vgabndo - 2-6-2008 at 09:06 PM
There used to be a lot behind the Mararrimo RV park that was fenced, and I've seen tents there. Anyone have a better idea?
bajajudy - 2-7-2008 at 08:04 AM
Hardly a garden spot, but we just camped in the Malarrimo RV park. We like it because you can walk to dinner...see Ken's photo in my restaurant
review thread!
They have hot showers too.
Pescador - 2-7-2008 at 08:11 AM
We always stay at the restaurant-motel that is just before the checkpoint. Prices are great and I think we paid $4 last time and had a great meal for
less than $5 apiece. It is on the right hand side just as you are coming up to the checkpoint.
wilderone - 2-7-2008 at 10:14 AM
Another 30 miles and you can camp at Scammons and listen to the whales breath at night.
bajajudy - 2-7-2008 at 11:19 AM
Wilderone.....Actually that is called Ojo de Liebre and waking up to the whales spouting is quite a treat. I dont know if I would call it secure but
it is definitely a terrific place to camp....see shari's birthday party thread.
805gregg - 2-7-2008 at 06:20 PM
Cold, windy and crappy, spring for a room.
David K - 2-7-2008 at 06:24 PM
'Laguna Ojo de Liebre' is the Mexican name for 'Scammon's Lagoon' after a nearby spring. It's the same body of water, as in Gulf of California and
Sea of Cortez are both the same.
vgabndo - 2-7-2008 at 07:55 PM
Thanks Judy...we've stayed at Malarrimo at least a dozen times, but always with the cab-over. Last march we headed for the lagoon, but we were only
interested in getting some rest, and it is like 20 miles out there. We found a spot where the truck wouldn't get blown over and bivouac'd. It was kind
of neat in places where the spindrift was built up and flowing over the road.
Pescador...do I understand that the spot you mention is after the base and before immigration?
Just for clarity...we have one man in the truck and two in tents. THREE DIRTBIKES IN THE TRAILER 
Thanks all.
[Edited on 2-8-2008 by vgabndo]
bump
vgabndo - 2-10-2008 at 10:03 AM
For more from Pescador
[Edited on 2-10-2008 by vgabndo]
shari - 2-10-2008 at 10:07 AM
the campground before the N/S border is great...but a bit noisy...the restaurant is fantastic...excellent cook and he uses lots of garlic and his food
is awesome.
vgabndo - 2-10-2008 at 10:13 AM
Thanks Shari...None of us can really afford this trip, but that isn't going to stop us! We'll be running in ECONO mode otherwise we'd meet Sirenita and stay there.
Pescador - 2-10-2008 at 05:45 PM
Shari is right, the cook is great. No it is before immigration which would definately make it before the base, if you are heading south. In fact,
last time there the immigration guys and the aduana guys were having breakfast so they let us do everything except get the expensive spray.
bajajudy - 2-10-2008 at 06:46 PM
There is Mario's campground and restaurant too.
Just after the checkpoint headed south on the right. Never camped there but it looks cheap and the restaurant would be a plus.
Mario's
tripledigitken - 2-11-2008 at 09:18 AM
Can't speak about the camping other than I have seen many a trailer/motorhome camped there. For tent camping, being so close to the road, might get a
little noisy. Also the wind could be a problem as I don't remember there being any wind break.
The restaurant is a huge palapa and very nice inside. The food was very good the three times we ate there. Had seafood each time, the scallops were
as good as the Malarrimo's. Reasonable prices and tasty Margarita's also!
Ken
[Edited on 2-11-2008 by tripledigitken]
Fred - 2-11-2008 at 11:41 AM
I camp there every time down and back. Mario is a great guy. Sit at the bar in the back and he will have a beer or two with you. His wife will also
cook up the fresh catch of the day. Most of the time the camping is free. But lately it is free if you eat. They call me "Chile Rellano Fred" as I
always try to oder that and they don't make it. It is a little noisy early in the am, but, by then the sun is coming up and it is time to hit the
road.
vgabndo - 2-11-2008 at 03:50 PM
Sounds like Mario's might be a good set-up. We can always pitch the tent in the lee of the truck. All good suggestions though. How bad can it
be...ITS BAJA.
Pescador - 2-11-2008 at 07:43 PM
See, that is why this forum is so great. I have had two bad meals at the big Palapa (Mario's) and would never even consider going back there. The
last two times we stayed,the meal was bad, overpriced, and the campground was noisy and unacceptable which is why we started going to the first place
on the right But hey different strokes. So if it works that is great.
I have had some great meals at Mallarimo but got a little tired of paying $12-15 for a camp spot and all we wanted was a secure spot to sleep so
that we were in Santa Rosalia the next day in good time.
Fred - 2-12-2008 at 09:38 AM
Sorry you had a bad experience there. Like I said I always eat at the bar and never look at the menu. I just have Mario's wife cook the freshest
fish. They certainly know what is good and what is not. The food bill for the dinner is usally $4, but the bar bill is $$$$$$$$$$$$$. I do have a
few beers after the long drive to get there. After that he does not charge me anything for the campground. And yes it can be noisy. But I am
usually on the road by 6 am anyway.
wilderone - 2-12-2008 at 09:54 AM
There's always the road out to Laguna Manuela. Turn at the Biblioteca Publica building on Mex. 1 and use that road - the other roads in have a million
potholes and washboard. Tranquilo en la manana.
chino - 2-12-2008 at 08:21 PM
Hey Vag!
Ya' had enough of the white stuff?
Bien Viajes
vgabndo - 2-12-2008 at 10:58 PM
Yo Chino...The most snow in January in 40 years. 69.5 inches in town. The freezing rain in the middle of it all was the bummer. You can shovel down
to that level, then its like concrete. VERY slick concrete.
We cross the border in 24 days...not that I'm counting.