14 replies to this topic

[imisnm]

I will be driving from Ajijic to San Diego. I may go through Nogales, using the Mariposa crossing. I do have an excellent Map recommended by members on this board. My car will be filled with personal belongings.

My questions also center on the advisability of driving this route through Nogales. I have given thought to taking the ferry from Mazatlan to La Paz and driving Baja California. Is this a viable alternative, in your opinion, as a safer route?

Recommendations for hotels along route 15 that are not No-Tell motels that would have secure parking. We want to make sure our possesions are safe without having to be locked into a motel room.

Strom-White has driving drections from Ajijic to Laredo, but I could not find any driving directions posted on the web from Ajijic to Nogales. Forgive me if I missed something in my search on this forum.

[Jeanette]

Are you bringing pets?

[imisnm]

Are you bringing pets?

No, no pets on this trip.

[DC5]

My wife and I are from San Diego so we have made this trip at least once or twice a year for the last 7 years. We always take 15 to Nogales. I don't mind driving so we have been able to do the trip in 2 days. Usually we stay at the Holiday Inn in Cd. Obregon. Never had a problem even with our car fully packed. The hotel has a guard at the entrance to the parking lot and we've usually been able to get a parking spot almost outside our room.

[Bisbee Gal]

Driving north from Ajijic to the AZ border, I'd suggest the first night just north of Mazatlan at: http://www.larosadelasbarras.com/; it's probably a 15 minute drive off of Hwy. 15, on a somewhat primitive road, but once you get there, it's an authentic MXN beach village. You must make reservations in advance as the owner does not live on site; there is secure parking at the property.

For your second night, I'd suggest the Best Western in San Carlos, just off 15. Secure parking and there's an absolutely wonderful Italian restaurant a few doors down from the hotel.

We make this drive once a year and it's always been safe.

Buen Viaje!

[Bisbee Gal]

Sorry, Telecable internet hiccuped during my original post.

[Bisbee Gal]

Sorry, Telecable internet hiccuped during my original post.

[howardF]

ALthough I've driven to San Diego via Nogales with no problems, I would recommend the trip through Baja at least once. The ferry is a bit expensive, but the trip up through Baja is worth it. If you leave Lakeside in the morning, you will be on the ferry by late afternoon and in La Paz the following morning. A convenient overnight half way stop is in Guerrero Negro on the Baja/Baja Sur border. To avoid the long border crossing lines atTijuana/San Ysidro, you may want to take the scenic road from Ensenada to Tecate through the Mexican wine country. There are rarely more than 2 cars in line at that crossing.

Enjoy your trip.

[Doug and Judy Lott]

I will be driving from Ajijic to San Diego. I may go through Nogales, using the Mariposa crossing. I do have an excellent Map recommended by members on this board. My car will be filled with personal belongings.

My questions also center on the advisability of driving this route through Nogales. I have given thought to taking the ferry from Mazatlan to La Paz and driving Baja California. Is this a viable alternative, in your opinion, as a safer route?

Recommendations for hotels along route 15 that are not No-Tell motels that would have secure parking. We want to make sure our possesions are safe without having to be locked into a motel room.

Strom-White has driving drections from Ajijic to Laredo, but I could not find any driving directions posted on the web from Ajijic to Nogales. Forgive me if I missed something in my search on this forum.

[Doug and Judy Lott]

I will be driving from Ajijic to San Diego. I may go through Nogales, using the Mariposa crossing. I do have an excellent Map recommended by members on this board. My car will be filled with personal belongings.

My questions also center on the advisability of driving this route through Nogales. I have given thought to taking the ferry from Mazatlan to La Paz and driving Baja California. Is this a viable alternative, in your opinion, as a safer route?

Recommendations for hotels along route 15 that are not No-Tell motels that would have secure parking. We want to make sure our possesions are safe without having to be locked into a motel room.

