-2022 by David K]

Bob and Susan - 6-24-2022 at 04:51 PM

did YOU see this because 3 weeks ago i saw nothing...

David K - 6-24-2022 at 05:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
did YOU see this because 3 weeks ago i saw nothing...



Bob, this report is dated 3 days ago.

Alm - 6-24-2022 at 09:16 PM

If this is in fall/winter - consider 3 nights on the road, rather than 2. Makes for more relaxed drive and you are guaranteed to arrive before dark. There are white-knuckle stretches of Hwy 1 even for somebody with perfectly balanced psyche, especially when you have to drive fast because it's getting dark soon. In summer you should have plenty of time to make it in 3 days 2 nights.

This is a 2-lane road most of the way, 1 lane in each direction. 8-wheelers will be passing you (or you - them) using the opposite lane. When slow-moving truck is blinking his left signal and there are NO left turns in sight, it means he can see that the opposite lane is clear for you to pass. If you don't want to pass, you may crawl at 25-30 mph behind him for hours.

Going through Calexico/Mexicali and Hwy 5 probably will be same time from San Diego - despite a longer distance - but will be way more relaxing.

[Edited on 6-25-2022 by Alm]

David K - 6-25-2022 at 07:24 AM

Alm, it is actually quite a bit shorter drive in time and only about 40 miles longer in distance from San Diego to Laguna Chapala, where Hwy. 1 & 5 meet.

The drive south of Tijuana has lots of drama and mountain curves.
Just getting across Ensenada to Maneadero can take an hour. Add in the speed bumps and stop signs or lights and farm traffic in:
Santo Tomás
San Vicente
Colonet
Camalu
Colonia V. Guerrero
San Quintín
Lázaro Cárdenas
El Rosario
and maybe a couple more towns!

Hwy. 5, south of Mexicali, is only slow getting across San Felipe.

mtgoat666 - 6-25-2022 at 07:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  

The drive south of Tijuana has lots of drama…


Drama? I can only guess what that means.

I have met a few people that won’t visit San Francisco or Wash DC because “it is a big city, and I hate cities.” Some people lead sad lives that miss out on great things.

The east side will save you 40 to 60 minutes. But east side is hellishly hot, and ugly.
Some people enjoy Ensenada, and appreciate the scenery and experience of the pacific coast and Catavina. Is that drama? Then gimme drama!


SFandH - 6-25-2022 at 07:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Alm, it is actually quite a bit shorter drive in time and only about 40 miles longer in distance from San Diego to Laguna Chapala, where Hwy. 1 & 5 meet.

The drive south of Tijuana has lots of drama and mountain curves.
Just getting across Ensenada to Maneadero can take an hour. Add in the speed bumps and stop signs or lights and farm traffic in:
Santo Tomás
San Vicente
Colonet
Camalu
Colonia V. Guerrero
San Quintín
Lázaro Cárdenas
El Rosario
and maybe a couple more towns!

Hwy. 5, south of Mexicali, is only slow getting across San Felipe.


You're exaggerating a bit. I've gone both routes and prefer the highway 1, coastal route. The only significant traffic is encountered in Ensenada and between Colonia V. Guerrero and San Quintín. Plus, I like staying in Catavina, 7 or 8 hours south of the border. The relatively small time and distance differences don't mean much to me.

mlb_123....are you there?

AKgringo - 6-25-2022 at 07:54 AM

Surely there have been enough replies to your first post on this website to generate a question or two. What do you think so far?

Don Pisto - 6-25-2022 at 10:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Alm, it is actually quite a bit shorter drive in time and only about 40 miles longer in distance from San Diego to Laguna Chapala, where Hwy. 1 & 5 meet.

The drive south of Tijuana has lots of drama and mountain curves.
Just getting across Ensenada to Maneadero can take an hour. Add in the speed bumps and stop signs or lights and farm traffic in:
Santo Tomás
San Vicente
Colonet
Camalu
Colonia V. Guerrero
San Quintín
Lázaro Cárdenas
El Rosario
and maybe a couple more towns!

Hwy. 5, south of Mexicali, is only slow getting across San Felipe.


You're exaggerating a bit. I've gone both routes and prefer the highway 1, coastal route. The only significant traffic is encountered in Ensenada and between Colonia V. Guerrero and San Quintín. Plus, I like staying in Catavina, 7 or 8 hours south of the border. The relatively small time and distance differences don't mean much to me.


I would agree but to be safe you might want to consider the free road from La Mision!
"24 June 2022 Tijuana: The Mayor of Ensenada, Armando Ayala Robles, reported in Tijuana that a section of the Scenic Highway has faults and could collapse, as happened in December 2013.

