BajaNomad - Gonzaga Bay Hotels not Alfonsina's? Punta Bufeo?

Gonzaga Bay Hotels not Alfonsina's? Punta Bufeo?

wfurse - 9-14-2019 at 12:07 PM

Hey guys...

Long time lurker, first time poster

4 of us will be riding through Gonzaga in the evening of Sept. 27th.

I've stayed at Alfonsina's a number of times...and I'm not trying to invite criticism about the rising costs over there, but would like to stay someplace new if possible. We have camping gear, but would prefer a hotel with AC where possible.

I've read a bit about Punta Bufeo and El Sacrificio (the latter having quite mixed reviews). I'm not a Facebook guy, so I haven't been to communicate directly with either place (both have FB pages).

Does anyone have experience at either of these places ? Or other hotels with AC in the Gonzaga area? Is there a way to email these folks without using FB?

Additionally, we'd really love to stay at a place that serves food so we're not riding in the dark after tacos and beers if we don't have to.

Thanks so much.

-Will
(in Dolores CO)

David K - 9-14-2019 at 04:08 PM

There are units for rent at Rancho Grande.
They look like mobile homes or construction site offices?

bajabuddha - 9-14-2019 at 04:23 PM

Will, say "hello'' to Toni and Tom if they're still in Dolores for me. (BLM, firefighters)

u2u me if you need to. :coolup:

[Edited on 9-14-2019 by bajabuddha]

Rancho Grande accomodation

John M - 9-14-2019 at 04:50 PM

Ok - first for the spell check geeks, I realize it's accommodation - two c's and two m's

About a year ago we stopped at Rancho Grande store and asked about the little trailers just across the road - at that time they were not available for rent. However, on the beach just north of the Rancho Grande palapas is what was planned to be a restaurant, converted now into some sort of rooms for rent.

Those, at the time, were quoted at more than $100 ea!

Times and prices and availability change.

John M

[Edited on 9-14-2019 by John M]

ehall - 9-14-2019 at 05:44 PM

Not worth staying anymore. Priced me out.
San Felipe to Bola is easily made in a day. Stop at alfonsinas for lunch or the little taco stand at the market. Buy a couple cucumbers for coco.

David K - 9-14-2019 at 08:20 PM

Papa Fernandez' Restaurant is good and cheap. It is also closer to the highway than Alfonsina's is. Not quite the view and no margaritas, however.

freediverbrian - 9-14-2019 at 08:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Papa Fernandez' Restaurant is good and cheap. It is also closer to the highway than Alfonsina's is. Not quite the view and no margaritas, however.

Yep cheaper quicker and bring your own beer. Try the chile rellenos.

wfurse - 9-14-2019 at 08:54 PM

Good stuff here. I didn't realize that CoCo wanted Cucumbers. Thanks!

The reason for the Gonzaga Bay inquiry is that we'll be leaving Phx on 9/27...early, early....cross at Calexico East and get to San Felipe.

We plan on dropping our trailer somewhere in San Felipe (tbd....any recommendations?) and riding dual purpose bikes (with camping gear) as far south as we can that day....

...the plan after that is ride north to Catavina and then west to the Pacific....south to Santa Rosaliita....Rosarito....San Borja....Bay of LA....

I've never gone this Pacific route before as I normally ride San Felipe to CoCo's to Bay of LA.....then off road from there.

I wasn't sure how far I could get in one day....so a safe bet for day 1 is Gonzaga. I'd love to be somewhere south of San Felipe for Day 1...then in Bay of LA (if that's possible) by end of Day 2.

Any thoughts? 4 of us. Competent riders.

Where is Rancho Grande? Is that the store across from the Pemex?

Thanks!

Rossman - 9-14-2019 at 08:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

Not worth staying anymore. Priced me out.
San Felipe to Bola is easily made in a day. Stop at alfonsinas for lunch or the little taco stand at the market. Buy a couple cucumbers for coco.

Totally agree. Prices are just crazy in that area. Not just the lodging but the market, camping at Beluga, fuel. And if you are using dollars, you get stung bad on exchange rates. San Felipe to anywhere is a better idea. If BdLA is not your destination, you can get to Guerrero Negro with just a bit longer drive than BdLA.

By the way, great food, nicer view and reasonable prices at La Poma, 8 miles north of Bahia Gonzaga.

wfurse - 9-14-2019 at 09:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

By the way, great food, nicer view and reasonable prices at La Poma, 8 miles north of Bahia Gonzaga.

