BajaNomad - Live from Punta Sanfrancisquito

Live from Punta Sanfrancisquito

C205Driver - 10-5-2017 at 09:41 AM

.... Wife & I drove the short 3 hours ( by way of El Arco ) “Road” to PSFO yesterday & were warmly welcomed by Juan & Rosa... This is truly a special place to experience; remote & away from whatever else is happening in the world but in a setting so serene & beautiful... We have our little cabana with mattress, flush toilet & shower, cold cerveza & Rosa’s wonderful food!!! And a mile plus of a spectacular unoccupied beach upon which on might chance to see the turtles laying their eggs...So here we currently sit reading & enjoying a cold one while connected to the forum... FYI the road in has many sandy areas & would best be traversed by 4WD with a full tank of fuel...We also brought in some fresh produce- onions, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, avacados, peppers, etc.. which is used to supplement Rosa’s meals..If one where to fly here without wheelpants either runway would do; with wheelpants I would choose the Western runway as it is more firm...YMMV...For those who have never been here it should not be viewed as a “resort” as it is anything but.... I guess in my humble opinion it is the most simple yet stunning places one is able to enjoy in a lifetime..We are so content & glad to be here.... Currently there is one other person here in a pop-up truck camper with a quad & SUP......Perfect temps & breezes...

KurtG - 10-5-2017 at 10:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

.... Wife & I drove the short 3 hours ( by way of El Arco ) “Road” to PSFO yesterday & were warmly welcomed by Juan & Rosa... This is truly a special place to experience; remote & away from whatever else is happening in the world but in a setting so serene & beautiful... We have our little cabana with mattress, flush toilet & shower, cold cerveza & Rosa’s wonderful food!!! And a mile plus of a spectacular unoccupied beach upon which on might chance to see the turtles laying their eggs...So here we currently sit reading & enjoying a cold one while connected to the forum... FYI the road in has many sandy areas & would best be traversed by 4WD with a full tank of fuel...We also brought in some fresh produce- onions, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, avacados, peppers, etc.. which is used to supplement Rosa’s meals..If one where to fly here without wheelpants either runway would do; with wheelpants I would choose the Western runway as it is more firm...YMMV...For those who have never been here it should not be viewed as a “resort” as it is anything but.... I guess in my humble opinion it is the most simple yet stunning places one is able to enjoy in a lifetime..We are so content & glad to be here.... Currently there is one other person here in a pop-up truck camper with a quad & SUP......Perfect temps & breezes...

I'm envious. One of my all time favorite Baja places. Camped on the beach there many times and plan to again this year.

David K - 10-5-2017 at 10:34 AM

Wonderful! It is great to hear they have cleaned up the place and serving visitors. Please take photos to share when you return, especially of the cabin (s) and bathroom building... they were in shambles last January. I would rather have good things to report in the upcoming road guide! Did you go over to Beto's on the cove? That was impressive!

Pacifico - 10-5-2017 at 11:58 AM

Sounds great! I just got home from there yesterday! We dove with the whale sharks at Bola and then took the road south from there to Squito. It is in worse shape than the El Arco road. A bunch of my friends are still down there over on the "Bay Side". There are yellowtail and dorado biting! Enjoy amigo!

shari - 10-5-2017 at 12:14 PM

That was a great trip report....gracias!

C205Driver - 10-5-2017 at 12:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Wonderful! It is great to hear they have cleaned up the place and serving visitors. Please take photos to share when you return, especially of the cabin (s) and bathroom building... they were in shambles last January. I would rather have good things to report in the upcoming road guide! Did you go over to Beto's on the cove? That was impressive!

. Hey David K.... I don’t think they have “cleaned up the place”; rather it is functional place to stay in a stunning setting with all the necessities in place.... I took some pictures that I’ll email you when across the border for your use as am not wanting to hog the bandwidth.... Had wonderful huevos rancheros picante & cerveza frias for brunch...Juan also has the cutest little kitten down here to help amuse you! And a couple of rabbits to feed after playing with the cat... some dolphins last night & whales this morning.... & if you are a wino like me, box wine is very transportable...

fishbuck - 10-5-2017 at 01:14 PM

Thanks for the report. Especially about the runways

David K - 10-5-2017 at 03:52 PM

Wonderful to hear, C205. Not at all what I saw last January when it was really in sad shape, if you recall the photos I took there.

bajabuddha - 10-5-2017 at 04:10 PM

One person's 'sad shape' is another person's 'rustic'. Cada loco con su tema. Gringo mantra: "If only they'd....... "

Hook - 10-5-2017 at 05:48 PM

I stayed there once. It was the last year that Chelly, or whatever her name was, was in charge. Rundown was probably the best description, but there was no denying the atmospherics of the whole area; from the cala to the beach in front of the "resort."

My other two trips were by boat from BOLA. We slept on the beach in the cala. Great area!

But are you saying that there is actually a wifi signal out at the resort?

aguachico - 10-5-2017 at 06:21 PM

Nice. I wish I was there. Hope you have a safe and great trip. Go get sum garopa

C205Driver - 10-5-2017 at 07:01 PM

.... Almost dinner time as we watched the full moon rise here at PSFO .... Generator is running, took a swim & shower, took some medicinal spirits & enjoying the breeze& then all of a sudden Rosa just called out “listo” ( dinner is served ) ..... To be continued in a short while.....

David K - 10-5-2017 at 07:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

.... Almost dinner time as we watched the full moon rise here at PSFO .... Generator is running, took a swim & shower, took some medicinal spirits & enjoying the breeze& then all of a sudden Rosa just called out “listo” ( dinner is served ) ..... To be continued in a short while.....

Paradise!

fishbuck - 10-5-2017 at 09:38 PM

That's what I was thinking. It makes me happy that someone is there to enjoy it. I'm with you in spirit.

motoged - 10-6-2017 at 12:30 PM

San Francisquito is perhaps one of the sweetest spots in Baja....away from it all, simple, and certainly adequate for those who are well-prepared for the experience.

"Tourists" need not apply.... :biggrin:

bajadogs - 10-6-2017 at 08:01 PM

Hey CO5Driver, I was there with a buddy on motorcycles from bola. He banged up his ankle a bit and after spending the night on that beautiful beach we attempted the road through Los Arcos and our overloaded bikes were no match for the soft sand. I was disturbed by what I saw on the beach. Around sunset I took the long walk east to the rocky point. I witnessed at least 9 failed sea turtle nesting sites. They were very fresh and all the eggs had been destroyed by coyotes. None had a chance. I stayed up late hoping to see at least one but never did.

C205Driver - 10-7-2017 at 07:20 AM

...fishbuck, was a plane in here a week ago & used dirt runway; no windsock if anyone has a spare & winds have been favoring a landing to the north .... If you come during the cooler months a solar shower might be added to your list ( no hot water ) along with a shovel ( just in case )( yes, long stretches of soft sand after the storms; 4 WD a good idea ) ... Chile rellano & really cold beer last night...Yes, the coyotes have eaten the turtle eggs & very sad! A few years ago wife & I walked the whole beach; SEVERAL score of turtle nesting were TOTALLY destroyed by the coyotes... The ESTRELLAPESO just made coffee - so enjoying that right now after watching the sunrise & doing some online banking...By the way we have nice clean sheets on the beds & were also given blankets ( not needed here)..Again as some of you know this is anything but a resort & not for everyone; for us it holds incredible charm in a spectacular setting...YMMV...

C205Driver - 10-7-2017 at 07:32 AM

PACIFICO, yes October is a sure thing for diving with the whale sharks in BOLA ( did it couple times ) HOOK, think you mean Chari & Javier; had her dogs & pet burro in the kitchen when prepping meals....

desertcpl - 10-7-2017 at 02:12 PM

San Francisquito, is a very magic place, Nope also on the resort
but I like it that way

[Edited on 10-7-2017 by desertcpl]

C205Driver - 10-9-2017 at 09:36 AM

Drove out & back to Yuma yesterday, got A flat JUST before reaching the highway! Helicopter landed there Saturday... Guy said he drove his pop-up truck camper from BOLA!!!! Did not think it was doable!,,...Spectacular place PSFO is....

David K - 10-9-2017 at 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

Drove out & back to Yuma yesterday, got A flat JUST before reaching the highway! Helicopter landed there Saturday... Guy said he drove his pop-up truck camper from BOLA!!!! Did not think it was doable!,,...Spectacular place PSFO is....

Check your u2u... regarding photos. :light:

carlosg - 10-9-2017 at 04:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

Hi Driver,

Thanks for your daily reports of your stay in San Francisquito, seems like it was a wonderful one... Please, if possible tell us a bit more about road conditions,

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

.... Wife & I drove the short 3 hours ( by way of El Arco ) “Road” to PSFO yesterday & were warmly welcomed by Juan & Rosa... FYI the road in has many sandy areas & would best be traversed by 4WD with a full tank of fuel.... Currently there is one other person here in a pop-up truck camper with a quad & SUP......Perfect temps & breezes...

you mention a 4wd, do you think a 2wd could make it either from El Arco or from BoLA?

What do other fellow Nomads think about what the road might be after the Baja 1000 (Nov 18-20): will it be driveable or mostly impassable...

