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VegasNick
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-14-2015
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First timer headed to BOLA and possibly Mulege
First off, thanks ahead of time to all of you for sharing your knowledge. If I listened to all of my friends, I would never do this trip! I have heard
everything from me being killed to turning my family into cartel sex slaves.
Planning a trip for Thanksgiving week. This will be my first time driving down. Planning on crossing at Mexicali and will have our offroad camper with
us. We want to go to at least the Bay of LA, and hopefully to Mulege if time allows. We will have 10 days to get from Las Vegas and back. I'd like to
do as much off road as possible and be able to mix in some hotel/shower stops every few days. Also looking to beach camp as much as possible.
So a few questions:
I hear one crossing in Mexicali is easier than the other with the camper. Which one? Also, I understand we need to get our FMM stamped at the
crossing. Is this correct?
Is Mulege and back possible in ten days or should we cut off at Bay of LA?
What is the best place along the way for a cool street market?
Thanks again for the advice!
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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There will be a bunch of people the will say 10 to Mulege isn't enough time, it's your trip do what you want. We drive to SQ and make Mulege the next
day. I have driven Mulege to the Boarder in a day. We always cross SY as we live in LA.
Both Bay of LA and Mulege are both great places. If the wind is blowing they both aren't a east place to be.
Many towns have markets on Saturdays.
Are you looking to off-road and drive or do you want to post up a few days and then hotel then post up? What you you want to do on this trip? Camp?
Fish? Explore?
There is plenty to see, lots to do, give us a clue and we'll try to help.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Street markets here go by the name segundas. One of my favorite segundas is in Vizcaino which serves the farm workers so the prices seem to usually
be pretty reasonable. For a general street market like you would find in Tijuana or Mexicali. You indicate that you like off road, so the back road
through Puertocitos and San Felipe would be my first option. Lots of camping places through that whole area and as long as you are around a few
other people, you should be safe. I used to camp solo all the time but less so now. Shore fishing can be very good from San Felipe on down, try to
concentrate on areas that have rocky outcroppings on the shore.
Try going with the flow and see how much distance you want to cover in a day. It is more about the experience than logging miles. I much prefer
the Mulege area but that is probably why I live here. I did explore BOLA a lot before making a final decision as to where to live but you may make
different connections and relate to things that work better for you.
You have one day to the border from Vegas, another for crossing and getting to San Felipe, BOLA will probably be day 4, so now you are really short
of time to make Mulege as you are up to 8 days with little rest time.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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Plan for Mulege...if you don't make it.. oh well. A lot of your time will be spent traveling...but since it is all new, also interesting. Drive
slower than you would in the US. Mexican highways just not the same as North of the border. Do not drive at night. Too many animals and obstacles.
Gulf side is nice that time of year so enjoy. Depending on when in November, avoid areas like Ensenada because of the Baja 1000 off-road race. You
can get the course ahead of time. You got time for planning...have fun...you will get lots of input since everyone has their favorite places.
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VegasNick
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-14-2015
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Being this is our first trip, I just want to casually explore off road. I haven't surf fished since the 80's.  We really just want to get away and disconnect from Vegas life and explore off road. I lead a big ghost town
expedition every year here in Nevada and would like to explore some of the missions and such in Baja. We want to enjoy local food and drink and bring
home some great pieces to remember our trip by.
I agree about the miles! This is surely just about the experience of traveling SOTB and being able to do it safely. My initial thoughts too were that
10 days might not be enough. I know we could hit pavement to make up lost time but I am sure there is much to be missed in doing so.
This is our rig.
[Edited on 4-26-2015 by BajaNomad]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64836
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, the border is the ONLY sure place to both get the FMM and get it stamped... Just park where you can after crossing the border and walk to the INM
office with you valid passports. Always put the southern tip of Baja (Cabo San Lucas) down as your destination, so you are covered if you change your
plans... and 180 Days, for the max. time (the price is the same 8-180 days!).
Yes, it is possible and common to go to Mulege and back in 10 days... it is a easy 2 day drive back to the border... one if you push it and begin
early.
The other Nomads before me covered street markets. L.A. Bay is a very small town, so San Felipe will be your last 'city' until Guerrero Negro, Santa
Rosalia, Loreto... but that is beyond your goal of Mulegé.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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Your first sentence is awesome the part about being killed or turning your family into cartel sex slaves. Bring along a friend that you don't really
like just in case and use him for barter. With that rig you've got you'll get anywhere in Baja almost. LA bay is awesome that time of year the wind
also blows for two or three days at a time and you'll wish you were anywhere else. Figure out the logistics first and then decide on your way as
you're heading south where you want to go. If there's a high pressure over the great basin that means the Northwinds will be roaring through the golf
side and parts of the Pacific side.
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VegasNick
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-14-2015
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Woody, I told them that I was going down to test it out and if I didn't come home then they know not to come down! 
