BajaNomad

80,000 visitors are expected

mcfez - 4-10-2011 at 07:33 AM

San Felipe is preparing for the annual influx of visitors for Semana Santa ( 18-24 April). A total of some 80,000 visitors are expected from Mexicali, Tijuana and Ensenada, together with a fair contingent from the Imperial Valley and the San Diego, Los Angeles, Yuma region. Unfortunately, the jobless rate of almost 27% in El Centro, the highest in the entire USA, and the continued economic uncertainty in both California and Baja California, means that a lot of families will be camping on the beaches and bringing as much food and drink as possible with them. Still, the economic benefit to the town should be around $1.5 million dollars. Occupancy rates of hotels and condominiums should approach 90% in the Thursday-Saturday period but most people are on the way back home on Easter Sunday. The Malecon will be choc-a-bloc.

sf.mex.com

bajalou - 4-10-2011 at 07:54 AM

And most of us try to avoid town this week and definitely do not head to Mexicali on Sunday. The beach by the Malecon will be totally covered with tents and some between parked cars on the street. The dunes get wild with everyone trying to climb them in the family car etc.

Phil S - 4-10-2011 at 08:05 AM

This is a 'religious event'. Right? Makes it sound more like a weekend party!!!!

bajalou - 4-10-2011 at 08:23 AM

Well, the get to visit the Shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe to pay their respects, then party.

DENNIS - 4-10-2011 at 09:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
This is a 'religious event'. Right?




Only for the religious. For others, especially the young, it's more like Puberty Rites.

CDB - 4-10-2011 at 09:56 AM

Stocking up on the necessities and staying close to home. Make sure your gas tank is full beforehand.

David K - 4-10-2011 at 10:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
This is a 'religious event'. Right? Makes it sound more like a weekend party!!!!


Seriously? It is an event to see how many beer bottles they can cover the desert with and how many dirty diapers remain on the beach when the locals go back home to the city!

Well, it used to be that way... I hope they will pack out their trash better than they used to.

The boom boom music begins and runs all night long... even if nobody is awake... it is a tradition to be as loud and 'festive' as possible... tradition. San Felipe and Bahia Concepcion are popular spots of Semana Santa noise and trash fest!

Jim/Liisa - 4-10-2011 at 12:56 PM

And lots of accidents drunk quad riders. The Ambulanse drivers get a work out.

bent-rim - 4-10-2011 at 02:03 PM

I rode into San Felipe on a Monday afternoon during Semana Santa, after a long ride from BOLA, the town was a madhouse. I check a couple places for a room, no luck. I pressed on to Mike's and I had the whole place to myself, there was no one else there. There were no c-cktails available, but plenty of cervesa and they cooked me a good dinner and breakfast.

Baja.BBQ - 4-10-2011 at 03:36 PM

Agree with Bajalou and CDB! we stock up before Semana Santa, AVOID town due to traffic and stay close to home North of San Felipe. Most of these visitors bring their own food and supplies with them and leave their trash.

BajaBlanca - 4-10-2011 at 03:43 PM

La Bocana itself becomes a ghosttown ... seems EVERYONE goes somewhere else ... we hang out at home and well ...... hang out ....

:biggrin:

once we went to la paz, not realizing it was semana santa, and the Titan began to act up. never again. impossible to get a garage to fix the engine :no:

and when we drove by bahia concepcion - I have never ever ever seen so many campers !!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!

Ken Cooke - 4-10-2011 at 03:43 PM

Your exclusive photostream will appear on BajaNomad.com following Baja Grande!! :bounce:


805gregg - 4-12-2011 at 06:05 PM

Years ago we camped at Laguna Percebu during that week, we arrived just as the drunk gringos, were leaving after spring break. They left a huge mess of trash, and even were seen peeing in public in front of my wife and young daughter. Then the Mexican familys arrived, what a great change nice friendly familys, that picked up after themselves and were quiet and respectfull.

bajalou - 4-12-2011 at 06:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
Then the Mexican familys arrived, what a great change nice friendly familys, that picked up after themselves and were quiet and respectfull.


That's not the way they treat the town!

David K - 4-12-2011 at 08:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
Then the Mexican familys arrived, what a great change nice friendly familys, that picked up after themselves and were quiet and respectfull.


That's not the way they treat the town!


x2

I have seen 'locals' camp, then will drive away leaving bags of trash on the beach (that easily could have fit in their pick up)... we removed for them.

I am not saying stupid gringo teenagers don't use their brains and may also have not cleaned up... but I am talking 'local' adult campers, families....

Ken Cooke - 4-13-2011 at 04:40 PM

My policy is to leave the camp looking better than you found it. Leaving no trash behind, etc. Too bad about the "Ugly American" campers. They would not have done this in the 'States.:yes:

The Exception to the rule.

MrBillM - 4-13-2011 at 05:51 PM

As one who has seen MANY Semana Santas at Percebu over the last 30+ years, I'd have to say that I MISSED that ONE where all the Mexican Campers cleaned up after themselves.

I DO have plenty of photos of the Beach after they didn't. The BIG difference between the Gringo Trash and the Mex Basura is, no doubt, a consequence of the "family" members brought along by those Mexicans. MORE young Rugrats, hence WAY more Stinking Diapers left everywhere.

It USED to be that the great saving grace to the Mid-Week exodus of Gringos being replaced by Mexicanos was an improvement in the Blaring music, however for some reason beyond reason, THEY have developed an affinity for Trash-Mouth Rap, Ho-Hop or whatever it's called today.

Ken Cooke - 4-13-2011 at 06:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
It USED to be that the great saving grace to the Mid-Week exodus of Gringos being replaced by Mexicanos was an improvement in the Blaring music, however for some reason beyond reason, THEY have developed an affinity for Trash-Mouth Rap, Ho-Hop or whatever it's called today.


Anything beats Country and Western muzak! :lol:

Bajafun777 - 4-13-2011 at 08:23 PM

Need to start having people fined for leaving trash like they did in Glamis in Imperial Valley and it was amazing how fast it started to get under control. It is sad that others do not think about how their total uncaring actions offend others using those same areas of recreation. Public places should always be left clean when you leave, we have even picked up after others at parks simply because it was faster to do so than just get mad about it spoiling the fun you went there for. Take Care & Travel Safe--- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

baja829 - 4-13-2011 at 10:42 PM

We always stay in the So. Campos -- most of all because American High School and College kids, just set up camp on absent neighbors porches and/or decks, so we need at least one homeowner in each Campo to make certain they don't stop here. There are plenty of arroyos and empty beach fronts along the way.

The past few years, Mexican families have been driving beyond Poblado Delicias and even So. of Puertecitos, as they want to be free of the crowds as well, so there's lots of traffic going So. starting Wed. night.

We also tell our guests to fill up their gas tanks and purchase food on their way in to San Felipe, as the wait for gas on Sunday can be as long as the wait to cross the border and could last until Monday, should they run out of gas and/or food.

Overall, Semana Santa business is good for the locals and extremely important!

mcfez - 4-13-2011 at 11:35 PM

baja829 has a nice beach to camp on.....I am sure a few hundred sunbathers wont both her. Hey M.....what's your address again ? :o


SF beaches AND the malecon is a disaster to say the least. However...the town is working on trying to clean up quickly after the holidays.

There aint no way that I would walk on the beach with bare feet. No way.

Cookie Camping ?

MrBillM - 4-14-2011 at 09:42 AM

I have no idea where Ken Cookie camps, BUT I've never heard Country & Western being Blasted from the Beach whether it be Gringo or Mex Campers.

For which I'm Eternally Grateful.

That said, Foul-Mouthed CRAP-Rap is worse than Country Whine. The ONLY redeeming aspect to A-Hole-Hop is that some of the "Artists" can't be clearly understood having never learned Proper English Enunciation.

Pump it up, and BACK it up like a TONKA truck! DALE!

Ken Cooke - 4-14-2011 at 06:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
That said, Foul-Mouthed CRAP-Rap is worse than Country Whine. The ONLY redeeming aspect to A-Hole-Hop is that some of the "Artists" can't be clearly understood having never learned Proper English Enunciation.


I love my Latin-Rap music artists! :bounce:

Class is ...........

MrBillM - 4-14-2011 at 06:41 PM

As Class does.

Enjoying Rap says it all.

Nothing I could add.

Is J the one who did Puff-Dog ?

[Edited on 4-15-2011 by MrBillM]

Here is what 80,000 visitors looks like

Ken Cooke - 4-14-2011 at 08:44 PM





David K - 4-14-2011 at 09:42 PM

Top photos is near Guaymas and the photo is backwards.

David K - 4-14-2011 at 09:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
I have no idea where Ken Cookie camps, BUT I've never heard Country & Western being Blasted from the Beach whether it be Gringo or Mex Campers.

For which I'm Eternally Grateful.

