Santa Rosalillita

The kilometer-counter along Highway 1 begins anew as soon as you cross south of the Bahía de los Angeles junction. Between Km. 38 and 39 a paved road heads west 13 kilometers to the fish camp of Santa Rosalillita, one of the 28 nautical “steps” in the Mexican government’s failed Sea of Cortez Project (Escalera Nautica).

As part of this initiative, the port at Santa Rosalillita was expanded and the town received electricity in March 2008, and then all the activity came abruptly to a halt. Fonatur is looking to sell the marina.

Antonio at the Tienda Comunitaria Diconsa (tel. 615/161-1313, US$25) has four rooms with private baths for rent.

Villa Jesus María

Thirty kilometers north of Guerrero Negro, this is a great place to stop for fuel for your car or yourself if you want to bypass Guerrero Negro or if you think you might run short before you get there. Besides the Pemex, Jesus María boasts several eating establishments.

All are good and specialize in slightly different Mexican foods, from fish and shrimp tacos at Paulina’s to tasty desebrada tortas at La Casita. The classic tamales at La Famosa Carmelita’s have a reputation for greatness among veteran Baja road-trippers. Each of these establishments is located along Mexico 1. All in all, the town makes a convenient and satisfying stop.

Parallel 28

At Km. 128 and the 28th parallel, you can’t miss the giant Mexican flag and 43-meter-high steel monument that mark the state line between Baja California (Norte) and Baja California Sur. You’ll pass through a military checkpoint, where you may need to show your immigration papers.

The time jumps ahead an hour here, as you change from the Pacific to Mountain time zone. Kilometer markers on Highway 1 reset at Km. 220 here and count down to Km. 0 at Santa Rosalía.

The town of Guerrero Negro lies seven kilometers south of this border, but before you get there, you’ll need to stop at the immigration checkpoint and agricultural inspection station. In addition to checking immigration papers, officials may spray insecticide under your vehicle.