Hello, my name is Kevin I'm from So. Cal and I heard about this board from a friend of mine who lives in Surprise, AZ and like me enjoys Rocky Point. He uses this site for local news and whatnot....
Anyway, I'm gonna be driving down from Cali at the end of the week and I was wondering if you guys know FOR SURE if the Coastal Highway is completely paved? I found a website where a guy who works as a R.E. agent in R.P. chronicled his trip down the road and he mentioned there was a stretch about 10 miles long where its unpaved. He had a picture and it looked like loose gravel.... that is a no no for my new car. I really want to try this road because it seems like it would save a TON of time, but not at the expense of my car's paint.
The new highway has been finish for a while all the way from San Luis to Rocky Point, although I have not driven it I understand there is a section which you have to pay toll from San Luis to almost El Golfo and then from El Golfo to Rocky Point is non toll, paved all the way and very nice for what I heard, I have driven only about 25 miles from RP towards El Golfo and back. I am sure many in here will chime in and let you know, but I hear it is paved all the way
The new road is complete and will save you time on the way going down. I would go back through Lukeville. There are little to no signs in San Luis but its fairly easy. When you cross the boarder you are at Hwy 2, go east approx 3 miles and take a right on to the toll road. You will travel 3 miles on the toll road before you get to the toll booth. When you get to the end of the toll road take a left and continue to El Golfo. Just before you enter El Golfo you will see a sign for Puerto Penasco. Take that left. Its a beautiful road just watch out for sand drifting across the road on the section from El Golfo to Puerto Penasco.
I drove the highway from RP to El Golfo last October and it was totally complete and a nice drive. There are parts where sand blows onto the road and you have to slow down a bit, but no unpaved areas at all.
It did take me longer than what I was told, though. I had heard it takes 45 minutes, and it was definitely more like an hour and 15 minutes. I'm not a slow driver, either. I can make it to RP from I-10 and 51st Avenue in Phoenix to RP in 3 hours and 15 minutes no problem.
I would drive back though Lukeville because there is a Fereral check point outside of El Golfo comming home that can really get backed up and the boarder wait times at San Luis can be long. If all goes well you can save 1/2 hour comming home thru San Luis if it goes bad it took me 11 hours to Ontario California. Going though Lukeville is much more predictable.
Check out the road log at http://www.penascorecreation.com/roadlog.htm for km by km instructions from San Luis POE to Penasco - the road is complete and yes there is a toll to use a new stretch from San Luis to just outside El Golfo. You are right about crossing back into AZ through San Luis it is always backed up. Tell me if you gave any questions regarding the road log.
Holy Cow, Melissa!!!!! 3 hours and 15 minutes? LOL!
LOL - Yes, Chari! I'm not playin' games. That's why I won't let anybody else drive. We left RP on July 5th at 6:30 p.m., border wait was less than 5 minutes, potty break at Gringo Pass, another one in Why, got food at Mickey D's in Gila Bend and made it home to 45th Ave. and Baseline at 10:15 p.m.
LOL! I guess I just know the spots where I can really push it, but going through GB, Why, Ajo, Sonoyta, etc., I NEVER go over the speed limit. So far so good, I haven't ever gotten a ticket (fingers crossed!).
I would drive back though Lukeville because there is a Fereral check point outside of El Golfo comming home that can really get backed up and the boarder wait times at San Luis can be long. If all goes well you can save 1/2 hour comming home thru San Luis if it goes bad it took me 11 hours to Ontario California. Going though Lukeville is much more predictable.
Rick
Cholla Bay
Thanks a lot for the info neighbor... I'm in Pomona at indian hill and the 10 fwy. :D
I'm planning on rolling out early am on Saturday and planning to be in town, situated in my place with my cell phone off by 10am with cocktail 1 scheduled for 10:30.
Do you know if that federal checkpoint has times that its closed or is it a 24 hr deal? Because when I go home it'll probably be around morning time so we can cut thru the desert before the temps get out of control.
WOW we are neighbors. I live in Chino. Do you have a place in Rocky Point? If so where? The federal check point is open 24 hrs and they are searching all vechicles heading north. I have seen it backed up what seems like a mile. With all the semi's passsing through the same rout it's a crap shoot. I normally head out around six in the morning.
No I dont have a place down there. I'm renting a condo at Las Palomas. What about you? Have a place out there?
I'm planning to go straight out the 10 and then at indio head south past Salton Sea and shoot over to the crossing. Is that the route you take? or do you go down to S.D. area and cut across the 8?
