BajaNomad

RV camping on the beach?

socalrat - 4-4-2009 at 11:42 PM

Have stayed in San Felipe for a few weeks over Christmas and New Years back in 2007. Planned on Los Barriles (and thanks to the Forums for help with planning!), but my wife ruptured a disc, so we never made the trip.

We are planning a trip to somewhere in Baja over Christmas this year. When I was planning the Los Barrilles trip, a few folks here thought it wasn't the best choice. So, I want to ask for some feedback.

We want to fina a spot on the beach, like Club de Pesca in San Felipe. It's my understanding there is a site in Los Barilles where there is RV camping on the sand. Definitely want water and electric. Would really like full hookups (sewer on the RV site), but will deal with a dump station.

Want to be someplace warm. San Felipe was a bit chilly for more days than it was warm over Christmas and New Years. At least Mid 70's during the day?

Would prefer someplace where it's not more than 30 minutes into town where we can get ice and beer and fresh stuff. Would prefer to be walking / biking distance to a one or two (or more) places to get some food and cerveza and maybe some fresh guacamole and margaritas.

We are both in our early 40s. We will be in a small airstream and camping with the dog.

I think it was David that suggested we take our time and explore on the way - should be called out early it will be drive all day, each day until we get "where". limited vacation time means we are really able to do any exploring until we set up base camp.

Finally, any help in planning the trip; when to start out, where to cross the border (we are in the South Bay area of Los Angeles), where to stop for food, gas, and safe, comfortable places to overnight in a motel would also be very much appreciated. We are not interested in unpacking the interior of the AirStream, so it's comfortable lodging someplace where we can bring the dog into the room for the night.

Okay - I'm pretty sure I won't find anywhere on the net with more folks with such a wealth of experience. Thanks in advance for any help!

gb3

Camping on the Beach?

Sur2baja - 4-5-2009 at 08:22 AM

Hola amigos,
San Felipe is about 2-3 hours from the border (depending on stops and traffic) I have a permanent residence at Campo Nuevo Mazatlan (another 32 KM South) so take my info with my bias but here's some random thoughts on your request. With all of your time and convenience requirements, the list of camping locations dwindles rather quickly. Weather will be hit and miss in December. Rarely hot, usually warm with cool nights, rarely cold. Great beach days, great campfire and sleeping nights! Can be windy. True beach camping in the town does not exist anymore and it has not for about twenty years. South and North of town, there are campgrounds but camping on the beach is dependent on your vehicle capabilities. The South Campos have better beaches for camping but you need 4WD for towing. Be careful and skillful. Campo Nuevo Mazatlan has a campground near the beach (100'). No hookups but it does have showers. It's about 30-40 minutes from San Felipe but a Poblado is about five minutes away by vehicle. Good luck!

socalrat - 4-8-2009 at 09:13 PM

Sur2baja,

Thanks for the reply. I expected / hoped for a few more opinions. I guess I have to build some forum cred first.

Club de Pesca was nice and I think we could handle Pete's. But the weather was a little less than desired, so we are thinking about going south. I was hoping someone would be able to provide some feedback on where there might be camping farther south. Los Barrilles seems like an option, but a few folks on BajaNomad suggested ti wouldn't be worthwhile as a basecamp.

Thanks again - I guess I'm still looking at Los Barrilles, unless someone provides some other suggestions.

gb3

Pompano - 4-8-2009 at 09:32 PM

http://latrinidadrvranch.com/restaurant.htm

Try Mike's place, socalrat.

wilderone - 4-9-2009 at 08:18 AM

San Felipe will be too cold for you. Go further south - around Mulege or Conception Bay. If you're going for a few weeks, you'll have a chance to scout different places. Just go.

susanna - 4-9-2009 at 03:18 PM

Doesn't El Dorado Ranch have an RV Park? We were there in 2005 and went to check out some property and had a very nice time, we went on a tour and also Dinner on them.

