BajaNomad

Campground south of Puertecitos on highway 5

JohnMcfrog - 2-21-2020 at 01:20 PM

Decided to try highway 5 on my way back from BCS next week. Interested in any recommendations on campground between highway 1 and Puertecitos. Only have internet at restaurants, so search not viable. Have 19 foot class C but don't need hookups, but like the security of a campground. Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Paco Facullo - 2-21-2020 at 01:30 PM

I have camped out at Coco's corner for the night.

I felt quite safe and there was another group staying there when I did.

He doesn't charge but it is nice to buy beers and or sodas from him.
I also gave him a 1/2 rack of ribs that he enjoyed..

del mar - 2-21-2020 at 01:31 PM

campo beluga on the south shore of gonzaga bay is a good choice

David K - 2-21-2020 at 05:44 PM

Camp Beluga is good... a sandy but graded road in.
Km. 149+ and 2.0 miles to the campground (turn left 1.3 miles from Hwy. 5).













redhilltown - 2-21-2020 at 05:52 PM

Papa Fernandez just north of San Luis Gonzaga is another good choice. Always feel safe there. Nice little restaurant.

StuckSucks - 2-21-2020 at 06:26 PM

Rancho Grande palapa at Gonzaga Bay, the aircraft is optional.

David K - 2-21-2020 at 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by redhilltown  
Papa Fernandez just north of San Luis Gonzaga is another good choice. Always feel safe there. Nice little restaurant.


But, is there a RV park he can drive a motorhome to, like Beluga or Rancho Grande's palapas? The only camping I thought Papa's offered was the beach over the hill? Not a suitable place for large 2WD vehicles, is it?
I would like to know... Thanks!

redhilltown - 2-22-2020 at 01:07 AM

He mentioned he did not need to be hooked up. I think Paps's would find him something. My point was you are on their property and would feel safe.

wilderone - 2-22-2020 at 07:50 AM

Just a few miles north of Gonzaga is Cinco Islas. Fine for an overnight.

David K - 2-22-2020 at 08:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
Just a few miles north of Gonzaga is Cinco Islas. Fine for an overnight.


Cinco Islas Km. 114



Also:
Off the paved Puertecitos entrance road (Km. 74.5) is Octavio's Playa Escondida:





advrider - 2-22-2020 at 09:01 AM

Rancho Grande would be my choice just because of the easy access, I've stayed there a few times. Campo Beluga is not a bac choice either.

JohnMcfrog - 2-23-2020 at 11:00 AM

Thanks so much for all the good suggestions. We are on our way tomorrow. Going to hit as many as we can.

JohnMcfrog - 2-29-2020 at 08:37 AM

Update on current conditions at four camps mentioned:

Camp Beluga- was closed on the Monday we visited. No signage that it was closed close to highway 5.

Rancho Grande- agree with advrider that it is the easiest access. Clean and beautiful views with enclosed back side palapas that would be good in the heat with cement floors. More outhouses than you can believe. We watched a plane take off next to the road to highway 5.

Papa Fernandez- more of a established residence area, kind of dense for camping. I didn't want to chance going over the hill to the beach.

Octavio's Camp (Playa Escondida)- When going thru the gate be sure to gas it if you have a 2wd. There is a big sand pit that I wasn't paying close enough attention to. Fluent english speaker Robert pulled me out in minutes. Very nice people. I helped his brother in law Antonio straighten out some boats in windy conditions as the tide was coming in and he took me to his house, fileted a fish and gave it to me, so generous. 250 pesos for 24 hours.

After 6 days of wind, was glad to get home on the excellent toll road to Tecate. Very thorough militar inspection point just past the Laguna Salada. Winds hit 106 mph (county record!) in local San Diego mountains that night.

[Edited on 3-1-2020 by JohnMcfrog]

good info

John M - 2-29-2020 at 11:54 AM

Nice update JohnMcfrog - good to have current information.

