November 2015 - Mexicali to Cabo Pulmo        

Hola,
Last November we made the trip down the Baja from Mexicali ( new east crossing) to Cabo Pulmo, just south of La Ribera. This new Mexicali crossing was a breeze. They looked in the back of our car which was loaded, felt around in a suitcase or two and then waved us on to get our visas. Everyone very polite and helpful there. Late afternoon. We were not able to fill up before we crossed the border as the routing to this crossing is currently quite rural, with no service stations visible along the way, which was a bit of a surprise. Plan ahead for this.

The following other motels/hotels were chosen along the way...As you can see, we did not set any speed records or win any mileage awards along the way.

Mexicali (center of the city) El Calafia Hotel. Blvd Justo Sierra no 1495, Has two restaurants, a swimming pool outdoors, lots of rooms, all of which is in a large enclosed area. Not gated, although I think there was a guard posted at the entrance. I think it was a three star. Not fancy but adequate. We were given 3 hotel recommendations by the folks who processed our Visa. All three were upscale. Rooms were going fast at that time, so we were happy to find one of the three that had a vacancy. By the time we arrived to check in, it had also filled up, but we had called ahead. Approx $80. I think breakfast was included. Rooms were all walk up, so would be convenient for walking a dog.

Next day drove across Toll Road Hwy #2 to Hwy #3, the road that leads down the Guadaloupe Valle through the vinyards. Lovely drive. Good road. Intersects with Hwy 1 just above Ensenada. Not a lot of traffic. We stopped at a restaurant beside a vinyard which is an old Mission. It was recommended by another Pony Express individual. It is on the right just a few miles up the road before Hwy 3 intersects with Hwy 1. Name of the Inn was the Posada Inn @ Rancho Maria Teresa. Restaurant next door OK, (great if you like goat stew), Owners were friendly. We were not ready to stop for the night, otherwise we would have stayed at the Posada. The grounds were quite lovely. Inviting outdoor pool area. Woman at the desk was very hospitable. Nice place to walk the dog. Quiet.

We drove on to San Quintin and Stayed at the motel Ville de San Quintin. It was enclosed but no guard. Desk clerk told us to park within sight of the check in desk. No problems. Restaurant on grounds was quite nice. Rooms fine. Large group of Germans on a motorcycle tour were staying there. Motel is on the left as you are driving through a very congested commercial area. It was a welcome respite after long drive. Can't remember what we paid.

We stopped for lunch at an amazing fancy motel outside of Catavina. The Desert Inn. It was lovely inside and out. Would be a great place to stay with outdoor area for walking, outdoor lovely pool and patio area. Restaurant was great. Gift shop interesting. Don't know what the rates were, but probably could negotiate as the place was empty at noon

Next stop was Guerro Negro. We stopped at the first place we had heard about, just after you turn to go into Guerro Negro, at the Malarrimo Motel, on your right. It was described as secure. That was a stretch. The best thing about the place was the restaurant with both patio and indoor dining. All of the employees were extremely polite and helpful. Food was good. Beer and wine flowed. The motel rooms were a bit sketchy. It seemed to be built in a prefab manner, many years ago. They had to replace our door lock (pulled the screen out and climbed in the window) because our key disappeared and could not be found, and there was no other one.. We were told to park in front of the office and the restaurant area, and all would be fine. It was. Again, there was a group of motorcycle guys on a tour going south. We enjoyed visiting them and ran into them again in Loretto. Room approx $30. Big lot behind premises where a dog could be safely walked.

At some point we stopped in Mulege to see the old mission there. Town is very congested with narrow streets and little parking. We drove around a lot looking for an accessible restaurant. Some were closed. I think the best places might be on the other side of town (there are some motels off the road) as you head towards Loretto.

Out last stop was the Hotel Santa Fe on the outskirts of Loretto, but easily within walking distance to the malecon waterfront (which smells of sewage). There is a steak house restaurant next door to the hotel that is quite charming with good food and service. The Santa Fe is built like a hotel with multiple floors and elevator and stair access. Swimming pool in the central patio area. It has a true guarded parking lot behind the hotel. Plenty of park like area to walk a dog outside. This hotel was more expensive than the other places we stayed, but quite nice with kitchenette. Jacuzzi was cold! We were not impressed with the hotel coffee shop/dining room. It was stark and uninviting. More like a fast food or mod starbucks type atmosphere. Many more interesting places in town.

With a 7 AM early start, we made it to our destination, passing through La Ribera around 3 or 3:30 PM. We made coffee in our room and had sweet rolls before we left and stopped at an Oxxo store in La Paz and bought sandwiches for lunch. (Note the exchange rate at Oxxo's is good. These stores are a good place to pick up pesos without going to a bank).

I guarantee you will be awed by the scenery all the way down the Baja. Wouldn't want to drive Hwy 1 again, but glad we did. Note we did not have a pet with us, but expect that most, if not all, of these places would have accepted one.

Hope this helps...feel free to share it with the Pony.
Terri and Eck