Strom-White has driving drections from Ajijic to Laredo, but I could not find any driving directions posted on the web from Ajijic to Nogales. Forgive me if I missed something in my search on this forum.

We drove from Denver to Ajijic about 3 weeks ago and went thru Nogales. The first night we stayed at the Best Western in San Carlos and the second night at the Azteca Inn in Mazatlan. It is directly across the street from the Playa Mazatlan and you park right in front of your door in a court yard. Drive was uneventful and gorgeous.

[Sasha]

Driving north from Ajijic to the AZ border, I'd suggest the first night just north of Mazatlan at: http://www.larosadelasbarras.com/; it's probably a 15 minute drive off of Hwy. 15, on a somewhat primitive road, but once you get there, it's an authentic MXN beach village. You must make reservations in advance as the owner does not live on site; there is secure parking at the property.

For your second night, I'd suggest the Best Western in San Carlos, just off 15. Secure parking and there's an absolutely wonderful Italian restaurant a few doors down from the hotel.

We make this drive once a year and it's always been safe.

Buen Viaje!

San Carlos is too much off the route Hermosillo is a better location.
The cost of rooms in San Carlos is high it is a busy beach resort and most room are in the $100US range.
Too much for just a place to spend the night on a quick trip north.

[Jeanette]

San Carlos is too much off the route Hermosillo is a better location.
The cost of rooms in San Carlos is high it is a busy beach resort and most room are in the $100US range.
Too much for just a place to spend the night on a quick trip north.

San Carlos is only 8 miles off the autopista. We usually stop there for several days to enjoy the beach, swimming, good seafood restaurants and reasonably priced fishing charters. There are cheaper hotels in town, but we've always stopped at the Fiesta Real Hotel (750 pesos/night for two people, lower cost for one person, 550 pesos, I think). All rooms have a/c, balcony or patio with great ocean view, good restaurant for lunch and dinner (we did not like their breakfasts). Very pet friendly at no extra cost.

Thanks for the heads up about the Italian restaurant, Bisbee Gal. We'll try it out on our way home. I'm also going to check on the beach accommodations you mentioned - if they accept pets, we'll stop there instead of our usual overnight in Mazatlan (we've used both the Azteca and Captain Moe's, as both are pet friendly.)

[Bisbee Gal]

San Carlos is too much off the route Hermosillo is a better location.
The cost of rooms in San Carlos is high it is a busy beach resort and most room are in the $100US range.
Too much for just a place to spend the night on a quick trip north.

As Jeanette said, it's 10 minutes off the highway. Usually not very busy when we've stayed (mid week) at the BW in San Carlos. Right now the BW website shows a rack rate of 70 USD; the rates for AAA or CAA or AARP at 63 or 59.50 USD per night. We just show up, get a better rate in pesos.

[Jeanette]

The grounds at the BW look beautiful! Officially, they are not pet friendly; however, we were told by the desk clerk that it would probably be okay during the off season. Maybe we'll give it a shot when we return in October, though I do love looking at the ocean from a balcony at the Fiesta Real.

[Bisbee Gal]

The grounds at the BW look beautiful! Officially, they are not pet friendly; however, we were told by the desk clerk that it would probably be okay during the off season. Maybe we'll give it a shot when we return in October, though I do love looking at the ocean from a balcony at the Fiesta Real.

The BW itself is nothing fancy; may have seen better days. All rooms have a/c, many with small fridges; there's a large pool and free internet; a very limited free continental breakfast. Easy access in/out to highway for an overnight stop; not sure I'd recommend for a mulit-night stay. The Italian restuarant near it is Piccolo's. There's also an oceanfront eatery directly across the street from the BW that is great for drinks and appetizers; the gulls and pelicans hang out there and appreciate any scraps you throw them.

If you stay at La Rosa north of Maz, walk the shoreline to the newer restaurant at the other end of beach (there are few restaurants in the village)....great sunset dining; food very authentic, MXN family style.