BajaNomad - Hard times for San Felipe a true jewel

Hard times for San Felipe a true jewel

Mexicorn - 10-19-2009 at 07:12 PM

Bad times for San Felipe. Spent most of last week there it was mostly locals very few tourists of a few years ago. Camarooones were real big and I bought a few kilos. I paid 110 pesos a kilo for the jumbos which I bought directly from the fishermen as they returned from fishing at “La Concha”. I recommend you stay away from the shrimp salesmen on the Malecon because their all about ripping off the gringo.
The Malecon was very slow a few tourists’ many business primarily restaurants had closed.
The weather was incredible and I love the little town feel. It felt like Cabo in January but only a few hours from the border. My plan is to buy a second home, a winter home there because of the deserts natural beauty and the proximity to the border and good hospitals, banks Costco etc.
El Dorado ranch mountain side had a rash of burglaries according to the guards at the gate. Real estate is plentiful but not quite cheap enough yet I’ll give it another year till it gets real good.
I was also surprised to see that Telnor has high-speed internet on many homes which is very similar to the Baja wireless we have on the pacific side. My VOIP SKYPE wifi phone worked very well in Telnor hotspots.
Overall I highly recommend you visit San Felipe it is clean and safe, try renting a home since they are so plentiful and well priced.

BajaWarrior - 10-19-2009 at 08:04 PM

We're in the South Campos (25 miles south of town). What a beautiful weekend! Still warm water with daytime air temp highs in the mid 80's. We stopped in town on our way home yesterday at La Vaquita for lunch, great service, fair food, we were the only people there for an hour and that was from 12:30 on. Otherwise, quiet in town for a Sunday.

Bought shrimp from a well known vendor in our area (Cotty), she always takes care of us with fresh seafood and brings it right to the door. Had it tonight with Pesto and noodles, Yum!

David K - 10-20-2009 at 08:52 AM

It was great a couple weeks ago... the weather, that is... Here is my photos and report Part 1: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=41813

San Felipe was very quiet.... the fish taco plaza (once home to a dozen vendors) is down to just two.

DENNIS - 10-20-2009 at 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
It was great a couple weeks ago...

It was really really really great forty five years ago, the last time I was there but, I've told you that before...huh.

meme - 10-20-2009 at 11:04 AM

You think San Felipe is Great & lovely etc, but most of your post runs it right to the ground! Rash of burglaries in EDR, Shrimp sales people ripping people off, stores closed, & real estate you are expecting to go even lower!!!!If it gets much worse with people like you giving reccomendations San Felipe can turn out the lights & lock the doors!
These people here are doing their very best in this bad economy to keep this town alive. Things are tough yes! The Real Estate is hopefully at its lowest so NOW is a good time to buy! The burlaries at EDR were break ins in north communities where there is no power(mostly) so no alarms and hoimes are new construction & few & far between in most areas.Secuity in EDR works hard to keep our homes safe. There are no jobs because people put out bad advertsing about Mx. plus the U.S. economy is affecting things in Mx also.So many of these people are needing to feed their family. The shops are closed because people say stay out of Mx. WRONG! we have had none of the crime here the media is playin g up so big! EDR has the BEST security staff plus the voluteer SAFE program of anyplace in San Felipe.
Where 200 homes are checked personally every two weeks.
Telnor has one of the least efficient businesses here & you applaude them!! Tho after many years they are now seeming to get their act together this past year or so!Well, I hope people just plan disregard your post as we sure dont need people putting out this kind of info, for tourism & maybe you should re-think a winter home here if all you are likling is cheap rent & the desert!

David K - 10-20-2009 at 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
It was great a couple weeks ago...

It was really really really great forty five years ago, the last time I was there but, I've told you that before...huh.

Don't you have any desire to drive around the peninsula anymore? There is so much beauty and intersting things beyond Punta Banda! At least for a change of scenery, maybe?

DENNIS - 10-20-2009 at 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Don't you have any desire to drive around the peninsula anymore? There is so much beauty and intersting things beyond Punta Banda! At least for a change of scenery, maybe?

Oh sure. I get around, just not over there for no particular reason although the last time I was there, one of our party had his arm ripped off by a effed up driver coming the opposite direction. I can't think about SF without thinking about that.
That's not why I haven't been their, really. I just go in other directions.
Been building a house for the last few years as well. That will cut down on ones travel time.
Maybe one of these days for the Shrimp Festival.

Ahab - 10-20-2009 at 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
It was great a couple weeks ago...

It was really really really great forty five years ago, the last time I was there but, I've told you that before...huh.

Yup, me too! But going back the last several years now, I think there is a lot of changes for the good. The protected harbor and a much cleaner town are just a few.

DENNIS - 10-20-2009 at 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ahab
Yup, me too! But going back the last several years now, I think there is a lot of changes for the good. The protected harbor and a much cleaner town are just a few.

