BajaNomad

Camping Sites & Points of Interest

Cassiopeia - 10-11-2012 at 12:41 PM

I'm planing on Car Camping down the coast of Baja to Cabo and back starting in November. I like to see sites of interest, prefer tent camping to RV sites (but ok staying at/around RV sites if it's beautiful or an interesting place), and I like surfing, fishing, hiking, and nature. Been to Baja numerous times, but this is the first time planing a camping adventure like this.
Questions:
What kind of weather should I expect this time of year?
Any recommended beach camping sites (pacific or gulf side)?
Any recommended inland points of interest (prefer coastal camping but will stay inland for a must see location)?
Will a 2x truck with AT tires work for accessing any recommended sites/points of interest, or would a 4x be necessary?
Any other advise/experience for Baja camping this time of year?

TMW - 10-11-2012 at 01:13 PM

If you are going to be on or near the beach and driving in the sand I'd recommend a 4x4. If you are staying in towns near the beach then you don't need it. Personally I'd take a 4x4 and turn toward the pacific at Guayaquil and make for Punta Canoas and follow the coast down south of Santa Rosalillita and back to hwy 1. There are surfing places along there and some good fishing. Next I would turn toward the pacific at Viscanio and do the coastal thing again and come back at to hwy 1 and into San Ignacio and out to the pacific again down to La Purisima. From here you can go south to Constitucion and make a big loop along the pacific, I'd start it at Santa Rita, down to Cabo and back around to La Paz north to San Evaristo, San Luis Gonzaga and back to Constitucion. By now you are probably tired of sand and ocean and ready to take hwy 1 back north. But you just got to turn off to see Coco and back San Felipe for one last fish taco and a bag of shrimp to take home.

I'd recommend warm weather and cold weather cloths, it's always cool along the pacific. It may even rain. Check weather underground before leaving.

TMW - 10-11-2012 at 01:26 PM

A nice place to stop and explore is Astrobaja's place off the Observatory road. Baja Dark Skies. Him and his wife have a B&B and camping area. He has a couple of telescopes he rents time on. It at 5000 ft elevation with lots of mountainous hiking around. You need to let him know about coming and when. Here is the web site with the info.

http://bajadarkskies.com/

tiotomasbcs - 10-11-2012 at 01:35 PM

Welcome, Amigo. Lots of opinions here and good information. I recommend you read previous posts found under Baja Trip Reports, Gen Baja Discussion, etc. You can also use Search for specific topics. November is a great month to visit esp BCS coastlines as the water is nice and warm! As many will agree you should buy a Guide book and there are many to choose from. Have fun and heed good advice esp regarding safety. See you there/here! Tio

baja camping

mikekary - 10-11-2012 at 02:36 PM

Go to Barnes and Noble or order from Amazon. There is a great book on Baja Camping.

Cassiopeia - 10-11-2012 at 03:01 PM

Really appreciate the info. Thanks guys

wsdunc - 10-11-2012 at 03:52 PM

I am very partial to the Punta Chivato. Chilly winds blow down the Sea of Cortez periodically during the winter months. When the wind is blowing it can get cold. When the wind is not blowing it should be very pleasant. I a also partial to the East Cape area, wind situation holds true here also. 2x will get there, 4x if you go off onto smaller roads and sandy areas. Fishing from the beach has some potential throughout Baja.

David K - 10-11-2012 at 04:05 PM

On my web site are lots of ideas... most are natural or historic interest sites and not all on the coast. Start by looking at photos of places, use this self guided tours page to see photos of Baja places: http://vivabaja.com/tours

If you see something of interest, please just ask for more details!

The trip down the coast that TW suggested would best be done in a 4WD and even another vehicle for security should you get into a mechanical situation, it is pretty remote and usually visited only by fishermen and surfers (who call it 'The Seven Sisters'). See my trip south web page when we drove down that way, and beyond: http://vivabaja.com/707

Our next big trip to Baja Sur is here, and it features lots of interesting sites going down or coming north: http://vivabaja.com/709

Just over 2 months ago we had a great (fantistic) 15 day trip all the way to Cabo and back... and you can find that trip report and photos in the link below, in my signature...

wilderone - 10-12-2012 at 07:31 AM

How much time do you have? November is great for camping - not too hot, but it can be cold at night and in the mornings.

bkbend - 10-12-2012 at 08:53 AM

If you currently have a 2WD and are not planning to upgrade to 4WD, you can still see an awful lot by 2WD, unless you are planning on spending a lot of time exploring nooks and crannies. For a first trip to the tip I'd say you can find enough places of interest and get stuck in the sand only a time or two (you'll learn your limitations quickly). That said, 4WD can give you some margin for errors in judgement and get you that last mile to places where those RV's fear to tread.