Awesome weather tips! We'll adjust accordingly.
We also carry a 12 gallon aux tank so I am guessing we'll be ok between gas stops. That was my other concern.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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Listen to Woody. He is known to bring a stripper or two down as trade bait.
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VegasNick
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-14-2015
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David, I understand that I can get the form ahead of time through discover Baja Travel club. Is that incorrect?
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VegasNick
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-14-2015
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That is pretty much how I am looking at it. I know that we will turn this into an annual trip so we won't try to see it all in one trip.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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The Pacific coast can also be nice that time of year.....depending.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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that is correct. you still need to get it stamped at Migra. easiest option the first time.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2396
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
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if your coming from LV,, much easer to cross at San Luis
come down HWY 95, first street after you cross take a right
then an easy drive to HWY 5 south to San Felipe
you will find any thing you want along the way to LA Bay
keep Mulege as an option, so much to see so little time
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64836
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, if you are a member... and going through San Diego when they are open. Otherwise, it is really no additional time to just get it at the border,
since you need to stop there anyway to get then thing stamped.
The big advantage to the pre-paid FMM from Discover Baja is if there is any problem getting the INM officer to take your money if the bank window next
door is closed. Since 2012, INM has been authorized to accept the fee, before you had to pay the bank teller there at the border.. or find an open
bank to pay, then come back to the border to get the final stamp (a most ridiculous bit of bureaucracy).
edit... I see Woody also answered... Lot's of help from many on Baja Nomad!
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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I'm with the majority - this is a lot of driving. The highway is difficult and tiresome at some places, and boring in others.
Yes, you can make it all in 10 days, with Mulege. The question is - Will it be fun doing it this way.
Cool street market? Baja is a sanitized/americanized version of Mexico. Shopping here isn't an exotic experience. Segunda tent in BOLA is selling
things that we throw away or donate to Salvation Army, like coffee mugs with slogans that are either stupid or were bought for some special occasion,
that you don't need anymore.
Roadside fruit stands are common, and again, there is nothing extraordinary about them. Local produce like oranges and tomatoes is cheaper than in the
US, other items are expensive.
Bring your own food, at least non-perishables - canned meat, dry fruits etc. This will save you both time and money. You will always get there some
fresh fruits and basic stock like rice, pasta and some canned food if you run out of it.
I don't know what you are expecting from Mulege. The town itself has a little more historical remnants than BOLA or Sta Rosaila though. There are no
camps on the beach within the general area of Mulege - for this you would have to go to either Punta Chivato or Bahia Concepcion. Mostly, the problem
is that it is a full day drive from BOLA to Mulege. I would leave it for another trip.
PS: Prepaid Tourist card from travel clubs. There is no such thing.
They are selling you a blank, not a valid tourist card. You have to stop at the border and get it stamped anyway (and pay for this, additionally to
what the blank cost you). And, since you have to stop, I don't know why not getting the blank for free. Yes, David K is right - there is a chance that
the window with blanks will be closed, but it's always open in daytime.
[Edited on 4-26-2015 by Alm]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64836
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by desertcpl  |
if your coming from LV,, much easer to cross at San Luis
come down HWY 95, first street after you cross take a right
then an easy drive to HWY 5 south to San Felipe
you will find any thing you want along the way to LA Bay
keep Mulege as an option, so much to see so little time |
There is a short section of toll highway (second small arrow) that will avoid city traffic... will be signed Hwy. 2-D (vs. Hwy. 2) Cuota (toll).
[Edited on 4-26-2015 by David K]
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BajaTed
Senior Nomad
Posts: 859
Registered: 5-2-2010
Location: Bajamar
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A couple of pointer from a fellow newbie for the road trip to Muelege
Have everybody not driving looking out for the TOPES (speed bumps) on the road.
Don't drop a wheel off the highway pavement, the road berms are vey steep and tall, worst of all don't yank the steering wheel Bad things happen.
IF YOU DRIVE @ NIGHT, The big trucks have lights on their side mirrors, focus on only them when passing.
Count the crosses on the side of the road all the way there, should be around 100.
Take an expired drivers license and present it if you sense a crooked cop is gonna pinch you.
If a crooked cop wants money, ask him if he has children, tell him your gonna rat him out to the Sindicturas and remind him his wife will kill him for
losing his job. works every time for me
Es Todo Bueno
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Baches too. Some of the potholes have their own zip code.
Oh, yeah....DON'T drive at night. Just don't.
.
[Edited on 4-26-2015 by DENNIS]
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch |
Heck, you could easily have just as much fun hitting Gonzaga Bay and then heading down to LA Bay and not spend nearly as much time driving
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Yes. Coming from some place East and crossing at Mexicali this makes sense. There isn't much to do or see in Tijuana and Ensenada if your mindset is
wilderness and offroading. Don't know how well their rig will handle those 40 miles dirt road from Gonzaga to Hwy 1 - probably alright when it's dry.
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