San Diego to Cabo San Lucas

[jfarlin]

Hi all!

Long time reader, first time poster! I am looking for information about traveling from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. I have a passport, but other than that I am not really sure what type of documentation I would need. I've read that it is a beautiful drive down the 1, and would really like to do it this spring.

I have a 1990 XT 600 EAC. It is a bit custom, as the previous owner cracked the airbox and I have had to fabricate a battery tray and rig the carburator to run on pod filters. Other than that it is really nice, and I hope to have it running at 110% by the time I get going. I have also been changing out everythign i replace with hex-head or allen bolts, so hopefully I wil not have to large of a toolkit!

Anyone know where I should stop, stay, or have any handy tips for the initial planning stages of my trip?

Thanks!
James

[Sjoerd Bakker]

If you were to read nothing but Pat's report on Baja you would already have a wealth of good info on how to tackle a dirt oriented ride down baja.
The man has a vast store of off road and Baja experience , and photographed proof of his bruises to show how tough you can make the ride if you wish.
Personally I am more a road tourist and agree with Pat that if one wanted to it would be possible to skateboard to Los Cabos.Have done Baja many times on pavement oriented bikes and a KLR, alone .Not wanting to get marooned off in the backcountry I restrict myself to exploring off pavement only on gravel roads and hard packed solid dirt roads, no extreme exertion for me. Yet even then it is possible to reach many somewhat remote places and coast villages and have the sense of pushing the limit ( my limit !)
Now , as to places to stop, you mean overnights? There's an easy one to answer- if you are inclined to stay in hotels there are a good number to choose from in all the towns along the Mex 1 highway . Free Camping is another matter - you should be okay if you select some isolated spots well out of view and not near probable drug smuggler's routes, air strips or beaches or go to the odd trailerpark/campground ..I prefer the inexpensive hotels, no worries about unwelcome visitors.
With a pasport you have all the documents you need- Baja peninsula is all considered frontier zone. Just get a tourist card for a stay longer than 72 hours.
Your bike registration should be under your own name but for Baja -only travel this is not really an issue .

[jfarlin]

I have been reading up on it a ton!

Mollydog, great trip report, it makes me want to go really badly! The point of the trip is to shack up in a place for a day or two and go off roading throughout baja. Now that it isn't so hot I might just take the plunge, just need to get my camping backpack set up and I'm off! Thanks for the replies!

[mikenlapaz]

jfarlin

How's your planned trip developing? Previous post all good advise. Best advise was to find a couple of fellow riders. Not only safer in many respects but sharing is part of riding.

[motomon]

I'd be interested in doing this trip if you haven't left already. I'm in LA and could go anytime in the first 5 months of 2009. I speak Spanish, but haven't been to Cabo yet. This would be a good shakedown trip before a tentative trip to TDF starting in mid-summer.

Chris Brown, motomon at pobox dot com