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Mayne8n
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 9-12-2012
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Which crossing to take
Mid March we (wife & I) are driving down to Mulege. Starting point is BC, Canada. We will be towing a 14' cargo trailer and will have 2 dogs. This
is our first trip down and while we have come the other way, north from Cabo, I am told the roads are not as good this way. Depending on who I talk
to, some say cross at TJ, others say Tecate. What are your thoughts? We plan to cross on Tues or Wed early morning. We plan on stopping in Ensenada
for a couple of hours. How far can we expect to make it that first day without driving in the dark. Thanks for your help on this.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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By far the best crossing is to take TECATE, even towing a 14' trailer. Take it VERY SLOW in going through the town. You will be going downhill most
of the way.
Assuming you start the crossing at about 6 a.m., you should be able to make it to either El Rosario or San Quintín.
If you don't have your tourist cards by now, you can get them at the entrance to Tecate.
Park on the US side, walk across to the INM office, pay for your visa fees at the bank across the street, then walk across to the INM office to get
them stamped along with your passport.
If you are a DISCOVER BAJA member, they can do that over the mail well ahead of time for you (you'll need to fax in your passport information).
Second day plan on either Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio (2.5 hours down the road. Mulege is about two hours from San Ignacio.
Guerrero Negro stay at the Cowboy Hotel and eat at Mario's Palapa, about 1/2 mile before you get into Guerrero Negro. Order a "CAMPECHANA" and an
order of guacamole, the best in Baja.
In San Ignacio stay at the Ignacio inn B&B.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mayne8n
Mid March we (wife & I) are driving down to Mulege. Starting point is BC, Canada. We will be towing a 14' cargo trailer and will have 2 dogs. This
is our first trip down and while we have come the other way, north from Cabo, I am told the roads are not as good this way. Depending on who I talk
to, some say cross at TJ, others say Tecate. What are your thoughts? We plan to cross on Tues or Wed early morning. We plan on stopping in Ensenada
for a couple of hours. How far can we expect to make it that first day without driving in the dark. Thanks for your help on this.
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Depending on which part of BC you are leaving from you should be able to make it as far south as Sacremento the first day without driving in the dark
Oh, you mean how far south of Ensenada? In that case I would say Cativina if you don't stay in Ensenada too long.
Bob Durrell
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Welcome to BajaNomad, Mayne8n.
First.....what are you planning to do about your Tourist Permit?
And....what are you hauling in the trailer?
Are you moteling or camping?
Do you drink Pacifico or Tecate?
Do you buy insurance while on the road?
Do you want to buy a book about the Baja Missions from DK?
The roads are fine.
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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I cross at TJ,San Ysidro fast, easy, as safe as anywhere else. For Tecate you add 1 hour for the drive inland on the USA side. Otay Mesa would be a
second choice research, Ave 2000 for getting back to the toll road.
Driving is about the same going both ways. If you have trouble driving downgrades then watch out for the grade before Santa Roaslia, it is steep and
curvy. I sure you remember it driving up it.
You can make San Quintin before dark easy. Are you looking for a hotel or a RV park? There are some nice hotels along the highway or Jardines, Baja is
very nice all in San Quintin. Just outside are the Desert Inn San Quintin or what ever its call these days.
(google has it as Desert Inn San Quintin still) also Cielito Lindo (same road) used to be good, quit staying there long ago.
[Edited on 2-27-2013 by MMc]
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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I got some swampland in tecate (closer to the water) for sale go thru san
ysidro and enjoy the tijuana/ensenada corridor being sure to stop and check tire pressure at each watering hole 
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Mayne8n
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 9-12-2012
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Border Crossing
Hello again everyone, this was my first post, thanks for your great responses. We are on south Vancouver Island about 10 mins from the ferry. Expect
to be on the mainland by 9am and clear the US border by about 10. We do have our tourist cards and Mexican auto insurance thru Discover Baja.....real
easy, would do it again. We have some time so after reading these responses, I have to wonder if Tecate would be less stressful.....as in no LA. Are
there many vineyards along this route? To answer someones question: Pacifico or Tecate, sure whichever is coldest. I am hoping El Rasario for our
first night on the Baja. Cheers, Gord
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mayne8n
I have to wonder if Tecate would be less stressful.....as in no LA. Are there many vineyards along this route? |
I would drive an additional thousand miles to miss LA.
On the way to Tecate, there's around twenty miles of hilly, windey road on the 94, but just drive your own race. You'll get there.
The Tecate Road has the vinyards and wineries about thirty miles from the border. It's a nice drive.
Stop for lunch in San Antonio de Las Minas....that's around twenty miles from the end of the Tecate Road.....or 45 miles from Tecate.
Have a great trip.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mayne8n
I have to wonder if Tecate would be less stressful.....as in no LA. Are there many vineyards along this route? |
I would drive an additional thousand miles to miss LA.