David K - 4-9-2009 at 03:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sur2baja
Hola amigos,
San Felipe is about 2-3 hours from the border (depending on stops and traffic) I have a permanent residence at Campo Nuevo Mazatlan (another 32 KM South) so take my info with my bias but here's some random thoughts on your request. With all of your time and convenience requirements, the list of camping locations dwindles rather quickly. Weather will be hit and miss in December. Rarely hot, usually warm with cool nights, rarely cold. Great beach days, great campfire and sleeping nights! Can be windy. True beach camping in the town does not exist anymore and it has not for about twenty years. South and North of town, there are campgrounds but camping on the beach is dependent on your vehicle capabilities. The South Campos have better beaches for camping but you need 4WD for towing. Be careful and skillful. Campo Nuevo Mazatlan has a campground near the beach (100'). No hookups but it does have showers. It's about 30-40 minutes from San Felipe but a Poblado is about five minutes away by vehicle. Good luck!


I do believe he was asking about the Los Barriles area, south of La Paz???

Campo Nuevo Mazatlan web page: http://vivabaja.com/nm
Been going there since it was called Agua de Chale (1966)! Watched Nuevo Mazatlan founder Luis Castellanos Moreno plant the trees when he had a vision of a desert oasis next to the beach... that was in the late 60's and early 70's.

Last time camping there: http://vivabaja.com/806 when we couldn't get onto Shell Island (because it was an island)!







[Edited on 4-9-2009 by David K]

UnoMas - 4-9-2009 at 06:37 PM

Socalrat

You really don't want to come to Los Barriles, all the shops are closed and there isn't any good food to be found for miles.:lol::lol::lol:
If you are so unlucky to end up here you might try Martin Verdugos or Playa Norte for a place to park:rolleyes:;D

[Edited on 4-10-2009 by UnoMas]

Fred - 4-9-2009 at 08:16 PM

North Beach is great. Out of my budget but great beach. Vergugos is in town and within walking distance of everything.

Pompano - 4-9-2009 at 08:19 PM

Maribelle's ..Marie Isabelle RV Park..in Mulege along the rio. Full hookups. Walk to shops, cafes, fishing, life is good.

Udo - 4-10-2009 at 09:46 AM

BOLA is a nice and warm alternative. Some campsites are full hookup.

bajalou - 4-10-2009 at 09:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by susanna
Doesn't El Dorado Ranch have an RV Park? We were there in 2005 and went to check out some property and had a very nice time, we went on a tour and also Dinner on them.


Closed a couple years ago - space for condos.

Baja&Back - 4-10-2009 at 10:42 AM

Los Barriles - Playa Norte - http://playanortervpark.com

UnoMas - 4-10-2009 at 01:29 PM

Wow didn't realize that Playa Norte has become so expensive from the price on their web site, could be negotiable in this economy.
Martin Verdugos is $16.00us per day and $105.00 weekly and is in town where you can walk to everything as stated in a diffrent post. I know what my choice would be:biggrin:
Reservations a must that time of year.

Fred - 4-10-2009 at 02:28 PM

Yes, William at North Beach is out of sight with his prices and there is a free place right next door.

Udo - 4-10-2009 at 07:09 PM

I like the free beaches.

Here are some people taking advantage of camping for free:


Here is another freebie,


The best camping is always free!

gotta agree...

eetdrt88 - 4-11-2009 at 04:05 PM

free is the best,still many great spots in baja where u can camp for free....heres one right at the beach down at Abreojos

l_15aed86b7233e3016ddcf524f998db72lllppp123.jpg - 49kB

UnoMas - 4-11-2009 at 06:11 PM

Water, electric and full hook up's don't go with Free.
Unfortunately the good free camping beaches are nothing more than a huge dump station where the previous camper dug a hole in the sand to dump their waste.......Sad:no::barf:

Fred - 4-11-2009 at 09:22 PM

UnoMas.....................have unomas beer and relax. Even campgrounds have dog mess, greay water on the ground and maybe even some pee when one has too many beer and just doesn't want to walk to the john.