BajaNomad

Good RV camp close Ensenada?

Alm - 12-17-2012 at 12:58 PM

Stupid question, I know. Have stop there for a day or two and go in town, will be with 26ft travel trailer. Need some place safe to leave a trailer in daytime - which in this area means fenced, gated and with somebody alive there in daytime. Amenities like pool or restaurant or hookups don't matter. Heck, even electricity don't matter, it's a short stay. North of Ensenada would've been better, but I don't see anything there. Have identified 3 camps to the South:
1) Estero Beach Resort
2) Mona Lisa (same Estero area)
3) El Palomar in Santo Tomas - a little too far, and from the photos it's hard to see if there is any fence.

Any comments or suggestions?

In town or out ?

captkw - 12-17-2012 at 12:59 PM

Alm - 12-17-2012 at 01:10 PM

Jeez, Cap, I don't know. Somewhere close to Hwy 1 and Immigration Office would've been nice, but I will probably have to drive anyway. Or walk a mile and wait for a bus a couple of hours.

Estero Beach

bajaguy - 12-17-2012 at 01:24 PM

Hands down. Can't go wrong

David K - 12-17-2012 at 01:40 PM

Seriously, you don't want to be 25 miles south and over a mountain in Santo Tomas... but they do have a gated entrance and live gaurd on duty (at least on the weekends).

sancho - 12-17-2012 at 02:29 PM

This MAY have a little info: http://www.ontheroadin.com/
There is a rather well worn RV Park in Ensenada,
La Playa, about 5 blks past the Harbor/Fish Mkt,
it is fenced, with somone there, I'd call it barely adequate,
but it is in town


[Edited on 12-17-2012 by sancho]

rv park

captkw - 12-17-2012 at 03:19 PM

Is anyone positive El playa is open ? the past 4 or 5 years it has been closed as in completly abanded !! K&T:cool:

Alm - 12-17-2012 at 03:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
This MAY have a little info: http://www.ontheroadin.com/
There is a rather well worn RV Park in Ensenada,
La Playa

Ontheroadin is where I looked before, and I know that they are not very accurate. But there is no better source - other than this forum :) ... Weird - there is an older gateway or homepage for the same Ontheroadin , though it ends in the same place with park details. That La Playa camp doesn't look much alive on their photos already.

EL playa

captkw - 12-17-2012 at 03:58 PM

it was very,very dead on 1/17/12...

Leo - 12-17-2012 at 05:24 PM

Estero Beach resort is safe, big and beautiful but expensive. Full hookup 45 US incl tax. Try no hookup that will be less and you will still have the hot-tub, pool etc.

El Playa

bajaguy - 12-17-2012 at 06:14 PM

Drove by there today, looks like it is open. fenced all around and gated. Had a security truck in front of the office

When will you be in Ensenada???......I'll drive by there and check it out and ask some questions.

Not a KOA, but for a day or two, it will do. Withing walking distance to several good places to eat, including Donas Tutti.

MMc - 12-17-2012 at 06:44 PM

San Miguel, At the end of the toll road on the right side after the bridge. The place is all dirt and a real mess today but will dry out in a day or so. Weekend nights can get loud.
Take about 15 mins to get to the harbor.
Check it out on the way down if you don't like it push on.
Something to consider.

oladulce - 12-18-2012 at 08:42 AM

Another vote for Estero. We were there 4 days ago and spent a couple of nights while dealing with truck repairs. Un-hooked the trailer and felt very secure leaving it while out for the day.

BTW, we were the only ones in the entire RV park. Told them we didn't need hook ups and they offered $35/night but with tax it ends up being $42. I paid in pesos for one of the nights and found you're better off paying in dollars.

The pool and jacuzzi were spotless and inviting but alas, the temp was only about 70 degrees and it was raining. Brrr.

mes1952 - 12-18-2012 at 10:53 AM

I can recommend the Mona Lisa Resort. The owner is from Jalisco and she is very nice and accommodating. And pets are welcomed. The property is right on the beach and less expensive than the over-priced Estereo Beach Resort.

Alm - 12-20-2012 at 03:29 PM

Thanks, guys. I plan to be there after New Year, will see.

DENNIS - 12-20-2012 at 03:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Is anyone positive El playa is open ? the past 4 or 5 years it has been closed as in completly abanded !! K&T:cool:


It sometimes only looks abandoned since ongoing landscaping isn't high on their list of priorities and business is bad........really bad. It just seems to be getting worse all the time.

desertcpl - 12-21-2012 at 09:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Is anyone positive El playa is open ? the past 4 or 5 years it has been closed as in completly abanded !! K&T:cool:


It sometimes only looks abandoned since ongoing landscaping isn't high on their list of priorities and business is bad........really bad. It just seems to be getting worse all the time.





I am not mocking you Dennis,, but did the RV park also raise there rates during these bad times

DENNIS - 12-21-2012 at 09:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by desertcpl

I am not mocking you Dennis,, but did the RV park also raise there rates during these bad times


Don't know, Ken, but if they did, I'm not surprised. About the only time they do good business is when the races are happening.
It's a nice piece of property and could be put to better use........like an Anthony's franchise, for instance. :biggrin:

desertcpl - 12-21-2012 at 10:14 AM

I was there several times in my younger days ( Anthonys)

alot of fun :bounce::bounce::bounce:

Alm - 12-21-2012 at 03:48 PM

This is unfortunate trend (for Rv-ers), camps are getting closed and/or converted into something else. Or rates are raised. Not enough campers to justify the expense, OTH land is becoming more expensive. Cities are growing and absorbing those quiet playas. Far away dry camps are disappearing for another reason - getting developed into gringotown cottages, even remote coves of Central and South Baja with VERY poor road access and dozens miles from nearest city. Soon the entire Baja will turn into something like Acapulco - congested, loud and expensive. And unsafe. Sorry for deviation...

[Edited on 12-21-2012 by Alm]

liknbaja127 - 12-21-2012 at 08:12 PM

We have stayed at San Miguel a few times in past. Right on beach has guard, but
it has been a awhile since we have stayed there.