Anonymous
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8 days to mulege--camping options/itinerary help
Four buddies and I are renting an SUV in San Diego and taking a trip down to Baja from 12/27 and 1/4. It looks like we'll only be able to get about as
far as Muleg? given our time restrictions. I was wondering if I could get some help planning an itinerary. In particular, we're looking to do some
camping off the beaten path--away from RVs if possible, but not completely out in the middle of nowhere.
Any suggestions for stops along the way, particular beaches to camp at, etc.?
Thanks!
Jasper
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jrbaja
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The mouth of the Mulege river
has free camping but no facilities unless you eat at the restaurant.
The south end of Bahia Concepcion should still have some camp spots where you are not surrounded.
Don't forget to take trash bags with you
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woody with a view
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or continue south of mulege and look for a signed dirt road heading west "san isidro". 30 miles later continue thru town of la purisima another 30
miles to san juanico. this time of year there will be hardly anyone there. there is a small fishing village and cantinas/ restaraunts. kind of "out
there", not as scenic as the gulf, but you'll be standing at the site of one of the greatest waves on the west coast of california-alta or baja.
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Bruce R Leech
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Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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In the Mountains to the west of Mulege is some of the best camping to be had . beautiful country on the way back spend a night just north of catavina
in the Big rocks.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Mike Humfreville
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Here's a concept...
You don't say that you know Baja from previous travels, so I assume you are going there (into the interior) for the first time.
While you could build a trip that requires moving every day, perhaps you'd like to spend a few days in two or three locations. Here's something to
consider.
From San Diego drive straight through to Bahia de Los Angeles, about 10 driving hours. Spend two or three days there. You can charter boats/guides
for fishing or touring the islands, etc, and there are many land locked points of interest. The bay offers about 25 miles of coastline with major sea
life, and much more. There are a few inexpensive hotels and many low cost or free campgrounds.
After Bahia de Los Angeles, with your clock reset to Mexican time, drive straight through to Mulege and spend a couple of days there. Be sure to see
the estuary from both sides and drive a few miles south to Santispac at the mouth of Conception Bay. Again, low cost everything unless you want a
night of the nice stuff.
Then steam north and home. Spend as much time as you have left at least driving through/walking Santa Rosalia, and San Ignacio is a must even though
a mile off the highway (paved). Santa Rosalia and San Ignacio offer up a colonial feeling and as much local history as you'll see on this trip.
Have a good trip and write us a report once home.
[Edited on 11-25-2004 by Mike Humfreville]
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jrbaja
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The "Interior" of Bajahahahahahahaha
"away from RVs if possible,"??
"There are a few inexpensive hotels and many low cost or free campgrounds. "
"Be sure to see the estuary from both sides and drive a few miles south to Santispac at the mouth of Conception Bay."
Perhaps I am dyslexic 
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Mike Humfreville
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Well, JRk.
You know, I started to write a bunch of BS telling you some serious stuff about yourself and your need to attack others, even on subjects where you
are totally ignorant. But I just didn't have the energy and don't give a crap about you. I did once.
But for others that are obliged to read these occasional bickerings, I know that most of us that post here and on other Baja boards are doing our best
to merge and get along, we're not trying to exercise our ego's, and when we disagree with another's post, rightfully or otherwise, we find a way to
disagree that is not so filled with ignorance, venom and sarcasm that we just serve the purpose of raising the hairs on the neck of the person we
don't agree with.
While a few of us enjoy targeting and attacking specific others or subjects where we think of ourselves as all-knowing, most of us would rather just
respectfully get along.
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Bob and Susan
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Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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JRk
Ohhhh Baby.....
[Edited on 11-25-2004 by Bob and Susan]
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jrbaja
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What's wrong Mikey
Did I insult your precious gringo enclaves?
Some people don't need to be around motorhomes and other gringos when they come to Baja. Kinda like they were suggesting when they said "away from
motorhomes" get it?
For you to suggest Bahia de Los Angeles and then Santispac, the motorhome capital of Baja, I thought you were a little off base.
And as far as me commenting on things I know nothing about *********, let's see one example!
I bet some of you chicken coopers would just love to call me on being wrong on something I post on here.
Especially after my comments to those who spend a vacation or two here every once in a while like you and David and then pretend to know what you
are talking about.
Stick with your stories and have a toast to the Indians today.
[Edited on 11-25-2004 by BajaNomad]
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Mike Humfreville
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Like I said JRk
I'm not going to waste time on your inner fears of being inadequate. You just keep on playing God. Take a trip. Maybe you'll come home happier.
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jrbaja
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Psychology 101
Again Mike, you caught me by surprise with your attack. Is it the holidays?
If I had never been to Baja before and was looking for someplace away from motorhomes,I would be pretty upset if someone from a message board sent
me to a gringo enclave after stating that is exactly what I didn't want. Which every place you mention is.
I think perhaps it is you who should get out of the smog ? I'm noticing this strange behaviour from many people who live in your area.