[Edited on 10-9-2017 by carlosg]

Pacifico - 10-9-2017 at 05:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by carlosg

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

Hi Driver,

Thanks for your daily reports of your stay in San Francisquito, seems like it was a wonderful one... Please, if possible tell us a bit more about road conditions,

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

Carlosg, I've done both roads dozens of times with only 2wd. I have had to use 4wd on both routes, but 99% of the time you would be fine with 2wd. The El Arco route is generally nicer and more sandy. The Bola route has more rocks and a couple nasty sections; but I just did it in my F-250 in 2wd and never had to put it in 4wd. The road after the 1000 might have more wash board but is usually driveable and shouldn't be a problem.

C205Driver - 10-9-2017 at 06:19 PM

...carlosg... I know nothing about road from BOLA other than I have small huevos & did not attempt even to think about it.... Many locals only have 2WD & do it but I would want aggresive tires, good clearance & a shovel also... Sent pix to David K , so hopefully he has them...

David K - 10-9-2017 at 06:35 PM

Yes, 3 pics so far... send more if you want. Not sure how the panorama will show here.
Will get on my computer later and post them.

C205Driver - 10-9-2017 at 06:59 PM

...Hats off to David K; always helpful & friendly! It’s in the mail David K!!

C205Driver - 10-9-2017 at 07:32 PM

I forgot to mention that with the recent rains an insect repellent might be a good idea! And they have a LIMITED amount of gas for the dirtbaggers that show up looking for cold beer & hot women....

carlosg - 10-9-2017 at 07:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Pacifico

Carlosg, I've done both roads dozens of times with only 2wd. I have had to use 4wd on both routes, but 99% of the time you would be fine with 2wd. The El Arco route is generally nicer and more sandy. The Bola route has more rocks and a couple nasty sections; but I just did it in my F-250 in 2wd and never had to put it in 4wd. The road after the 1000 might have more wash board but is usually driveable and shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks Pacifico, your info is very encouraging... I'm starting to prepare for next month...

...AND as Rider also mentions:

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

...carlosg... I know nothing about road from BOLA other than I have small huevos & did not attempt even to think about it.... Many locals only have 2WD & do it but I would want aggresive tires, good clearance & a shovel also...

...so it may just be Thanksgiving in Punta San Francisquito via El Arco this year... who knows... probably even a turkey in a pit

Quote: Originally posted by canoe4me

I'm headed to the San Francisquito area over Thanksgiving to find a deserted beach to cook a turkey in a pit. We would welcome family friendly company. We are a family of 5 (3 kids 11, 9, 7.)... We hope to cook a full scale thanksgiving meal on the beach...
[Edited on 10-9-2017 by canoe4me]

... con mucha cerveza y vino.... :bounce:

As for David:

Quote: Originally posted by C205Driver

...Hats off ... always helpful & friendly...

[Edited on 10-10-2017 by carlosg]

David K - 10-9-2017 at 07:49 PM

OK... there are a few photos... so give me some time... Here is the first panorama...

C205Driver - 10-9-2017 at 08:24 PM

I hope canoe4me can make it to PSFO; LOTS of PRIME beach & Rosa & Juan there to help with the meal...Lucky folks them are.....

David K - 10-9-2017 at 08:34 PM

David K - 10-9-2017 at 08:36 PM

All the other photos were taken with the camera sideways and it will take me more time to rotate them to normal...

honda tom - 10-9-2017 at 08:52 PM

the road from BOLA is easily doable in a 2wd. simple answer.

fishbuck - 10-9-2017 at 09:38 PM

That cat looks way too smart. He's up to something...

David K - 10-10-2017 at 06:30 AM

C205Driver - 10-10-2017 at 07:16 AM

...Honda Tom...don’t know what kind of 2WD vehicle you have , but, wasn’t exactly easily driven in with our AWD Honda Element with long sandy stretches since last storm...YMMV & FWIW.... Fishbuck....Good observation regarding the kitten! Loving, playful & intelligent!!!

honda tom - 10-10-2017 at 08:44 AM

I was responding about the road from BOLA to SF.... it is a hard packed surface.

after the Baja 1000...... the road will have rough areas leaving many corners from high horsepower vehicles spinning 39 inch tires. the hard pack straightaways wont change much. I would not let this be of much concern regarding a trip to San Fran.

willardguy - 10-10-2017 at 09:24 AM

the SCORE map im looking at doesn't have the course going out there :?:

Hook - 10-10-2017 at 09:38 AM

Last time I was there, those meals cost 11.00 US. Probably 15-20 years ago. What are they charging now?

TMW - 10-10-2017 at 10:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy

the SCORE map im looking at doesn't have the course going out there :?:

The Baja 1000 race will go from LA Bay to the jct for El Arco, probably the old road jct about a mile or 2 before the newer better road, 67 miles from LA Bay. They join back in 4+ miles. San Francisquito is 20+ miles past the jct.