He recalled that on that occasion, the economic blow to that municipality was severe, now, they seek to anticipate it by requesting support from the state and federal government to build a connection with the free highway to give greater automobile flow and that tourism does not stop going before a possible collapse.

He reported that the San Andreas fault passes through that area and studies are required to know the situation in the subsoil to determine if any work is necessary to stop a possible landslide."

Alm - 6-25-2022 at 11:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Surely there have been enough replies to your first post on this website to generate a question or two. What do you think so far?

I wonder if anybody remembers the traveller from San Diego who drove down to Baja for the 1st time in her life a couple years ago, camped somewhere between Ensenada and San Quintin and at 6.00 in the morning asked how to get a PR. Then posted a few near-SOS messages about fuel gauge in her car that didn't work. Never posted again since. (No, I don't think she got lost on the only road in Baja).

David K - 6-25-2022 at 11:52 AM

What's a PR?

RFClark - 6-25-2022 at 12:56 PM

Trip update:

Repaving in progress south of km96 out of Mexicali one lane traffic expect delays!

David K - 6-25-2022 at 01:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
Trip update:

Repaving in progress south of km96 out of Mexicali one lane traffic expect delays!


Good report... this is about 5 miles south of the sand dunes or about halfway to San Felipe.

Lee - 6-25-2022 at 07:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  

The drive south of Tijuana has lots of drama…


Drama? I can only guess what that means.

I have met a few people that won’t visit San Francisco or Wash DC because “it is a big city, and I hate cities.” Some people lead sad lives that miss out on great things.

The east side will save you 40 to 60 minutes. But east side is hellishly hot, and ugly.
Some people enjoy Ensenada, and appreciate the scenery and experience of the pacific coast and Catavina. Is that drama? Then gimme drama!


X2.

JZ describes driving Ensenada South as stressful.

I’ve had a ritual for years. Baja doesn’t begin until Jardines. Margs at the bar. Sea Bass for supper. Next morning, breakfast at Mama’s.

The drive isn’t a big deal. Unless you’re in a hurry. I’m never in a hurrying down South. It’s all good. No bad days.

Alm - 6-25-2022 at 09:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
What's a PR?

It's a permanent resident status for you, tourists :).

BajaBlanca - 6-25-2022 at 10:26 PM

Agreed on the driving options. HIghway 1 is so beautiful but there is traffic and lights and people and dogs etc! Highway 5 is very boring but a very easy drive, physically.

Total change of direction but there are some scary stretches in the mountains between San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia. Very narrow road and huge semi trucks, serious cliff drops when you come back north. In the 16 years we lived in Baja, I never once had the nerve to drive that part but drove to San Diego from San Ignacio area, solo, many times.

Have a wonderful trip!

mtgoat666 - 6-25-2022 at 11:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  

The drive south of Tijuana has lots of drama…


Drama? I can only guess what that means.

I have met a few people that won’t visit San Francisco or Wash DC because “it is a big city, and I hate cities.” Some people lead sad lives that miss out on great things.

The east side will save you 40 to 60 minutes. But east side is hellishly hot, and ugly.
Some people enjoy Ensenada, and appreciate the scenery and experience of the pacific coast and Catavina. Is that drama? Then gimme drama!


X2.

JZ describes driving Ensenada South as stressful.


Jizzy and DK get stressed out by even life’s simple decisions like which underwear to wear today.

BajaMama - 6-27-2022 at 12:08 PM

I'm a single woman in her early 60s and have been driving solo to Baja California Sur since 2015 in my 2012 Acura MDX. While not a beemer, it is still a nicer car. I pull off onto the first dirt road I come to and drive on it to get my car dusty. I don't know if that helps but have yet to have any issues. Recommend you depart from Mexicali instead of San Diego and drive Mex 5. Shorter distance and significantly better road with less traffic. One great stop you can make in a day from Mexicali The Yurts at San Ignacio Springs. They close the gates at night so your car is a little safer. You can preorder dinner and breakfast is included. Pet friendly and they have a bar, too.

[Edited on 6-27-2022 by BajaMama]

mtgoat666 - 6-27-2022 at 12:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
I'm a single woman in her early 60s and have been driving solo to Baja California Sur since 2015 in my 2012 Acura MDX. While not a beemer, it is still a nicer car. I pull off onto the first dirt road I come to and drive on it to get my car dusty. I don't know if that helps but have yet to have any issues. Recommend you depart from Mexicali instead of San Diego and drive Mex 5. Shorter distance and significantly better road with less traffic. One great stop you can make in a day from Mexicali The Yurts at San Ignacio Springs. They close the gates at night so your car is a little safer. You can preorder dinner and breakfast is included. Pet friendly and they have a bar, too.

