BajaNomad

surf camping in a van

marksnet - 4-14-2011 at 05:24 PM

hello everyone, im Mark from canada and i am going to be baja bound in about 1-2 weeks for the first time. this website is a wealth of knowledge and whenever I try and find information on surf spots/ camping I end up reading somthing else baja related for hours.

my girlfriend and i are going to be heading south in a couple of days on the coastal route through washington, oregon and california. we will be camping the whole way down and our total trip is 6 weeks. I am hoping to convince her that most of that time should be speant in mexico, and with your help hopefully i can make that reality. We enjoy surfing and general beach activites the most and we are looking for the best beaches/ destinations for the best beaches and surfing. we are a young couple and would like to hang out with other young people if they exist down south!

we will be driving a VW eurovan that i converted into a camper but it is not a 4wd. we have good tires and are not affraid to head a bit off the beaten path. from what i read we hope to go to Bahía Asunción if we can make it there, as well as mulege, la paz, loreto etc. any insight to destinations we should not miss and good safe camping preferably with other people but not essential would be greatly appreciated. I am sure that once we are down there we will run into many people and visit/leave places as we please but we are unsure as to where we should camp the first night after crossing the TJ border.

i know i should have searched more, but everytime i did i found myself reading somthing else, its all good info but we are leaving very soon and i would like to persuade my girlfriend for more time in mexico!

thanks in advance, mark

David K - 4-14-2011 at 05:37 PM

Do get out to Bahia Asuncion... Shari (Canadian) will take good care of you!

The country, food and people of Baja are all great... All sorts of interesting things to see along your route...

La Lobera, Las Pintas, any of the mission sites, Cataviña painted cave and boulder fields/ boojum forests, Bahia de los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez, Bahia Asuncion, Campo Rene and Punta Abreojos, San Ignacio... Mulege, Bahia Concepcion.. ah man... it is endless! SO MUCH BAJA... SO LITTLE TIME!

Photos of interesting sites in links below...

Bajamatic - 4-14-2011 at 05:46 PM

A great place to camp that's safe and sometimes has good waves is Punta San Jose just south of Ensenada. Victor is the caretaker and he'll charge 5 bucks for the night and much appreciates a coca-cola and a chat. Its safe (as long as you don't fall off the cliff) and the wave can be very fun. You'll also most likely be in the company of other gringo's looking for a weekend surf. The road out is in Santo Thomas. Check the Baja almanac for exact directions.

Personally, I wouldn't camp anywhere North of that.

Skipjack Joe - 4-14-2011 at 05:53 PM

How early do you intend to cross the border?

I would cross it early and drive through to El Rosario. For many of us baja starts at El Rosario. The northern part is less interesting.

Six weeks seems like a long time but it's surprising how fast your time will pass as it's a big peninsula with much to see and do.

marksnet - 4-14-2011 at 06:23 PM

yah from what i have read we would like to cross early (5am) and drive south for almost the whole day. Is there a good camping spot in Rosario? after the first day we will take it slower but we understand that we must get into the "safe zone" on the first day. will my van be able to go to most places? i would like to remain on pavement for most of the trip but understand that many beaches you must travel off road.

marksnet - 4-14-2011 at 06:25 PM

thanks david, i have gone through just about all of your photos in the last week and look forward to taking some of my own pictures of the same places!

chrisx - 4-14-2011 at 06:32 PM

there is a place in oregon to stop a surf
they say to only surf at low tide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMoFSO-cIw

Nelscott Reef is an ocean reef near Lincoln City, Oregon, United States that creates a reef break (where waves spill over to create whitewater) that is known as the only place on the Oregon Coast with the right conditions for tow-in surfing. It is named for the former community of Nelscott, which is now a part of Lincoln City.

The reef is the home of the Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic. Nelscott Reef is the only spot on the Oregon coast to consistently produce double overhead waves, thus the event brings in big name surfers, such as Peter Mel and Adam Replogle.[1][2] Before 2003 no one had been able to paddle out in this region due to the shallow water and undertow.

The 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic was held on November 2, 2010 as part of the male-dominated Big Wave World Tour. An exhibition featuring three world champion women—Keala Kennelly, Savannah Shaughnessy, and Mercedes Maidana—delayed their event one day due to wave faces of 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) causing havoc for the mens' event.[3]

805gregg - 4-14-2011 at 06:34 PM

You can't go unless you drive a Toyota, sorry David's rules.

marksnet - 4-14-2011 at 06:34 PM

wow, i am a canadian surfer (not that experienced). i am looking for singe o/h max! i dont think my van would make a very good tow in rig.

the waves showcased in that video are anything but relaxing. we just want to relax!

