BajaNomad

Gonzaga Bay

woody with a view - 3-10-2010 at 10:12 AM

We’re going to Gonzaga for a long memorial weekend. How much are the rooms at Alphonsina’s and what do you get? Showers, a/c? how much are the palapas down the beach? Anyone know a good fishing guide and how much? Is fuel available regularly? How is the temps that time of year? Any good fishing from the shore in the area? any other cool stuff in the area?

It’s our first time on the east coast so sorry for all the ?’s

David K - 3-10-2010 at 10:21 AM

A couple of your questions...

Rooms are (were) $55 last we heard there...

NO A/C, not enough power generated.

The Palapas at Campo Beluga are (were) $15 when we stayed there a couple years ago.

Triggerfish from the shore... maybe croaker or corbina, too.

Fuel is IFFY, not 100%

Temps. should be really nice and warm... 80's-90's

Lot's of cool stuff... it is all in my web site page on self guided tours of Baja... an entire section on Gonzaga Bay area sites: http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/tours

Oh, and no waves... sorry! It's a great place.

woody with a view - 3-10-2010 at 05:38 PM

so pangas are there to hook up with the night before? looks like we're palapa-ing it.

David K - 3-10-2010 at 05:48 PM

If you are asking me, I don't have a complete answer. I did see a sign advetising them at El Sacraficio (a campo south of Beluga).

I also think you can arrange something at Papa Fernandez'...

Alfonsina's is a motel, restaurant/ bar and lots of private homes. No camping, no local panga fleet.

805gregg - 3-10-2010 at 09:03 PM

If it's going to be hot Woody you might want to camp, maybe cooler with a breeze. I've always wanted to go there, I heard nothing but good things about it. I would love to go be motorcycle.

Bajaboy - 3-10-2010 at 09:22 PM

Woody-

I prefer camping at Papa Fernandez'. There is much more privacy in my opinion. Also, they are such good people and make some killer food, too. Last time I camped there it was $5 per night. Good shore fishing, too.

bbbait - 3-10-2010 at 10:33 PM

They have a couple of pangas at Papa's and they will take you out. Just guessing, it's been a couple of years, but in close around Willard probably about $80 for a half day and then more if you get good weather and want to go out to the islands or reefs around Final.. ooops, giving away secrets here! You know how I can get in trouble with that Woody!

cj5orion - 3-11-2010 at 06:07 AM

down at the south end of gonzaga,,,for the last couple months,
theres been a "unofficial fish camp".Nobody seems to know much about the guys though ? But they might be interested in a rental ?

Also,Alphonsinas now has a generater capable of runnin AC for the hotel !

jus sayin

woody with a view - 3-11-2010 at 11:36 AM

where's Papa's in relation to the houses, or is it pretty obvious once you pull in? are the palapa's farthest south better than the ones closer or does it matter?

Bajaboy - 3-11-2010 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
where's Papa's in relation to the houses, or is it pretty obvious once you pull in? are the palapa's farthest south better than the ones closer or does it matter?


Papa's is on the north side of Gonzaga...Pt. Willard. The camping spot is isolated (north) of the houses on an empty beach. There are two shade structures and an outhouse if I recall.

Bajaboy - 3-11-2010 at 12:18 PM

From this webcam, the restaurant would be to the left and the campground just over the hill. I forgot to mention, I like the campground also because there is only one way in and out via a rope gate in front of the restaurant.

Definitely go check out the palm oasis and springs south of town.
http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/lightner/1/show.html

[Edited on 3-11-2010 by Bajaboy]

willardguy - 3-11-2010 at 12:33 PM

I always laugh when I see someones etching on one of those shade covers it reads "please god don't ever make me stay here again" must not have caught it on a good day! If you're gonna camp you can't beat beluga with flush toilets and showers.

eetdrt88 - 3-11-2010 at 01:14 PM

stayed at Alphonsinas once and camped at Beluga many times...in my opinion the best way to experience the bay is staying at Beluga,excellent shore fishing as well as great kayak fishing and just an epic experience overall....cant beat the grub at Alphonsinas though:cool:

baitcast - 3-11-2010 at 02:17 PM



PaPa,s place in the old days,fishing from the beach is much better around Punta Willard and the old man,s place.

Check out the web cam you will see some sand always could get a few corvina and what nots there,leave the clams home guy,this is krocks,K/M,s and spooks,will get back to you later with the whole works.
Rob like the man said no waves justa big flat pond

David K - 3-11-2010 at 02:52 PM

ALFONSINA'S ;D (there's no 'ph=f' sound in Spanish)

David K - 3-11-2010 at 03:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
From this webcam, the restaurant would be to the left and the campground just over the hill. I forgot to mention, I like the campground also because there is only one way in and out via a rope gate in front of the restaurant.

