BajaNomad

Bay of LA trip in July

barcodemarco - 6-27-2022 at 01:41 PM

Hi Nomads, I'm planning a trip to Bay of LA for mid-July. It's been a few years since I made the trek down and have a few questions for anyone with some recent experience.

I have always taken Mex 1 but I understand that Mex 5 is much improved and may be the preferred route these days? After San Felipe, where can you get fuel on this route? Any issue finding Diesel? Any other relevant info on this route (military checkpoints, good stops for food, other POIs along the way) would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Marco

chippy - 6-27-2022 at 01:59 PM

5 is much better. Diesel in Gonzaga and both stations in bdla as of 1st week of June. The diesel pumps in Gonzaga are around back of the gas pumps. You won´t see them driving by.

AKgringo - 6-27-2022 at 02:14 PM

Mex 5 has been my preferred route even before the paving was finished, but I have never driven in during the heat of July!

There are two Military checkpoints, but he last couple of times I drove that route, only the one near the Mex 3 junction was manned. My big dog usually gets me waved through with no inspection, but in November one of the soldiers wanted to play with her! Zero issues with the very brief search.

The other checkpoint is just before Gonzaga, and there was nobody home. Gas and diesel are usually available at the station at Gonzaga, but I would recommend filling at least one extra jug of diesel in San Felipe just in case they are closed, or out of fuel.

JZ - 6-27-2022 at 02:45 PM

5 is the way to go. Get diesel in San Felipe.

Diesel is usually available in BoLA, but sometimes they are out. If they are out, you can get it from barrels at the turn off of MX 1.

Charter a boat and go out and explore the islands. Tell them to take you to the beach at Rincon and Isla La Ventana (to see the window rock and the beautiful bay on the other side, you can hike to the top of the island and see all the other islands).

David K - 6-27-2022 at 03:01 PM

Great answers... I have nothing to add ;)

AKgringo - 6-27-2022 at 03:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  


Charter a boat and go out and explore the islands. Tell them to take you to the beach at Rincon and Isla La Ventana (to see the window rock and the beautiful bay on the other side, you can hike to the top of the island and see all the other islands).


It sounds like Barco de Marco has his own boat!

[Edited on 6-27-2022 by AKgringo]

freediverbrian - 6-27-2022 at 03:08 PM

The military check in Gonzaga is gone. The shade structure on the road is there but the staff trailers are gone and the bunk house is torn down. I don't think it will open for a long time.

mtgoat666 - 6-27-2022 at 03:11 PM

Bola sure gets hot in July. Pacific coast is much better during summer. Just sayin….

barcodemarco - 6-27-2022 at 03:20 PM

Thanks for all the helpful info and suggestions!

Baja Bound Road Guide

AKgringo - 6-27-2022 at 04:42 PM

You might find some useful information in the road guide that David K has been working on; http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=95028&got...

On the section that covers San Felipe to Laguna Chapala I was able to find a restaurant that I couldn't remember the name of. It is "La Poma" and is a short, pleasant drive toward the beach from MX5 at about km 133.

I ate there in November and will stop by again next time I travel that road. Good food, good people, and a quiet relaxing place to eat. While I was there, they were making a fresh batch of tortillas to serve their customers!

[Edited on 6-27-2022 by AKgringo]

Bajazly - 6-27-2022 at 08:56 PM

I just returned yesterday from a few day fishing down there. A tic over 4 hours from SF and no drama on the road. Military in GB is gone, Coco would love a visit, road is good with no potholes. Everything is probably booked in town with the fishing in high swing now. Fuel not a problem other than there was no power at the first station when I got into town, that was rectified pretty quick.

The water is about 80 degrees and it is hot and humid but generally the wind will blow a bit in the afternoon.

David K - 6-28-2022 at 06:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
You might find some useful information in the road guide that David K has been working on; http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=95028&got...

On the section that covers San Felipe to Laguna Chapala I was able to find a restaurant that I couldn't remember the name of. It is "La Poma" and is a short, pleasant drive toward the beach from MX5 at about km 133.

I ate there in November and will stop by again next time I travel that road. Good food, good people, and a quiet relaxing place to eat. While I was there, they were making a fresh batch of tortillas to serve their customers!

[Edited on 6-27-2022 by AKgringo]


Thanks for the plug... I completed the road guide in 2018, Baja Bound sent it to a professional publishing person who has worked for Score and other Baja map stuff... and then Covid killed the printing of it for two years. Since then I have been updating the data such as Hwy. 5 completion, Coco's Corner moving, and other items that I learned of or found when I went south (2019-2022).