[Edited on 11/25/2004 by jrbaja]
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Anonymous
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thanks--a few more q's
thanks for your help guys--the more people's opinions i'm getting, the better. anyhow, jrbaja, since you seem opposed to mike's ideas, do you have any
suggestions of places to stop on the way down to mulege?
jasper
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Mike Humfreville
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Jasper
Bahia de Los Angeles is a small fishing village (~500 locals and a number of American homes scattered along an extended shoreline. It's mostly open
space. There are several rustic campgrounds that offer anything from nothing, to a small palapa, to a simple cabin. The bay is rural and you can
easily find a quiet beach with no one around for miles if that's what you want. If you camp closer to the village you can find more people, but it is
not touristy in the sense of Mulege or the cape. I have always liked the north end of the bay because there is usually no one there. There are many
beaches, both sand and gravel and you have the place to yourselves. My wife and I and our two young boys lived there for several summers and would
seldom see another person except when we went into town. You can go on-line and do a search for "Bahia de Los Angeles Baja California" and find all
kinds of information. If you have specific questions you can ask here and someone will have information in greater detail.
Regarding Mulege, it is more touristy than many other places in Baja, but only in the town itself. And Mulege isn?t the same kind of hyped
commercialism that exists in Cabo. Check out an AAA map of Baja and there are plenty of open beaches north and south of the town. Mulege is
subtropical and well worth keeping it as a destination.
The reason I suggested making it down to Santispac is that it?s just a few miles south of Mulege and it gives you a peek at Bahia Concepcion, a place
where many folks spend time, and the beach at Santispac is beautiful. There is a small dirt road that climbs a hill at the east end of Santispac's
beach. If you travel over the hill to the beach next door, you'll have less people. But I'm not suggesting you stay at Santicpac, only that
you visit it.
Santa Rosalia and San Ignacio just offer a different visibility into Baja. They, like other towns further south, offer you an insight to life there
at the time the Jesuits left, in the 1700's. These towns are much more "permanent" than the quiet and dusty ranches and villages of the central
desert.
I should note that it's been a year since I made my way down to the cape. Perhaps a lot can happen in a year, but I don't think many changes have
occurred recently, north of Loreto anyway.
Have a good trip.
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Packoderm
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If I were in your shoes with a rented SUV for about 8 day, I would head straight for San Felipe and chill for 1 or 2 days. After that, I would head
south, stop at the big cactus park, then head to Puertocitos to dip in the hot spring if it is the tide to be the right temp. Then, I'd head to
Gonzaga and chill for a day or so. After that, I'd head to Bahia de Los Angeles and kick back at a camp such as Camp Gecko. Finally, I would head back
to the States stopping at any place that catches my fancy. A Baja guide book could come in handy for finding the cool places to stop.
As for Jr's concerns, I'd say that four guy (I'm assuming that you all are gringos) would have a good time chilling at the gringo haunts and
occasionally stopping at the interesting loncheras, fish camps, and whatnot to avoid the total Baja/Disney syndrome.
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jrbaja
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What has changed in a year
After living here for almost 10 years now and traveling the peninsula regularly as in about 8 times a year delivering donations and stuff, I notice
many changes going on down here. More so in the last year.
The reason for these changes are
#1. The Baja Nomad Message Board
#2. The usual BS that the u.s. media says about Baja has temporarily stopped
#3. Motorhome Caravans
#4. Canadians don't believe what the u.s.media says.
South Baja is developing faster than north Baja and it isn't by many gringos.
You can sometimes get Bahia de los Angeles without crowds but at this time of year, pretty unlikely. It is beautiful there.
It is a long way out there and if you get it when it's windy, it can be miserable and it's a long way back to the highway.
I would recommend spending the first night in Catavi?a and enjoy the stars and boulder fields. It is spectacular.
Or, if you want nightlife, go to Guerrero Negro. Hotels, bars, restaurants, girls going whale watching.
Then, as Mike says, it is well worth seeing San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia briefly. They are both really interesting.
Then continue on to Mulege and Bahia Concepcion which I assume is where you were heading anyway.
Mulege has some really fun nightlife/daylife and you can get away from the tourists on some beautiful beaches at Bahia Concepcion. Some with palapas
and facilities which will be jam packed with motorhomes right now and others with trees for shade and free that the motorhomes can't get to!
And when the holiday season is near, I would consider Bahia de los Angeles more touristy than Mulege
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jrbaja
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Catavi?a
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jrbaja
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Bahia Concepcion
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Oso
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Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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I just stopped by La Perla, the next place South of Requeson on B. Concepcion, looking for my friend Don Pablo. Unfortunately, his widow informed me
that he left us a year ago and my tocayo, his dog, has been gone for 3 yrs. The palapa I stayed in so long ago is down for repairs, but it's still a
beautiful spot. The fishing's not so great anymore but for pure beauty, calm clear water and relaxation, it's hard to beat. Also, it get's a breeze
lacking at Santispac. The latter has more facilities and a restaurant but more bugs. There are seldom any big RV's here, mostly just simple campers
who rent a palapa (cheap), hang up a hamaca, and chill out.. I recommend it.
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baja rooster
Newbie
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from my experience
of over 25 years traveling and living in Baja, I would definitely recommend packogerms itinery!!
It is simple and will keep you from driving the entire time in this beautiful part of the world.
if all you are here to do is drive, keep on atruckin to the south!
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