San Felipe is a city in Baja California, Mexico on the coast of the Gulf of California. It has become a resort destination for Americans, Canadians and Mexicans. Its population of 19,000 (2018) swells by up to 5,000 during peak periods like U.S. holidays.
Understand
San Felipe began as a sleepy fishing village, barely connected by road to Mexicali over a long, often flooded, mud, or washed-out road. Its fishing roots are still evident in the large commercial harbor south of town frequented by shrimp boats.
The Bay of San Felipe is 3 meters above sea level. At low tide, the water can recede as much as 2 km. San Felipe experiences one of the largest tidal bores in the world due in part to the Colorado River delta to the north. The seven-meter tides expose a kilometer of ocean floor. The port of San Felipe is a small town historically dependent on fishing and now on tourism, catering mostly to U.S. travelers and containing an international airport.
Get in
The easiest way to get to San Felipe (unless you're considering externalized costs) is to drive. You can fly into the small Aeropuerto International De San Felipe if you have a private plane and there are a few commercial flights. There are also long distance buses, although there are no local buses once you arrive. Some people also bike or walk to get to San Felipe.
By car
If you are coming from California, into Baja Mexico, there are two simple routes.
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San Diego/Tijuana Border Crossing: Drive South on the Mexican 1-D to Ensenada. Then, take the Mexican 3 South to the Mexican 5. Head south on the Mexican 5. The 5 ends directly in San Felipe. This route takes you directly across the Baja Peninsula. You will pass two or sometimes three Mexican Army checkpoints, where you will be greeted and searched by soldiers. Leaving/entering San Felipe you will be searched thoroughly. Also leaving Ensenada, heading towards San Felipe there is another military thorough inspection, and not only cars are searched. You will need to tell them your final destination. The Mexican 3 is notorious for major potholes and sometimes banditos. The drive will feel like it goes on forever.
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Mexicali: The drive to San Felipe from the Mexicali border crossing is relatively more direct. Just hold south on the Mexican 5 all the way to San Felipe. The majority of this path will take you through desert terrain. Make sure to have extra water.
General driving advice:
Be very wary of Mexican big rigs. If a car or truck in front of you turns on its blinkers, this usually denotes that it is safe to pass on a two lane highway. Make sure your car is in good shape. Make sure to be able to speak even a little bit of Spanish! Also, few gas stations live along the road to San Felipe so make sure you have full tank of gas. It is best to fill up before you leave Mexicali or San Felipe. Another warning: Be careful with parking your car on the beach, regardless of it being 2- or 4-wheel drive. The tide is very quick, and will turn over your car/truck before you know it.
By plane
San Felipe has a small general aviation airport (dead link: January 2023) a few miles south of town.
By bus
ABC Buses (dead link: December 2020) run from Mexicali.
By bike
It looks like a low-traffic route from San Diego is to cross at Tecate, then bike to Ensenada, and then go to San Felipe from there.
Be careful with parking your bike on the beach. The tide is very quick, and will reach your bike before you know it.
Get around
The malecon (waterfront) is the center of San Felipe. Most of the bars and restaurants are here and are within walking distance of each other. Free, ample parking is usually available.
Many of the beach-front camps and vacation villages are a couple miles away from town. You will need a car to get into town.
Driving on the beach is an excellent way to get stuck shovelling sand for a few hours. While four-wheel drive vehicles are better at driving on the beach, they too will get stuck at particularly soft spots. Fat-tire bicycles are better. They work pretty good, and if you get stuck you can just pick the bike up and carry it to a better spot.
See
The tide. The Sea of Cortez has incredible tide changes. Walk out and see the ocean bed. Be wary of the tide though. The tide can take you and your car quickly if you park on the beach.
Do
- Fishing. Many local fishermen will take you out on their boat for a fee. Take note that while a permit is not needed to fish from shore, a permit is needed to fish from a boat. Collecting clams and other shellfish is legal only for locals.
- The Baja 500 and Baja 1000 races often pass near or through San Felipe.
- California Motorsport Adventours Off road adventure tours for people of all riding abilities. Everyone welcome: families, couples, friends, single riders, bachelor and corporate groups. Our trips to San Felipe can be done in 4 or 5 days. Begin in San Diego, end in San Felipe. We can also customize tours around the Baja 500 and 1000. Contact the office for reservations and inquiries.