[Edited on 4-15-2011 by marksnet]

landyacht318 - 4-14-2011 at 07:03 PM

Do not worry so much about not having a 4x4.

Worry about your ground clearance, the quality of your tires and your ability to know where each wheel is going to be in any tight spot.

I think new VW's have magnesium oil pans so if you puncture/ crack it, well your up chit creek in a barb wire canoe.

Some brands of new tires simply cannot handle Mexican washboard. I learned this the hard way. Bring an air compressor so you can re inflate after airing down to get unstuck, or just to make the washboard marginally more tolerable.

You might want to post which brand and size tires you have and see what the cumulative knowledge of this board has to say about them.

tiotomasbcs - 4-14-2011 at 07:10 PM

South of Ensenada be sure to camp in a campground for safety! Cuatros Casas Is cool I believe. Legendary surf spot. Sunken ship--San Jacinto?? is a small community of surfers (most part time). Both accessible by VW Van. Sadly, there are books & maps of all the surf spots.:no: Know your season and probable swell directions! Wetsuits needed until summer-all year in Baja Norte! Southern Baja is your..... sorry, almost slipped up?! Look up Costa Azul Surf Shop in Cabo. No swell---go to the Sea of Cortez! Have fun. Tio

marksnet - 4-14-2011 at 07:59 PM

selection of tires was very limited for my van as they are passenger car tire size but they require a large load rating for the heavy van. they are kuhmo commercial something or other but they should be good for resisting punctures, although the tread is not nearly as aggressive as the bfg allterrains i have on my truck. i do have a compressor but i want to use it as little as possible as it takes quite a while to inflate a tire.

woody with a view - 4-14-2011 at 08:04 PM

don't plan on camping until you reach southern baja. power thru to g. negro or san ignacio. get a room. easy 11-12 hour drive. from there you still have 5 weeks and 6 days to figure it out.....

rts551 - 4-14-2011 at 08:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
don't plan on camping until you reach southern baja. power thru to g. negro or san ignacio. get a room. easy 11-12 hour drive. from there you still have 5 weeks and 6 days to figure it out.....


Lots of good places to camp in between El Rosario and GN/ And if you get the map out, there are lots of good beaches to explore!
And I believe you are aware of that wOODY.

woody with a view - 4-14-2011 at 08:18 PM

i am. but there will be ZERO chance of surf, multiplied by 1000, at this time of year. and Mark wants surf more than he wants anything else.

in case you were wondering.....

but the camping is there if you want cloudy, onshore, cool daytime temps this time of year.

in case you were wondering.....

DavidT - 4-14-2011 at 08:19 PM

http://www.bajasurfbreaks.com/

33 spots listed in the north, 19 in Baja Sur.

mcfez - 4-14-2011 at 08:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisx
there is a place in oregon to stop a surf
they say to only surf at low tide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMoFSO-cIw

Nelscott Reef is an ocean reef near Lincoln City, Oregon, United States that creates a reef break (where waves spill over to create whitewater) that is known as the only place on the Oregon Coast with the right conditions for tow-in surfing. It is named for the former community of Nelscott, which is now a part of Lincoln City.

The reef is the home of the Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic. Nelscott Reef is the only spot on the Oregon coast to consistently produce double overhead waves, thus the event brings in big name surfers, such as Peter Mel and Adam Replogle.[1][2] Before 2003 no one had been able to paddle out in this region due to the shallow water and undertow.

The 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic was held on November 2, 2010 as part of the male-dominated Big Wave World Tour. An exhibition featuring three world champion women—Keala Kennelly, Savannah Shaughnessy, and Mercedes Maidana—delayed their event one day due to wave faces of 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) causing havoc for the mens' event.[3]


Straight from wikipedia. You even been there before ChrisX? Hell..I'm surprised you didnt advise about drunks and red cars.....

woody with a view - 4-14-2011 at 08:22 PM

or fat chicks driving honda's..... who try harder!

Paulina - 4-14-2011 at 08:36 PM

If for some reason you happen to cross the border later in the day, I would suggest you head to Punta Banda which is just south of Ensenada. There are two places to safely park and camp for the night, La Jolla Beach Camp and Villarinos. Both places are right on the beach in secured camp grounds, mini market and prepared food near by if you need it.

From Punta Banda it's an easy 9 hr. drive to Guerrero Negro.

P>*)))>{

Curt63 - 4-14-2011 at 08:59 PM

Definately wait until daylight to cross. St Rosallilita is a nice easy days drive. No chance of surf this time of year, but scenic and quiet.

Prepare for wind. Bring a shovel for digging out of sand.

