The 39th SCORE San Felipe 250 roars to life March 25–29, 2026, kicking off the SCORE World Desert Championship season in one of Baja California’s most remote and beautiful corners. Trophy Trucks, Class 1 buggies, UTVs, and motorcycles will blast through 250-plus miles of desert, silt beds, and bone-jarring washes along the Sea of Cortez — and you can watch the whole thing for free from the sidelines.
Whether you are a lifelong off-road racing fan or an expat looking for the most exciting weekend in Baja this spring, here is everything you need to know to get there, stay safe, and enjoy the spectacle.
What Is the SCORE San Felipe 250?
SCORE International’s San Felipe 250 is the opening round of the four-race World Desert Championship, held entirely in Baja California for the 11th consecutive year. Nicknamed “Baby Baja” by SCORE founder Sal Fish when he created the race in 1988, the event has grown into one of desert racing’s premier competitions — with 95-plus entries expected in 2026.
The race is a single-loop course that starts and finishes at El Malecón, San Felipe’s waterfront boulevard. Racers blast south through the Llanos de San Fermín, tackle three of Mexico’s toughest washes — Matomi, Azufre, and Huatamote — and weave through cactus gardens and deep silt beds before hammering back to the coast. Total distance varies year to year but typically runs between 250 and 283 miles.
The San Felipe 250 is also part of the coveted SCORE Triple Crown of Baja, which includes the Baja 500 (June) and the legendary Baja 1000 (November). Winning all three in one season is the sport’s ultimate achievement.
2026 Race Schedule and What to Expect
Race week runs March 25–29, but the action starts earlier. Pre-running opens Friday, March 20, with enforced speed limits so teams can scout the course. Here is the general event flow:
Pre-running begins a week before the race. Registration and technical inspection take place at El Malecón mid-week. Contingency — the public vehicle display where fans walk among the race trucks, meet drivers, and check out the machines up close — typically happens the day before the race. Race day itself starts early morning with motorcycles and quads going first, followed by cars, trucks, and UTVs.
The most exciting class is Trophy Truck. These purpose-built monsters weigh over 6,000 pounds, produce 900-plus horsepower, and hit speeds above 130 mph on open desert sections. In 2025, Alan Ampudia set the fastest winning time in San Felipe 250 history at 3 hours, 55 minutes, and 13 seconds — averaging nearly 71 mph over terrain that would destroy a normal vehicle in minutes.
Other classes include Class 1 unlimited open-wheel buggies, various UTV categories (both naturally aspirated and forced induction), and multiple motorcycle divisions ranging from 125cc two-strokes to unlimited displacement four-strokes. There are even age-group motorcycle classes for racers over 30, 40, 50, and 60.
How to Get to San Felipe
San Felipe sits on the Sea of Cortez coast about 120 miles south of the U.S. border. Most visitors from Southern California drive down through Mexicali.
From San Diego: Take I-8 East to Highway 111 South, cross the border at Calexico East (open 24 hours, shorter lines than Calexico West), and follow Mexican Highway 5 south through Mexicali to San Felipe. Total distance: about 240 miles. Drive time: 4 to 5 hours depending on the border wait.
From Tijuana: Head east on Highway 2 to Mexicali, then south on Highway 5. Total distance: roughly 230 miles. Drive time: 3.5 to 5 hours.
Critical fuel warning: There are no gas stations for approximately 120 miles between Mexicali and San Felipe. Fill your tank in Mexicali or Calexico and consider carrying extra fuel. Highway 5 is fully paved and in good condition, but it is remote desert with minimal services.
You will pass through two to three Mexican Army checkpoints with brief vehicle inspections. Have your passport and Mexican auto insurance ready. U.S. auto insurance is not valid in Mexico — temporary policies start around $25 per day from providers like Baja Bound and Lewis & Lewis.
Where to Watch the Race
Spectating at the San Felipe 250 is free. There is no admission fee to watch from the desert — you simply drive out to the course and find a spot. That said, choosing the right spot and staying safe is critical.
