Baja California, Mexicali
 

Any thoughts, ideas on visiting this area? What do you need to cross the border, passport? Am thinking about checking this out, beaches, food, lodging, any help would be terrific. Thanks.

Going to any border town in Mexico can be extremely dangerous and their is usually a US State Dept. warning for travelers to border towns..I have been to Mexicali on the way to San Felipe..
I do love San Felipe and it reminds me of old Baja..great memories..
I would only suggest driving through..it's really sad because we used to always go to Mexico and now, I won't go near it..Just my opinion..
By January 2008 all will need a passport..if you go..get Mexican Insurance and don't take alot of money for they see your car plates and the Policia will stop and make up a violation and request money as a fine or take you to jail.. tell them you only have $20 on you..its that corrupt!

Mexicali is a large desert farming town and not a tourist destination. You will pass through it on the way to San Felipe, which is a very nice place.
I agree with the previous poster, corruption in the police is a real problem and violent crime is up.

You might post this on the Latin America forum too. That's where all the Mexico posts are found. You do not (yet) need a passport for driving across the border into Mexico.

Agree with previous posters about driving through Mexicali. Also--watch your car registration tags--had them stolen from 3 out of 4 cars there on a mission trip with church youth.