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Go Baja Bound
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 9-10-2015
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Recommended Stops from Tijuana to Cabo
I'm planning to drive from Los Angeles crossing Tijuana to Los Cabos in November. We are hoping to map out our stops for gas, food, etc. Preferably
in about 5-8 hours apart. More importantly would like to know where would be a good safe hotel to spend the night. We'll be stopping in Lopez for a
day then continue on to Los Cabos.
Appreciate any information.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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First gas stop should be in El Rosario at Antonio's Pemex, and of course stop at Mama Espinoza's for food. You MUST have some of their crab soup...out
of this world.
Second stop for gas should be Jesus Maria, the first MAJOR gas station after El Rosario.
Next stop Guerrero Negro and eat at Mario's palapa (just before you come into town.
San Ignacio is next. Spend the night at Ignacio in B&B. Eat at Tootsies in town.
Next stop for gas is Santa Rosalia, stop at El Bolillo french bakery and visit the copper church.
Mulege is your next stop for gas and spend the night. Stay at La Serenidad.
Next stop is Loreto. Lots of places to stay by the water. Also stop for gas.
Next stop, depending on your time line is either La Paz or Cabo.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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In Loreto I like staying at the Oasis at the south end of the Malecon. A little higher $ than many of the other places. Good restaurant and bar too,
with an outdoor patio type dinning area. Beautiful in the evenings. I also like Augies bar/grill just a couple of blocks north of the Oasis.
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pelone
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Location: Loreto
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The Oasis in Loreto is an excellent value---at the foot of the malecon which is a wonderful way to stroll the Sea of Cortez' shore. Stop in at Augies
for happy hour and enjoy the ambiance of the locals--be aware that some local are very possessive of "their" chairs and stools but using one is a sure
way to jump start a conversation.
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bajaguy
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PEMEX Stops.........never pass one by
Ensenada - Circle K across from the Army base
San Quintin - Los Pinos, south of town
El Rosario - Leave a donation with Antonio for the ambulance service
Jesus Maria
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Go Baja Bound
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Wow, great detailed information. I'll definitely try and make all the food and gas stops mentioned.
I'll stop and fish a day in Mag Bay then to La Paz and Cabo. Then circle back.
Thanks!
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TMW
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If you are at the Serenidad on Saturday evening they have a pig roast that is all you can eat type thing. Not during the summer but Nov. OK.
If you get to Cabo San Lucas go to the Solmar hotel at lands end pacific side. They have a nice open air patio restaurant and the best scrimp ceviche
I have ever had.
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rts551
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Skip El Rosario for food. Mama Espinoza's is way over rated for food. Gets very mixed reviews. It does have history on its side. Much better food
in San QUintin. try Parcela 12. Fantastic food with nary a negative review.
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Bob53
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Jardines also has great food in San Quintin and also has a decent hotel. I agree about Mama Espinoza's, the last time I ate there the food was
sub-par, but I didn't try the crab soup.
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
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woody with a view
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I recommend you stop every time you gotta pee. The cacti will appreciate it!
[Edited on 9-11-2015 by woody with a view]
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BajaBlanca
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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well, the way I see it, you gotta stop by mama Espinoza's, if only to say you been there and done that. it is historical and yes, sometimes the food
or service aint so great (we have never had a problem but I have indeed read here that some have)... but it is a Baja Icon, it has fossils that will
amaze you and I think you have to go at least once!
we were in san Ignacio yesterday and Tootsies is closed til the whale watching season starts....so there really is only Rice and Beans for good basic
Mexican food. The main square with the town mission is incredible (drive straight into town and you will end up there). The yurts are indeed a
great place to stay (called IGNACIO SPRINGS INN and it is on the left as you enter town). The breakfast Terry and Gary serve with homemade breads,
jams and sausages is delicious.
http://www.ignaciosprings.com
In Mulege, we stay at one of the houses that Cliff owns, even though it says B&B, there is no breakfast LOL but you have your own kitchen and
Mulege has many good places to eat.
http://www.clementinenulege.com
And if you want to get off the beaten path - stop by the town of Bahia Asuncion,which is beautiful and has a B&B with a spectacular setting
overlooking the ocean:
http://www.bahiaasuncion.com
and village of La Bocana -lots of fishing, a wonderful bar/restaurant on the water and a great B&B too - I have to say that since it is ours !
http://www.labocanahotel.com
As an aside: I run a program for 15 local kids in our village and always need donations of anything school related (high liters, thick notebooks) as
well as shampoo, toothpaste, ties, men's dress shirts sized small and medium) and for October Halloween candy for all 75 middle school students who
come to the door! Terry and Gary of San Ignacio yurts kindly accept the donations as they are just minutes off the main highway.