- Blues Festival. An annual event that normally takes place in April. Many local bands and a great way to enjoy the outdoors during the spring in Mexico
Event announcements and local news from almost all local websites (in English) appear on San Felipe News.
Buy
Most stores in San Felipe sell the same souvenirs: rings, necklaces, T-shirts, and so on. Typically, shopping will happen on a need basis -- "oh, I forgot to bring sunglasses; I'd better buy some", or else on a whim -- "That's a nice-looking ring". In addition to the actual stores, there are often peddlers walking around on the streets or beaches selling wares of some kind, usually personal accessories. Often, these people are associated with a store. Almost without exception, vendors in San Felipe accept the U.S. dollar.
Eat
Fish tacos! San Felipe is known as the birthplace of the fish taco and every restaurant on the malecon serves them. It is said to be the taste that launched Rubio's chain of Mexican restaurants. A trip to San Felipe would be incomplete without trying the local delicacy. Most places also serve tacos with other types of seafood as well. As with most eateries in Mexico, look for ones frequented by locals.
It is possible to buy seafood, especially shrimp (camerones) and clams (almejas), from local fish markets, or occasionally directly from the fishing vessels in the large commercial harbor.
- Rumors Beach Bar, Playa De Oro (north of San Felipe). The food is okay but the drinks are weak and expensive.
- The Taco Factory, Downtown (At the Melecon). Great tacos, quasedillas and cervezas
- El Cortez/Bare Foot Beach Bar. Just south of the Malecon, the El Cortez is a great Hotel, but has a great breakfast and a nice beach bar.
- The Sweet Spot is the main hangout on the Malecon for "gringos" and is owned and operated by an American. Als Backstreet Bar is another famous local gringo hangout, and is two streets west of the Malecon right behind the Bancomer branch.
- Pavivilion Restaurant, El Dorado Ranch. One of the largest and most American restaurants is the Pavilion in the gated golf course community of El Dorado Ranch eight miles North of San Felipe on Hwy 5. It is open to the public so just tell the guard where you are going. The restaurant and location are so beautiful it has become the #1 wedding and reception restaurant in San Felipe for Mexicans and Americans.
Drink
Most restaurants serve beer and wine, and many have a full bar. Most of the campgrounds have a bar, making the stumble back to your tent relatively quick and painless.
There's a couple of bars and clubs along the malecon. Some of the more popular dance clubs are Rockodile and Beachcomber but they don't get hopping till after midnight. If you want to have fun with the American expat locals, no trip to San Felipe is complete without a trip to Al's bar. A true "dive: by any definition yet 100% safe and loads of fun. It's like being in a Fellini movie. A block off the malecon on a seedy dark street but worth seeking out.
Buy some Cuban rum, Coke, and limes at one of the local markets and drink Cuba Libres at your campsite on the beach. Local distributors also sell Mexican beer by the case (with a deposit for bottles).
Sleep
Many beach campgrounds ("campos" or "playas") are located a few miles north of town. Most offer a parking place, palapas, and bathrooms; some have showers.
There are a number of adequate motels in town. There is a larger hotel south of town, near the commercial harbor.
- San Felipe Rentals (Vacation rental homes in San Felipe), Eldorado Ranch (Highway 5), +52 1-661-332-6914 (cell phone). Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. San Felipe rental homes provided by MySanFelipeVacation.com. Rental homes include Eldorado Ranch beach front condos and La Ventana del Mar golf course accommodations. San Felipe rental homes by the Sea of Cortez US$109/night
- Kikis RV Camping Hotel, Av, Golfo de California No.80, 31.0343°, -114.8279°, +52 686 577 2021. A laid-back place with beds in huts or RV hookups along the beach, where families can play or old codgers can just drink their beer in peace. 2021-02-10
- Sandollar Hotel, A Puertecitos 5283 (in Villas de la Palma, south of San Felipe), 30.9787°, -114.812°, +52 686 123 7688. Large rooms with kitchenettes and balconies overlooking private beach and gulf. Hotel has a pool, hot tub, and sun deck as well. 2021-02-10
Go next
Valley of the Giants is a natural reserve of the thousand-year-old Cardon Cactus. This area has become a major visitors attraction due to the selection of one of these giant specimens that was transported to Seville, Spain during World Expo '92.
South of San Felipe, the paved road continues to Puertocitos, through to Gonzaga Bay, back to Highway 1 between Catavina and Bahia de Los Angeles. The views near Gonzaga are simply breathtaking.