Rocky Point 2026

by Matt, Sarah ·

A week on the Sea of Cortez: plate drama at the border, slow mornings by the pool, and a lot of shopping.

Day 0 - Friday

After packing the car, I noticed that Sarah had a bag for every day we’d be in Mexico.

Sarah's Packing
She Packs as though we aren't going to be an hour from the border, in a town with a Walmart.

We left for Rocky Point around 11 am, a bit later than usual, but with more than enough time to get down for dinner and nice drinks by the ocean. We get to the border at 3:30 pm. And get set aside for a spot inspection. The inspector checks our VIN and asks for all our paperwork. She then tells me that our plates have expired (2 months ago), and because of that, we would not be allowed into Mexico. She claims we can go back across, buy the updated tags, show her the paperwork, and we’ll be on our way.

So we go back to the USA line, and tell the US Border Agent, who is shocked by the request, but lets us back in the US with no more questions asked. From there, we stop on the side of the road and go online to update my tags. Go online, and guess what? We need to pass emissions! Worst yet, the closest emission station is in Tucson, Arizona! 2.5 hours away. We did the math, and we’d get there at 5:30 if we left immediately. The only problem? They close at 5 pm!!

Well.. I decide to drive aggressively; long story short (and maintaining deniability), we get there at 5:05 pm, and they are, in fact, closed. Leave it to government work to close exactly on time.

We decided to make the most of it, got a hotel near the emission station, and went to a small Tucson Folk Festival, and I ran into an old friend from my Phoenix Pride days! We listened to a short presentation on bacanora, which is like tequila but made from a different type of agave plant.

From there, we went to a movie called Hoppers, which Sarah absolutely loved! 12/10, she is going to watch it a million more times for sure.

We called it early after that and prepped for an early morning.

Day 1 - Saturday

7:00 am, we wake up, our goal: get to Emissions at 7:45 before the line gets long. Saturday mornings are famously long at emissions (everyone is off work, and wants to get it done before the day gets long). We get there right on time, and there are already 6 or so cars ahead of us. It’s okay because emissions typically move quickly. From there, at 8, they open the gate. Everyone piles into the first lane. I notice the second lane opens up, but no one goes to it, so I sneak in. We are effectively the second car tested. We pass emissions at 8:05 am! Now that’s what I call effective!

From there, while I drive back to the border, Sarah updates my tags online. We got to the border with no issues; however, as luck would have it, they literally waved us through, no questions asked, no paperwork, and didn’t even look at our passports. Life is weird sometimes. We laugh it off and are at the hotel by noon.

Day 2 - Sunday

  • Shopping?
  • Jacuzzi (lukewarm)

Day 3 - Monday

  • Shopping in the main area
  • Late afternoon -> Shopping in the fancy place

Day 4 - Tuesday

  • Shopping in the fancy place
  • Night - Too much wine

Day 5 - Wednesday

  • Nausia - Sarah in the AM
  • Got work done
  • Vibed down by the pool, had food

All the photos from the trip: