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Ruben
Newbie
Posts: 10
Registered: 4-6-2006
Location: San Diego
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Driving to Coco's Corner, need a little help.
I've been down the pacific side all the way to San Quintin several times, and I'm a regular down on the pacific side, but I'm making my first crossing
at Mexicali.
I'll be heading down the 5 to San Felipe. Then Saturday hoping to drive down to visit Coco's corner. We'll be taking my 2WD Toyota 4Runner.
Can somone give me an idea how long of a drive it is down to Coco's corner?
Where does the pavment end? Puetecitos?
Am I in for a rude awakening as far as road conditions?
Anyone been down that way lately?
I'd really appreciate any tips you can give me.
Thanks,
Ruben Leon
bajacali@gmai.com
Ruben
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Az/Ca/Baja
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bring beer...and bring alot,in case I run out
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Bob H
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Ruben,
As I understand it, they are now working to pave the road to Puertecitos and only have made it to around KM 50-somthing. Then the pot holes are awful
and it's slow going around them. After Puertecitos (air down at the closed Pemex there) the road becomes bad washboard (unless it's been recently
graded which I don't think happens too often). Eventually, some day, the road supposedly will be paved all the way through Gonzaga past Coco's on to
Highway 1. People have reported sightings of surveyers recently that indicates this is what they want to do. It's well worth the terrible road
conditions to get there and your 2wd will do just fine. Gonzaga bay is absolutely beautiful as is the entire drive to get there from Puertecitos.
Stop for some ice cold beer at Cowpatty's on the way down. That stretch took us six hours in our Cabover Camper, but we were really going slow.
After you pass Gonzaga Bay (and there is a military stop there - and those guys get real excited when someone finally comes through) the road is a lot
of sand. After Coco's more washboard through the dry lake bed area (Lake Chapala) to MX-1.
Give us a trip report when you get back - please!
Bob H
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bajalou
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Cowpatty's lost their liquor license and are trying to get it back - so its soft drinks and food only right now.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Ruben
Newbie
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Registered: 4-6-2006
Location: San Diego
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More than a Day trip?
Hmmm... 6 hours huh. I was thinking I could leave in the am and go down to Coco's and be back at San Felipe at Sundown. Does that sound unlikely?
I will definitely post a trip report complete with pictures.
I found this site and it's great. Thanks for the tips.
Anyone else want to chime in here?
Thanks,
Ruben Leon
"El Gato"
Ruben
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Bajaboy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ruben
Hmmm... 6 hours huh. I was thinking I could leave in the am and go down to Coco's and be back at San Felipe at Sundown. Does that sound unlikely?
I will definitely post a trip report complete with pictures.
I found this site and it's great. Thanks for the tips.
Anyone else want to chime in here?
Thanks,
Ruben Leon
"El Gato" |
It it a long drive but well worth it. Instead of driving to Coco's, I'd suggest taking a trip down the coast. There are a number of beaufitul
beaches between SF and Gonzaga. Pack an ice chest and enjoy the beauty.
I'm headed to Gonzaga myself on Tuesday.
Zac
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David K
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Bob H drives a BIG cab over camper, very slow going... I drive a Tacoma, muy rapido... Here is Toyota driving time...
Mexicali to San Felipe, 126 mi. : 2.5 hrs.
San Felipe to Puertecitos, 55 mi.: 2 hrs. (15 rough miles)
Puertecitos to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, 50 mi.: 3 hrs. (rough, but scenic)
Gonzaga to Coco's Corner is 23 miles, 1 hr. (easier dirt road)
Coco's to Hwy. 1 (Laguna Chapala) is 13 mi., 1/2 hr.
Now, I actually can pass through faster, but it isn't the Baja 1000 afterall, so enjoy yourselves.
By the way, Coco's is just a place to stretch your legs, have a beer, and be amused at what a one legged fellow has done...
As Zac says, there is lot's of pretty coastline... At Gonzaga's Pemex, turn left and go to Alfonsina's for a great meal.