Pacifico - 10-10-2017 at 11:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by honda tom

I was responding about the road from BOLA to SF.... it is a hard packed surface.

after the Baja 1000...... the road will have rough areas leaving many corners from high horsepower vehicles spinning 39 inch tires. the hard pack straightaways wont change much. I would not let this be of much concern regarding a trip to San Fran.

There are a couple spots that clearance is required...at least that was last week. Clearance is more important than 4wd on this road.

C205Driver - 10-10-2017 at 02:20 PM

Hook..... I’m sorry I can’t answer your question about cost on anything ; never asked... 4 nights with daily brunch & daily dinners & drinking beer from about 8AM until about 6 PM FOR 2 of us was $460 and gave a $100 tip... Have totally enjoyed all my stays (20?) there ; again, a special place....

fishbuck - 10-10-2017 at 07:35 PM

Those photos are cool. The fiod looks very good.

C205Driver - 10-10-2017 at 08:41 PM

.... fishbuck...my wife truly enjoyed REAL FRESH fish!...Rosa does a good job in the warm kitchen!

Marc - 10-11-2017 at 08:34 AM

Will be there Nov 3 or 4.

Bajazly - 10-11-2017 at 12:47 PM

Are these new people taking care of the place or the same ones who have been there for 4 years or more? Doesn't sound like the same people I encountered when I was there a couple of times.

C205Driver - 10-11-2017 at 02:11 PM

...Juan, his son Leonel & Rosa were there and have treated us very well every time we have been there... They are very simple people and don’t wish to invade your own space, but, when something is needed and requested they have always been helpful in serving you... I did notice that Juan’s English is getting better also on this trip... You can contact them at Sanfrancisquito@hotmail.com

bobrehfuss - 10-21-2017 at 08:50 AM

WOW, what great info. I'm leaving next week to go from
BoLA-SF-El Arco and then back to HWY 1 and south. I just created a Baja Nomads account today at the recommendation of a friend because I've never been from SF to El Arco and wondered about road conditions. Well, no need to ask the question as it's already answered here.

Great trip, report and pics!

Bob

David K - 10-21-2017 at 08:58 AM

Welcome to Baja Nomad.
There are additional road details and photos in one of my recent trip reports. See the Nomad Trip Reports forum. TRIPs #1-#7 cover most of Baja this year. I think #5 covers the El Arco road and #1 covers the L.A. Bay to Pta. S. Francisquito road.

C205Driver - 10-21-2017 at 10:19 AM

.... Thank You David for posting the pictures; Juan & Rosa are in some of the pictures... Also a sunrise & moonrise... Kitten is adorable & loving!,, I had the taco plate & normally Rosa puts on 3 tacos; too much for me so I asked for only 2 tacos ( still a big meal! )...

fishbuck - 10-21-2017 at 02:50 PM

That was a fantasy trip. Great report and thanks for sharing.

bobrehfuss - 10-21-2017 at 02:55 PM

Thanks for the response David, I read them. Great info and very nice pics.

I'm planning on heading to San Ignacio and La Purisma after that. I was wondering if the road to La Purisma west from Hwy 1 just below Conception is passable or if it's necessary to go through Insurgemtes?

TMW - 10-21-2017 at 03:20 PM

Yes it is passable. David did an excellent write up on it in one of his trip reports. Also it is open to pre-running for the Baja 1000 race. The race course jumps off the paved road from San Ignacio about 22 miles out of town. It rejoins the graded road from the Laguna to El Datil and stays on the graded road thru the salt flats and on to San Juanico. About 10 miles south of San Juanico it follows the old road to La Purisima.

David K - 10-21-2017 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bobrehfuss

Thanks for the response David, I read them. Great info and very nice pics.

I'm planning on heading to San Ignacio and La Purisma after that. I was wondering if the road to La Purisma west from Hwy 1 just below Conception is passable or if it's necessary to go through Insurgemtes?

Bob, it is or was earlier this year, very rough an slow for most of it. See my Trip #2 report. http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85756

Some great views...

To go with the rocky surface.

[Edited on 10-22-2017 by David K]

Stickers - 10-27-2017 at 01:45 PM

Hey C205 Driver, did you ever fly your 205 into San Francisquito?

I flew in a number of times starting in 1990 and never saw many other aircraft other than a couple of tail draggers. The paved strip was already toast so we always landed on the dirt strip.

Groups of bikes were always coming through getting fuel and beer.

Video of PSF landing in 2006

https://youtu.be/0wwgFQWQ-ZY

C205Driver - 10-27-2017 at 03:20 PM

Stickers.... No longer flying, but, have flown into PSFO 15 times or so; walked both runways & “the used to be paved runway” looked good for those with wheelpants.... Was there once for a full week with my friends & no one else spent night there...Another time we had 7 planes down from O22 for my birthday trip...Not a Resort,but, sure is a spectacular place...