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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
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Los Angeles to Los Barilles
Spent last Christmas and New Years in San Felipe
Want to spend this year in Los Barriles.
Leaving from Los Angeles. Plan to make the trip in 2.5 days, traveling only from late dawn to very early dusk.
What do I need to know?
Is there a list of locations (with distance) for the Pemex stations?
Anyone have a recommendation for a portable GPS system which includes Mexico maps?
I'm driving an FJ Cruiser (4WD), pulling a 19ft Airstream. What areas (if any) should I expect any problems?
Plan to stop in San Ignacio overnight. Anyone know if the accommodations in San Ignacio (Rice and Beans?) allows a [well-behaved] dog in the room
(willing to do a pet deposit, if needed)
Saw the news about nine more murders in Tijuana over the weekend. How far south do I need to be to stop worrying?
Does anyone offer / sell a detailed listing of points-of-interest for this trip (mostly Pemex, lodging, restaurants) or maybe suggestions from the
forum members?
Open to any and all suggestions, although I may only listen to the helpful ones
Thanks in advance for the help!
gb3
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I just read your other post about a convoy...
My thoughts were that will be a brutal trip to make in 2 days... towing an Airstream, make that dangerous...
Hwy. 1 is narrower than Hwy. 5 once you are south of San Quintin... There are no 'Pemex' stations for 200 miles between El Rosario (top off there) and
Villa Jesus Maria or Guerrero Negro/ state border/ Eagle Monument.
It gets dark EARLY now, and you loose an hour at the state border (Mtn. time zone)...
As for points of interest...??? You can't be driving and sight-seeing at the same time... You will be zooming through the greatest desert garden in
the world to keep to your schedule.
I suggest a chill (Baja style) attitude to your drive, and enjoy it... take 4 days to get there, 3 at least. San Ignacio, Mulege, Bahia Concepcion are
worth some time at!
Some things you could see: http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/tours
LB Maps can be loaded in a Garmin Nuvi from what I read... Great Baja topos and city maps for your GPS street pilot.
[Edited on 12-1-2008 by David K]
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
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David,
Yeah, you aren't the first person to suggest that two days of 12 hours of driving is a brutal way to start and end a vacation. In fact, I've allowed
for three days driving back, in case the drive down convinces the wife that 1000 miles in two days is just too aggressive. I've asked her at least
five times if she wants to extend the drive to three days. She wants to get to Los Barriles, drop the camper, and really start the vacation. The
auxiliary lighting on the truck is just so we can drive late dawn and early dusk. I'm counting on 12 hours of drive time, including stops every
125-175 miles.
The points of interest question was more from the GPS frame of reference; gas stations, restaurants, hotels. Since we are planning a banzai run I
didn't expect we would have time for anything like whale watching or exploring the salt flats.
200 miles between fill-ups might be an issue dragging the trailer. I may have to invest in a Jerry can or two and some roof racks. Is there a list
of cities with distances for the Pemex stations? I would like to plan out my stops every 125-175 miles (3-5 stops a days, or every 3 or 4 hours)
Haven't purchased a Garmin yet. But, from what your saying, I can purchase the one with the better feature set an upgrade the maps, instead of a
crippled feature set that happens to have the Mexico map preloaded.
Assuming I wanted to make a three days trip up/back, what are the logical stop-over points?
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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You will have no problems with gas between the border and El Rosario as there are plenty of Pemex along the way.
After you fill up in El Rosario, it is 200 miles into Villa Jesus Maria.
That is the longest stretch between Pemex stations.
There is also normally gas available from barrels in Catavinia and at the BLA turnoff.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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"Since we are planning a banzai run I didn't expect we would have time for anything like whale watching or exploring the salt flats"
Gee, I hope you don't think that's all there is or even the best to see...
The education for the kids (and adults) is great, besides the Mexican cultural part you mentioned elsewhere.
California began in Baja... Baja California was California first. You will be going back in time as you travel from San Diego south to Loreto...
Loreto is the head and mother mission of all California missions, founded in 1697 (long before America became a country)!
The missions and a visita you will pass right by or within a few miles of Hwy. 1 going to Los Barriles include: Descanso, San Miguel, Santo Tomas, San
Vicente, Santo Domingo, El Rosario (2 sites), San Fernando, San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia de Mulege, Visita de San Juan Londo, Loreto, Ligui (just the
site, ruins washed away), La Paz (just a monument, no ruins).
Other cool historic sites would be the Indian petroglyphs and pictographs (cave paintings)... Easy to get to include San Fernando (a mile beyond the
mission on the east facing cliff), Catavņa (2 miles north of the village just before the palm arroyo crossing... on top of boulder hill), in the
museum next to the San Ignacio museum is a recreation of some of the giant Sierra de San Francisco (San Pablo Canyon) art.
All of the above can be seen in my web pages... in person is an entire new experience you won't forget!
The missions can all be seen here: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions
[Edited on 12-2-2008 by David K]
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by socalrat
Spent last Christmas and New Years in San Felipe
Want to spend this year in Los Barriles.
Leaving from Los Angeles. Plan to make the trip in 2.5 days, traveling only from late dawn to very early dusk.
What do I need to know?
Is there a list of locations (with distance) for the Pemex stations?
Anyone have a recommendation for a portable GPS system which includes Mexico maps?
I'm driving an FJ Cruiser (4WD), pulling a 19ft Airstream. What areas (if any) should I expect any problems?
Plan to stop in San Ignacio overnight. Anyone know if the accommodations in San Ignacio (Rice and Beans?) allows a [well-behaved] dog in the room
(willing to do a pet deposit, if needed)
Saw the news about nine more murders in Tijuana over the weekend. How far south do I need to be to stop worrying?
Does anyone offer / sell a detailed listing of points-of-interest for this trip (mostly Pemex, lodging, restaurants) or maybe suggestions from the
forum members?
Open to any and all suggestions, although I may only listen to the helpful ones
Thanks in advance for the help!
gb3 |
If you are leaving from LA plan on Ensenada or San Quintin at best for your first night. Ensenada to San Ignacio in one day would be difficult and
dangerous pulling a trailer. We came back from Los Barriles last Thursday, stopped in San Ignacio for a wounderful Thanksgiving dinner with Terry and
Gary and left about 7:30 the next morning. After driving too fast all day we got into Tecate well after dark (FJ Cruiser without a trailer). Remember,
you will lose an hour on the way down and it gets dark early this time of year.
Please be careful and take your time. There are many sights to see but one moment of rubber necking can change your life forever......
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
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Planned to leave Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon and stage in Chula Vista. Leave Chula Vista just before dawn and make it to San Ignacio by just
after dark. Still not sure this is doable, even with 500w of auxiliary lighting.
If I planned three days down, starting in Chula Vista, where would be a reasonable, hospitable stopping point for night #1 and night #2?
gb3
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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I would think that it is doable assuming 11-13 hours of driving time.
I don't think I would want to do it though.
The issue is that a one hour delay along the way could cause you to drive 1-2 hours in darkness from GN to San Ignacio; not a good stretch to drive at
night IMO.
If you make the attempt but get hung up somewhere you need a back-up plan.
BajaCactus Motel in El Rosario
Desert in or ??don't remember the name? in Catavinia
Numerous motels in GN
Your next back-up if you won't make Barriles before dark is either Loreto, Cuidad Constitution or El Centenario/La Paz. Someone else will have a
better idea of places to stay in these places as I normally camp.
But why don't you camp in the Airstream ??
The options for camping locations are different/more.
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fernando
Junior Nomad
Posts: 69
Registered: 11-16-2008
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Hi
I think the only problem area is TJ in terms of security. The toll road to Ensenada is good and if you stop try to do it at the toll areas. Also there
are repairs going on so the road narrows in 2-3 places. You can probably do Ensenada-Guerrero Negro in 1 day. At Cataviņa there are cave paintings
near the road where you can take a break and check them out.