Best spectator areas: The in-town short course section near the start/finish at El Malecón is the easiest place to watch — you can see every vehicle before it heads into the desert. For more dramatic action, head to the Borrego area around Race Mile 60 for elevated viewing with sweet jump sections. Zoo Road is another favorite, known for its high-whooped straight sections where Trophy Trucks get massive air.
Safety is not optional. Park at least 100 feet from the race course. Never stand on the outside of turns. Always position yourself behind a solid barrier — a vehicle, rock outcropping, or hillside — that you can duck behind if a racer loses control. A spectator was struck by a Trophy Truck at a previous San Felipe race, and vehicles traveling 100-plus mph have almost no ability to avoid obstacles. Stay alert, stay back, and never turn your back to the course.
Where to Stay and What It Costs
San Felipe is a small fishing town of about 25,000 people, and race week fills up fast. Book early.
Hotels: Expect to pay $46 to $205 per night depending on the property. Mid-range options like the San Felipe Beach Hotel and Hotel Las Palmas run $114 to $152 per night. March is peak tourist season, and race week commands premium pricing.
RV parks: San Felipe has excellent RV infrastructure. Kiki’s RV Camping & Hotel offers 25 sites within walking distance of El Malecón with gated security. Pete’s Camp has 37 full-hookup beachfront spaces. Seaside Hotel & Victors RV Park runs $30 to $40 per night for beachfront spots with weekly discounts. Most parks have 24-hour security.
Camping: Budget travelers can find basic camping for $25 to $30 per night. Sites rarely sell out except during major events — and this is one of them.
Cash is king: San Felipe runs mostly on cash. Bring pesos. Banamex and Bancomer ATMs accept international cards, but withdrawal limits are typically 5,000 to 10,000 pesos ($275–$550 USD) per transaction. Many small shops and restaurants do not accept cards.
Weather, Packing, and Practical Tips
Late March in San Felipe is ideal — warm but not yet brutal. Expect daytime highs around 77°F (25°C) and nighttime lows near 45°F (7°C). Rain is extremely unlikely, with only a 5% chance in March. The sun is strong and the desert is dry, so pack accordingly.
Bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, layers for cool desert evenings, plenty of water (at least a gallon per person per day if spectating in the desert), and closed-toe shoes suitable for rough terrain. If you plan to drive out to remote spectator spots, carry extra fuel, a spare tire, and basic tools.
Cell coverage: Telcel and Movistar provide coverage in town. AT&T and T-Mobile roam seamlessly on Mexican networks. WiFi is available at most hotels and restaurants. Coverage gets spotty in the remote desert where the race course runs.
Drinking water: Tap water has high mineral content. Stick to bottled or purified water, available cheaply at local grocery stores — about $0.80 for a 5-gallon jug from purification shops like KonsAgua.
The Full 2026 SCORE Baja Season
The San Felipe 250 is just the opening act. The complete 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule:
March 25–29: 39th San Felipe 250 — San Felipe, BC (you are here).
June 3–7: 58th Baja 500 — Ensenada, BC. The classic mid-season race through Baja wine country and Pacific coast terrain.
September 9–13: 7th Baja 400 — Ensenada, BC. The youngest race in the championship, added in 2020.
November 9–15: 59th Baja 1000 — Los Cabos, BCS. This is the historic one. For the first time in nearly 60 years, the Baja 1000 will start and finish in the same city — Los Cabos — marking the first time the legendary race is held entirely within Baja California Sur.
The Bottom Line
The San Felipe 250 is one of the most accessible and exciting motorsport events in North America. It costs nothing to watch, it happens in a beautiful Sea of Cortez beach town, and it showcases some of the most extreme vehicles and drivers in racing. If you live in Baja or Southern California, this is a weekend trip worth making. Fill your tank in Mexicali, bring cash and sunscreen, find a safe spot in the desert, and watch 900-horsepower trucks fly through the Baja landscape at impossible speeds.
Race information and full entry lists are available at score-international.com and score-raceinfo.com.