Definitely go check out the palm oasis and springs south of town.
http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/lightner/1/show.html

[Edited on 3-11-2010 by Bajaboy]


This is 'Las Palmitas' on my map...



and I only have a photo of it in the background, as I hike up the hill above the oasis (photo by BajaMur)...




the othe photos on this page are in the main Santa Maria Canyon: http://vivabaja.com/missionsm/page5.html

David K - 3-11-2010 at 03:16 PM

Photos at Beluga from Feb., 2007:

















Here is the first view of Gonzaga Bay, if you are coming from the north (Puertecitos):




Papa Fernandez' is the first camp on the bay... his camping beach is 'over the hill' (Punta Willard) on the gulf coast, not on the bay shore.

Alfonsina's is on the sand spit that connects to the island (Isla San Luis Gonzaga or Willard Island)... this is the seperation between Bahia San Luis Gonzaga on the north (sometimes called Willard Bay) and Ensenada de San Francisquito to the south (usually also called 'Gonzaga Bay').

Rancho Grande, Campo Beluga, El Sacraficio, and Punta Final are all south of Alfonsina's on the larger bay.

Here is a view down on Gonzaga Bay/ Punta Willard close up (Papa's camping beach):





My roads map from 2002 of the area:



[Edited on 3-11-2010 by David K]

tattuna - 3-11-2010 at 07:53 PM

I should be there the same weekend. Been goin every Memorial weekend since '04, although I missed last year. Big fiesta at Alfonsinas on Sunday night.

We camp at Beluga and kayak fish the island. Shore fishing can be good for triggers, spotted bay bass and Pacific porgies esp if you have squid. If you want a panga be sure to ask early. We tried once but they were all booked till noon.

It's beautiful and tranquil there! Winds can be ridiculous, so if you camp, make sure to get the longer spikes to hold down your tent.

Here are some more pics..


From Campo Beluga





At Isla Willard





From the hill at Punta Bufeo looking towards Gonzaga (that's me way down there)



There's a webcam at Papa Fernandez. It takes a pic every 30 minutes. You can look up the time you were there in the archives when you get home and see yourself



Hope to see ya down there! Look for the tall, tattooed dark skinned guy in a tan FJ Cruiser.

BajaWarrior - 3-11-2010 at 08:03 PM

Woody,
From Alfonsinas get on the beach just south of the runway and take it as far as you can (6 to 8 miles I believe), until you literally come to a stop against a rock bluff. The beach faces north so it is protected by the southern wind and the snorkeling is great. Your gonna love the warm water...

[Edited on 3-12-2010 by BajaWarrior]

redhilltown - 3-12-2010 at 12:19 AM

Like the other posts have said, it is not a typical fishing destination in that pangas are readily available...last time at Papa's a year or so ago they said they really didn't have anything. If you get a boat trolling tight tight tight to shore is great using rapalas or rebel fastraccs... Shore fishing is average unless you can hike out onto Willard to get some depth and structure...except for Corvina, Triggers, and bass which are around most spots. Sierra, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, hogfish, (chrome Krocs rock!) and and host of others are possible if you can just get away from the (flatter) beach areas and as always, if you wade in a bit watch out for stingrays!

ArvadaGeorge - 3-12-2010 at 08:21 AM

ALFONSINA'S was $65.00 per
room (2 beds) Tuesday 3-9-10---Good food -- a little pricy

ElFaro - 3-12-2010 at 08:34 AM

A question for those who have been to Gonzaga Bay...

I have a 25' toyhauler that weighs about 6000 lbs. I tow with a 2001 3/4 ton Dodge Ram Diesel 2WD.

Can I get the toyhauler to Gonzaga without too much damage ? If so which road into there would be the easiest ? And whichever road I would take is it a lot of washboard? Thanks.

David K - 3-12-2010 at 08:39 AM

Come in from the south (Hwy. 1, Laguna Chapala)... 37 miles maintained graded road. Otherwise you have 25-30 miles of very rough, rocky road from the end of Pavement at El Huerfanito... If you go SLOW, then okay.

