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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
As you prepare to cross the border, there’s an important tip you need to know. The vehicle in your team carrying your
food, luggage and main supplies, should go first. Mexico will generally check vehicles pulling trailers, cargo vans, and etc.
to see if you’re bringing items to sell in Mexico. If the vehicle carrying your food and etc. is stopped, then the rest of the
vehicles should pull over as well so they know you’re all part of a team and that the items in the cargo vehicles isn’t being
brought to Mexico to sell (If they see a lot of food and etc. without people to go with it, they’ll assume it’s being brought to
Mexico to sell. If the cargo vehicle goes last, and the passenger vehicles go first and are not stopped, then there won’t be
any proof the cargo vehicle isn’t bringing these items to sell in Mexico.
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 $2.25 for autos, a little more if you're
pulling a trailer.
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
As you prepare to cross the border, there’s an important tip you need to know. The vehicle in your team carrying your
food, luggage and main supplies, should go first. Mexico will generally check vehicles pulling trailers, cargo vans, and etc.
to see if you’re bringing items to sell in Mexico. If the vehicle carrying your food and etc. is stopped, then the rest of the
vehicles should pull over as well so they know you’re all part of a team and that the items in the cargo vehicles isn’t being
brought to Mexico to sell (If they see a lot of food and etc. without people to go with it, they’ll assume it’s being brought to
Mexico to sell. If the cargo vehicle goes last, and the passenger vehicles go first and are not stopped, then there won’t be
any proof the cargo vehicle isn’t bringing these items to sell in Mexico.
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 $2.25 for autos, a little more if you're
pulling a trailer.
| Entering Mexico from U.S. |
| 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 5 miles from the border, and 2 miles from your last turn, you'll take a left on another freeway (make sure you get in your left lane prior). Follow signs to, "Ensenada, Rosarito, Cuota, Scenic Route" Your now officially on the toll road and safely headed south towards Ensenada. You'll have 3 toll booths between Tijuana and Ensenada. Each toll will cost around $2.25 |
| | |
| Driving Directions from the Border to The San Quintín Valley |
Follow the signs that say to, "San Quintín". Ensenada is quite large and it will take about one half hour to go through it
(because there are several bedroom communities). There are two ways to go through the first part of Ensenada and the
way via the Tourist Zone is the best and fastest. About 5 miles after the third toll booth the freeway will split and you'll
want to stay to the right. The way to the left takes you through more of the city as the way to the right takes you through
the Tourist Zone.
As you enter the Tourist Zone (several miles after the freeway splits) you'll notice on your right a park with 3 heads and a
large Mexican flag. Continue on and about 1 mile after the park with 3 heads you'll want to take a left (be sure to merge
into your left lane as you progress on). This left turn will be at an intersection with stoplights. You'll notice on your left a
Pemex gas station. This is a good marker. Go about another mile and you'll come to a large intersection. Take a right
here. You'll notice on your left a large sign (mall type) listing the stores in this mall. One familiar one will be Office
Depot. Take a right at this intersection.
If, for some reason you miss this turn, don't worry about turning around. You can continue south for a mile or so and
take any major road you see on your left. It will take you up a couple blocks to the main street. Take a right and you'll
be on your way.
From Ensenada to San Quintín - 80 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. About
20 miles after Ensenada there will be a soldier checkpoint. They are just checking for guns and drugs. They are your
friends and exist for your protection. Don't be afraid or alarmed. You will be waived through, or stopped and checked.
Either way, they are kind and respectful. Continue proceeding south towards the San Quintin Valley. 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.