And when I leave maybe I will get out a little earlier, but then again I will have 2 women with me and you know there is no way for them to get ready fast. haha
And when I leave maybe I will get out a little earlier, but then again I will have 2 women with me and you know there is no way for them to get ready fast. haha
careful of what you say before you even start the trip... that could be a very long ride....
I have a house I am building in Cholla Bay near Pinto Point. This is what it should look like in a year. I love it down there and miss it during the summer season when its just to hot for me. I would take the same route you are talking about.
I have a house I am building in Cholla Bay near Pinto Point. This is what it should look like in a year. I love it down there and miss it during the summer season when its just to hot for me. I would take the same route you are talking about.
Rick,
Cholla Bay
Whoa. nice plans... how big? You plan to move there full time or will that be a part time rental?
Rick, you should take a pick at my tile work at www.cameodesignsonline.com and let me know if you need anything, forum members get a discount!! specially if it goes in the outside, as a shower or decoration!!
Inka,
Thanks I am always looking for recomendations. Lots of nice stuff.
Lady Jeeper,
Last time we went down we came across at Algodones it was great. On the way home San Luis was backed up so we tried Algodones and the backup was 2 miles. We drove to Mexicalli and still had 1 hour wait. I like Lukeville.
5litarag,
It's actually two condos 2200sq ft each with a full palapa on top. What's really cool is that I bought a trailer load of Egyptian artifacts from the Luxour in Las Vegas for one of the palaps. I have six 8 foot tall warriors to hold it up and a whole lot of other artifacts. They were fun to get across the border.
It's actually two condos 2200sq ft each with a full palapa on top. What's really cool is that I bought a trailer load of Egyptian artifacts from the Luxour in Las Vegas for one of the palaps. I have six 8 foot tall warriors to hold it up and a whole lot of other artifacts. They were fun to get across the border.
OMG - that must have been hilarious trying to explain that! It reminds me of some of the scenes in the old Charlton Heston movie, "The Ten Commandments"! LOL!
It took me eight hours. I had receipts for $1500 but I paid $3500. When I went to the importer they were sure they were Egyptian Antiquities. He looked up on his computer and came up with a value of $3500. I don't know were you look up values for fake Egyptian antiquities. The guy was good. He did miss all the steel decking material that I had on the floor of the trailer though. It should be cool to have a few drinks and end up in Egypt.
Nice house....think about drunks and railing height............
I love egypt and am going back next year to help a guy start a concrete counter/sink/constructive objects business. http://picasaweb.google.com/corvidsupply/EgyptTripOnTheSailingShipMusk# [
QUOTE=PintoPoint;25025]It took me eight hours. I had receipts for $1500 but I paid $3500. When I went to the importer they were sure they were Egyptian Antiquities. He looked up on his computer and came up with a value of $3500. I don't know were you look up values for fake Egyptian antiquities. The guy was good. He did miss all the steel decking material that I had on the floor of the trailer though. It should be cool to have a few drinks and end up in Egypt.
I drove from San Luis to Rocky Point last Nov. right out of town there was a little construction, if wind is blowing the sand piles up like snow drifts. I think it saved us 2 hrs verses driving from Yuma to Lukeville. So 3 hours compaired to 5 to 5 1/2 hours. We have used 2 more times. there is a Fed stop station once it was about 45 minute wait the other times was only 10 to 15 minute. The road is good. It is barren, very little traffic and toll is $7.00 ea way. We will use again..
Wow Rick.............that is going to look sooooooo awesome. Are we going to have to bow to you or anything like that now????;-) LOL!!!!! Really, looks like a fantastic plan......good luck:smile: How's the foot, btw??
Sorry Rick, I meant to say leg (I must have been thinking about Chuck, he hurt his foot a couple of weeks ago)...........glad to hear it's better. What a sight that would be............a bunch of yahoo's running around in white sheets and doing the worm on the dance floor!!!
WOW we are neighbors. I live in Chino. Do you have a place in Rocky Point? If so where? The federal check point is open 24 hrs and they are searching all vechicles heading north. I have seen it backed up what seems like a mile. With all the semi's passsing through the same rout it's a crap shoot. I normally head out around six in the morning.
Rick
Cholla Bay
Ok Rick.. headed out in the morning. But I realized I never asked you what you route was from Hwy 8 just as you get ready to head south to San Luis Colorado.
