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Please look below for helpful Google aerial photos!
There is a wealth of info on the Internet regarding driving instructions for Baja, California. However, following is
detailed guide for getting from the border to the Valley of San Quintín.
Crossing the border
From San Diego you will go South about 30 miles. You can take either Interstate 805, or 5. They will both meet
about a mile before the border. As you cross through the border, there will be unmanned booths on either side of
the lanes. In front of the booths, there will be a signal light on a post. As you pass through, it will turn either
green and say, "Pase" (which means go ahead) or red and say "Revisión" (which means they want to check you).
If you must be checked, you will need to pull over about 100 feet up ahead and be inspected. Always remember
that you are just a tourist (Mexico has no category for short-term mission groups). It's best just to answer the
questions asked you and not to tell them your life story and every detail you plan on doing in Mexico as this could
lead to potential problems. Just the driver should speak and all others should be respectful and quiet unless
asked a question. If you get the green light and choose not to get Tourist Cards, you can just continue driving
on. However, if you choose to obtain Tourist Cards (click here for more info) you will need to do this here at the
border. Just pull over after the border crossing and look for the Immigration Office.
From the border through Tijuana
This is easy, but you will need to carefully follow these instructions; after crossing the border, you will see on your
right the secondary checkpoint for vehicles that get the red light at the border crossing. Immediately after the
secondary checkpoint (about 100 yds.) there will be an exit that veers to the right, ignore this exit and continue
on. You will go up onto an over ramp and the freeway will be about 4 lanes wide, you'll want to be in the far lane
to your right. While on the over ramp (about 1/4 mile past the border) you will see a sign that will say, Rosarito,
Ensenada & Scenic Road on your right (one of these three names, they seem to change them regularly). Take
this exit (the first one available while on the over ramp, and the second possible exit to the right after the border)
take the exit to the right and you will connect with another freeway. You'll follow this freeway for about 3 miles and
will come to a very steep upgrade. On the other side of the hill, as you approach the bottom, there will be an exit
for Ensenada/Rosarito, toll road (cuota). Exit to the right. Continue on for about another 2 miles, the freeway will
split and two lanes will go to the right and two to the left. You want to keep to the left. After this point you'll be on
the road from Tijuana to Ensenada which is called, "Cuota", "Ensenada/Rosarito", and "Highway 1". You should
know that there is also another highway 1, but it is the old road and is just two lane (Don't take it).
From Tijuana to Ensenada - 70 Miles
This is a freeway (somewhat narrow and rough in spots) and is very beautiful and scenic. There will be 3 toll
booths. You can pay in either pesos (Mexican currency) or U.S. dollars. Each toll will cost about $2.10 for autos,
a little more if you're pulling a trailer.
Passing through Ensenada
This is a breeze. Just follow the signs that say to, "San Quintín" (they are well marked). Ensenada is quite large
and it will take about one half hour to go through it (because there are several bedroom communities). On the
very outskirts of Ensenada there will be a soldier checkpoint. You will be waived through on your way South, but
checked on your way back home going North. They just check for drugs and guns.
From Ensenada to San Quintín - 100 Miles
There is no way to get lost here as there is no other paved road. Just follow the road to San Quintín. You'll note
kilometer markers started after you get out of Ensenada and are in the country. They'll start at 0 and will go up.
The main pueblo (small town) in between Ensenada and San Quintín is San Vicente. This is located at approx.
kilometer marker 80 or 90. You'll start hitting a number of pueblos (this is where the Valley of San Quintín starts)
at about kilometer 120 or 130.
For a detailed map of how to get to the base, be sure to notify us by email prior your departure. We'll send you
the directions via an attachment by email. Finding the base is very easy.
There is a wealth of info on the Internet regarding driving instructions for Baja, California. However, following is
detailed guide for getting from the border to the Valley of San Quintín.