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LA is great! stop in silver lake for lunch. go to griffin park. visit santa monica. go to the getty museum. la brea tar pits and art museum are
great.
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
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Mood: bewildered
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Will you guys be taking the US or BC ferry?
We're on San Juan Island.
We like Tecate for several reasons. Mostly is my distain for crowds and congestion. It works well for us, and we don't mind the drive out 94 to get to
the crossing.
We usually stop in San Quintin, because we have friends there that we try and meet for a late lunch, then stay at Hotel Jardines and eat either next
door or at any of the other great restaurants in the area.
'
If Jardines is full (which it may be) then follow Udo's advice and run the 30 miles or so on to El Rosario.
DO NOT drive past El Rosario without having a full gas tank.
We stop in at Catavina to get a cup of coffee and use the banos, and to marvel at the empty place?! We stayed there once, and it was great, but pretty
spendy.
Seems like no matter which crossing you choose, it will all work out. Maybe TJ south and then Tecate north to avoid the long wait? We came back north
on a Tuesday late afternoon, and were the 2nd car in line!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
go to griffin park. |
Is that near Griffith Park? It's all so confusing.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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If I am going south, I usually find it faster and easier to cross at San Ysidro where I have super highways all the way to the border. We come down 15
to 805 and then 805 right to the border. Now that presupposes that there are no or little traffic on the California Highways, which is not normally
the case. Depends totally on the time of the day. But if you are going to Tecate, then you have to do 15 to 8 and then East, or go 15 to 805 and
exit on 94. Cross at Tecate and then drive to Ensenada.
Going north, most prefer to do the Tecate crossing because of border snarl and slow crossing times. I am sure you have a lot of experience
crossing south at the border and know how long it takes for the crossing, and it just gets worse at Tijuana (San Ysidro) during the day.
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Mayne8n
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 9-12-2012
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Island Builder, we will take the BC Ferries, 7am, first sailing, we can get a reservation. You live in a great spot. Last time I was at Roche Harbour
I woke up to Mount St Helens blowing its lid...that was a longtime ago.
When I mentioned driving north, I should have said Cabo to Mulege and not all the way to the border.
Dennis, we are hauling household goods and are hoping to find pet friendly motels along the way.
One last question; how long should it take to drive from El Rosario to Mulege?
Thanks everyone.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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El Rosario to Mulege is about 6 hours.
Three plus hours from El Rosario to Guerrero Negro, and another three from GN to Mulege, depending on how long you stop at Mario's Palapa for lunch.
Mulege is totally devoid of tourists at this time. It seems that a good majority left after the hurricane last year.
There is lots of damage and evidence of flooding along the river roads.
Have a safe trip, Mayne8n!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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He is towing... so not moving like us in our Toyotas Udo! Plus longer military inspections... I would put it closer to 8 hours...? Just get there
safe, no hurry, no worry! You loose an hour when you cross the state line by Guerrero Negro, as well... Mountain Time Zone.
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
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Personally, headed south I cross at San Ysidro to make any necessary declarations but primarily to get my FMM. You said you already have yours but I
believe it still needs to be stamped when you enter the country. So easy to do this and with a trailer (I usually tow a boat) at San Ysidro. Lots of
room to park in the declaration area and then just walk back to INM and get stamped. From there just head for the toll road south and you will have 4
lanes all the way into Ensenada. Northbound I cross back at Tecate as the wait is significantly less.
In Memory of E-57
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Problem I ran into at the San Ysidro crossing last December, Alan:
The declaration office and the INM office share the same parking lot, and when you drive out of that lot, (I also received a green light at the gate)
the Mexican border inspector "ASSUMES" you went into the declaration office and wants to see your receipt from the office. I actually went into the
office to get my FMM stamped.
After some arguing (in Spanish, I might say), for some minutes, and after his speaking to a supervisor (about another 12 more minutes), they let me by
without having to make a U turn and obtain a declaration receipt.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Yeah, but the new crossing has made all of that a lot easier. I think it makes going south a breeze. And unlike the US side, they actually smile
like they welcome you to their country.
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jeffg
Nomad
Posts: 175
Registered: 11-25-2004
Location: Vista, CA
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I usually cross at San Ysidro, BUT with a 14' trailer full of household goods, I would cross at Otay. I don't know if it's changed with the new
crossing setup, but in the past if you had a trailer full of stuff they would turn you around and send you to Otay. Not a good way to start the
day...
But, maybe it's different now with the new crossing, does anyone have experience with that?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Otay is great southbound... because you just continue south a mile and turn left on Industrial avenue (signed for Mexicali/ Tecate toll hwy) for about
5 miles to the free CORREDOR 2000 highway to the coast (Popotla)! No toll, as you leave 2-D just before the first toll for Tecate bound cars.
[Edited on 3-1-2013 by David K]
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