ElFaro - 3-12-2010 at 09:10 AM

Has anyone ever seen someone with a trailer towed into Gonzaga or any large RV for that matter?

cj5orion - 3-12-2010 at 10:00 AM

all the time,
even before the road paving started.
back then,what was paved north of puertos was so full of potholes,you'd rather have the rocky road !

bbbait - 3-12-2010 at 04:04 PM

Five years ago we pulled a brand new 26' toy hauler in and out of Gonzaga Bay from Puertecitos and it took 9 hours ea way averaging 5 mph. Rode the bikes in and out taking some of the load out and just kept the driver with a cold one as he took his time. No problems just slow going on him, everyone else was having a blast exploring all the side roads. Now the worst part is paved so this will cut that 9 hrs in about half I would think..

rts551 - 3-12-2010 at 05:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ElFaro
Has anyone ever seen someone with a trailer towed into Gonzaga or any large RV for that matter?


How do you think they got them in in the 50's-60's/-early 70's. yes and I saw and helped a few in my old jeep.

David K - 3-12-2010 at 05:29 PM

There are photos from Bedman driving his motorhome to Coco's and Gonzaga back in 2001... http://vivabaja.com/bedman

He did it again, but with his Sidekick dragging a makeshift grader in front to lessen the washboard!

Here's Coco in a photo from inside Bedman's motorhome:




[Edited on 3-13-2010 by David K]

woody with a view - 3-12-2010 at 05:46 PM

it looks like Memorial day is 50/50 as the better half can't ask for holidays off (Von's is funny like that!) so we are looking for alternative dates? what is the wind situation like in mid may? how about early june? is it even worth going to fish? it's rare i'll take vacation days if there is no hope of surf! we would love to get into some yellowtail or grouper as a prep for those big tuna later in the summer further south.

David K - 3-12-2010 at 06:03 PM

Had wind there in Feb. and early May. June and July have been awesome... we love the heat and warm water!

redhilltown - 3-13-2010 at 01:35 AM

It is quite the crap shoot mid may in that area for WIND...can blow like crazy ( a bit further north near Huerfanito we have been blown to bits that time of year...horrific off shore then on shore winds) or wonderfully peaceful quiet. I would not count on it as THE fishing destination by any means...a bit early for Yellowtail though there are big grouper in holes out on the islands if you can find them and even White Sea bass off the Willard point wreck and along Punta Final coast. Good Corvina fishing from shore or tight to shore on a boat though is a good bet. At least if winds are around you have a couple of bays to work without too much worry...and if you have to take a break for them to die down and have a few drinks at Alphonsinas it is better than anything I can think of around here in downtown Long Beach!

woody with a view - 3-13-2010 at 07:13 PM

when do the yellowtail arrive? or should we just go to la bay, or ???

redhilltown - 3-13-2010 at 11:04 PM

others know far more than me! but, I would not count on Gonzaga Bay as a Yellowtail destination by any means.....the further south the better that time of year. Igor out of L.A. Bay (via Guillermo's) is fantastic and if there are any big fish around, he can find them ( and if not him there are many others at L.A. Bay as opposed to Gonzaga). Time wise if you go much further south you add a few more days to your trip and no locals to go out with unless San Francisquito has gotten its act together. If fishing is THE key to your trip, L.A. Bay would be a better bet but pretty soon Gonzaga Bay will never be the same once the road is finished (haha...IF they finish.) Have fun!

woody with a view - 3-14-2010 at 08:17 AM

thanks all! we'll probably just go to Gonzaga to see it before the road arrives.

Pacifico - 3-14-2010 at 08:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
thanks all! we'll probably just go to Gonzaga to see it before the road arrives.


Woody,
I think it's a great idea to see Gonzaga before the road is finished - it is really cool and won't be the same once paved in. But, once there it isn't that far to BOLA. It's about 30 miles of dirt to Hwy. 1 at Chapala and then only 30 miles down Hwy. 1 to the BOLA turnoff, then like 42 miles to BOLA. Just a thought.....

Natalie Ann - 3-14-2010 at 11:07 AM

Woody - Here's an aerial view of Gonzaga Bay which gives you an idea of the lay of the land and the camping spots discussed.




nena

baitcast - 3-15-2010 at 07:18 AM

One of my very favorite pic,s,just too much!!!!!!!!!!
Rob

woody with a view - 3-16-2010 at 06:05 AM

it looks like new dates are may 13-17. unless there is surf, then we might have to rethink the destination!:light:

wayno - call me anytime

capt. mike - 3-16-2010 at 08:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bbbait
Five years ago we pulled a brand new 26' toy hauler in and out of Gonzaga Bay from Puertecitos and it took 9 hours ea way averaging 5 mph. Rode the bikes in and out taking some of the load out and just kept the driver with a cold one as he took his time. No problems just slow going on him, everyone else was having a blast exploring all the side roads. Now the worst part is paved so this will cut that 9 hrs in about half I would think..


i'll come to Yuma ?? blyth?? and pick you up, we'll just fly in and stay at your place.:bounce: