malmer - 4-27-2006 at 11:17 AM
We've traveled to many midriff destinations between Gonzaga and Loreto but are going to check out a new place that was mentioned in the Backroad Baja
book. Does anyone have any current information on San Juanico (the one just south of Bahia Concepcion)? Looking for road conditions, decent camp
sites, fishing or diving reports, boat launching conditions. Is there any privacy there or is Juanico just a big fish camp?
Also, has anyone been to Playa San Basilio which is just off the San Juanico road but to the south? Leaving May 12 for a ten day trip; four guys,
two trucks, Zodiac, ice chest.
[Edited on 4-27-2006 by malmer]
bajalera - 4-27-2006 at 02:38 PM
We were at San Juanico a couple of months ago. A good-sized sandy beach, fresh-water pond, nearby ranch, looked like a good place to camp. There was
what appeared to be some sort of Mexican Army encampment on the far side of big rock outcrop, but couldn't tell if this was permanent or just for a
short haul. Might not a good place to smoke droopy cigarettes.
roads
jk - 4-27-2006 at 06:08 PM
I assume some or all of you drove into San Juanico. Last time I tried a couple years ago, the road was washed out. What roads did you take? JK
bajarich - 4-27-2006 at 09:14 PM
I was in there first in 1996 in my VW Vanagon. The road was rough, but we made it ok. Bought a 4wd in '98 and went down there and the road had all
been improved and graded. After Isabel in 2002 the road was very rough again and someone had built a house. Now I understand there are several
houses there now including a big square blockshaped one sitting right up on the hill overlooking the bay.
I haven't been back since 2002. I think they tried to block off the beach at one time, but the Mexicanos would have none of it so I believe it is
still open for camping. Watch out for the sharp burrs in you bear feet.
losfrailes - 4-28-2006 at 06:56 AM
San Juanico is a beautiful place. Probably the finest surfing on the west coast of Mexico. Check out this site http://juanyjuan.com/
Now to the roads into San Juanico.
There is one called the north road for obvious reasons that is passable but I know nothing about it.
There is the east road, again obvious reasons, that runs from KM 51 south of Mulege on Mex 1 that runs to La Purisima. The road is only about 65
miles long but you should plan on at least 4 hours to transverse it. The great scenery is not the reason to drive slow!
The the south road. Leaving Insurgentes, just 29 KM north of Ciudad Constitution, there is a paved (???) road going north to KM 107 just shy of
Purisima (mentioned above). This road has potholes that you must be careful of, lots of them.
At KM 107 you go west on washboard road for about 25 miles to the village of San Juanico. There is a new paved highway being constructed out from
there as we speak.
The beach there is long, and clean, lots of places to get in the water. A couple of places to camp and the trip should be very enjoyable.
[Edited on 4-28-2006 by losfrailes]
Pescador - 4-28-2006 at 08:11 AM
This is a common confusion. There is a San Juanico on both the east side and west side. Wayne, Los Frailes, is talking about the one on the Pacific
side.
The Sea of Cortez side road is at the very south end of Conception Bay, by the old abandoned campground, and there is a good road into San
Debastion that is maintained by the homeowners in San Sebastian. They are building some nice houses in that area and I met one of the guys at the
airport at Loreto. The road south towards San Nicolas is rough at best but doable.
The other road takes off of hwy 1 at El Rosarito. This road is pretty rough since the last hurricane but they do run a fish camp here from Loreto
and drive it in vans.
Now the road to San Juanico, sea of cortez side takes off from hwy 1 about 8-9 miles south of the San Nicolas road and is pretty rough all the way
in. It got washed out pretty well when the last hurricane came in.
CasaManzana - 4-28-2006 at 08:14 AM
Losfrailes is thinking of the San Juanico on the Pacific obviously, but this San Jaunico is on the inside Sea of Cortez....surf there gets up to six
inches sometimes. When there, don't miss the cute little cove Ramada clear at the roads end and just to the north of the big solar-powered
"hotel-looking" casa. Ramada is soooo cute it makes you take your clothes off to enjoy the natural beauty. The south road in, through the goat ranch
is now closed off. The other road in is at the 48K marker and is good...no 4x4 needed until the next hurricane. Much of the road is down the dry
riverbed...subject to big changes we have found.
DianaT - 4-28-2006 at 08:36 AM
I like the confusion on which San Juanico because I wanted information on both. 
In 2003 we drove from to La Purisima from the south and then to Highway 1---beautiful drive, and only a couple of wash-outs. However, we did not go
out to San Juanico and want to do so next time.
Last year, on the east side, we drove to Agua Verde----how would one compare the road to that San Juanico with the Agua Verde road?
Thanks
Diane
[Edited on 4-29-2006 by jdtrotter]
bajarich - 4-28-2006 at 06:02 PM
Agua Verde is much longer and steeper. It has been in good shape since no chubascos hit this past fall. Two years ago it was awful, every vado had
been washed out. The San Juanico-San Basilio road runs through a wash that can be just as bad when washed out. I don't know the current condition,
but it is only about 10 miles instead of 25 to AV.
Skeet/Loreto - 4-28-2006 at 07:31 PM
Southbound from Bombdero you take a right turn at KM 78. Current conditions I do not Know. the much easier trip is to go through San Javier, into
Comondu, or go on to Insurgentes then turn back North .
I would suggest that your stop at the Old Road Turnoff to San Nickolas, there is a once used Airstrip. Just as you come uo the dip there is a House on
your left. His name is Roberto.He can give you the latest on the condition of the turn off at KM78.
If you really want a Great Place to Camp go to Punta San Gregoria. Small Lobster Village during the Season.
fishing with my Mother several years back Had a Great time including getting two Dolphins to come up and take bait from my Hand.
My Mother caught a 25 Lb Flattie on a 12 Lb Bass rod.
Get a GH-22 World Aeronautical Chart. it is a good road Map. If you meet up with a Mexicano named KIKO, tell him "Mosco" salutes Him.
Skeet/Loreto
malmer - 4-30-2006 at 06:54 PM
Thanks for all the imput. Still looking for some current information but did manage to find lots of stuff through Googling, though most of it was
from yachters. Useful, nevertheless. Can't find Punta San Gregoria on my maps. Is it on the Sea of Cortez side?
baja Steve - 5-1-2006 at 02:41 AM
When you head south from San Juanico towards La Purisima it is about ? way. After coming down a long down hill you will come to the river bed and
there is a sign and a road to the west to Punta San Greorio which is on the north side of the bay and they really do not like strangers. When heading
west about 6K from the main road there is a road to the left that takes you to Boca San Gregorio which is on the south side of the bay, The people
there a really nice and friendly. There is also a school and small village. In December each year we spend some time at that fish camp working with
the school and people. From there you can head south on a road that is not on the map that takes you through other fishing villages. It is worth the
trip.