That said, Foul-Mouthed CRAP-Rap is worse than Country Whine. The ONLY redeeming aspect to A-Hole-Hop is that some of the "Artists" can't be clearly understood having never learned Proper English Enunciation.


Last 4th of July, he was about a mile south of your place, out on the island... but I was there, too... and no Country Western. I did play some salsa on XM's 'Caliente' station for a bit...?




[Edited on 4-15-2011 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 4-16-2011 at 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Top photos is near Guaymas and the photo is backwards.


Wow, you're good DK! :yes:

wornout - 4-17-2011 at 12:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Your exclusive photostream will appear on BajaNomad.com following Baja Grande!! :bounce:




Don't know where that is but THIS is San Felipe San Hill:

quad.jpg - 45kB

sancho - 4-17-2011 at 01:56 PM

While most of us Gringos appreciate a more cleaner/trash free
environment that what is found in Baja, and I'm all for
that, unless I missed
something, IT IS THEIR COUNTRY. Whether they are from
Mexicali or are living in the US, logic tells me they have
a BIT more claim to Baja than us P-nche Gringos.
If you don't like their traditions, their music or the way
they handle themselves you should stay home.
I would expect more from Baja Veteran Travellers
than the inflexable nature than what is voiced here

Not your average American traveler

Ken Cooke - 4-17-2011 at 02:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
While most of us Gringos appreciate a more cleaner/trash free
environment that what is found in Baja, and I'm all for
that, unless I missed
something, IT IS THEIR COUNTRY. Whether they are from
Mexicali or are living in the US, logic tells me they have
a BIT more claim to Baja than us P-nche Gringos.
If you don't like their traditions, their music or the way
they handle themselves you should stay home.
I would expect more from Baja Veteran Travellers
than the inflexable nature than what is voiced here


I always approach others with respect while doing away with the notion that I deserve special treatment/service because I'm an American. Others pick up on that arrogance and nobody ends up happy.

Carnivales in Barranquilla, Colombia 2008

Osprey - 4-17-2011 at 03:09 PM

Counted about 400 cars/trucks on the beach here last couple of years. Most campers are from Los Cabos and the little towns around this part of East Cape. We have year round beach pickup from Fonmar and although the campers leave a mountain of refuse, it is cleaned up quickly starting Monday and within hours you can't tell the visitors were here. It's not a cultural thing. Life's messy, clean it up. The campers here are as respectful of others as you would expect hard working people with few pesos and very little leisure opportunities to be.

Breaks my heart when they all get blown off by late spring winds -- happens about every other Easter.

BajaBlanca - 4-17-2011 at 06:16 PM

I absolutely positively without a doubt HATE the trash ... every day I walk on the beach and find trash ... today I found a beer can where there never is one - down our deserted sand road ....

I hate the trash.

Today, I paid a little kid who wanted some cash to come and clean a patch of land near the beach with me. Check out the before and after photos:


[img][/img]



[img][/img]

pics of april 17th cleanup

[Edited on 4-18-2011 by BajaBlanca]

Roberto - 4-17-2011 at 09:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Top photos is near Guaymas and the photo is backwards.


Top photo is San Carlos, east of the Marina. Why would it be backwards? Ocean is on the correct side (left). Just askin'.

David K - 4-17-2011 at 11:20 PM

If you are asking, it was just an educated guess...

I have been to Guaymas and San Carlos, but many many years ago.

San Carlos Bay is north of Guaymas, so the photo (if taken there) is backwards... because that mountain is south of San Carlos (I think) and north of Guaymas... If that mountain is actually north of San Carlos, then my guess is wrong and Ken is wrong by saying I was correct... is that right???

Roberto - 4-18-2011 at 08:06 AM

The mountain is actually due west from the main drag in San Carlos, which runs east-west (maybe just a tad south too). It's called Tetakawi, and is North of Guaymas. The picture looks to be taken from the beach alongside Boulevard Beltrones, which is said main drag, looking west towards the mountain and the Marina area. Definetely not Guaymas. Look at a map, you'll see what I mean.

David K - 4-18-2011 at 08:14 AM

Okay, thanks... so is the photo shown in reverse or is there a beach like that just south of that mountain (which would have the water on the left)?

Roberto - 4-18-2011 at 08:38 AM

The beach is EAST of the mountain, alongside the bay, and that is why the water is on the left. You are looking WEST in the picture, not NORTH/SOUTH at all, and picture is not in reverse.

I thought that was what I explained above, but I guess it wasn't clear.