BajaNomad - nice tranquil beach close to TJ?

nice tranquil beach close to TJ?

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 12:11 AM

Hi

I do not drive and am a budget traveler. I want a nice beach that is relatively tranquil, uncrowded, beautiful, that's easy to get to from TJ. I don't want there to be only gringos there. I would like nice sand that doesn't get hot and for the water to be clean enough to wade in. Even a big beach is fine if you can tell me the uncrowded quiet sections. I do not mind occasional non-pesky vendors. I am quiet and not a party animal. I lova talking to families and interacting with small children. I'm a sunday school teacher. My spanish is ok.

Thanks

nancy

k-rico - 6-4-2009 at 05:06 AM

"I want a nice beach that is relatively tranquil, uncrowded, beautiful, that's easy to get to from TJ."

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find, you get what you need. - M. Jagger/K. Richards

Take a city bus to Playas de Tijuana (playas, as the locals call the area). The further south you go down the beach, the less not nice it is. I doubt anybody has ever called it beautiful though. Weekdays are quiet and 999 out of 1000 gringos wouldn't be caught dead there, so to speak.

Lots of families on the weekends and hot weekend days the north end can get packed with 1000s of people. It's interesting watching the kids run through the fence on the beach to the US and seeing the US Border Patrol chase them back with all the Department of Homeland Security gear as the kids taunt and laugh at them.

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by k-rico]

woody with a view - 6-4-2009 at 06:01 AM

there is a decent beach that butts up to the northern edge of fox studios. on weekends it is pretty interesting...

805gregg - 6-4-2009 at 06:50 AM

Go to Coronado in San Diego.

Bwana_John - 6-4-2009 at 06:52 AM

Quote:

I want a nice beach that is relatively tranquil, uncrowded, beautiful, that's easy to get to from TJ. I don't want there to be only gringos there. I would like nice sand that doesn't get hot and for the water to be clean enough to wade in...

tranquil, uncrowded, not all mexicans, not to hot... not to cold :rolleyes:

I think your best bet is somewhere between Encinitas and Oceanside. :yes:

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by Bwana_John]

docsmom - 6-4-2009 at 07:23 AM

Maui.

Von - 6-4-2009 at 08:26 AM

k-rico hit it on the spot my Mom lives right above that south end its very quiet most of the time almost no one there only a few people that live tere walk the beach for excercise.

Coronado and Maui ha ? She might well go to BOLA en la Gringa, its closer quieter and less expensive to get there.

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 08:36 AM

thanks for nice suggestions; i look forward to more!

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by nancyinpdx]

David K - 6-4-2009 at 08:39 AM

Where are you now, in Tijuana... ? Have you ever been to the coast near Tijuana?

Near Rosarito...

David K - 6-4-2009 at 08:43 AM

Just south of Rosarito is this beach... that's about 20+ miles from Tijuana:

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 08:51 AM

In baja I have only have been in TJ and only went to playas del TJ once to a touristy part and sat on bleacher-like stairs a coupla hours on a weekend in Oct 2007.

I will go in a month or 2 and live in Portland (pdx).

Those pics are nice.

I've been to lots of nice beaches in Mx, just not in baja and y'all got me jonesin' for baja beaches!

[Edited on 6-4-2009 by nancyinpdx]

fishingmako - 6-4-2009 at 10:46 AM

THE ROLLING STONES SONG - YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT,
WEN'T TO THE CHELSE DRUG STORE TO GET MY PRESCRIPTION FILLED.

Playas de Tijuana, South End

Gypsy Jan - 6-4-2009 at 10:56 AM

I second or third (?) the recommendation for Playas, based on your requirements.

We have friends who live beachfront on the south end of Playas and the sand is pure white, uncrowded and definitely untouristed. There may be some vendors, but I haven't seen anything except strolling couples, the occasional jogger and seagulls.

David K - 6-4-2009 at 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx
In baja I have only have been in TJ and only went to playas del TJ once to a touristy part and sat on bleacher-like stairs a coupla hours on a weekend in Oct 2007.

I will go in a month or 2 and live in Portland (pdx).

Those pics are nice.

I've been to lots of nice beaches in Mx, just not in baja and y'all got me jonesin' for baja beaches!
[Edited on 6-4-2009 by nancyinpdx]

Okay, that helps us to help you find a Baja beach you would enjoy...

Next question: If you are coming all the way from Portland for a Baja vacation, why are you asking about a beach near Tijuana? Going to Tijuana (only) for a Baja vacation is sort of like going to Detroit for a USA vacation.

In other words, get away from any city... go out and enjoy the beauty of the undeveloped, natural areas that Baja has.

If you would rather have a resort-type experience, then perhaps the Rosarito Beach Hotel in the north or the Solmar Hotel in Cabo San Lucas in the south would be two examples.

Seeing the Cataviña desert gardens, island filled Bahia de los Angeles, the oasis of San Ignacio, miles of empty beach near Bahia Asuncion, Mulege, Bahia Concepcion, the missions, cave paintings, and soooo much more is just some of what Baja has for you to see!

Baja is 1000 miles of fun and adventure, to go to either Tijuana or Cabo San Lucas without seeing all that is between is like watching a movie with a blindfold on and the sound turned off... :light:

toneart - 6-4-2009 at 11:26 AM

Nancy,

There is a long, wide sandy beach in Ensenada that I stop at when traveling south. I run my dog and walk, get some sun and talk to locals. I haven't seen any gringos there.

I am not sure about transportation to this beach. I can tell you that if driving, you take Hwy 1, but take the part that skirts closest to the water. Go through the tourist part and continue on the road until it dead ends (probably two or three miles). You will see some nice new houses right there.

Just to help you confirm that you are in the right place, if you were to turn left at the dead end and go up for two blocks, you will run into the main part of HWY 1. Turn right and you will see the big Walmart and the Home Depot stores in that first block.

Check into a hotel and explore Ensenada and eat some good food. It is do-able!

I think a bus to Ensenada and maybe take a cab to the beach will serve you well. :yes:

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 12:40 PM

I know it's a tragic crime to not explore the best spots in baja; I really would love those the most, but... I do not drive, because, on very rare occasions (thank God) I'll have a grand mal seizure. So I am limited to bus, taxi, or, as a last resort, a cheap flight if the bus ride would be more than 3 or 4 hours. Some day, maybe i can get a friend to go and they could rent a car, but it ain't happenin' this time. So, i gotta make the best of it.

I am not in to resort-type experiences; I usually stay in cheap, small truly 'Mexican hotels' that many gringos wouldn't be caught dead in. I am coming to TJ to look for some friends I lost contact with (their phones are disconnected- probably from being too poor to pay their phone bills after getting laid off from their jobs) and for some dental and maybe medical work. I was hoping to spend some time chilling out on the beach. I loooooove the ocean and sunsets and birds.

I know we can't always find or get what we want, but we should at least try.

If I take a cab or bus to Playas TJ, where do i get off for the quiet parts? What would i tell the driver? I don't know that part of TJ. All I know is el centro, the beautiful Coahuila area (lol), and part of Colonia Juarez.

Is Fox studios in TJ or in Ensenada?

David K - 6-4-2009 at 12:49 PM

The former Fox Baja Studios/ Foxploration is just south of Rosarito at Popotla... Maybe 25-30 miles from Tijuana.

Woooosh - 6-4-2009 at 12:54 PM

You'll be fine at the south end of Playas, lots of upper-middle class Mexicans in that area. Don't try to be totally secluded, there is safety is having others around. Don't wear a bathing suit for heavens sake- you'll only invite unwanted catcalls from every man who thinks you are the one for him (no matter what you look like, how old you are or what you weigh).

The water temp and water quality is pretty much the same from Rosarito Beach to Imperial Beach. Stay away from the abandoned Trump site and the north part of San Antonio del Mar- they are the trouble spots for water quality.

You do know that summer weather starts in August in Baja Norte- right? June and most of July you will still encounter the coastal marine layer (May Gray, June Gloom, etc). Have fun and I hope you catch up with your friends. You are right that phone lines are expensive so they are probably just using a friends or neighbors for now.

Heather - 6-4-2009 at 01:33 PM

If you want to stay in Playas (the southern end), there is a hotel there called, "El Indio", or something like that. It is at the top of the cliffs, with the beach right down below ( no view, though). It is pretty cheap, but forget what we paid. We stayed there over New Year's one year (2007) before my step-sons had visas to cross into the US. There were a few other couples around, but we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
There are usually a lot of taxis around, so getting back and forth to el centro wouldn't be a problem.

I've heard that the hotel was used to house people en route to cross to the US and/or to buy/sell drugs. We saw no evidence of this on our stay!

There are a couple of rooms with kitchens, and again, you're right up from the beach. If your destination is TJ y no mas, I would definitely stay down in Playas. I lived in the area for about 3 years while we waited for my hubby to get his visa. The beach is great for walking and watching dolphins, swimming always seems a bit cold, but you can get your feet wet! Saludos, H.

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
You'll be fine at the south end of Playas, lots of upper-middle class Mexicans in that area. Don't try to be totally secluded, there is safety is having others around. Don't wear a bathing suit for heavens sake- you'll only invite unwanted catcalls from every man who thinks you are the one for him (no matter what you look like, how old you are or what you weigh).

The water temp and water quality is pretty much the same from Rosarito Beach to Imperial Beach. Stay away from the abandoned Trump site and the north part of San Antonio del Mar- they are the trouble spots for water quality.

You do know that summer weather starts in August in Baja Norte- right? June and most of July you will still encounter the coastal marine layer (May Gray, June Gloom, etc). Have fun and I hope you catch up with your friends. You are right that phone lines are expensive so they are probably just using a friends or neighbors for now.

I know to not wear a bathing suit in most parts of Mx even tho I'm a fat old bat! lol!!! Don't wanna be a perv magnet or to look like a hoochie!

I don't even own a traje de baño! EEEEK!

Yeah, i know to not be on a beach that's toooo secluded if I'm alone.