Skipjack Joe - 4-14-2011 at 09:06 PM

Is that your primary goal in baja - surfing?

It would help to know. You can skip the Cortez entirely if that's what you're after.

BooJumMan - 4-14-2011 at 09:13 PM

Head to southern baja for surf this time of year!

marksnet - 4-14-2011 at 09:23 PM

primary goal is to camp at nice beaches where we can surf, but also go on day hikes, we also hope to see the sea of cortez and its beautiful beaches. safety is a concern while we are camping and we hope to meet some interesting people. this is the first trip in our newly renovated van and i hope it works out. do you guys stock up on food and supplies and go camping, or do you primarily eat at restaurants.

David K - 4-14-2011 at 09:41 PM

I have photos on my 'tours' web page around El Rosario (you asked about the beach near there... La Bocana (sand, surf fishing) and Punta Baja (surfing, panga boat fishing).

About sand... if you get stuck, or before you get stuck: DEFLATE your tires... all 4... have a good dial type low end 0-60 or 0-100 psi gauge... You want to drop to 10 psi if you get stuck...

Don't spin the tires if you start to go no further, as you will only go down deeper! Deflate, clear away sand from in front of tires (like a ramp) and drive ahead (give it the gas to get rolling with the increased resistance! A good electric pump is worth it and the kind that clip on the battery directly work 3 times faster than the cigarette lighter ones do. Tienda Baja Noamd used to sell one?

Skipjack Joe - 4-14-2011 at 10:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by marksnet
... do you guys stock up on food and supplies and go camping, or do you primarily eat at restaurants.


That's a good question.

In our case we do neither.

We find restaurant food nice but not a constant diet of it. We try to mix things up with fruits and vegetables as best we can by shopping at the markets and fruterias.

Unless you're really isolated you can get almost everything you need some place close by and there is no need to stock up. Things taste a bit different than back home but sometimes that's an improvement. Wieners taste different. Same with burgers and even pizza. Gatorade, clamato - it's all there. Fruits tend to be riper and often overripe. Cantaloupes seem much tastier in baja than we get here.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to bring 6 weeks worth of food. Just bring nonperishables that you will need in an emergency. Emergency being a beach where you decided to stay longer than planned for because, I don't know, the waves are great and won't be as good in a few days (I'm not a surfer). That happens a lot to us. With both food, water, and money.

Every journey has a 'peak'. You don't want to diminish that by having to leave.

tiotomasbcs - 4-15-2011 at 03:36 AM

Bring a shovel & be prepared to lower tire pressure. Both helped me escape a sandy situation recently in my Oddysey. What was I thinking?:no: Cooler with cold beer , tambien. Big South swell rolled thru last week for you guys that happened to be at work (Woodman)! Verdad? Tio

woody with a view - 4-15-2011 at 05:20 AM

it wasn't big up here. i got so much surf in 2011 (3 trips) that i'm back to work, socking away vacation days waiting for the mid summer big swell (there's one every year) before i get wet again. i don't deal with SD surf anymore, too much drama.

new leaf, remember?

wilderone - 4-15-2011 at 08:56 AM

Where to camp the first night: take it slow and easy on your first day. Lots of small towns you gotta crawl through, some road construction. Stop for grocieries in Ensenada (tortillas, cans of salsa, beer, ice), stop at the fruit stands just outside of Ensenada and get whatever looks good (mangos should be awesome now). Stop for lunch some place with a view. You can change currency in San Quentin. Then camp at El Paballon or Los Olivos campground just outside San Quentin. The next day you'll be a little more relaxed, a lot less traffic.

"Cuatros Casas" - It is my understanding there have been "incidents" here - surf, but don't camp here.

Bring certain things that you can make a meal out of, like smoked oysters, tuna, mayonnaise, cans of nuts, some dried fruit for when you run out of fresh (good for breakfast too), oatmeal, dried soup mix, dried drink mixes. Then supplement that with the best of what Baja offers - get oranges and honey at the stand in Vizcaino; pineapple, avocado and mangos at the stands in Ensenada; fish tacos in Guerrero Negro; tamales at the gas station near Jesus Maria. Strawberries will be in season too. Tortilla chips are always good for a snack, which is why you bought several cans of salsa in Ensenada! Also great with eggs and avocado. Go to restarants when you don't feel like cooking and also to enhance your trip - experience the small ranchos, the famous Mallarimo (sp?) (in Guer. Negro) seafood, etc. It's all good.

bajaandy - 4-15-2011 at 09:33 AM

What wilderone said... Don't stress to much that first day. Do some shopping in Ensenada. And although it's just another "city", let the culture start to seep in.

