-- Baja-Desert.info -- How to Get to Bahia de los Angeles --

This picturesque bay with its sixteen small, uninhabited islands has often been called the most beautiful in the Sea of Cortez. These volcanic outcroppings are a stunning backdrop to superb sport fishing, kayaking, diving, beach-combing, bird and whale watching and sightseeing.To Bahia de Los Angeles it’s a scenic 10-hour drive from San Diego. The newly paved Highway1 leads you right through Baja California's famous cactus gardens and a very unique landscape.

To get here is rather easy. Just follow Highway1 South. Cross the border in Tijuana and follow the sign “Scenic Toll Road” to Ensenada,strictly. If you cross the border in Tecate or Mexicali, just pick up Highway1 in Ensenada and drive south. The distance from Ensenada to San Quintin is 195 km, roughly 120 miles. This stretch takes about 2 1/2 hours. San Quintin is your last chance to go shopping, do banking, make a call or send a fax or an e-mail. Fill up your gas tanks here! There are three green & white Pemex Gas Stations; one on the beginning of town on the left, one new one in the middle and one near the end of town on the right. Or you can take on gas in El Rosario, 57 km further, this is your last chance!. The large station is on the end of the steep downgrade. From El Rosario to the Bahia turnoff near Punta Prieta it is 230 km, then there are 66 km more to Bahia de Los Angeles. Figure on 7 hours driving time from Ensenada to Bahia de Los Angeles.

I’m making it so complicated, because friends of mine who read these instructions missed San Quintin and El Rosario and 3 gas stations all together! They insisted for me to put miles and km in and not only hours. I suggest you study a roadmap before you go on this trip. There is no gas station after El Rosario. This is new:There might be gasoline available in Catavina, at least from private vendors.

The road from the turn-off to Bahia de Los Angeles is for the most part newly paved and a pleasure to drive. Beware! When you come down to the dry-lake basin; the newly paved part ends without warning! The deepest pot holes are filled now. But still; drive conservative; you don't want to have a breakdown on the last stretch.

Help on the Baja Highway

If you need help, almost any ranch along the road can help you. Besides, there are several places where you can get a tire fixed. Just look for a tire on the side of the road with the writing 'llantera’ on it. If you run short on gasoline, look for a pick up truck with drums and gas cans. You will see ambulant vendors most likely in Catavina and Punta Prieta. In Bahia de Los Angeles you find good automotive and tire service. Gasoline and diesel are also available. We suggest you start your journey early in the morning, so you do not have to drive at night on the narrow, two-lane highway. After dark the truckers are king! If you tow a wide boat trailer, don't even think to travel after dark, there is not enough room for trucks and you! Carry plenty of water, for your car and yourself. Bring warm clothing and blankets. Even in summer, the nights on the highway are cold. Before you leave home, make extra sure you can change your spare tire with tools you have on board! To get the lug nuts loose has been always a major problem! I never lost a wheel, but I ripped fence posts out to extend my lug wrench.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.