Maybe I should go in August. I've been to TJ in the summer but, since I wasn't going to the beach, did not notice the gloom. I am used to coastal marine climates, having lived in Oregon/Washington my whole life. I spent only about half a year in TJ.

Thanks for your pointers, best wishes, and warnings.

Sadly, I only know where one friend lives and where one works. The others, well, it will be up to God if he wants to help me just bump into them while strolling el centro and beeeyootiful Coahuila area. One lives in that gross part cuz she's poor. How sad. : (

Actually all my TJ friends are very poor and having a very rough time. :`(

I need a baja nomads tshirt b4 i go!

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 01:56 PM

i wish i had enough time to try several beaches!!! I wanna live close to a beach some day. Been mostly thinking of mainland but will checkout baja too!!!

Looks like playas or Rosarito area would be the easiest for me. I will probably fly into San Diego and take the bus to downtown, take the trolley, and then Mexicoach. Then I will look for my friends and get my dental work done. After that I will go to the beach (unless my dentist is by Playas). Hopefully i find some of my friends and I'll treat them to a mini beach vacation.

I don't wanna stay long in el centro or Coahuila area cuz my ex lives around there somewhere and I'm not over him yet. :`( Why break my heart worse?

Woooosh - 6-4-2009 at 01:59 PM

A perv magnet... too funny!

I'm glad I chimed in about the weather. Your comment on not wanting the beach sand too hot made me mention summer weather is always a few months late here. August, and September are the sunny warm months and you will have the beach to yourself.

I do envy the nomads in Baja Sur with their toasty climate and clean warm water! (Especially sitting here in Colorado at 9000 feet today in a snowstorm)

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
A perv magnet... too funny!

I'm glad I chimed in about the weather. Your comment on not wanting the beach sand too hot made me mention summer weather is always a few months late here. August, and September are the sunny warm months and you will have the beach to yourself.

I do envy the nomads in Baja Sur with their toasty climate and clean warm water! (Especially sitting here in Colorado at 9000 feet today in a snowstorm)

Thanks for a reminder bout the weather. I, too, envy the nomads in baja sur!

And I've always been a perv and nerd magnet!!! aaaauuugggh!
Too bad i can't buy a can of repellant!!! lol!

noproblemo2 - 6-4-2009 at 03:57 PM

La Mision has a nice beach as well as El Pescador.

nancyinpdx - 6-4-2009 at 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Heather
If you want to stay in Playas (the southern end), there is a hotel there called, "El Indio", or something like that. It is at the top of the cliffs, with the beach right down below ( no view, though). It is pretty cheap, but forget what we paid. We stayed there over New Year's one year (2007) before my step-sons had visas to cross into the US. There were a few other couples around, but we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
There are usually a lot of taxis around, so getting back and forth to el centro wouldn't be a problem.

I've heard that the hotel was used to house people en route to cross to the US and/or to buy/sell drugs. We saw no evidence of this on our stay!

There are a couple of rooms with kitchens, and again, you're right up from the beach. If your destination is TJ y no mas, I would definitely stay down in Playas. I lived in the area for about 3 years while we waited for my hubby to get his visa. The beach is great for walking and watching dolphins, swimming always seems a bit cold, but you can get your feet wet! Saludos, H.

A kitchen is what I prefer if it's equipped with utensils, pots and pans, etc.

I can be a stoner/dope dealer/meth cook/hooker/coyote to finance my vacation. I'm one tuff scary dudette! Watch out TJ!!! Just kidding! Honestly, all but the meth lab stuff being there would not really freak me out. I've spent lotsa time in the Coahuila neighborhood. So I've seen and stayed in places with pretty much everything 'cept for the meth labs. I know quite a lot of ppl involved in these kinda things. I mind my own business, live and let live, and don't judge the ppl. It's TJ after all.

So you see, I'm not this 'lil naive innocent, sheltered Sunday school teacher. I'm also a street evangelist to the ppl everyone is scared of or grossed out by. But for the grace of God, there go I ! I love and accept most ppl. God made us all and He loves us all.

nancyinpdx - 6-5-2009 at 10:48 PM

Thanks to everybody who posted!

I welcome more suggestions for cheap and quiet accomodations, kitchen preferred. Noooo spiders or other scary critters!!!

David K - 6-6-2009 at 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx
... Noooo spiders or other scary critters!!!

Are you kidding? This is Baja California you are asking about! Black widows (small, highly poisonous black spider with a red hour glass mark on the belly) are everywhere outside in dark places (wood piles, under rock piles, mater meter or valve boxes)... they are muy malo! Rattlesnakes also, if you are near any open areas... Never put your hand where you cannot look, first! Scorpions are very common too... but more so in the desert... The Baja variety is not deadly, if you are in good health.

[Edited on 6-6-2009 by David K]

nancyinpdx - 6-6-2009 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx
... Noooo spiders or other scary critters!!!

i meant INSIDE my apartment or hotel room.

I've been stung by a scorpion in Oacaca and it's not fun!

I have bug-a-phobia even of pics or fake plastic ones!!! Eeeew!

I never saw any scary critters in my TJ apt 'cept for large (not humongous like the ones in Oaxaca and Zihuatanejo) c-ckroaches.. Ick.