BajaNomad

PUNTA SAN FRANCISQUITO TRIP by 'FRED-O'

David K - 3-27-2009 at 06:50 PM

Posting this email for a new Nomad, he sent me today about his recent trip to San Francisquito from L.A. Bay and out through El Arco:

Hi David;

Just got back from Bahia de LA, and San Francisquito. Wonderful trip. No need for tire deflation on the BOLA to SFO run of 85 miles. No Problems, a passenger car could make it if not too low to the ground. The worst is still the first 8 miles out of BOLA, out past Camp Gecko.

San Francisquito was pretty deserted, with the exception of a couple who flew in and owned or rented a small trailer near the runway.

We rented a "palapa" which was very spartan to say the least. Probably not different from the old days.$20 USD per person per night. Two cots, a plastic table and two plastic chairs. Canvas covers for the window and door. Termites were keeping it together. It did have a roof of some sort on it.

Tent camping was only $5 USD, but the location for pitchig it was terrible. NOT ALLOWED ON THE BEACH!

They had beer for sale, and maybe some water or soft drinks. The community toilet was fairly clean, and in working order. Showers were cold of course, if used. Over-all I guess it was just fine for a fishing camp, which it is.

They are hurting financially, and will have a tough time "making it" in this economy, especially with the travel alerts.

There were two pangas there, not sure if both were operational, but one went out for a trip. The beach and bay are just incredible, and worth the trip to see, just for themselves.

The road to El Arco was really good with the exception of the Hill from Hell. We just went slow and took it easy. Not recopmmended at all for pasenger cars, and towing a boat over it would be a bear. We had my old 93' stock Jeep grand cherokee, with nothing special on it in the way of shocks, springs etc. We did have the super compressor with us in case we had to deflate the tires.

The only other guy staying at SFO drove onto the beach with his new Tundra and was immediately stuck in the soft sand. He deflated got back on solid ground and stayed there. Smart!

It was a great road all the way back to the highway, and El Arco was very special, and worth seeing. The gold mines were interesting to us, especially after talking with Herman Hill for a couple of hours at Guillermos bar in BOLA. He signed his book for me, and I gave him a bottle of "good" tequila. Fair trade I thought.

It was only actually 75 miles to Hwy 1, but we made a couple of wrong turns leaving SFO and had to do about 10 miles of backtracking. Lots of side roads and rabbit trails to look out for. No signs of course.

The first day we saw one large truck full of Navy military ( But no vehicles period, between BOLA and SFO) and they stopped us for a routine check. They wanted our Passports, FM-3's etc. Took copious notes, and asked some questions. Nothing threatening or offensive. They were quite friendly.

The second day on our way out, we saw two more smaller Army military vehicles, but they did not stop us. We only saw one other vehicle on both trips in and out, in two days; the guy in the Toyota Tundra who drove into the soft beach sand.

Thanks for your trip help David, I used everything you sent me, and the internet links.

Lots more places to see next time I'm there.

Fred

Bajaboy - 3-27-2009 at 09:28 PM

Sweet! Will be in Playa San Rafael in less than a week!

David K - 3-28-2009 at 07:44 AM

I invited Fred to email me any photos he may wish to share...

Have fun at Pancho's, Zac!

Paulina - 3-28-2009 at 08:05 AM

David,

I got an email from Fred's traveling companion with photos. Those two guys like to charge it. I'll ask him if I can post the photos. Shouldn't be a problem.

P<*)))>{

David K - 3-28-2009 at 08:07 AM

Charge it?

Paulina - 3-28-2009 at 08:08 AM

Charge it, meaning "go for it". Not bad for a couple of "old farts".
(Just kidding boys, that was said with love)

You would be amazed at some of their adventures and the stories that go along with them.

P<*)))>{

DENNIS - 3-28-2009 at 08:24 AM

These guys, Fred and Jim, are two active dudes. They both think they're twenty years old. It's fun to watch them in the neighborhood with their RC airplane. [I think they're on their second or third one] They spend a lot of time perfecting the "land on a dime" technique. The plane will circle around, flip and loop, buzz by under perfect control until, suddenly, it decides to land and in spite of frantic manipulations from the operator, the craft will dive straight down at full speed and auger into the ground.
We, fans of the airshow, just sit there with a box of beer, watching and waiting.
It's a quiet neighborhood and this is as good as it gets.

Paulina - 3-28-2009 at 08:32 AM

I'd like a seat for the next airshow, if I happen to be there. Save me one Dennis!

P<*)))>{

DENNIS - 3-28-2009 at 08:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
I'd like a seat for the next airshow, if I happen to be there. Save me one Dennis!

P<*)))>{



But, of course. Your reserved seat comes with a box of chilled Noche buena.

capt. mike - 3-28-2009 at 03:52 PM

i wish i could build condos there. :biggrin::saint:

ok....maybe just get the huts re done, fix the baths and get the old bar like it was in the early 80s when we 1st went there all the time.

still the nicest private beach in all baja - except maybe the snorkling rocks out in front of hotel punta Pescadero:coolup:

Paulina - 3-28-2009 at 04:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS

But, of course. Your reserved seat comes with a box of chilled Noche buena.


Dennis,
That's the best kind of airshow yet! Are safety helmets required for those close up "land on a dime" viewings?

Jim's photos, beginning at Las Flores, ending at Pozo Aleman:

























Ken Bondy - 3-28-2009 at 04:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
still the nicest private beach in all baja - except maybe the snorkling rocks out in front of hotel punta Pescadero:coolup:


capitan miguel - can't believe how our minds run in the same circles :) are we related???

David K - 3-29-2009 at 06:25 AM

Thanks Paulina!

capt. mike - 3-29-2009 at 06:28 AM

Si Ken....somos hermanos de la Ciel con aviones.;)

Ken Bondy - 3-29-2009 at 11:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
Si Ken....somos hermanos de la Ciel con aviones.;)


Buen dicho amigo :)