David K - 10-12-2012 at 09:05 AM

Remember, if you get stuck in sand (in a 2WD or 4WD), don't spin the tires and make it worse! Stop, clear away any sand from in front of your tires and deflate all 4 tires until they look like they are bulging (about 10 psi if a 2WD or 15 psi if a 4WD)... then drive out. Naturally, you will want to bring an electric air pump to refill them once you are back on hard ground... A good dial air gauge is a must.

redhilltown - 10-12-2012 at 11:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Remember, if you get stuck in sand (in a 2WD or 4WD), don't spin the tires and make it worse! Stop, clear away any sand from in front of your tires and deflate all 4 tires until they look like they are bulging (about 10 psi if a 2WD or 15 psi if a 4WD)... then drive out. Naturally, you will want to bring an electric air pump to refill them once you are back on hard ground... A good dial air gauge is a must.


Excellent advice. And just to add more traction throw whatever you can under the tires...floor mats...brush..."llanteras" are everywhere in Baja but may not be around when you need one and have to drive many miles on pavement...get a good air compressor. If you do have a vehicle with high clearance a few 2x4s or similar is nice and you can use them for a variety of needs...like putting your keep boxes off the sand (for changing tires...unless you get a high lift jack and that takes room and money........if you adventure enough in Baja you WILL get a flat tire). If it is an epic trip and you have room, an extra spare is great to have!

Whatever good weather on the Pacific will for the most part be on the first part of your trip so get it done and head to the gulf!

Have fun!

thebajarunner - 10-13-2012 at 08:39 AM

Well, you did not get much help on camp sites did you?

Here are a couple
South of Ensenada, at the bottom of the new downgrade going into Santo Tomas, turn West (right) toward the coast.
That is a good road, lots of farms
About 5 miles up the road there is a sort of eco-place on the left, drop down on that road, cross the creek and you will find a great camp ground full of huge oak trees. Very secluded and very nice.
The locals use it on weekends for picnics, etc.

The warm six months of the year there is no better camping in all of Baja than the Parque Nacional- the turnoff is just past Colonet.

Well, maybe there is better camping- when you get to Catavina you have entered Paradise. Before you get to the really grubby town take some of the little side roads and you will find great spots.
U2U me and I will give you my "secret special"

And, at LABay (another grubby town) take the paved road north to La Gringa, well it is paved half way, go past the big dune with the rock sign "La Gringa" about a mile and you will find turnoffs to the right, and you can camp right on the water- absolutely divine camping!

Good luck
and here's hoping maybe you will get more answers to your question.

tiotomasbcs - 10-13-2012 at 09:23 AM

Camping sites that I enjoy include Santa Rosalillita (signed, paved road to Pacific Coast. Bahia Asuncion and Campo Sirena (turn west in Vizcaino) . Abre Ojos including Blancas place in Bocana. I'm also terribly partial to the beaches in Todos Santos and El Pescadero in BCS. So many places, so little time. The people you meet on the road always share favorite places! Enjoy. Tio

Cassiopeia - 10-13-2012 at 07:13 PM

Thanks again to all of you. Great info for putting may trip together. I'm sure I will have some more questions soon.

wilderone - 10-14-2012 at 09:26 AM

Camping:
El marmol
Mision San Fernando - go past the mission ruins 1/2 mi.
The campground at San Ignacio on the river just over the bridge
Punta Baja and along the 10 miles before you get to the end, and anywhere off the roads heading south

Alm - 10-14-2012 at 04:24 PM

Just don't try a "wilderness camping", i.e. on the beach for free. There is no such thing in Baja as road-accessible wilderness, not on the waterfront anyway. If your pickup can get there, then all kinds of ladrones can too. Stay where there are other gringos around and somebody is collecting the fee. Petty theft is still possible, though. I found fishing camps to be quite safe too, and they are free if you find a quiet spot on the outskirts that is not trashed, which can be difficult.

LA bay offers nice waterfront camping, normally $10, and with palapas - you'll still appreciate shade in November. North of town, towards La Gringa, there are camps Archelon and Daggets. South of town - can't say, I've heard that Gecko doesn't take tenters anymore. There is an unfortunate (for tenters) tendency of camps turning into RV parks and then into cottage development. There is no surfing in LA bay, though it can get windy, and I am not sure you'll have a nice fishing there without a boat or kayak. But it's quiet and nice scenery.

Weather... Let's say in the night it will be warm enough for 35F rated sleeping bag (which realistically is good for 40F), may be too warm at times, but if it's an envelope or full-length zipper on mummy, you can always make it cooler. Making a bag warmer is more difficult. It can still get hot during a day, having a tarp with poles won't hurt, you won't always have a palapa.

PS: make sure to bring enough stove fuel for the duration of trip. You'll find 1 lb propane cartridges occasionally, but don't count on white gas or fancy small LP cartridges that hikers like to carry.