Some other considerations for you: There are police checkpoints along the way - sometimes they ask for a passport and what they want is to see ID for
your name. They might ask you to step out of the vehicle and make sure you take documents and money with you, and keep an eye on them at all
times...better safe than minus a camera or cell phone. They will also ask you for the year of the car. They have guns....they are looking for drugs
and arms.
If you see a gas station with no cars, look for another one. Either water is in the gas or they short you.
Don't forget your visa which you get as you enter Mexico! There are threads that explain how to do this if you go to SEARCH.
Have fun and it would be fun to hear about your experiences afterwards.
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pelone
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Location: Loreto
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Be particularly cautious when using PEMEX in Santa Rosalia. These guys have perfected their hustle/scam. Just because they wear crucifixes around
their necks does not mean that they are honest. Don't take your eyes off of the meter even for a glance to the side during their attempts to distract
you. If you are cheated, don't raise hell---one of the guys' uncle is a cop and your uproar might result in a further annoyance as the cop/relative
insists that you empty the inside of your car for an inspection. Pay upland get out of Dodge.
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wilderone
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"... would like to know where would be a good safe hotel to spend the night. We'll be stopping in Lopez for a day then continue on to Los Cabos."
These plans will go awry. However, you will find that winging it through the larger towns on your map will have plenty of options. Don't sweat it.
Pay for gas in pesos and don't drive at night - the 12-wheeler semis coming at you is nerve-wracking.
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David K
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To help visualize locations mentioned...
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Bajahowodd
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Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  | PEMEX Stops.........never pass one by
Ensenada - Circle K across from the Army base
San Quintin - Los Pinos, south of town
El Rosario - Leave a donation with Antonio for the ambulance service
Jesus Maria |
If you fill at the Los Pinos in South San Quintin, you really do not have to stop in El Rosario 45 miles later.
We always make it to Guerrero Negro on a full tank from Los Pinos.
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Bajahowodd
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob53 | | Jardines also has great food in San Quintin and also has a decent hotel. I agree about Mama Espinoza's, the last time I ate there the food was
sub-par, but I didn't try the crab soup. |
Unfortunately, they are not open for breakfast. The family does run a restaurant a few miles North called Old San Quintin, next to the hospital, that
has great breakfasts.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Howard....you are so correct.....BUT if you don't stop and see Antonio, you can't leave a donation for the Desert Hawks Ambulance/Rescue Squad....and
who knows......you might need them one day
| Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd | | Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | PEMEX Stops.........never pass one by
Ensenada - Circle K across from the Army base
San Quintin - Los Pinos, south of town
El Rosario - Leave a donation with Antonio for the ambulance service
Jesus Maria |
If you fill at the Los Pinos in South San Quintin, you really do not have to stop in El Rosario 45 miles later.
We always make it to Guerrero Negro on a full tank from Los Pinos. |
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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pelone - the gas station in santa rosalia in front of the old el boleo plant is OK, right?
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SFandH
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Beware of the "litro chiquito". 
As far as must stops go, I vote for at least a 1/2 hour photography stop in the boulder fields a KM or two north of Catavina. Just turn off on one of
the side roads and drive a short distance.
A truly unique area.
[Edited on 9-12-2015 by SFandH]
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David K
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The one on the east side of the highway, closest to the harbor, was the honest one (in the past)... Last time I got gas in Santa Rosalia, I stopped at
the second one north of the harbor, on the east, thinking it was the right one (I was southbound)... and was noticeably shorted. Now, I don't get gas
there at all. I top off at Vizcaino and again at the one pump station in Mulege.
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