Novice to Intermediate. During this expedition, we will be pushing some big mile days 200 + fun semi-smooth trails

This is a Toy Drive for the children of Baja. So we plan on having a ton of fun as we off-road down to San Quintin for our annual Santa Claus Toy Drive. We look forward to having you be a part of giving back to Baja.

If you choose to stay at the hotel the night before, we will be staying at the El Cajon, CA at the Marriott Hotel. (booking link in registration email) You will receive this email after your deposit payment.

Day 1 - Tecate to Ensenada (Horsepower Ranch)

Meetup time is 7 am at the Tecate border crossing, where we will meet the Off the Grid Crew and get paired up with your UTVs once we do an overall UTV orientation and drivers meeting, we'll cross the US/Mexico border as a group.

Once we cross the border, we will drive a short distance on the highway to reach the trailhead. From there, we'll head south through the mountains of Sierra Juarez, also known as the pine forest of Baja. The beautiful mountain ranges and dense forests will make it hard to believe you're still in Baja. The trails are wide and fast, allowing for some thrilling corner drifting turns as we make our way down south towards Ojos Negros for a delicious lunch of tacos. After lunch, we'll refuel and take another fast trail to the west, which is commonly used in the Baja 1000 races, also known as "Blue Gate." It's a short and fast trail that you'll love every mile of. As we come to the highway, we'll regroup as a team and drive to the hotel at "Horse Power Ranch" for the night. We expect to arrive at the hotel early in the afternoon.

Day 2 - Ensenada to San Quintin

As we begin our second day of the journey, we'll take a scenic drive along Hwy 3, enjoying the stunning views surrounding us. We'll head back to Ojos Negros before going up the mountains to the east. The road will take us through thick, lush pine forests, providing ample opportunities to navigate the incredible turns with ease. As we go higher, we'll reach a point where the trees stop growing, and vast meadows will welcome us. We'll then proceed south to a section of the Baja 1000 racecourse. This high-speed trail is where we can make up for lost time, but only if everyone can keep up with the pace. We'll make a few stops along the way to regroup and take in the stunning scenery. This trail will take us from the northeast to "Independencia," a small town on Hwy 3, where we can experience authentic Baja living. The landscape, the fast trails, and the occasional whoop sections; this is what we are here for. After that, we'll head to Valle LA Trinidad, a charming town on Hwy 3, where we'll stop for "F&T" - Fuel and Tacos. These are some of the best tacos in all of Baja, and they're sure to satisfy our hunger. After enjoying our meal, we'll continue our journey towards the Pacific Ocean, where we'll ride along the coast, basking in the salty breeze and relishing the refreshing ocean views. Our day will end at the Old Mill Hotel in San Quintin, where we can relax and reflect on the incredible ride we had.

Santa Claus is visiting the Old Mill Hotel in San Quintin for an evening of festivities. Several local children will have the opportunity to meet and greet Santa during the event. This is a super fun event and we hope everyone will participate in the festivities.

Day 3 - San Quintin to Ensenada (Estero Beach Hotel)

On the third day of our trip, we'll be heading back north from San Quintin. Our route will follow the Pacific coastline, taking us through some iconic locations on the Baja 1000 race course and beautiful sandy beaches. Day 4 may pose a challenge for some riders as the terrain will change frequently around every turn. We'll stop for lunch at La Cueva del Pirata, where riders can recharge before putting in some big miles to reach Ensenada. If time allows, we might even get to enjoy more beach riding. Day 4 will be a long and extremely fun day. If everything goes according to plan, we should be able to get to the hotel around 6 pm for dinner and drinks.

Day 4 - Ensenada to Tecate Exit

As we approach Day 4 of our adventure, we feel a bittersweet sense of excitement. We've already covered close to 600 miles of Baja's breathtaking terrain, but we still have a few more to go before our exit. Our plan is to continue north towards the border, exploring the awe-inspiring trails that await us. If time permits, we'll take the scenic north route towards Laguna Hanson, following it all the way up to Highway 2 before crossing the border back into the USA.

One of the best things about this trip is that there's never an overwhelming section, even for novice drivers. Every day brings new adventures and landscapes that will leave you in awe. From rugged mountains to sandy beaches, you'll experience the very best of Baja's diverse terrain.

Throughout our journey, Off the GRID Expeditions will have their full support team in place to ensure that our adventure goes as planned. They will be there every step of the way, providing any assistance we may need and ensuring that we have a safe and enjoyable experience. With an average of 600 miles of driving over 4 days, this trip promises to be an unforgettable experience that we will cherish for a lifetime.

- Guided trails from the border every step of the way.

- The entire course has been pre-run and mapped so that you will be able to view the trail on your Lowrance GPS unit. See GPS Usage page (click here).

- Hotel accommodations for all nights.

- Breakfast and dinners provided for all nights.

- Unsurpassed trail support. With our mechanics on the trail, your mechanical problems are a thing of the past.

- A lead UTV will guide the group. The lead UTV will radio back any potential hazards that you may encounter along the way.

- A sweep support UTV, which holds parts and tools for almost any trail breakdowns, will ensure that everyone gets to their destination.

