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surfdog
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 11-9-2006
Location: Not where I want to be...
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Mood: Ready to go...
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February Trip - New Questions
We are getting down to the wire and have a few final questions.
1) Are there any hotels in Gonzaga? If so does anyone have a recomendation? If not is there a good campground?
It looks like the vehicle we will be travelling in is a little less capable than first planned. We will be in a Toyota Highlander 4x4. Not great
ground clearance. So...
2) Just how bad is the road from LA Bay to Gonzaga?
3) How bad is the road from Gonzaga to San Felipe?
Can we make it?
4) Any Hotel suggestions in Rosarita?
Thanks in advance.
surfdog
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baja829
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Registered: 2-24-2006
Location: South Campos, San Felipe, BN
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There is one hotel in Gonzaga, and many good camping places. Depends on the wind. If it's nice camping is great, if it's not, try Alfonsina's.
Great restaurant, really good food. Well stocked general store to the right of the air strip. They generally have gas, lots of frozen foods, etc.
The road from San Felipe to Puertecitos is excellent! The first part of the road from Puertecitos, through the Three Sisters is rough, sometimes
slate, but very passable. (Mexican cars travel it regularly!) After you get through that, it's good hard sand all the way South pass Gonzaga, to
Coco's and turn off to LAB. If you stay in center it's washboard, but we sail along fairly well on either side of it, just watch carefully for tracks
and when they head towards center road, you head towards center road. Don't know about the road from there, but someone will comment on that who
knows it well.
It should be a great trip - just hope it warms up by then. Nights extremely cold in any event, be prepared. Have a great time!
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surfdog
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I have searched for a contact at Alfonsina's in Gonzaga and have come up empty. Does anyone have contact information to make a reservation?
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baja829
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I have it at home and will try and find it and send it to you, when we return this evening. We made reservations once, but they didn't have them when
we got there, so we got someone else's rooms-- bikers who got delayed, but weren't able to get through on the phone -- so, reservations are iffy at
best. Also, their food is excellent, but they generally serve it when they want to. They don't give you a bill for meals, either - you just keep
track of everything and pay for it when you check out. All good fun!
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David K
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Alfonsina's has a motel at Gonzaga Bay, the only one... Perhaps $50... View is awesome... Contacting them is not a sure deal... Reservations made
through the Tijuana numbers doesn't always work... No reason you should worry in February, however! Photo is of the motel... from November.
Camping at Rancho Grande, just south of Alfonsina's or at Beluga, south of Rancho Grande (reported very nice)...
L.A Bay to Gonzaga (no direct road) is paved (via Hwy. 1) most of the distance and 36 good dirt miles from Chapala to Gonzaga. Visit Coco at Coco's
corner!
Gonzaga to Puertecitos is VERY rough for 40 of the 50 miles... You CAN make it okay, don't worry... go slow!
Puertecitos to San Felipe is PAVED except maybe for a mile or two... shap dips so go slower than most paved roads... 55 miles.
ALFONSINA'S...
[Edited on 1-18-2007 by David K]
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David K
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Beach in front of Alfonsina's
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David K
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Coco and his guest book...
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David K
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L.A. Bay in front of Guillermo's...
So what are you waiting for? Get going!!!
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surfdog
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Thanks again for all your help, especially David K, your the best!
We leave 2/15. Can't wait!!!!!
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DianaT
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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We may head down that way in February since the last time we went that way was 2003. Maybe they will grade the road from Gonzaga north soon. On the
last trip, I drove that part and it was not bad---I am the chicken driver. 
Now, look at this innocent looking road with a picture of John that he does not like. 
This was taken near Coco's Corner. The road had been recently graded and yes, we were traveling a little too fast. Also, we still had the original
tires. Well, a little sharp volcanic rock took a big bite out of the sidewall.
Fortunately, we were going from Highway 1 toward Gonzaga and had picked up a young man walking. As he said, the road grader can bring up those sharp
little monsters. He was a lot younger than we are, and he helped with changing the tire.
So even if the road seems great from Gonzaga to Highway 1, take it easy. 
The tire was toast---bought a temporary spare in Gonzaga where we also bought gas. Oh, has the Pemex ever opened?
Have a great trip.
Diane
[Edited on 1-18-2007 by jdtrotter]
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David K
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Yes, the Pemex opens and closes depending if there is gas in the tanks! It was open in late November... If closed, check across the 'street' at Rancho
Grande... they have a gasoline stotage tank and pump to sell fuel...
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Yes, the Pemex opens and closes depending if there is gas in the tanks! It was open in late November... If closed, check across the 'street' at Rancho
Grande... they have a gasoline stotage tank and pump to sell fuel... |
Nice people there---that is where we bought the spare and gas.
Surfdog, go for it---it is just a beautiful drive
Diane
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MoFish
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Registered: 12-5-2006
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Just did the road 2 weeks ago in a cabovercamper truck average speed 8 miles an hour. Cant wait to do it again
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David K
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That's the right attitude!
Welcome to Baja Nomad MoFish!
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larry
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Location: Orinda, CA
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Gonzaga: I camped at Beluga and had dinner at Alfonsinas last month. I think Beluga is much preferable to Rancho Grande for two reasons. Beluga is
far away from any houses, and its toilets and showers are better maintained. Both campgrounds have been empty (except for me) during the last two
Decembers when I was there.
I suggest you not stress about reservations at Alfonsinas. There have been many reports about people making reservations that are not acknowledged
when they get there, but after some ceremonial back-and-forth, people end up getting a room. If none are available, you can always camp.
As I have posted before, the food at Alfonsina's alone is worth the trip.
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baja829
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Location: South Campos, San Felipe, BN
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Here's the numbers you can use to make reservations if you don't already have them! Hope this gets you there and you have a great time.
"The place to stay in Gonzaga Bay is Alfonsinas (hotel). Right on the beach, killer food, cold beer,,, it's sweet! One of my favorites in Baja.
Couple ways to contact 'em...
Call Joquin in Tijuana (his grandma is Alfonsina) 01152-664-64-81951 and make your reservation. He speaks perfect English.
Call to Rancho Grande (about 1/2 mile away from the hotel - has gas, store, sat. phone). You'll need to let them know the night you want to stay at
Alfonsinas, then call them back after about 20 minutes so they can radio to the hotel about availability.
01151-555-15-14065
At Alfonsinas you'll meet Irma and Antonio who are basically your hosts and run the joint. Roman might also be there (Joquin's brother). They are all
super great people."
If those numbers don't work, try the new system of placing a "1" after the Country Code - 521 ---
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David K
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Irma is gone... back to the city...
Here Antonio introduces Baja Angel and I to his new wife, Marta...
[Edited on 1-18-2007 by David K]
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David K
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As said before, dinner at Alfonsina's is a hit... Garlic Shrimp:
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David K
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The water is so clear... see fish (and dogs) swim by!
Have a great day... in Gonzaga Bay!
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David K
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From Space...
Punta Bufeo, Punta Willard, Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, Isla San Luis Gonzaga, Ensenada de San Francisquito (the correct name for the bigger half of
Gonzaga Bay), Punta Final
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