L.A. to Gonzaga Bay in one day

[shahram]

Four of us, in two vehicles, are planning to leave Los Angeles, CA at approximately 0300 for a drive to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, BCN. We hope to be eating tacos at Alfonsina's by sundown. Why the quick departure and marathon drive? We've got fish to catch, beers to drink, and farts to laugh at, and only four days with which to do it.

Driving after sundown has already been agreed upon as verbotten, and try as we may, we might have to end up camping en route. No big deal, if we reach south of Puertecitos, we can stop for a meal, and camp on the fly in the roof tents.

What's the feasibility of this ambitious venture? Do you think we can make it to Gonzaga Bay before the sun touches the mountains? If not, any good remote camping south of Puertecitos? Any suggestions?

Thanks again to all for great advice and experience!

 

[flywgn]

I don't know your time from L.A. to Calexico. It depends on what part of the city. Here's our avg times.

Calexico - San Felipe = 2 hrs
SF - SLdG = 3 hrs

That's DRIVING TIMES. Stopping for beers, tacos, and gas (the kind used in vehicles) not included.

My guess is that LA - Calexico = 4 hrs ±

Therefore, given stops for essentials = 2 hrs you're looking at being able to have one of Antonio's margueritas or Cuba libres or a Corona w/tacos de camarones at Alfonsina's around 1400h ±

:rally_guys:

Allen R

 

[Scott Brady]

Easy trip in one day IMHO. I drove from the San Fernando Valley to Punta Bufeo in one day and we still had some light when we got there. Maybe even an hour of light because we slayed some fish for dinner. And that was before the extra 18 miles of pavement south of SF. We left at 4:30 am or so.

You have been driving in LA for years, so you got the skills amigo :victory:

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

When is this trip planned???

I am doing the same thing (almost) the last weekend in April from San Diego! :victory:

Our plan is:

-Leave my place in San Diego @ 5am Sharp Friday!
-Cross in Tijuana
-Grab Mex 3 In Ensenada
-Do a Quick Stop at San Pedro Martir and Mike Sky Ranch For Some Views
-Stop in San Felipe for Fish Tacos
-Get to Gonzaga with an hour or 2 of daylight left!
-Relax Friday PM
-Enjoy a lazy day of swimming and sightseeing
-Bomb home Sunday AM

Its kind of a rush trip, but should be a good time!

Anyone care to add their opinions on this plan? We are going to have 5-6 rigs with us!

We have several folks coming with us that are first timers so our route should expose them to the various terrains of Baja!

:campfire:

 

[flywgn]

When is this trip planned???

I am doing the same thing (almost) the last weekend in April from San Diego! :victory:

Our plan is:

-Leave my place in San Diego @ 5am Sharp Friday!...
-Do a Quick Stop at San Pedro Martir and Mike Sky Ranch
...-Get to Gonzaga with an hour or 2 of daylight left!...
... We are going to have 506 rigs with us!///

WOW!!! 506 rigs with you. Sure glad you're don't have PBYC on your itinerary. :Wow1: You'd do in the fajitas we'd planned :eatchicke

With all due respect, BM, I don't think there's such a thing as a "Quick Stop" at Mike's. That's a 30mi trip up to Mike's from Valle de T, then another 22± back down to San Matias. With newbies on the trail, you'd better allow for some extra time. You should still make it to Gonzaga w/light though.

Allen R.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Four of us, in two vehicles, are planning to leave Los Angeles, CA at approximately 0300 for a drive to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, BCN. We hope to be eating tacos at Alfonsina's by sundown. Why the quick departure and marathon drive? We've got fish to catch, beers to drink, and farts to laugh at, and only four days with which to do it.

Driving after sundown has already been agreed upon as verbotten, and try as we may, we might have to end up camping en route. No big deal, if we reach south of Puertecitos, we can stop for a meal, and camp on the fly in the roof tents.

What's the feasibility of this ambitious venture? Do you think we can make it to Gonzaga Bay before the sun touches the mountains? If not, any good remote camping south of Puertecitos? Any suggestions?

Thanks again to all for great advice and experience!

San Felipe to Puertecitos should be an hour drive, the road was almost done last year.

Puertecitos to Bahia Gonzaga could be a little longer just because there is so much to see, a very scenic area if you may! Have fun and enjoy!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

WOW!!! 506 rigs with you. Sure glad you're don't have PBYC on your itinerary. :Wow1: You'd do in the fajitas we'd planned :eatchicke

Good catch! We have 5, possibly 6 rigs joining us. Most likely going to pop by your place and say hi if you are there depending on time. OR after we setup camp, i might backtrack to your place to tell you where we are at to join us for an evening beverage if you'd like :beer:

With all due respect, BM, I don't think there's such a thing as a "Quick Stop" at Mike's. That's a 30mi trip up to Mike's from Valle de T, then another 22± back down to San Matias. With newbies on the trail, you'd better allow for some extra time. You should still make it to Gonzaga w/light though. Allen R.

Yeah, i know. The "Newbies" are all experienced offroaders, this will just be their first time to baja, so i am trying to cram in as much as possible! :smiley_drive:

Hope to see ya there! :beer:

 

[flywgn]

As of last week they were putting the finishing touches on the last of the Puertecitos pavement, working on the vado bridges near town.

South of P to Gonzaga the road is the worst we've seen in about six years (the last time they graded the whole length). Even with airing-down to 24psi rear/26psi front on the Excursion I couldn't find a good "groove". We just settled into a 20 - 25 mph on the straight washboard and creep speed in the curvy mountain sections. It usually takes us about 90 minutes ± to make the trip from Pta Bufeo to Puertecitos (42 miles). This time it took 135 minutes.

The Ex is new to us and has stock suspension with the addition of Bilstein HD shocks front and rear. It's unacceptable, so I'm in the process of investigating after-market springs, air bags, etc. Air bags go on next week (post taxes). I may end up double-shocking and changing out the springs...but that's for another thread.

Allen R

 

[Ursidae69]

South of P to Gonzaga the road is the worst we've seen in about six years (the last time they graded the whole length). Even with airing-down to 24psi rear/26psi front on the Excursion I couldn't find a good "groove". We just settled into a 20 - 25 mph on the straight washboard and creep speed in the curvy mountain sections. It usually takes us about 90 minutes ± to make the trip from Pta Bufeo to Puertecitos (42 miles). This time it took 135 minutes.

I have to agree, this was pretty rough this year compared to past trips.

shahram: I think your plan will work, it's a long day, but it will be fun. I'd pass on the tourist permit to save time unless you plan to go further south.

 

[flywgn]

... I'd pass on the tourist permit to save time unless you plan to go further south.

Good point Chuck. I believe that "tecnically" the short trip and the destination will dictate that one is not needed.

Allen R