BajaNomad

Safe traveling in Baja

JohnB - 4-17-2010 at 10:19 AM

To those of you who have spent a lot of time in Baja during the last year in the coastal areas between San Diego and San Quintin - What are your safety concerns assuming one takes normal precautions (don't travel at night, don't look rich, etc.)?
From what I read in the newspaper things have calmed down - what do you think? What do you think about car camping on the beach at San Quintin?

Many thanks.

woody with a view - 4-17-2010 at 10:28 AM

better to get away from humanity than right in the middle of it all. i feel safer when we're the only ones in sight. that way, if a car rolls up you have a chance to assess the situation and react, if need be.

David K - 4-17-2010 at 10:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JohnB
To those of you who have spent a lot of time in Baja during the last year in the coastal areas between San Diego and San Quintin - What are your safety concerns assuming one takes normal precautions (don't travel at night, don't look rich, etc.)?
From what I read in the newspaper things have calmed down - what do you think? What do you think about car camping on the beach at San Quintin?

Many thanks.


Camping in a campground like Pabellon or Los Olivos would be a better idea, IMO.

If you have a 4WD, then you couild camp alone and that is fine in most areas that are remote... However, in the San Quintin area, I don't think you will be very 'remote'.

eetdrt88 - 4-17-2010 at 10:37 AM

get down there on the south side of S.Q....theres a place called El Pabellon that has beach camping...took my kids down there once and had a great couple of days...the caretakers brought us all the fresh crab and lobster we could eat for 5$...middle of june the water was pretty damn cold...still all in all a pretty great place to hang out for a few days:yes:

Bob H - 4-17-2010 at 10:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by eetdrt88
get down there on the south side of S.Q....theres a place called El Pabellon that has beach camping...took my kids down there once and had a great couple of days...the caretakers brought us all the fresh crab and lobster we could eat for 5$...middle of june the water was pretty damn cold...still all in all a pretty great place to hang out for a few days:yes:


There are actually two El Pabellon's.... I prefer the first one you get to going South, just South of San Quintin about 16KM's... Going South, turn off to the right as soon as you see the El Pabellon sign.

The second El Pabellon is not near as nice, that's for sure.

After going through an entryway just off MX1, you will meander through a dirt road before you actually get to the camping area. At the end of the dirt road, there will be an office that you will pass by, pay there, then veer left onto the camping areas. If there is no one there, go ahead and pick out your camp site and pay later.

You will know you are in the right one if you see a long open area along the beach, nice restrooms, showers, etc. You can't actually see the beach from the camp area, but it lies just over the hills of sand and/or vegitation (that all helps break the wind on windy days.) Several years ago I drove my pickup truck over the sandy hills and drove down the beach along with pelicans that joined beside me.

Great place! Bob H

[Edited on 4-17-2010 by Bob H]

eetdrt88 - 4-17-2010 at 10:51 AM

Bob...youre right about the showers,that was a little luxury for baja beach camping;)

irenemm - 4-17-2010 at 02:51 PM

Hey if you don't want to be on the beach we have plenty of room here at the Posada Don Diego. We are off the hwy and away from the beach with night security.
Los Olives is a Chrisitian camp now. the new owners are a group called Stoney Creek from Canada.
We have been here since 1970. give us a try. Hot showers lights and security'e speak english, spanish and canadian eh
Irene Martinez
Posada don Diego
Vicente Guerrero, Baja

woody with a view - 4-17-2010 at 03:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by irenemm
Hey if you don't want to be on the beach we have plenty of room here at the Posada Don Diego. We are off the hwy and away from the beach with night security.
Los Olives is a Chrisitian camp now. the new owners are a group called Stoney Creek from Canada.
We have been here since 1970. give us a try. Hot showers lights and security'e speak english, spanish and canadian eh
Irene Martinez
Posada don Diego
Vicente Guerrero, Baja


and a damn good restraunt!!!!! EH?

rts551 - 4-17-2010 at 03:56 PM

FYI John Los Olivos is not beach camping.
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by JohnB
To those of you who have spent a lot of time in Baja during the last year in the coastal areas between San Diego and San Quintin - What are your safety concerns assuming one takes normal precautions (don't travel at night, don't look rich, etc.)?
From what I read in the newspaper things have calmed down - what do you think? What do you think about car camping on the beach at San Quintin?

Many thanks.


Camping in a campground like Pabellon or Los Olivos would be a better idea, IMO.

If you have a 4WD, then you couild camp alone and that is fine in most areas that are remote... However, in the San Quintin area, I don't think you will be very 'remote'.

Fred - 4-17-2010 at 04:08 PM

My biggest concern is getting to the store before 10am and not being able to buy beer.

noproblemo2 - 4-17-2010 at 04:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fred
My biggest concern is getting to the store before 10am and not being able to buy beer.

Try checking with Posada don Diego in Vicente Guerrero, bet she'll know how to get you set up right!!!!:light::light: Plus the BEST food in their restaurant too!!

The Federales wanted to 'jack my Jeep in San Quintin

Ken Cooke - 4-17-2010 at 05:24 PM

My only problem in San Quintin just about 1 1/2 yrs ago was with the Police roadblock I encountered (Federales de Caminos). They asked me to get out of my vehicle and wanted to search it for drugs. When they saw that I was traveling with a group of 6 other vehicles, I was told that I could get back into my vehicle and continue - no Drug search necessary! WTF?? I think they wanted to 'jack my Jeep!

irenemm - 4-17-2010 at 06:59 PM

Hey Ken I am sorry to hear that. We have all new Federales and they act like they are nice guys . I have never been stopped by them. We just feed them sometimes. As we discount meals for them. Nothing free. Just a discount. Like I said on another thread I come from a cop family. Plus I like having all the cops driving in and out of here. Keeps away any bad guys. They never know when the Cops will show up. They will stop by to have dinner and sometimes to get coffee.
Thank you woody I think your right about our food. It is pretty good.
noproblemo2 sure we can tell him and if he is too late hey maybe we can sell some of our of course. And thank you we do have pretty good food and large menu. No Costco ready made food here. All home made, jams, granola, desserts, hand pressed burger 6oz, lots of stuff.something for everyone.
10:00 am we can work something out
stop by and say HI
Irene
Posada Don Diego
RV Park Restaurant Motel
Vicente Guerrero

Mike99km - 4-18-2010 at 07:49 AM

JohnB, There are lots of other places besides S. Q. if you want to camp and hang out on the beach with your family. S. Q. is as good as any of them with lots of people around. Most folks are stopping for the night and not hanging for a couple of days, 3 hours on the beach is not 3 days. Check out the map and take a side road to the coast above S.Q. Most Camp grounds for me are OK, but I go to have a bit of the beach for my self. My issue with camping on the beach in S.Q. is it tends to be windy, cold, cloudy and we don't have that good of time.The water will be cold (low 60s).

I believe that a lot of people put the TJ and Rosaito stuff and the rest of Baja in the same mind set. If you're still worried don't go. Do you want to spend the whole time looking over your shoulder?
It's about as safe as it ever was, but I never stopped going. :bounce:

josie - 4-18-2010 at 08:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
My only problem in San Quintin just about 1 1/2 yrs ago was with the Police roadblock I encountered (Federales de Caminos). They asked me to get out of my vehicle and wanted to search it for drugs. When they saw that I was traveling with a group of 6 other vehicles, I was told that I could get back into my vehicle and continue - no Drug search necessary! WTF?? I think they wanted to 'jack my Jeep!


I doubt that was the case Ken. The husband of a close friend is an agent with the Federales de Caminos and this much I know: when they see an off-road vehicle they become a little more suspicious as they are often used to move drugs. They are the vehicle of choice to reach remote air strips and beach landing spots. When he saw you were in a caravan his guard probably went down and just waved you on. Another girlfriend of mine has a Landcruiser and she is asked to get out and her vehicle searched almost every time.

wilderone - 4-18-2010 at 08:42 AM

Yeah, beach camping between Ensenada and San Quentin is not the best place to camp unless you're in a campground (which, for some of us , diminishes the adventure, quiet, and Baja experience). Some people want the campground experience. If that's you, then no problemo - take the recommendation advice. If you have the time, heading to Bahia de Los Angeles might be more rewarding in many respects.

durrelllrobert - 4-18-2010 at 11:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JohnB
To those of you who have spent a lot of time in Baja during the last year in the coastal areas between San Diego and San Quintin - What are your safety concerns assuming one takes normal precautions (don't travel at night, don't look rich, etc.)?

live stock and stalled vehicles in vadas:smug: