BajaNomad

San Diego to San Ignacio

baja_gurl25 - 9-29-2023 at 03:00 PM

Hello. It has been about 5 years since my last drive into Baja. Will be driving from San Diego to San Ignacio. Any tips? places to fuel up? maybe a nice lunch spot?
Anything new with boarder crossing?

Thanks for any information.

David K - 9-29-2023 at 03:18 PM

Not much other than Highway 5 from Mexicali south is the quicker and less stressful route from San Diego, as it avoids the city crossing of Ensenada, the construction mess of Maneadero, the dozen farm towns with their local traffic on the highway.

Using Waze or Google on your cell phone will help you to the border and on through the city.

Lunch depends on when you get started, and the closer to sunrise, the better. San Felipe is 6 hours from San Diego and the fish taco places along the malecon (sea drive) are always good and fun, 30 min. An hour and a half more is Gonzaga Bay with several places before or at the bay: La Poma, Papa Fernandez', Alfonsina's are all 1-2 miles east of the highway. San Ignacio is 4 hours from Gonzaga Bay. 12 hours total for the 575 miles.

baja_gurl25 - 9-30-2023 at 10:51 AM

Thank you. The last time I drove from Mexicali to san Ignacio there was part of the road that was not completed and all dirt. Is that still the case or is it all paved now? Thanks again.

Tioloco - 9-30-2023 at 10:54 AM

all paved

BajaBlanca - 10-1-2023 at 12:27 AM

Be sure and tell us afterwards how your trip south went!

David K - 10-1-2023 at 07:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baja_gurl25  
Thank you. The last time I drove from Mexicali to san Ignacio there was part of the road that was not completed and all dirt. Is that still the case or is it all paved now? Thanks again.


The highway was completed in 2020.

BooJumMan - 10-2-2023 at 06:17 AM

For what it's worth, it's about 11-12 hours from SD to San Ignacio if you're planning on doing it in a day. I usually drive that stretch on a Sunday, and it's pretty wide open. Last trip heading north, even with border took me 11hrs 53mins with 5 gas and food stops! Pretty nuts to be able to make it that far in a day now (for me at least...). I feel like I'd be luckily to make it to GN before dark.

Marc - 10-3-2023 at 06:48 AM

Hwy 5 for sure!

baja_gurl25 - 10-3-2023 at 07:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BooJumMan  
For what it's worth, it's about 11-12 hours from SD to San Ignacio if you're planning on doing it in a day. I usually drive that stretch on a Sunday, and it's pretty wide open. Last trip heading north, even with border took me 11hrs 53mins with 5 gas and food stops! Pretty nuts to be able to make it that far in a day now (for me at least...). I feel like I'd be luckily to make it to GN before dark.


Thank you. Yeah, last time I drove it in one day and it was rough! I am thinking on doing it two days this go.

baja_gurl25 - 10-3-2023 at 07:34 PM

Thank you everyone! I am very much looking forward to getting back into Baja. My heart missed it so very much. I am so glad the road is all paved on the Mexicali side.

bajafreaks - 10-5-2023 at 03:47 PM

There's a great little place to stop and eat at the intersection of hwy 5 and hwy 1 look for the flags.

David K - 10-6-2023 at 04:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
There's a great little place to stop and eat at the intersection of hwy 5 and hwy 1 look for the flags.


Just a bit south, on Hwy. 1 from the Hwy. 5 junction, is Nueva Chapala, a recently remodeled restaurant. Check it out!