La Paz Cops - Sorry no money for you guys

La Paz has a reputation for corrupt cops. I had just entered the city, when I saw a cop on his motorbike on the opposite trafic flow, spotting me. He did a 180 and followed me closely. I was absolutely and exactly doing the 30 km/h speedlimit or even slower. I was the only one going that slow and had cars passing on my left at twice the speed. I was also the only one stopping at all those "Alto" signs that stand at almost every crossroad. Nevertheless the guy followed me. Tourist easy target alike, I guess. I almost stopped at green lights just not to give him a reason to pull me over. I did that for some 5 minutes or so, when at a red light he drove by real close in the middle of the two car lane and stopped at the side of my window. He looked at me and gave me that really annoyed look, "Holà, buenas diaz" I said through the open window. No answer, when the light turned green he was speeding it up and passed all the cars that were in line in front of me.

Along the Coast to La Paz

got a little lost, nothing on the map, neither on the GPS except "Driving North"

I took the road that leads North-East leaving Mex 1 opposite off the right hand turn off to the marked village of El Ciento Veintiocho (which is also the km marker I suppose). Actually to be honest I did not really take that one, I missed it as it looked on the map as it would be a little off and would come somewhat later, the Garmin GPS Mexico database does not know the road. So I took the next left hand exit and after have gotten a little lost on really rough roads I finally found the road that is leading North, meeting up with the other one at Las Tinajitas, took a right turn there and followed through the mountains all the way down to the coast, a little south of San Evvaristo. A high clearnce vehicle is needed to travel the road about 20 kilometers after having passed La Presa. Four wheel drive is an advantage and makes it easier. I followed down the road that was following the coast and then headed back West into the mountains, when the road comes down and follows about a kilometer inland from the beach I took a dry river bed and followed it down to the beach where I free camped at a beautiful spot directly at the beach at

N24°49.852'
W110°40.456'

Coordinates

This is about 20 kilometers North of Punta Coyote. Since I have crossed only two vehicles since leaving Mex 1 in the morning I felt pretty safe at that beach to stay there on my own. There was a strong current and some waves, I took a dip but did not really swim out.

a little rough at times, but straight.

the blue truck wearing sunglasses

Ciudad Constitución

At Ciudad Constitución I stayed at Misiones RV Park. N25°02.935' - W111°40.781'

Nice place, super friendly people, USD 16 for the night, sites have power and water, there is a nice common use area with shade, toilets etc. where a good strong WiFi can be enjoyed at no charge. Clean showers and bathrooms. I believe there is a restaurant running during the winter season, it was closed now. Spots with shade and nice palm trees. Despite the fact of being so close to Mex 1 it is realtively quiet, a good super market is just down the road, about 15 minutes walking distance. Restaurants along the street. Car and tire repair services as well, should you be in need.

You can't miss it if you enter the city on Mex 1, early on to your left is a big arch entrance. The entire campground is fenced and I felt pretty safe. The water is not salty, I filled my tank and running it through my Katadyn filters I drink the water.

Pemex Santa Rosalia

Don't fuel your car, truck or bike at the fuel station in Santa Rosalia, I have not met any one that has not been cheeted there. Wrong change, wrongly calibrated pump, the full program. Mulegé, I heard has pumps out of calibration, you pay for about 10% more than what you really have in your tank. All of a sudden your 20 liter canister will have 22 liter capacity.

Loreto, use the stations in town rather than the ones at Mex 1. I filled up there, agreed for a fix amount of liters and price and all worked smooth and painless.

Mision San Javier

A day trip from Loreto, worthwhile. The road is all new and excellent. The last few kilometers are gravel but in good condition. No problem with any car or motorbike. Their is also a spot with some cave paintings after about the first third up the road. Very well marked.

San Javier

San Javier

on the road just about a kilometer before the mision, does not really require that kind of  vehicle 

when joining pavement again on the way back

San Javier is an oasis and the mision is in good condition and still in use. There is a big fiesta in december when there are a lot of pilgrems driving up there.

When plastic surgery goes wrong...

...it could look like that. Be careful!

Loreto

In Loreto I have been staying at Rivera del Mar Campground and RV Park. Close to the beach and walking distance to the City, restaurants and shops. Safe, very clean and friendly place. At this time of the year very quiet. I guess it could be kind of crowded during the season. Everywhere in Loreto and going south from there are signs of a high speed development that came to an abrupt stop driven by the recession and the lack of US tourists. Nevertheless worthwhile a stop also a good stop to stock up, no huge US alike supermarkets but a couple of good shops and smaller super markets. Should you need tires repaired or alike you will find support in Loreto as well.