La Poma? Sweet! hotel and restaurant? sounds like a winner. I'm not seeing La Poma on my maps though. Im using the E32 mapset.

Think I could count on La Poma having availability early season?

thanks!

David K - 9-14-2019 at 09:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wfurse

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

By the way, great food, nicer view and reasonable prices at La Poma, 8 miles north of Bahia Gonzaga.

La Poma is just a good restaurant and camping, no rooms. The closest rooms are just sout at Punta Bufeo. Here is my Gonzaga area map with all the places mentioned shown along with kilometer markers near the points. Oh, and Gonzaga is only 2 hours ride from San Felipe.

All my maps are on the Nomad Road Conditions forum if they help you at all...

David K - 9-14-2019 at 09:29 PM

Photos of all the places mentioned (La Poma, Punta Bufeo, etc.) are in my Trip #1 and #3 reports (2017) in the Nomad Trip Reports forum.

Not bad for under 300 pesos (it was halibut and morethan I could eat)!

Gonzaga

3464james - 9-15-2019 at 08:10 AM

I have stayed at El Sacrificio several times and have been satisfied. You can camp under a large awning or on the beach. Showers and flush toilet for campers. The cabins are are fine for my taste, a bit primitive for some, but have air conditioning at night (8:00 PM to 0400AM), a nice hot shower and flush toilet in your room. There were beds for 5 of us. $75.00 per night, don't know how much camping is.You can contact the owner by phone directly. Marcella owns the place and speaks excellent English. Phone is on the Facebook page .There is a restaurant on board and Luis does a good job of cooking. He will cook your catch for you as well. Security was good never had to worry about anything wandering off. Draw back is that it's a ways off the road.

honda tom - 9-15-2019 at 10:45 AM

la poma is one of the grandsons of papa Fernandez. he has good food and camping. his brother has the motel at Bufeo (mile apart with a connecting road down the beach). the motel is very basic … good for off roaders and dirt bikers. no a/c could be an issue in sept. hot water and a bed is about it. 25-30 bucs 2 in a room.

JZ - 9-15-2019 at 11:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wfurse

...the plan after that is ride north to Catavina and then west to the Pacific....south to Santa Rosaliita....Rosarito....San Borja....Bay of LA....

I've never gone this Pacific route before as I normally ride San Felipe to CoCo's to Bay of LA.....then off road from there.

I wasn't sure how far I could get in one day....so a safe bet for day 1 is Gonzaga. I'd love to be somewhere south of San Felipe for Day 1...then in Bay of LA (if that's possible) by end of Day 2.

Any thoughts? 4 of us. Competent riders.

Thanks!

That's probably close to 250 miles on day 2. Way too far to be fun if you ask me.

Camp somewhere on the Pacific, like Punta Lobos, beautiful spot. Or if you are determined to end up in BoLA, cut out going up to Catavina, and just take the road North of El Crucer into the Pacific. That shaves off 60 miles - which is still a long way for a single day

When we ride the SS we usually take 2 full days. Camp out one night and a motel near Santa Roslialita the 2nd night. Drink some beer along the way and enjoy the ride. Lots to see around there.

Come along for a ride of the famous Seven Sisters https://youtu.be/hrdzmTWPUQs

[Edited on 9-16-2019 by JZ]

Rossman - 9-15-2019 at 01:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wfurse

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

By the way, great food, nicer view and reasonable prices at La Poma, 8 miles north of Bahia Gonzaga.

Drats! La Poma put up a notice on their Facebook page about an hour ago that their restaurant will be closed until further notice.

David K - 9-15-2019 at 02:40 PM

Bummer... Here is the page: https://www.facebook.com/campo.lapoma

wfurse - 9-15-2019 at 05:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Quote: Originally posted by wfurse

That's probably close to 250 miles on day 2. Way too far to be fun if you ask me.

Camp somewhere on the Pacific, like Punta Lobos, beautiful spot. Or if you are determined to end up in BoLA, cut out going up to Catavia, and just take the road North of El Crucer into the Pacific. That shaves off 60 miles - which is still a long way for a single day

When we ride the SS we usually take 2 full days. Camp out one night and a motel near Santa Roslialita the 2nd night. Drink some beer along the way and enjoy the ride. Lots to see around there.

Come along for a ride of the famous Seven Sisters https://youtu.be/hrdzmTWPUQs

[Edited on 9-15-2019 by JZ]

Sounds like a great plan.

As I mentioned, I've never taken the route via Catavina before and would be up for suggestions or even GPS tracks if anyone wants to share.

