Santa Rosaliita Coastal

Total Kilometers
28.0

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

This scenic coastal drive, located south of Santa Rosaliita, offers an incredibly enjoyable experience and is considered one of the finest coastal routes on the Pacific side of Baja California. You can access this route from Highway One, whether you're traveling northbound or southbound. Starting in Santa Rosaliita, you'll navigate through the delightful coastal town, setting off on a path that primarily runs parallel to the beach. As you begin, anticipate encountering some moderate challenges, including steep, rocky sections and slight off-camber dips in and out of washes. However, as you continue your journey southward along the coastline, the trail gradually becomes smoother with each passing mile. The breathtaking views along the route are truly captivating, but it's important to stay focused on maintaining your driving lines. Approximately every mile, you'll discover fantastic opportunities for camping right by the ocean. The final stretch of the trail, reminiscent of an old Baja 1000 Race track, takes you along the beach before eventually veering inland, guiding you towards Highway One. As you approach the junction, be prepared for a few wash crossings with deep sand, which may require deflating your tires and engaging 4WD. Finally, you'll reach the pavement, signifying the end of the trail.

Photos of Santa Rosaliita Coastal

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Difficulty

This route is generally easy to navigate but includes several challenging wash and sand crossings that require 4WD and aired-down tires for safe passage. As with any off-road trail, remain alert for embedded rocks and erosion ruts, which can appear suddenly--especially after weather events. The difficulty rating provided reflects typical dry-season conditions; keep in mind that trails in Baja can change dramatically following heavy rains or storms, often becoming significantly more technical or impassable. Always check recent trail reports and weather forecasts before heading out.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

The beach crossing about a mile from town is short but noticeably more challenging than other sections. You’ll need to be in 4WD, aired down significantly, and maintain steady momentum with tires turning to get across without issue. Smaller rigs may have an easier time, but at over 15,000 lbs, we had to commit. The reward, however, is worth it—some of the best remote camps in the area await on both the beach and perched atop the surrounding cliffs.