Right now, I have no idea on its status but was told it would be produced this year...?

My work (that the professional fellow is sprucing up) can now be viewed, updated from the post that AK shared the link to, and no Photobucket water marks, is here and has been on VivaBaja.com (Baja Norte now and Baja Sur later): https://vivabaja.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2021-Baja-Bo...


barcodemarco - 6-28-2022 at 07:54 AM

That is an awesome guide, David! And thanks Bajazly for the recent trip report and route info. Regarding my handle....barco de marco was the unofficial name of my old 18' skiff, which made it to LA Bay 3-4 times. Great times down there.

Alan - 6-28-2022 at 09:02 AM

Just got home Friday. YT fishing was awesome. Limits both days with 20-35# fish. We released everything under 20#. Bait was a little tricky each morning but we still managed to score at least a dozen each day.
Catch was 50/50 bait vs jigs with the Salas 6XJr in blue/white being the hot jig.

MX 5 cuts at least 3 hours off the drive. MX 5 is great the entire length and no potholes on the 25 miles of MX 1. Diesel wasn't an issue. In BoLA one station was out but the other had it. Took some filets to Las Hamacas who prepared sashimi, empaniado, and mojo de ajo. So good!

barcodemarco - 7-1-2022 at 07:51 AM

Thanks Alan. Good to hear they are biting! I heard that Mex 5 was better, but didn't realize it would take 3 hrs off the trip. Just curious, Is that calculated based on starting at TJ vs Mexicali or total trip time from SD?

David K - 7-1-2022 at 08:11 AM

If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, you will see that San Diego to L.A. Bay is fastest via Mexicali and San Felipe (Hwy. 5),
and ~hour longer via Ensenada and San Felipe (Hwy. 1-D, 3, and 5), and ~1.5 hours longer via Ensenada and El Rosario (Hwy. 1-D & 1).

With the construction mess reported just south of Ensenada the past couple of weeks, plus all the small towns on Hwy. 1, and winding road driving after El Rosario, it may be 3 hours shorter using Hwy. 5!

barcodemarco - 7-1-2022 at 08:20 AM

Yes, all those little towns are ball breakers. It feels like work getting there, but I always loved how much the road opens up past San Quitin, and more so after El Rosario.

mtgoat666 - 7-1-2022 at 08:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, you will see that San Diego to L.A. Bay is fastest via Mexicali and San Felipe (Hwy. 5),
and ~hour longer via Ensenada and San Felipe (Hwy. 1-D, 3, and 5), and ~1.5 hours longer via Ensenada and El Rosario (Hwy. 1-D & 1).

With the construction mess reported just south of Ensenada the past couple of weeks, plus all the small towns on Hwy. 1, and winding road driving after El Rosario, it may be 3 hours shorter using Hwy. 5!


Different strokes for different folks….

The 5 route takes 1.5 hours less.

Sometimes I take the longer route because it is more interesting, better scenery.

David K - 7-1-2022 at 09:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, you will see that San Diego to L.A. Bay is fastest via Mexicali and San Felipe (Hwy. 5),
and ~hour longer via Ensenada and San Felipe (Hwy. 1-D, 3, and 5), and ~1.5 hours longer via Ensenada and El Rosario (Hwy. 1-D & 1).

With the construction mess reported just south of Ensenada the past couple of weeks, plus all the small towns on Hwy. 1, and winding road driving after El Rosario, it may be 3 hours shorter using Hwy. 5!


Different strokes for different folks….

The 5 route takes 1.5 hours less.

Sometimes I take the longer route because it is more interesting, better scenery.




If you ever drove Hwy. 5, you would find the scenery much better than the back of a semi truck in the mountains of Hwy. 1!

Here is a small sample of what you miss seeing by not using Hwy. 5. Plus, you get a chance to meet a living Baja legend: Coco!:

































chippy - 7-1-2022 at 10:42 AM

The Chenowith museum out at rancho percibu is great poi. I've met a few baja legends there. Watch out for the margaritas they are muy potente!

Skipjack Joe - 7-1-2022 at 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Great answers... I have nothing to add ;)


:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Classic.

mtgoat666 - 7-1-2022 at 04:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, you will see that San Diego to L.A. Bay is fastest via Mexicali and San Felipe (Hwy. 5),
and ~hour longer via Ensenada and San Felipe (Hwy. 1-D, 3, and 5), and ~1.5 hours longer via Ensenada and El Rosario (Hwy. 1-D & 1).