What exit do you take and which road is the hwy that takes you to the crossing? thanks again neighbor.
i'm headed down to Puerto Lobos on the new section from the Ejido Alvaro Obregon tomorrow....now one hour to Lobos...We should bring Ted lots of fishing customers!
one more tip for those coming down or going up on the coastal highway, about 12 miles from where the highway starts, in the Penasco side, there is a big palapa it is a restaurant called "El Solito" (the loaner) their beer is ice cold and thier food is really good, for those who like whole fish fried they will make it for you too, its a couple running the place and they are always happy to see you!! so you know now that if you are ghungry and can not wait to PP that is the place!! I believe it is right by ejeido Lopez Aceves
You are so right. El Solito does have good food.... we had the whole fried fish; plan on sharing one fish. It was a monster. And yes, it is at Lopez Aceves.
What type of fish? Is it on the water? And is it 12 miles from Penasco?
They use different ones depending on the catch of the day, the restaurant is located in the west side of the road, next to the road, very visible, and yes 12 miles from Penasco.
Got the road... had a few moments of confusion while in San Luis Colorado, but once I got by bearings and realized the road log I downloaded was a LITTLE vague I found the road and had a BLAST coming down. About 20 mi from town there was a few tense moments (for my wife and daughter at least) when we came across a Federal checkpoint where they checked paperwork and trunks for drugs or guns. (good to see the concern, but very surprising in how long it took). It slowed us down a bit (lost about 20 min. there) but other than that..... It was safe, smooth and fast.
I think I have found my new route down here. :D
Thanks all.
Now that I'm here all week, I need a couple recomendations for a fried fish in town and big shrimp cocktails.
I had a pretty good one today at the Boo Bar down on Malecon, but was wondering if there was anything better.
Now that I'm here all week, I need a couple recomendations for a fried fish in town and big shrimp cocktails.
I had a pretty good one today at the Boo Bar down on Malecon, but was wondering if there was anything better.
Here are the top Three suggestions: Mary's, Mary' s and Mary's. When you enter the Malecon on the short downhill leg, then the street goes to the left, about 4 buildings in , on the right hand side (toward the sea) two story white building. palapa roof with Mary's Coctaleria painted on the wall. Right next the first small park with statue on the Malecon. Couple of doors before the Boo Bar, next to the Candy Cake.
Mary's is open 365 days a year. Eat upstairs under the palapa or downstairs. If you get the shrimp platter, you will have enough for 4 people. Views are great, service is good, the beer is cold, the shrimp is always fresh and people are friendly. Buy your shrimp to cook at home from Francisco, right there at Mary's. They supply the restaurant so the shrimp don't lay in those big coolers under melting ice like many of the vendors have, for a week or so before being sold.
do not listen to Roberto, the 3 locations he mention are not the best, the best place in town is the one and only Restaurante Mary's in the fish market area!! you can ask anybody and they will agree!! although as far as I know they do not have a whole fish fried, as in the disco, but their garlic or breaded fish or shrimp are finger liking good!! and their cocktails and their tacos and their........well you get the idea, we love it there!!
do not listen to Roberto, the 3 locations he mention are not the best, the best place in town is the one and only Restaurante Mary's in the fish market area!! you can ask anybody and they will agree!! although as far as I know they do not have a whole fish fried, as in the disco, but their garlic or breaded fish or shrimp are finger liking good!! and their cocktails and their tacos and their........well you get the idea, we love it there!!
Well, since I started a whole thread on Mary's. Everyone who reads much of the forum, knows that I love Mary's. It was so good that we only went to one other place while we were in Puerto Penasco for seven days, and that was for breakfast and coffee at Guiseppi's. At both places people couldn't have been more wonderful and at both places the food was more than perfect. My mouth water's just thinking of eating at Mary's, even when I am full.
My husband has been dying for a good shrimp cocktail - I'm not a shrimp eater. Every place we've been he's disappointed. Labor Day weekend we're going to try Mary's! Thanks!
just took the gighway to within 15 miles of libertad...beautiful road a harley guys dream ride 101a with spanish subtitles
Wow, Jerry, is the coastal hwy paved to within 15 miles to Puerto Libertad? That is awesome if it is paved? And great even if it is dirt road. Can you describe the road conditions for us? And "facilities"?
I was going to tell him Ink, but what the heck. After all; even though he didn't know where he was going:???:, at least he knew where he was at.:-P
Kenny (and Ink)...I read a previous post in the thread that mentioned Puerto Libertad....and put 2 + 2 together....unfortunately, it was different "2's"...my bad....:fail:
The time I took the new road to El Golfo was about a year ago.....