Enchanted Islands south of Puertecitos:
Gonzaga Bay at Alfonsina's:
Friendly pelican at Alfonsina's:
Coco watches Baja Angel sign his guest book:
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Ruben
Newbie
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Registered: 4-6-2006
Location: San Diego
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Wow Thanks again. I guess I wanted to check out Coco cuz from one I read and seen on a couple Baja DVD's he's like practically a local feature, or
maybe a living legend, ha ha. I've just seen his little spot in so many pictures that I figure man I better get down and check it out.
Sounds to me like I would be hard pressed to get to Coco's and back to San Felipe all in one day. 
I really wanted to check it out though. And I definitely want to check out Gonzaga, I've read so much about it and heard stories of how beautiful it
is. I really appreciate the help, and the pictures.
The drive time estimates are great! THANK YOU David K!
Maybe if we get up crack early we can make it there and back, but then that's not much time left to smell the roses.
I'm going to try and charge it.
I wonder if there is anywhere to rent a room in Gonzaga??
Anything else I should look for?
Thanks again.
Ruben
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rts551
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Registered: 9-5-2003
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Ruben
I just went that way two weeks ago. The road has not been graded in a while and is pretty rough. But very pretty. We prefer it over Hiway 1 this
time of year.
It is not a one day round trip unless you want to miss all the sites. Plan to stay in Gonzaga - There is a small Hotel - Alfonsina's.
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
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Ruben...
you will have a blast at Coco's,his place is something out of a strange dream....I wouldnt reccomend 'charging it" unless your rig is race ready,the
roads pretty brutal in a few spots...take your time and enjoy the drive,trust me you will be glad you did...
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David K
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Yes, a motel at Alfonsina's or rustic rooms at Punta Bufeo are your non-camping options.
I forgot to give the link to a small Coco's Corner web page: http://vivabaja.com/coco
Here is one photo of Andree giving Coco a hair cut...
[Edited on 4-12-2006 by David K]
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Bob H drives a BIG cab over camper, very slow going... I drive a Tacoma, muy rapido... Here is Toyota driving time...
San Felipe to Puertecitos, 55 mi.: 2 hrs. (15 rough miles)
Puertecitos to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, 50 mi.: 3 hrs. (rough, but scenic)
Now, I actually can pass through faster, but it isn't the Baja 1000 afterall, so enjoy yourselves.
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My six hour drive was from Puertecitos to Gonzaga Bay. Like David said, in your 4-runner you should be able to make it in five hours. I would take
my time and really enjoy the scenery.
Bob H
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Tomas Tierra
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After that run past Coc'os and out to hwy 1, where do you intersect hwy 1??
I'm a Pacific sider, but that sounds cool!
[Edited on 4-7-2006 by Tomas Tierra]
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rts551
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Laguna Chapala
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Tomas Tierra
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which is roughly around wich pueblo??
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rts551
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North of the Bahia de LA turn off about 30-40 miles
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Tomas Tierra
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Thanx- sounds like quite a run... gas available in there somewhere??
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Ruben
Newbie
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Registered: 4-6-2006
Location: San Diego
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Ok, I'm thinking maybe I could drive to Coco's and then maybe just stay at Alfonsina's Sat night on the way back, and then head out to San Felipe
Sunday and then back home to Carlsbad that afternoon.
So I'll be cool without the 4WD on the road even if the conditions are rough?
Does Coco sell Beer, or just sodas? Is he or someone always there pretty much? I'm planning on leaving around 6am and just taking it at an easy
pace.
Yes my friend Jorge and I will have plenty of beer/food for anyone that we meet along the way. Hopefully we can use that as trade if we get stuck
somewhere. I'll be in a gray 4Runner with California plates.
I'll take plenty of pictures and give a detailed report upon return.
Ruben
Ruben
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Ruben
Newbie
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Registered: 4-6-2006
Location: San Diego
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Oh yeah, is Gas available at Gonzaga?
Ruben
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
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sounds like a great plan...
there is a gas station that might be open if not you can get gas across the street at the Rancho Grande market,although occasionally they run
out....coco is usually down there and he has a fridge which is stocked with cold pacificos...we always try to bring him something since he is in the
middle of nowhere and has no access to any stores closeby,last time we brought a bunch of skin lotion and a jacket...but anything you can think of i'm
sure he can use
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