John M

Hook - 2-29-2020 at 01:25 PM

Yeah, you were unfortunate to have had to go down when a high pressure episode had built in the Southwest deserts of the US. There were strong winds for several days as far south as probably the East Cape. Sailflow was predicting seas as high as nine feet out in the center.

mojo_norte - 2-29-2020 at 02:05 PM

What are the camping options up at Punta Final ? Have 4x4 w/ decent clearance.

I had asked about Punta Final as well....

John M - 2-29-2020 at 02:49 PM

Here is the U2U reply I got when I asked about palapas and other shade:

"No shade just sandy beach. Be careful about times around April, don't want to be here during santa simmer" [Easter week perhaps?]

John M

David K - 2-29-2020 at 05:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John M  
Here is the U2U reply I got when I asked about palapas and other shade:

"No shade just sandy beach. Be careful about times around April, don't want to be here during santa simmer" [Easter week perhaps?]

John M


Signage and camping area in 2017. The beach east of the home area to Snoopy Hill/ Island is the camping area...




bajaric - 3-1-2020 at 08:16 AM

Nice report. I have stayed at Octavios a couple of times. The place is usually empty, or only one or two palapas are occupied.

The area south of Puertecitos is in my opinion one of the windiest in Baja. Anything that is not tied down gets blown out to sea. After a while it starts to get on your nerves.


[Edited on 3-1-2020 by bajaric]

RFClark - 3-1-2020 at 09:36 PM

Hi,

There’s a trailer Park across from the Market at Gonzaga Bay south of the Air Strip. The Market has recently added a high well lit security fence and the trailer park has none! Over by the beach is probably better. Alfonsina’s has rooms & a restaurant/bar. Enter just south of the gas station (regular only) Across from the market. Next gas south Jesus Y Maria 200KM road is OK but not a good idea after dark 18:00 ish local time. North A military check point ( nice folks) next gas Puertecitos 80KM ish (often & regular only) and rooms to rent (also often) a guy grills carne asada tacos at the market at sundown ( often - it’s Mexico!) on the way into town!

matthew_mangus - 3-12-2020 at 12:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mojo_norte  
What are the camping options up at Punta Final ? Have 4x4 w/ decent clearance.


We camped on the beach at Punta Final on 2.27. The location is nice but feels a bit strange to be on display to the nearby homes. The outhouses were disgusting and there's nowhere to dig a hole that isn't in view of someone's home so we had to break out a privacy tent. It was good that one of our rigs had one onboard.

David K - 3-12-2020 at 08:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by matthew_mangus  
Quote: Originally posted by mojo_norte  
What are the camping options up at Punta Final ? Have 4x4 w/ decent clearance.


We camped on the beach at Punta Final on 2.27. The location is nice but feels a bit strange to be on display to the nearby homes. The outhouses were disgusting and there's nowhere to dig a hole that isn't in view of someone's home so we had to break out a privacy tent. It was good that one of our rigs had one onboard.


There are remote places to camp between Punta Final and El Sacrificio. See photos of one such spot in my 2017 & 2018 Trip #1 and Trip #8 reports.

Marc - 3-17-2020 at 06:53 AM

Camp Beluga had showers last time I checked.

David K - 3-17-2020 at 01:14 PM

Camp Beluga has showers (not heated).

Gas south of Gonzaga sold from cans at the L.A. Bay Jcn. (if you see a pickup parked in front of the abandoned parador/ gas station). Km. 282/Km. 0.
Gas also from cans at the market on the north side of the vado (Km. 13) at the village of Punta Prieta.

Puertecitos station reported not reliable so don't bet on it being open when you need it. I also inquired about rooms for rent by the custodian who collects money when you cross property to visit the hot springs... He said, no rooms, only camping (in 2017). It was 200 pesos per car just to have a look around or to spend the night, it didn't matter.

[Edited on 3-17-2020 by David K]