[Edited on 6-27-2022 by BajaMama]


The bar and restaurant burn down recently

David K - 6-27-2022 at 01:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
I'm a single woman in her early 60s and have been driving solo to Baja California Sur since 2015 in my 2012 Acura MDX. While not a beemer, it is still a nicer car. I pull off onto the first dirt road I come to and drive on it to get my car dusty. I don't know if that helps but have yet to have any issues. Recommend you depart from Mexicali instead of San Diego and drive Mex 5. Shorter distance and significantly better road with less traffic. One great stop you can make in a day from Mexicali The Yurts at San Ignacio Springs. They close the gates at night so your car is a little safer. You can preorder dinner and breakfast is included. Pet friendly and they have a bar, too.

[Edited on 6-27-2022 by BajaMama]


The bar and restaurant burn down recently


It is all repaired and back open... Try and keep up, goat! ;) :lol:

Alm - 6-28-2022 at 12:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
Agreed on the driving options. HIghway 1 is so beautiful but there is traffic and lights and people and dogs etc! Highway 5 is very boring but a very easy drive, physically.

Total change of direction but there are some scary stretches in the mountains between San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia. Very narrow road and huge semi trucks, serious cliff drops when you come back north. In the 16 years we lived in Baja, I never once had the nerve to drive that part but drove to San Diego from San Ignacio area, solo, many times.

Have a wonderful trip!

The OP is long gone.

mb_123 - 6-28-2022 at 03:48 PM

To all members that have replied to my question, i've read them through all great suggestions. There isn't a button to thank individually. All of your answers provided comfort and courage to do this trip. I was thinking to drive August 1st for 2 weeks. Based on weather reports I discovered at

https://weatherspark.com/compare/y/1809~2918/Comparison-of-t...

it seems better to visit cabo starting from mid October to avoid the hurricane season.

Again, can't thank enough for all answers that I would like to express my gratitude. Not able to fly really makes life much harder than it should be.

AKgringo - 6-28-2022 at 04:06 PM

Thanks for getting back to us, some people post a question and never come back! I can fly, but traveling solo with a large dog, I look forward to drives like the one you are planning.

If you have the option of traveling in late September or early October, I think that is a better time for your trip. The sea is still warm, and the land is starting to cool down. If there are some summer storms, the dessert will blossom by then.

If your plans are flexible, consider spending some time in Loreto. It is more like Cabo used to be a long time ago.

Have a safe trip!

[Edited on 6-28-2022 by AKgringo]

mb_123 - 6-28-2022 at 04:17 PM

Thanks AKgringo ! It was a bit busy this week with work.
Definitely will check Loreto. Baja and Cabo are great places to spend time. Authentic Mexico and people. I am reading fishing is great in Oct as well. I will connect with the members here and post experiences whenever I can drive down.

Alm - 6-28-2022 at 04:28 PM

Loreto is not an authentic Mexico, not to mention Cabo.

Lee - 6-28-2022 at 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Loreto is not an authentic Mexico, not to mention Cabo.


You're entitled to your opinion, of course, even if I think it's wrong.

Loreto not authentic? You don't know what authentic is.

Bajazly - 6-28-2022 at 05:21 PM

Gotta agree with Alm here, Loreto is in Mexico with real Mexicans but all in all it is Gringolandia.

mtgoat666 - 6-28-2022 at 05:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Loreto is not an authentic Mexico, not to mention Cabo.


You're entitled to your opinion, of course, even if I think it's wrong.

Loreto not authentic? You don't know what authentic is.


What is your definition of “authentic?” Do you mean “old-timey?”

I guess any city in Mexico is authentically mexican, as it is in Mexico, eh? Mexico is pretty varied, so not not sure there is an “authentic” archetype.




Alm - 6-28-2022 at 05:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  

Loreto not authentic?

Not really. But, for a first-time Baja tourist one catholic church, a dozen facades imitating a traditional style and a walkable downtown might just do the trick. Closer than Cabo, too.

mb_123 - 6-28-2022 at 05:55 PM

I meant as authentic, small towns and people that still carry different flavor of life from past that we no longer see in general due to fast running modern world. Its a generic term. All good.

Mulege

AKgringo - 6-28-2022 at 06:03 PM

Mulege has probably changed the least of all the communities that I have visited over the years. It lacks some of the amenities of the beach resorts, but the plaza in the center of town in the evenings is as close to "Old Mexico" as you will get in Baja!

Lee - 6-28-2022 at 08:22 PM

I see different definitions of authentic here. Gringolandia, to me, doesn't mean less authentic. When the gringos clear out of Loreto, does that make it more authentic? Guess it does to some.

Baja is authentic because it's Mexico.