[Edited on 10-15-2012 by Alm]

BajaKurtis - 10-17-2012 at 08:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
Just don't try a "wilderness camping", i.e. on the beach for free. There is no such thing in Baja as road-accessible wilderness, not on the waterfront anyway. If your pickup can get there, then all kinds of ladrones can too. Stay where there are other gringos around and somebody is collecting the fee. Petty theft is still possible, though. I found fishing camps to be quite safe too, and they are free if you find a quiet spot on the outskirts that is not trashed, which can be difficult.

LA bay offers nice waterfront camping, normally $10, and with palapas - you'll still appreciate shade in November. North of town, towards La Gringa, there are camps Archelon and Daggets. South of town - can't say, I've heard that Gecko doesn't take tenters anymore. There is an unfortunate (for tenters) tendency of camps turning into RV parks and then into cottage development. There is no surfing in LA bay, though it can get windy, and I am not sure you'll have a nice fishing there without a boat or kayak. But it's quiet and nice scenery.

Weather... Let's say in the night it will be warm enough for 35F rated sleeping bag (which realistically is good for 40F), may be too warm at times, but if it's an envelope or full-length zipper on mummy, you can always make it cooler. Making a bag warmer is more difficult. It can still get hot during a day, having a tarp with poles won't hurt, you won't always have a palapa.

PS: make sure to bring enough stove fuel for the duration of trip. You'll find 1 lb propane cartridges occasionally, but don't count on white gas or fancy small LP cartridges that hikers like to carry.

[Edited on 10-15-2012 by Alm]


I disagree.

There a LOT or remote beaches, that are safe and Free to camp at . Middle to southern baja are the best. A few hours below San Quintin on the pacific side it gets better, less traffic. It takes time to find and explore these area. I have stayed for weeks split between the Pacific and Cortez sides. Never any issues. In tiny remote towns, friendly locals can help too.

Northern Baja, Pacific side between Tijuana and San Quintin, I would stick to gringo and RV areas...

Research, common sense, and staying away from cities helps. If you are not one to explore, stick to RV parks and Gringo hang outs. Depends on your situation. We are usually 2-3 guys, surfing and fishing.

There are a lot of surfing, fishing and remote safe camping to be found. Do a Lot of research, google map areas, and enjoy your time.

Skipjack Joe - 10-17-2012 at 11:21 PM

There are several good places to camp off the hwy between Puertocitos and Punta Final.

Campo Castilla
Papa Fernandez
Snoopys at Punta Final

These are all safe, on the water camping areas. They require no 4wd vehicle. There should be little wind in november and temp in the 80s.

David K - 10-17-2012 at 11:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
There are several good places to camp off the hwy between Puertocitos and Punta Final.

Campo Castilla
Papa Fernandez
Snoopys at Punta Final

These are all safe, on the water camping areas. They require no 4wd vehicle. There should be little wind in november and temp in the 80s.


Campo Beluga is between Papa Fernandez' and Punta Final, an excallent, quiet camp... palapas, flush toilets, showers. Just fyi.



Photos at Beluga at http://vivabaja.com/207/page3.html


wilderone - 10-18-2012 at 11:14 AM

"Just don't try a "wilderness camping", i.e. on the beach for free. There is no such thing in Baja as road-accessible wilderness, not on the waterfront anyway."

OMG - so not true. Just stay out of sight - free camping aplenty.

David K - 10-18-2012 at 11:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
"Just don't try a "wilderness camping", i.e. on the beach for free. There is no such thing in Baja as road-accessible wilderness, not on the waterfront anyway."

OMG - so not true. Just stay out of sight - free camping aplenty.


Exactly right... but this is perhaps the best reason to travel Baja in a 4WD (with an air pump) !

Alm - 10-18-2012 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaKurtis
Northern Baja, Pacific side between Tijuana and San Quintin, I would stick to gringo and RV areas...

I this area I would not just stick to gringo areas, but to gated gringo camps. A lot of ladrones from Sinaloa and Sonora.

David K - 10-18-2012 at 12:33 PM

Do you think a newbie really knows what a 'ladrones' is?

If one cannot get south of El Rosario (225 miles from Tijuana) for the first night camping, then El Palomar in Santo Tomas, Posada Don Diego in Colonia V. Guerrero, Los Olivos in San Quintin valley (next to Jardines Motel/Restaurant), and the Sinahi RV Park in El Rosario, would be good choices for RVs and tent campers.

tiotomasbcs - 10-18-2012 at 04:21 PM

Baja begins in the area south of San Quintin! Some disagree and sadly I remember earlier days. Keep us up to date of your adventures and travel. Very good advice, as usual. South, young man, travel south! You'll have a blast and please keep us informed. Tio

Alm - 10-18-2012 at 04:27 PM

I think even a newbie knows how to use Bing or Google translator.

Yes, South of Ensenada it's getting better.

David K - 10-19-2012 at 11:01 AM

In the 'old days', the adventure began when the pavement ended: Just north of Colonet or at San Felipe! Now, it is anyplace you leave the pavement! Better still when off graded roads, too!