Crossing the border
From San Diego you will go South about 30 miles. You can take either Interstate 805, or 5. They will both meet
about a mile before the border. As you cross through the border, there will be unmanned booths on either side of
the lanes. In front of the booths, there will be a signal light on a post. As you pass through, it will turn either
green and say, "Pase" (which means go ahead) or red and say "Revisión" (which means they want to check you).
If you must be checked, you will need to pull over about 100 feet up ahead and be inspected. Always remember
that you are just a tourist (Mexico has no category for short-term mission groups). It's best just to answer the
questions asked you and not to tell them your life story and every detail you plan on doing in Mexico as this could
lead to potential problems. Just the driver should speak and all others should be respectful and quiet unless
asked a question. If you get the green light and choose not to get Tourist Cards, you can just continue driving
on. However, if you choose to obtain Tourist Cards (click here for more info) you will need to do this here at the
border. Just pull over after the border crossing and look for the Immigration Office.
From the border through Tijuana
This is easy, but you will need to carefully follow these instructions; after crossing the border, you will see on your
right the secondary checkpoint for vehicles that get the red light at the border crossing. Immediately after the
secondary checkpoint (about 100 yds.) there will be an exit that veers to the right, ignore this exit and continue
on. You will go up onto an over ramp and the freeway will be about 4 lanes wide, you'll want to be in the far lane
to your right. While on the over ramp (about 1/4 mile past the border) you will see a sign that will say, Rosarito,
Ensenada & Scenic Road on your right (one of these three names, they seem to change them regularly). Take
this exit (the first one available while on the over ramp, and the second possible exit to the right after the border)
take the exit to the right and you will connect with another freeway. You'll follow this freeway for about 3 miles and
will come to a very steep upgrade. On the other side of the hill, as you approach the bottom, there will be an exit
for Ensenada/Rosarito, toll road (cuota). Exit to the right. Continue on for about another 2 miles, the freeway will
split and two lanes will go to the right and two to the left. You want to keep to the left. After this point you'll be on
the road from Tijuana to Ensenada which is called, "Cuota", "Ensenada/Rosarito", and "Highway 1". You should
know that there is also another highway 1, but it is the old road and is just two lane (Don't take it).
From Tijuana to Ensenada - 70 Miles
This is a freeway (somewhat narrow and rough in spots) and is very beautiful and scenic. There will be 3 toll
booths. You can pay in either pesos (Mexican currency) or U.S. dollars. Each toll will cost about $2.10 for autos,
a little more if you're pulling a trailer.
Passing through Ensenada
This is a breeze. Just follow the signs that say to, "San Quintín" (they are well marked). Ensenada is quite large
and it will take about one half hour to go through it (because there are several bedroom communities). On the
very outskirts of Ensenada there will be a soldier checkpoint. You will be waived through on your way South, but
checked on your way back home going North. They just check for drugs and guns.
From Ensenada to San Quintín - 100 Miles
There is no way to get lost here as there is no other paved road. Just follow the road to San Quintín. You'll note
kilometer markers started after you get out of Ensenada and are in the country. They'll start at 0 and will go up.
The main pueblo (small town) in between Ensenada and San Quintín is San Vicente. This is located at approx.
kilometer marker 80 or 90. You'll start hitting a number of pueblos (this is where the Valley of San Quintín starts)
at about kilometer 120 or 130.
For a detailed map of how to get to the base, be sure to notify us by email prior your departure. We'll send you
the directions via an attachment by email. Finding the base is very easy.
| Entering Mexico |
| About 1/2 mile after the border you'll take a right. Follow signs that say, "Ensenada, Rosarito, Cuota" |
| About 3 miles after the border you will climb a steep hill, on the other side at the bottom of the hill you'll take a right and intersect with another freeway. Follow signs to, "Ensenada, Rosarito, Cuota, Scenic Route" |
| About 3 1/2 miles from the border, and 1/2 mile from your last turn, you'll take a left. Follow signs to, "Ensenada, Rosarito, Cuota, Scenic Route" |
| | |
| Driving Directions from the Border to The San Quintín Valley |