- On-the-trail mechanics will handle any issues that might pop up. These mechanics, or "Baja Ninjas" as we call them, are truly amazing to have along.

- Parts: Please remember there are several different models and manufacturers of UTVs, all requiring different parts. Off the Grid does carry some parts but not all. We recommend you bring any spare parts necessary for your UTV. These parts will be carried on the chase trucks. We do recommend you carry spare belts, rear axles, and commonly used parts for your manufacturer of UTV.

- The chase trucks hold a multitude of tools, welders, parts, wheels and tires, as well as emergency fuel and medical equipment, barring any incidents along the way.

Our goal at Off the GRID Expeditions is to have a good time. With that said, being prepared and having the right tools/equipment can make everyone’s day much more enjoyable!

Santa Suit and Gift 

 Stock UTV’s are very capable and impressive machines… they are also a lot of fun to customize! Although heavy modification isn’t necessary, there are basic items that you must have when going on an OFF the GRID run.

 

 Here’s a list of required items for our Expeditions:

 (Note: some expeditions might require more items, based on specific trail or location needs. See Run descriptions for more  details.)

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• UTV prep is a must prior to any run. If one vehicle has a problem, we all have a problem.

• All services done on vehicle. (oil change, air cleaner, brakes, nut and bolt )

• All tires aired to proper pressure. ( 1 Spare in required on vehicle)

• All equipment and parts securely tied down in UTV.

• Full Fuel Tank. (Spare gas can be carried but must be safe and secure on UTV )

• Tools, Jack and tow strap securely fastened in UTV. 

• Helmet with wired speakers for Intercom system. Yes helmets are 100% mandatory. 

• Radio - Mounted VHF radio,  with weatherman programmed frequency 151.625 (see below)

• Intercom - We highly recommend a wired intercom so you can clearly hear the radio and can easily transmit on the radio while driving. (see below)

• GPS - Lowrance GPS Unit only- No exceptions (We provide the GPS file the morning of the expedition) (see below)

• Drivers licence - Vehicle Registration - Insurance

• Off Road lights - Some good light so you are comfortable driving at night. LED lights are recommended.

• At least one full size spare. (Must be tied down and secure)

• Jack (if it's a good one) 

• Tools / Tow strap (Bring only the basics we’ll have the rest)

• Food / LOTS of Water - Dinner and breakfasts are included and we will be stopping for lunches however snacks for the trail are suggested. (beef jerky, candy, chips, etc)

• Mexican Auto Insurance for you're UTV www.bajabound.com   No you're USA insurance wont work in Baja 

• So why do we need a GPS? 

  The GPS is your life line when navigating these technical trails of Baja. Every turn has a surprise and without a well planned trail you would be lost in minutes. The GPS not only displays your exact route but it is also use for milage calculations for turns or and potential hazards as well as waypoints

• Communication is key..

  We use a VHF 55w radio with a preprogrammed channel to communicate from Utv to Utv. The operating channel  is weather man (151.625) please make sure you have this preprogrammed into you're unit. All communication systems must wired into push to talk intercom system to your helmet. The VHF radios allow us to call out any potential hazards, milage, and just general communication amongst the group. Example ( Hazard mile 45.2 on right or "hey dude with the blue Can-Am you have a strap hanging under your Utv" )

• Why because they save lives ......

  Helmets are mandatory no questions asked. I know some ride with only head sets but with Off the GRID Expeditions you need to wear one. Goggles or full face shield as well !!!! You only have one head on your shoulders so use it wisely and protect it....

To prepare for your adventure, packing doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's what you'll need:

Luggage: A carry-on size soft duffle bag is sufficient.

Check the weather in Baja California using your smartphone. Given the possibility of getting into the ocean, don't forget your bathing suits. Additionally, pack sandals or flip-flops, comfortable driving shoes, pants, shorts, and a few T-shirts. An all-conditions jacket is essential for chilly days. Your evening attire is your choice, but keep in mind that we'll be driving in the open air, so you may get a little dirty. If rain is in the forecast, a good rain suit will certainly be helpful. For hot days, Off the Grid Sun SPF 60 shirts work wonders to keep you cool. In the summer months, remember to pack sunblock and a hat.

Cooler and plenty of snacks for. the trail. We do stop for lunch, carry you through in case of any trail issues..

• Cancellations initiated by the participant received in writing to Off The Grid Expeditions with more than 60 days notice before tour start date will receive their deposit as a credit to be used towards future tours with Off The Grid Expeditions. The credit expires 1 year after issued.
• Cancellations initiated by the participant received in writing to Off The Grid Expeditions with 60 or less days notice before the tour start date will forfeit their deposit as a cancellation fee. Any balance payments can be held on file as a credit to be used towards future tours and services with Off The Grid Expeditions. The credit expires 1 year after issued.
• Cancellations initiated by the participant received in writing to Off The Grid Expeditions with 30 or less days notice before the tour start date will forfeit their deposit and any balance payments as a cancellation fee.
• Cancellations initiated by Off The Grid Expeditions due to conditions beyond their control including but not limited to fires, weather, terrorism, civil strife, floods, earthquakes, or natural catastrophes, etc. will be credited towards a future trip in full amount of balances paid.