VANAMAL,
Drove down all of the way from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas in March 2002. Two Thousansd miles their and back.
Most of the road is in good shape. again as you are aware, keeep a look out for the Topes and Vadoos, Topes are the "speed bumps" and yes they can be an Anus Puckerer if approached at siginificant speed, one occurence, however you do get fair warning. The Vadoos, are low lying depressions in the highway for storm water runoff. Thy can be filled with sand or debris be catious of these and they are also well marked.
Their are PEMEX Gas Stations up and down the highway, sometimes they may out of gas, however a local will be their with 45 gallon drums of gas on a pick up truck and will be glad to sell you gas. Carry octane booster with you as quality ot their gas is questionalble.
Their is a chain of Tourism Mexico owned Hotes, I think La Pinta Chain. Which are good clean accomodation and reasonable.
You can bypass the "Zoo" Border Crossing at San Diego/Tijuana by taking US #8 East of San Diego approx. 35 miles to the Border Crossing at Tecate, enjoy a beer at the Tecate Brewery and then take the Mexican # 20 then #3 to Ensenda.
Then #1 to first night at San Quentin approx 280 miles from San Diego via Tecate, then to Guerro Negro approx. 240 miles from San Quintin. From Guerro Negro to Mulege would be approx. 190 miles.
You will be in the middle of the Baja for awhie as you get closer to Santa Rosilia you will be going East to the Sea of Cortez be careful as you come up to very scenic views of the Sea of Cortez, and the road becomes very windy. Your best to pull over and sight see.
Once you are in Mulege drive down to Loreto and on the way stop in at the "Playas" along the beach.
A little advise change your US Money to Pesos, this way you will not have to keep an eye out for your change/conversion. Some locals will try and convince you the Peso is same as US Money, no chancey at that time it was 1 $US Dollar = 10.00 Pesos. I doubt it has changed.
Anyway, I could get carried away even more, this is a very brief Version of our trip. Had a great time. Their were 35 of us altogether, however only 4 - 5 travelled in any groups, cuaghj up wiyh others and passed others etc.
Have a good time.
geezerglide