Fernando
Baja Outfitters & Adventures
www.baja-outfitters.com
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by socalrat
Planned to leave Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon and stage in Chula Vista. Leave Chula Vista just before dawn and make it to San Ignacio by just
after dark. Still not sure this is doable, even with 500w of auxiliary lighting.
If I planned three days down, starting in Chula Vista, where would be a reasonable, hospitable stopping point for night #1 and night #2?
gb3 |
Day one: El Rosario. Day two: Loreto. Day three: Los Barriles.
There is usually a lot of slow moving local traffic between Ensenada and San Quintin and it will be difficult to do any passing with a trailer. Better
to take your time and smell the exhaust...I mean roses. Driving at night is a really bad idea especially pulling a trailer no matter how much light
you have. Oncoming traffic, especially the trucks can be extremely dangerous. If one side-swipes your trailer in the dark.......well, you know......
Please take your time and enjoy the road trip. I've made the trip dozens of times and usually find myself driving too fast for the conditions. I
always arrive in a much better frame of mind when I take my time.....besides, it's a bad thing when you scare your passengers.....dt
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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If you have never driven south of Ensenada then you only know the distance and not conditions... Many trucks, not a lot of passing opportunities
towing a big trailer...
Baja Cactus Motel is next door to the Pemex there at the bottom of the long grade... you won't be sorry. Top off the tank... next Pemex is 200 miles
south with a couple of vendors selling out of cans at Cataviņa and the L.A. Bay jcn. (76 and 140 miles from El Rosario).
Tijuana to El Rosario is 225 miles and takes 5 hours on a good day, not towing... add 1-2 more hours for you... plus stops.
If you are at El Rosario before 2 pm, then push on to Cataviņa (76 miles/ 2 hours for you...). If you wish to stay in a motel, the Desert Inn (La
Pinta) on the right is okay... the motel on the left just north got terrible reviews last week from Ken Cooke). The desert south of El Rosario will
remind the kids of the Flintstones and Dr. Seuss rolled into one....
============================================================
Day 2 starts in either El Rosario or Cataviņa... 310 or 234 miles to San Ignacio (do not drive by without taking the paved 2 mile road into town
plaza, if you are too early to stay the night).
Mulege is 318 miles from Cataviņa or 394 miles from El Rosario (84 miles from San Ignacio)... There is a super steep long grade beyond San Ignacio
that takes you down to sea level... so again, not a fast drive!
==============================================================
Mulege to Los Barriles will be one super long drive for Day 3, about 360 miles...
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
Member Is Offline
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Thanks to everyone for the very specifc advice and all the options! Just the kind of information I was looking for - impossible to really figure out
from a map or even surfing the 50 or so Baja websites I've found.
I'm especially grateful for the 'Scenario A' and 'Scenario b' type of response which allow for some flexibility based on what kind of time we are
making. After all the suggestions to split the trip into three days, I did some looking around and I read something about the Desert Inn in Cataviņa
on both TripAdvidsor and Expedia. Thanks for the tips!
Your point about not driving farther south than Ensenada is well taken. I did drive from Mexicali to San Felipe most of the way in the dark last
December and it was a bit nerve-wracking...but that was with stock lighting (and was caused by not making the kind of time I expected to make...)
My turn to answer some questions:
Although we are pulling an airstream, we don't want to overnight in it on the way down or back. On previous trips we've found we really prefer just
pulling it along as a 'home base' and setting up and tearing down just for a quick meal and 7 hours of sleep is too much of a hassle. Would rather
just do a inexpensive motel room for the night.
David K mentioned kids; I don't have any kids that I know of, so this trip will be just me, the wife and a 2 yr old Belgian Malinois. Although the
wife hasn't ever really seen desert, I think I'm more likely to have to stop to let the puppy out to stretch her legs and answer nature's call. On
previous trips we have been able to loop this in with gas stops, which should be every 150-175 miles.
The 200 mile stretch between Pemex stations has me a little worried; Buying gas from guys with barrels sounds like an invitation for contaminated
gas. Anyone have experience with this? Should I work out a Jerry can rig instead?