There wasn't much of a town there at that time. Two bars and dirt roads. Fun, none the less.

David K - 10-20-2009 at 12:59 PM

The days of Arnold's Del Mar Cafe and Augie's Riviera Hotel and the La Puerta Pemex station at the end of the paved road... all the streets were dirt.

Here's a look from 1948:

desertmag 018.jpg - 48kB

Bajahowodd - 10-20-2009 at 01:21 PM

I'm guessing David didn't take that photo in 1948.

Sure, there's been changes in San Felipe over the years. But, for those who still enjoy it for its relative lack of development, I invite you to witness the horror of Rocky Point. Two similar towns, once almost mirror-like reflections at the top of the Sea of Cortez. The development at Puerto Penasco is astounding, high rise condos, time shares. Yikes!

That said, I'd like to chime in on something mentioned by meme, in that from Mexicali on down, the area has been amazingly crime free. A recent article suggested that the cartel guys and the gummint guys have a mutual pact that keeps it under control there. Whatever the reason, it is sad to hear that San Felipe is being hit hard by lack of tourism. Of course, a large contributor is the economy. But, as I mentioned, there is just no history of TJ-like crime that should be a deterrent.

David K - 10-20-2009 at 01:47 PM

Go to the Historic Interests and Literature forum and see the entire 1948 article... great reading on how it was BEFORE pavement!

Bajahowodd - 10-20-2009 at 03:45 PM

Geez. I remember Ensenada before pavement. :yes:

Martyman - 10-20-2009 at 04:05 PM

San Felipe has a history of rip-offs and break-ins. It is part of the culture. I was camping there in 1973 and we went in swimming and everything was taken out of our VW van so we limped home on the quarters found under the seat cushions. People here on nomads have talked about their casitas being broken into and ripped off up to 4 times a year!

Bajahowodd - 10-20-2009 at 04:10 PM

There's a big dif between local property crime, that happens almost everywhere, and the stomach-churning mayhem the narco warriors have been providing.

DENNIS - 10-20-2009 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Geez. I remember Ensenada before pavement. :yes:

What part? Not downtown.

Bajahowodd - 10-20-2009 at 04:27 PM

In the 60's?

DENNIS - 10-20-2009 at 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Go to the Historic Interests and Literature forum and see the entire 1948 article... great reading on how it was BEFORE pavement!

How about a link to all that wonderful stuff.

How about a link to this, David. I was in San Felipe before you or anyone else on this site was there.
Now..I'll leave it to you old timers here to not attack me but, join me in being the few that were there.
No big deal but, some of us arn't pieces of history. We're still here.

David, Mí Amigo..........I've been in every part of Baja that you have seen, and soo much more. Remember what I told you in the past of my association with Tabor and you verified it with Kira.

I'm and old man here but, not new. Don't dis me as you do, David. I/ we deserve better.

Bajahowodd - 10-20-2009 at 04:44 PM

Dennis. What's old? Didn't you just turn 68? Sheeeeeit. I need to know if I'm going to be old.

It's close.

DENNIS - 10-20-2009 at 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
What's old?

I have no ***ing idea.

Mexicorn - 10-20-2009 at 07:04 PM

Just attack the new guy for pointing out my perspective. Geez you guys are a tough crowd.
PS I plan on renting because the Rents are so low so go back to your complaining and crying in your beers with the rest of those winos at that dump "Fandangos".
Oh yea and PPS
That place smells like one of those urinal deodorants- gross.

David K - 10-21-2009 at 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Go to the Historic Interests and Literature forum and see the entire 1948 article... great reading on how it was BEFORE pavement!

When I reply to something on Nomad with a link or whatever, it is for everyone who reads Nomad, not just the person I reply under. So, don't take my link to a 1948 article as some kind of anti-Dennis post, it is not. In fact, since you have seen Baja so much back then... PLEASE post stories about the various places in Baja you went to before pavement...!!!

DENNIS - 10-21-2009 at 08:34 AM

DaviDaviDavid...

Take your latest edition of Victoria's Secret, go back in the bathroom and don't come out untill you feel better. You let all this Baja pressure build up and since you're stuck up there putting in sprinklers, you have no way of letting off steam...so to speak. Relax, Bro. Today is a Día Cajuamero. :spingrin:

David K - 10-21-2009 at 08:44 AM

Dennis, my friend... I send that advice back to you! It was you who said: "Don't dis me as you do, David. I/ we deserve better. "

I would not think of dissing you amigo...

By-the-way, I am leaving right now for an irrigation estimate, wish me success!

meme - 10-21-2009 at 09:14 AM

I don't recall a mention of Fandango?
Like all places --you choose your own poison!!!

Bajahowodd - 10-21-2009 at 11:58 AM

Or Rice & Beans, for that matter.