CALEXICO TO SAN FELIPE – GOING THROUGH EAST BORDER OFF US HWY 7
Course notes from border Southbound:
- Set trip odometer to 0 mi at the border
- Left at “T”
1.5 mi Right at 2nd light (circle K on left: big white warehouse on right)
3.1 mi Left at light (overhead traffic signs for Rio Hardy and San Felipe}
5.3 Continue straight (MEGA grocery on right)
8.1 Continue straight to San Felipe. Stay in center lanes, (road crosses Hwy 2 to Rio Colorado)
9.5 Turn Left to San Felipe on Hwy 5 (Pemex gas station on right)
12.0 Cross under loop road to Tijuana continuing to San Felipe
This is a 4 lane road for several miles. Then changing to good 2 lane with shoulders. Enjoy the drive south. No one seems to follow the speed limits, but be careful. Speeding is not recommended (above 70) but be sure you’re not the fastest out there. If the speed limit drops out in the country, it is because of sharp curves, so be careful. You will go through some villages along the way and it is wise to slow down there as well. When you see the sign for topes (speed bumps) SLOW DOWN. Some are HUGE.
95.6 Interchange with overpass to Ensenada – DO NOT TAKE
95.8 Military checkpoint. They are looking for guns and drugs. If you have none, you will have no trouble. They may or may not even stop you. If they do, they may ask you to get out of car. Don’t worry, it’s not a problem, just be polite and do it. Again, don’t leave your purse or wallet lying around. If they ask for your destination, let them know that you are going to El Dorado Ranch – the soldiers are very familiar with this development and will know that you are visitors.
116.0 Look for the entrance to La Ventana del Mar, on your left. (Large fountain and entrance guardhouse) Drive into the entrance and let the guard know that you are part of the tournament and are just arriving. He/she will instruct you on how to get visitor passes. After going through the La Ventana gate, just drive straight ahead toward the Sea of Cortez. In about 1 mile, you will see the La Palapa Pickleball Courts on the left, and a large open area just before the courts where dry camping is available for anyone with an RV. Just after the courts, on the left, are the La Palapa Pool Complex, with pool, hot tub, outdoor showers, restrooms, and bar and grill facilities.
IF YOU DO NOT ENTER AT LA VENTANA, YOU CAN GO TO THE OTHER ENTRANCE AT SALTITO ROAD:
119.0 Large Green Crocodile shaped billboard on right for the Rockodile Bar; you’re almost here. Turn Right at the next street, just before the PEMEX gas station. Stop at the guardhouse to let them know that you are visiting and are part of the tournament. After the guardhouse, go straight ahead on Saltito road to Security sign on right (3rd right). Turn in here to go to the Security Office, where they speak English. They will give you visitors’ passes for you and your party.
Northbound Return trip will reverse the above route – SAN FELIPE TO CALEXICO EAST BORDER
REVERSE THE STEPS ABOVE UNTIL YOU GET TO MEXICALI AND ARRIVE NEAR THE LOOP ROAD TO TIJUANA, THEN:
0.0 Cross under loop road to Tijuana, set odometer to zero
2.1 Turn Right at 1st traffic light (Pemex with Oxxo on right just past turn)
4.4 Major intersection, (Banamex) go straight.
6.4 Hwy 2 to Rio Colorado. Continue on same road. Follow signs for Aeropuerto & Garita International.
7.6 Pemex with clean restrooms on right. Bladder stop before crossing line.
8.8 Turn Right at Hwy sign “Aeropuerto” and “Garita International”
10.2 Turn Left at next intersection past the BIG (5 story) White warehouse on right.
11.9 Turn Right into Border crossing into USA (stay to the right)
After exiting the border crossing, follow Hwy 7 to Interstate 8 and proceed to your next destination.