With the construction mess reported just south of Ensenada the past couple of weeks, plus all the small towns on Hwy. 1, and winding road driving after El Rosario, it may be 3 hours shorter using Hwy. 5!


Different strokes for different folks….

The 5 route takes 1.5 hours less.

Sometimes I take the longer route because it is more interesting, better scenery.




If you ever drove Hwy. 5, you would find the scenery much better than the back of a semi truck in the mountains of Hwy. 1!

Here is a small sample of what you miss seeing by not using Hwy. 5. Plus, you get a chance to meet a living Baja legend: Coco!:


Driven 5 a couple times this year, I still conclude that 1 is prettier, more interesting than 5.

Coco? Meh.

Like I said, different strokes for different folks :light:

[Edited on 7-1-2022 by mtgoat666]

Mateo-Feo - 7-5-2022 at 11:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, you will see that San Diego to L.A. Bay is fastest via Mexicali and San Felipe (Hwy. 5),
and ~hour longer via Ensenada and San Felipe (Hwy. 1-D, 3, and 5), and ~1.5 hours longer via Ensenada and El Rosario (Hwy. 1-D & 1).

With the construction mess reported just south of Ensenada the past couple of weeks, plus all the small towns on Hwy. 1, and winding road driving after El Rosario, it may be 3 hours shorter using Hwy. 5!


Different strokes for different folks….

The 5 route takes 1.5 hours less.

Sometimes I take the longer route because it is more interesting, better scenery.




If you ever drove Hwy. 5, you would find the scenery much better than the back of a semi truck in the mountains of Hwy. 1!

Here is a small sample of what you miss seeing by not using Hwy. 5. Plus, you get a chance to meet a living Baja legend: Coco!:


Driven 5 a couple times this year, I still conclude that 1 is prettier, more interesting than 5.

Coco? Meh.

Like I said, different strokes for different folks :light:

[Edited on 7-1-2022 by mtgoat666]




I tend to agree here, It will take longer down the 1. BUT it's not nearly as hot, There is better food, Better accommodations to be had, and more to do along the way. 5 is quicker and very few chances for traffic. If you do choose the 5 try to avoid Mexicali in both directions. Cutoff and swing through Tecate instead, but the border closes at 10pm going North...

mtgoat666 - 7-5-2022 at 01:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mateo-Feo  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If you use Google Maps to estimate driving times, you will see that San Diego to L.A. Bay is fastest via Mexicali and San Felipe (Hwy. 5),
and ~hour longer via Ensenada and San Felipe (Hwy. 1-D, 3, and 5), and ~1.5 hours longer via Ensenada and El Rosario (Hwy. 1-D & 1).

With the construction mess reported just south of Ensenada the past couple of weeks, plus all the small towns on Hwy. 1, and winding road driving after El Rosario, it may be 3 hours shorter using Hwy. 5!


Different strokes for different folks….

The 5 route takes 1.5 hours less.

Sometimes I take the longer route because it is more interesting, better scenery.




If you ever drove Hwy. 5, you would find the scenery much better than the back of a semi truck in the mountains of Hwy. 1!

Here is a small sample of what you miss seeing by not using Hwy. 5. Plus, you get a chance to meet a living Baja legend: Coco!:


Driven 5 a couple times this year, I still conclude that 1 is prettier, more interesting than 5.

Coco? Meh.

Like I said, different strokes for different folks :light:

[Edited on 7-1-2022 by mtgoat666]




I tend to agree here, It will take longer down the 1. BUT it's not nearly as hot, There is better food, Better accommodations to be had, and more to do along the way. 5 is quicker and very few chances for traffic. If you do choose the 5 try to avoid Mexicali in both directions. Cutoff and swing through Tecate instead, but the border closes at 10pm going North...


maybe i have just been lucky, but i have never had traffic problems in mexicali. traffic seems to flow smoothly when i happen to pass thru. there is normal urban traffic, but it seems to flow well (i am typically there outside of rush hours, maybe it slows down at rush hour?)

Mateo-Feo - 7-5-2022 at 02:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


maybe i have just been lucky, but i have never had traffic problems in mexicali. traffic seems to flow smoothly when i happen to pass thru. there is normal urban traffic, but it seems to flow well (i am typically there outside of rush hours, maybe it slows down at rush hour?)




I just don't like the border wait and the city in general there gives me a bad vibe. Just my bias.