There is a really pretty campground on the Pacific about 17 km south of San Quintin, It is only a mile of so off the highway. It is basic but has a
great beach and good showers. I think the name of it is Pabellon, but I'm not sure. Does this ring a bell with any nomad?Paulina - 11-13-2007 at 03:10 PM
El Pabellon, that's it. I haven't been there in years, but I do hear it is still very comfortable.
P.
We drove through the campground a couple of years ago with the idea to spend the night. I seem to recall it is near either km 11 or km 17, south of
San Quintin - a couple of signs on the highway so you shouldn't miss it.
We were discouraged from staying, being greeted by a sign reminding campers to be certain to keep things locked up, and to be watchful. We really
didn't know whether or not the signs were simply precautionary or the result of recent problems.
The sites were nice, near the water as advertised, but we were a bit dismayed by the "greeting."
John MBajaWarrior - 11-13-2007 at 04:20 PM
I've stayed at El Pabellon since it opened almost 20 years ago. Very nice beach, lots of Pismo clams that get washed up or can be purchased.
As far as the signs, it is a friendly reminder to keep a tight camp, wherever you are.
We usually camp there with our RV each summer at least twice, only made it once this summer however during July 4th week, great trip.
Believe it or not, there is another campground only less than a mile south of El Pabellon, called Cerro Pabellon, with the same colors and same type
of signs. These people have been fueding over beach access for years, so the second group is trying to start their own campground; Cerro Pabellon.
I assure you the original (north camp) is very nice. Guadalupe used to run it, now his daughter Maria runs the camp and the bathrooms are in good
working order, hot water, and everything is cleaned and raked daily.
Two thumbs up for camping.
Don't forget Happy Hour at Cielito Lindo 3 miles north of camp.
campground
John M - 11-13-2007 at 04:28 PM
Thanks for posting this additional info Baja Warrior
john MFred - 11-13-2007 at 04:29 PM
I have stayed there for the past 8 years in my VW van. I usually stay a week, going down Baja and back. Great walking beach. The fisherman can make
a little noise in the am, but no big deal. It's between mile marker 16 and 17. They used to be $5/night, but heard they charge now $10. Cerro
Pavellon is $5/night and has 24 security.
I had been interested in El Pabellon, because I thought Cielito Lindo was not that great...now I am not sure. It does have full hook up, but
electricity is spoty...a rebuilt diesel generator may solve that, but not after 10-12 at night. also usually not before 2 in the afternoon...
depending on the bar and how many rooms are full...
At lease I could charge the batteries and not worry about water...had to use RV pump because the pressure is sort of low. If Security is an issue at
El Pabellon, Ceilito Lindo all in all is still better then El Pabellon...lot of full time people. It is a 15 minute more or less, walk to the beach.
$10 a night too...My main reason for checking out El Pabellon, is I have been having to much fun at the bar at night...great people
Edit alos I stop for one night and I stay for 4
[Edited on 11-14-2007 by Al G]Fred - 11-13-2007 at 05:07 PM
I think camping 15 minutes from the beach is way TOO far. I like to back my van up to the Pacific and fall asleep listening to the powderful roar of
the water.Al G - 11-13-2007 at 05:36 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Fred
I think camping 15 minutes from the beach is way TOO far. I like to back my van up to the Pacific and fall asleep listening to the powderful roar of
the water.
I know what you mean Fred...if you can get that close...I don't know.
There are a lot of dunes near that area...maybe someone else knows for sure
I may try a night too. I would stay at the one with 24 hour Security, if no one else was at El Pabellon...the real danger is in Ensenada and above,
but you should always be concerned...oladulce - 11-13-2007 at 06:56 PM
About 10-12 or so years ago there was a theft problem in the Pabellon area (kids on bicycles in the day, and "migrant workers" were blamed for the
skillful breakins at night). I haven't heard of any problems there recently and the warning signs have been there as a result of that era.
We spend a night there on our way up and back heading south and have been doing so 4 times per year for about 18 years ( in the beginning it was
"Honey's Camp", the place farther south). It used to be very popular and the beach was packed sometimes, but there are fewer and fewer other camper
there nowadays.
There's usually at least one other group or vehicle there but this Sept. we pulled up a little after dark after a long days drive and there was nobody
else there. We hesitated but, decided to stay. We happened to have a couple of motion detector/ alarms that we put outside the camper and cab and had
no trouble sleeping.
The bathrooms are clean and the showers are always nice and hot.Fred - 11-13-2007 at 08:36 PM
I have never had a problem there. On the way home in June I have stayed there a week by myself. Most of the time the only guy I have talked to is
the guy with one leg checking the trash barrels. I always give him some food and my empty beer cans. I walk on the beach a lot and just lock up the
van while out there. It is just a great place to camp. Even a little mini-market accross the highway. The only problem I have ever had there is the
water is very hard, but I carry liquid soap. Lots of shells on the beach and you can also buy the catch of the day from the fishermen.Tomas Tierra - 11-13-2007 at 10:48 PM
the sand out there is suuuuper fine. If the wind is blowing, it ends up everywhere. Good spot though, easy off the road for a quick stay when
traveling N. or S.
Shower was sulfery smelling, but hot.805gregg - 11-14-2007 at 07:53 AM
I had some unsecured stuff go missing there about 3 or 4 years ago. Believe the signs.wilderone - 11-14-2007 at 09:38 AM
The water in the shower isn't "hard" - it's saltwater - use Joy dishwashing soap. And ask which campsites the trucks/fishing boats go through at 5:00
am - it was the one next to me - and choose one further away. The trees in between the campsites provide some privacy and the whole place is very
clean. And someone mentioned listening to the roar of the ocean at night -- the "roar" of the ocean seemed so close that twice, I got up in the
middle of the night with a flashlight to see whether the tide had come up and was threatening my campsite! The ocean, however, was at least 50 yards
away; there must be something with the acoustics in that area that magnifies the roar of incoming waves at night. $10 now? Too bad - really not
worth $10 for a tent camper, which is why I don't stay at Wet Buzzard anymore - not to mention the brown sewage foam in the ocean there. But I'd
still go to El Pabellon.Fred - 11-14-2007 at 10:17 AM
wilderone................I just heard it was $10. Won't know for sure myself until January. Maybe someone else knows.Diver - 11-14-2007 at 10:22 AM
It was $10 last March.
We always stop there heading north and south each year.
Never had a problem. The beach is great.
We like the proximity to the beach, the wind breaks, the clean bathrooms, hot showers with only mildly brackish water and the secure distance from
town.
And those fishermen that can wake you up in the mornig can sell you fish when they get back !
Their tracks are easy to see and avoid if you want to sleep late.
BTW, to get to the "real" Pabelon, follow the red signs.
The new Pabelon is a bit farther south and painted a light turquoise color.
.
[Edited on 11-14-2007 by Diver]
Hook - 11-14-2007 at 01:08 PM
Pabellon is great in our book.
But it can have skeeters in the late spring/summer so keep the screen door closed.