Where is Punta Lobos? Is that north of Bahia Blanco?

Knowing we'll be camping that night, any thoughts on where we should stock up on groceries/beer for the campsite? Or where to eat before settling in for the night? Or should we just be prepared coming out of San Felipe?

Thanks again for the all the friendly advice.

JZ - 9-15-2019 at 05:44 PM

PM me with your email and I'll send you a KMZ with tracks and way points of the area.

You can get stuff at the Rancho Grande market in Gonzaga or Catavina. Only other place is Santa Rosaliita. Other than that you have nothing for about a hundred miles along the Pacific coast.

[Edited on 9-16-2019 by JZ]

JZ - 9-15-2019 at 05:50 PM

The hardest part is from Canoas to Bahia Blanco. On a bike it's very easy. Truck it's a little bumpy and steep is some spots.

Once you hit Blanco it is fast going. The most beautiful beaches/bays are South of Blanco: Cono, Lobos, Maria - and several others. The last ~20 miles into Santa Rosaliita is a fast track where you can run 50-60 mph.

[Edited on 9-16-2019 by JZ]

Visual aid maps...

David K - 9-15-2019 at 06:29 PM

These and all 30 of my 2018 maps are in the Baja Nomad Road Conditions forum.

wfurse - 9-15-2019 at 06:58 PM

You guys are amazing. Thank you thank you.

advrider - 9-15-2019 at 08:41 PM

JZ, is giving you some very good info and I think we both have the same tracks so if he shares you will be in good shape..

David K - 9-15-2019 at 10:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wfurse

You guys are amazing. Thank you thank you.

Welcome to Baja Nomad... We (some of us) have been here since 2002 to help, share, enjoy that great Baja feeling!

Before Baja Nomad, there was Amigos de Baja, and before that was Fred Metcalf's message board (both are gone).

ehall - 9-16-2019 at 04:56 AM

22 day trail east side is fun and easy from hwy1 almost to Bola. Let me know if you want the track.

4x4abc - 9-16-2019 at 09:06 AM

can you post the 22 day track here please?

JZ - 9-16-2019 at 10:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

can you post the 22 day track here please?

I'm not sure if it's just the part from MX 1 to BoLA that is the 22 day trail, or if it's the entire thing.

Attachment: BOLA to Catavina 22 Day Trail.gpx (55kB)
This file has been downloaded 196 times

wfurse - 9-16-2019 at 07:22 PM

Re: 22 day trail...

you say fun and easy? we're all experienced riders, but have been reluctant to do single track on loaded bikes. but i would LOVE to do this trail if you stand by your "easy" statement....

thoughts?

ehall - 9-16-2019 at 08:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wfurse

Re: 22 day trail...

you say fun and easy? we're all experienced riders, but have been reluctant to do single track on loaded bikes. but i would LOVE to do this trail if you stand by your "easy" statement....

thoughts?

Little bit of sand for the first mile or so. Nothing I can remember was anything but fun. I rode it solo in December.

You could always leave your stuff in a hotel in Bola and do a 22 day san borja loop. Easily done in a day.

wfurse - 9-16-2019 at 09:04 PM

another fantastic idea. thanks.

JZ - 9-17-2019 at 12:15 PM

Here are a couple more tracks I forgot to share with you. They are a canyon alternative to Hwy 5 once you get to Coco's. Very easy ride, my kids did it when they were about 10.

One of them comes out right where the cut through to the Pacific starts.

Attachment: Rt Calamajue Canyon.kmz (3kB)
This file has been downloaded 198 times

Attachment: Rt MX 1 to Calamajue Canyon.kmz (2kB)
This file has been downloaded 204 times

[Edited on 9-17-2019 by JZ]

David K - 9-17-2019 at 12:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Here are a couple more tracks I forgot to share with you. They are a canyon alternative to Hwy 5 once you get to Coco's. Very easy ride, my kids did it when they were about 10.

One of them comes out right where the cut through to the Pacific starts.

[Edited on 9-17-2019 by JZ]

That is a great route, and while it was closed to motorcycles and off road racers for a time, it was open in 2016 when I last drove through. You can visit the mission site as well, less than a half mile off the route. From late 1766 to May 1767, the Jesuits had a mission here. The water was poisonous to crops so they had to move on, to Santa María.

Arroyo Calamajué

Mission site, across the arroyo from where the road drops down (see it across the valley).

The water can geet deeper... This was in September... three years ago.