As for camping, there are places you can camp north of San Quentin, but likely not the best surf and for sure not alone. You can still find some nice camp spots along the coast north and south of Erindira. Another spot that comes to mind south of San Quentin is El Socorro. If you're into seeing something different in Baja, head up to the Parque San Pedro Martir and camp in the mountains. Beautiful area.

All of those places are within a one day drive from the border. After that, you'll be south of El Rosario and the highway is more inland. Getting to the coast will take longer, but if you go you'll find nice places to camp with virtually no one around. Surfing will get a bit better, but this time of year is sort of "in between". No strong winter swells and the summer southern hemis haven't kicked in yet. It is a beautiful area, but not exactly 2 wheel drive friendly.

Long story short... don't have too much of a schedule and you'll be just fine. So many awesome sights, friendly people and good food. It'll be a trip you'll remember forever. Make sure you bring along some basic tools and supplies for your vehicle, and know how to use them.

Most importantly, have fun and just enjoy the adventure. Baja is a special place. Once you've been you'll find that it works it's way into your psyche and you'll want to go back again and again and again....

Post a TR when you come home!

woody with a view - 4-15-2011 at 09:50 AM

TR = trip report.

see you in the bocana this summer, Andy?

bajaandy - 4-15-2011 at 10:07 AM

Gonna be down there next week Woody. Let's keep an eye on it when a good southern is coming this summer. I'm down.

woody with a view - 4-15-2011 at 10:13 AM

you got my email. i'm in.....

Curt63 - 4-15-2011 at 10:55 AM

Andy, Count me in too!

Mike99km - 4-15-2011 at 11:04 AM

marksnet check your U2U in the upper corner.
Mike

mulegemichael - 4-15-2011 at 11:53 AM

and amigo, if nothing else spend a couple of days camping on bahia de concepcion...hands down, the most beautiful piece of water anywhere in baja...you'll thank me.

Skipjack Joe - 4-15-2011 at 01:02 PM

He's right about that.

Unless you're a surfer the Cortez side is much more pleasant in April-May: no wind blowing all day. Sit outside without positioning yourself next to a windbreak. Take a trip to the BOLA area and enjoy the warmth and water. She'll thank you for that. The paved road leads you all the way in with lots of campgrounds at the water's edge.

BajaBlanca - 4-15-2011 at 02:08 PM

ditto on the real importance of having a shovel and an air pump for the tires .... it saves you a LOT of hassle. Let the air out when in sandy conditions and inflate it when on normal roads.

I think Punta Abreojos and San Juanico are beautiful places to surf - so the rumor mill says. If you do go to Punta Abreojos, take the 10 mile trek north to La Bocana and have a drink with us on the porch !!

Like everyone has said, if you want peace and quiet - head for south of san quintin... beautiful and quite exotic landscape - there are huge mountains of rocks, huge cacti, many many things to see.

REMEMBER TO FILL YOUR GAS TANK TO THE BRIM IN EL ROSARIO. It will be 200 miles of no official gas stations after that. Also, Mama Espinoza's (in el rosario) is a wonderful restaurant to visit - tons of items inside - like a museum.

The absolute best guide to Mexico, IMO, is a book called DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL - MEXICO. It gives so much information on history, highlights, and Baja starts on page 158.

Have a wonderful trip !!

landyacht318 - 4-15-2011 at 05:21 PM

Perhaps buy enough screen to cover the side door, or to close the front doors over the screen.

Bring a flyswatter, and a back up.

Wind proof shade is important.

Portable water containers.

bajaandy - 4-15-2011 at 09:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Curt63
Andy, Count me in too!


You got it Curt!

805gregg - 4-23-2011 at 04:58 PM

Head to San Juanico, best beginner surf is 1st point, just hang out untill a swell arrives, might be 2 weeks, but when it hits you will be in Nirvana. Skip Asuncion, crappy road crappy town and no surf. Good fishing though.

[Edited on 4-23-2011 by 805gregg]

BajaBlanca - 4-23-2011 at 05:07 PM

805gregg - what didn't you like about asuncion? the campground is just beyond gorgeous. we loved it there and I know there is a surf club there 'cause I have donated surfboards, so I presume there are waves ???? maybe it depends on the time of year ???

punta abreojos has waves, but again, someone there will have to verify whether all year long or not.

la bocana has NO WAVES - great people (I am referring to myself of course :lol::lol::lol:) - but NO waves. If you have a camper you can hang out in front of our house and gaze at the ocean, windsurf (we have lots of wind) and kiteboard (again - lots of wind but you must be a good / have quite a bit of experience). You can eat at Joaquin's - he makes killer meals (only with a reservation).

I am so surprised you said to skip asuncion. first time I have heard that. ever.