Drive On Down To Bahia San Luis Gonzaga

Visitors to San Felipe come to soak up the sun on the beaches, relax in the crystal clear swimming pools, eat too much Mexican food and stroll the Malecon for optimal people watching. However, many do not know that just three hours away, you can get an entirely different Mexican experience. A road trip to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga is an outdoor adventure complete with, fresh air, sea breezes, mountain views, and a few quirky and fun stops along the way.

Visitors who have a fully furnished vacation home in El Dorado Ranch Resort can get to this peaceful beach area in about three hours. The mileage markers begin at the southerly turn off from the San Felipe International Airport road, and start at Km 1. 

For some road trip destinations from San Felipe, a large and sturdy vehicle is recommended for the journey. The trip to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga can be done in or on any vehicle that makes you comfortable; cars, trucks, ATVs, motorcycles or a good ol’ fashioned bike. There aren’t any clearance issues, but there are portions of the road that require slow speeds and special attention to safety concerns. As you begin your trip, Km 1 and 2 is paved with asphalt but a little narrow. It curves around the coast by Punta Estrella, but is nothing to write home about.

As km 12, you’ll see signs for “Zona de vados.” This is an area where extreme caution should be exercised. . Vados are dips in the road. Some are small, and can be easily missed or passed over without a problem. Others however are very dangerous. Unfortunately, some people have died from speeding over the vados, hitting their heads on the roof of their cars/trucks and sadly breaking their backs. You can not be too aware or too careful as you are navigating this part of the road. Slow and steady is the way to go.

At Km 14 you’ll will arrive at “La Valle de los  Gigantes.” For those of you who are still a little rough in your Spanish, don’t worry, you are not approaching a valley of giants. Instead, it is the home of the Sahuaro cactus, native to the southwest. The valley is operated by the Secretary if Tourism of Baja California, so a small fee is required to pass through. You’ll be impressed at the huge cacti on each side of the car are you drive through, it feels like you’re in an scene from a movie!  Driving slowly through the valley is a great way to break up the trip to your final destination.

As you drive, the vados, or dips in the road, will continue to pop up, so focus on the road at all times. For the next 60 km, the road inches closer and closer to the sea, making for breathtaking views as you progress on your trip.

At Km 36 you’ll come to the Community Center. This is a great spot to stop and pick up an supplies you need or grab a bite to eat at the two restaurants.  If you can, wait to eat until you get to Cowpatty, it’s a fun experience along the way.

Cowpatty is located at Km 73, and is named for Patti Haynes, who landed her airplane in this area years ago and found herself surrounded by cowpatties. In the 90’s she opened up a little spot where people can stop in, get directions or information, have a cold beer or bite to eat, and pick up a few souvenirs for friends back home. The bathroom is clean and in working order and the staff is friendly and eager to please. You can sit outside on the patio or indoors, either way it’s a fun place to get out and stretch your legs before reaching the beach.

As Puertecitos disappears in your rearview mirror, you will be halfway through your journey. The road with the dangerous dips is behind you, and the road ahead is smooth sailing.  The high elevation, rocky landscape and breathtaking view of the Sea of Cortez makes this part of the trip a great one. Depending on the season you go, the sky and sea come together in a variety of different colors that varies from day to day.

At Km 118 there is an exit that not many people know about, or take. It leads you oto an extinct onyn mine and after a little digging, you will be able to uncover some beautiful natural stones to take home with you.

The markers stop at 126, the road continues for 45 miles south. The pavement stops and this is where you pull out that extra bit of patience you’ve been saving up. For the next 45 minutes, you’ll be going 5-10 miles an hour. If this is something that will send you into a frenzy or ruin your day, this road trip may not be for you.

Two miles up the road is a military checkpoint. One more mile to go and you’ve made it! Turn left before the airstrip and head towards the beach. Turn left at the end for Alfonsia’s restaurant. Here they have food, motel rooms (if you can’t bare making the drive back in the same day) fishing and boating.. The food there is limited but delicious, and the seafood couldn’t be any fresher. Enjoy the full bar, and then head down to the water. If you’ve been to the beaches in San Felipe, you know how crowded they can get. Here, you’ll feel like you have your own private beach (almost like you do back at your vacation rental if you’re staying on El Dorado Ranch!)

The trip to Bahia San Luis Gonzaga is an adventure it itself, and the reward at the end is quiet and relaxing coastline, incredible fishing opportunities, cold beer and an escape from the chaos of the city. It is a chance to reconnect with nature in the middle of the desert.