So,
I'm thinking it's going to be
Day One | Chula Vista (Ca) to Cataviņa,
Day Two | Cataviņa to Mulege (or San Ignacio - very early to bed),
Day Three | Mulege (or San Ignacio - would be very early start) to Los Barriles.
Does that sound reasonable, again, given the interest in starting early dawn and driving through until late dusk?
thanks again David K, Diver, DTBushPilot, and fernando!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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i always worry about a clogged injector by buying from cans, but if you need gas what are your options? i'm surprised you can't go 200 miles on a full
tank. bring a can, or three if need be.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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I don't know of anyone who's had problems with the gas at Catavinia or the BLA junction but carry a filter if you are worried.
They are almost always there during daylight hours.
I like your new plan;
El Rosario or Catavinia,
Mulege or Loreto,
Barriles.
Now what type of lodging are you looking for ?
BajaCactus in El Rosario is clean and very nice for around $35
The Desert Inn in Catavinia is about double that and not so nice
The other place in Catavinia is VERY basic
Others can probably give you good recommendations for lodging in Mulege or Loreto based on a description of what you're looking for.
.
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
i'm surprised you can't go 200 miles on a full tank. bring a can, or three if need be. |
Certainly can get more than 200 miles when I'm not pulling a 19ft AirStream. To be candid, I'm really not sure how many miles I can get on one tank,
pulling the trailer. In the past I've always traveled where there are lots of gas stations available.
regards,
gb3
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Desert Inn in Catavina was $85 in 2007. It was In dissrepair and try to avoid the food also.
One thing to consider about trying to make it to Catavina.........they are doing roadwork from El Rosario to Catavina as reported here. Leave
yourself plenty of time to make that leg, or start on it fresh first thing in the morning.
Have a great trip!
Ken
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
I like your new plan;
El Rosario or Catavinia,
Mulege or Loreto,
Barriles.
Now what type of lodging are you looking for ?
BajaCactus in El Rosario is clean and very nice for around $35
The Desert Inn in Catavinia is about double that and not so nice
The other place in Catavinia is VERY basic
Others can probably give you good recommendations for lodging in Mulege or Loreto based on a description of what you're looking for.
. |
Two things I think; "clean and comfortable", and "allows dogs"
It sounds like I don't have much choice in Cantavia - just Desert Inn? Would rather not stop in El Rosario for two reasons; want to get farther into
Baja on the first day, if possible and am just a little bit skittish about being in a real small town which recently had a narco-murder. Feel safer
farther south (as silly as that sounds)
Mulege has a few nice motels, no? and Loreto is a bigger town/small city,? Any suggestions? (I'll also look at some Baja websites)
Thanks again!
gb3
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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GPS
GPS
COSTCO has the Garmin NUVI 750 on sale, $199
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11314582&am...
Check out LB maps for the Baja SD Card (full Mexico maps)
got a great review by another Nomad
http://www.lbmaps.com/maps_of_mexico.htm
I received my SD Card in the mail the other day, will try it out on December 24th.
[Edited on 12-3-2008 by bajaguy]
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Desert Inn in Catavina was $85 in 2007. It was In dissrepair and try to avoid the food also.
...clip...
Have a great trip!
Ken |
Okay, now I'm wondering if Catavinia is such a great choice for a stop-over.
So, I would either have to go short and stop in El Rosario, adding ~70 miles to Day Two... stopping at the BajaCactus for the night, then San Ignacio
on Day/Stop Two, on to Los Barriles
or push through and add ~155 miles to Day One and make it all the way to Guerro Negro (I think I saw a number of places to stay on various websites -
suggestions?) to Loreto on Day/Stop Two (lodging suggestions) and then to Los Barriles.
Is Chula Vista to Guerro Negro reasonable? Look like at least 13 hours on the mapping sites...
gb3
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
Member Is Offline
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Ahhh...was looking at exactly that model as a Xmas gift for the wife - the FJ doesn't have a Navi system...but I'm thinking the 765 model, to give her
hands free bluetooth and FM traffic.
Maybe I'll find one and order it today...
gb3
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