BajaNomad

I have time, where to stop?

Howard - 2-15-2013 at 12:14 PM

I have traveled Baja many times in a car as well as an RV. I am now retired and have the time to explore places along the way from Loreto to Tecate that I never had time to do before.

The 3rd or 4th week of February I will be heading North from Loreto in my 30 foot self-contained class A that I generally do not take down rough roads. I plan to stop at Bay of Conception for a few days.

Off of highway #1 I have been to the “normal” spots, Bay of L.A. and Bahia Asuncion but never off the beaten track. I am heading to So. Cal. And I can cross the border anywhere except at Tijuana. (Refuse to deal with that probable wait in line)

What suggestions do you have that will not take me down real rough roads but places that I can explore? I will not have a tow vehicle this time.

Thanks,
Howard

Ateo - 2-15-2013 at 12:21 PM

Punta Abreojos.

David K - 2-15-2013 at 12:48 PM

Sounds like you limited to where a 30ft. motorhome can drive to?

What is interesting to you: botany, geology, history (cave art, missions, mines), beaches, etc.?

Hope to help, but don't want to send you down some road to have you get high centered or hung up! Most of the cool places require an off road vehicle (dune buggy, Baja bug, 4WD).

[Edited on 2-15-2013 by David K]

PCbaja - 2-15-2013 at 01:14 PM

Punta Chivato

Great start everyone!

Howard - 2-15-2013 at 01:53 PM

As I mentioned at the end of my post, no tow vehicle. Two great suggestions as I like (actually my Lab. Retriever) the water.

1: How far and how long does it take to get to Punta Abreojos from Highway #1? Is it paved the whole way and if not, don't forget I am in a 30 foot RV.

2: What is the road like to Punta Chivato and how far is it off of Highway #1?

David K - 2-15-2013 at 01:59 PM

I edited my reply after rereading your post... You are seriously limited if you don't have a toad or return in a suitable Baja vehicle. There is so much Baja to see, afterall!

Road is paved all the way to Abreojos (was on it last summer). Campo Rene, a few miles north of Abreojos will be your best bet to park next to the water in a moho. Very nice there. Baja Blanca's B&B is in La Bocana, about 10 easy dirt or salt flat miles from Abreojos... but a long walk to the beach.

bajajudy - 2-15-2013 at 02:01 PM

Campo Rene on the left going into Abreojos.....be sure that you are on a road. We made the mistake of taking a path and got stuck....real stuck. There is signage but ignore the small sign with the arrow to the left.
The most beautiful birds and lots of them.
AND Ricardo at the restaurant...he is a killer cook. We love his camarones empanesadas.
If you like oysters, walk over to the ostionera buy a couple(or 3 or 4) dozen and Ricardo will shuck them for c-cktails and what you dont eat, he will deep fry....all good

mtgoat666 - 2-15-2013 at 02:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
As I mentioned at the end of my post, no tow vehicle.


take a bicycle. and kayak or SUP.

and you say you got nothing but time, so don't plan, just do it!

SFandH - 2-15-2013 at 02:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard

2: What is the road like to Punta Chivato and how far is it off of Highway #1?


I was on that road in 2011. I don't remember how much time it took to get to the beach, but I do remember it seemed like a long time because it is rough and washboard. Too much so for my liking. 3/4 ton pickup with a camper.

If you have good weather, like today, it's pushing 80 in San Diego, the Ejido Erendira area somewhat south of Santo Tomas has a nice coastline. About 1/2 hour on a paved road with potholes from the highway to the coast. Go north when you get to the coast. It's marked on most maps. Plenty of places along the rocky coastline to spend the night in a RV and small sandy coves for beach walking. There is usually a few other campers around.


[Edited on 2-15-2013 by SFandH]

mulegemichael - 2-15-2013 at 02:40 PM

howard...take the time to drive into el marmol...the road is gravel and not at all bad...probably would be a great place to dry camp and there is literally TONS of beautiful onyx there...chunks of all sizes...i think it's about 10 miles off the main road is all...we have brought back some gorgeous pieces of rosy onyx for our gardens

David K - 2-15-2013 at 03:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
howard...take the time to drive into el marmol...the road is gravel and not at all bad...probably would be a great place to dry camp and there is literally TONS of beautiful onyx there...chunks of all sizes...i think it's about 10 miles off the main road is all...we have brought back some gorgeous pieces of rosy onyx for our gardens


Here is my El Marmol trip page: http://vivabaja.com/marmol/

and my article on the history of El Marmol: http://www.bajabound.com/bajatravel/the_onyx_of_el_marmol.ph...

Many of us Nomads were last there in April/May of 2011 on the famous Lost Mission of Santa Isabel search... Here is Part 5 of that trip report with most of the El Marmol photos: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52833

PCbaja - 2-15-2013 at 03:06 PM

The road into Punta Chivato is in great shape, cars come and go all day long. Its about 8 mi. East off Hwy 1.

desertcpl - 2-15-2013 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PCbaja
The road into Punta Chivato is in great shape, cars come and go all day long. Its about 8 mi. East off Hwy 1.



have they opened it up to camping now??

BajaBlanca - 2-15-2013 at 04:40 PM

we did the road into punta chivato yesterday and out of punta chivato today

no way would I attempt it with a motorhome )))): It is REALLY bumpy. really rough.

the road into punta abreojos is all paved. But where to stay with motorhme in abreojos ??? someone there will have to pipe up on that one.

we have a guest who just arrived today in a motorhome (bajanomader but I forget his codename - he is from punta banda) ... at any rate, he said they decided NOT to stay at campo rene because the exit off the road is quite iffy - slightly steep and not easily maneuverable with a long vehicle. Shorter ones seem to do fine. Since campo rene is a fantastic bird watching and shell hunting site - maybe come back some other time with a smaller vehicle.

the last part into la bocana is very bumpy if you leave the salt flat and end up on the elec poles road or "high road", but smooth if you stay on it - it is tricky since you MUST bear right or chance getting stuck in water. That being said, the motorhome today made it fine and for $5 they are enjoying a killer view of the whales swimming by. Tonight they are going to Joaquin's for lobster dinner. Tomorrow morning Les will be making his special Polish scrambled eggs for breakfast.

I would recommend staying in san ignacio - gorgeous oasis. visit Juanita (Jane) at http://www.casaleree.com and visit her free museum with all sorts or artifacts, books, ancient photo albums ... I think there are plenty of cam sites along the river as you enter town.

have a great trip and post some pics when you are done.

rts551 - 2-15-2013 at 04:57 PM

motor homes and large trailers go into Campo Rene all the time. There are two roads in. The signed one which has a rather steep drop from the highway and another easier one about 2-3 miles to the west of the signage. The other ption is to camp along the beach using the salt flat runway as access. Have fun.

If you go to La Bocana be very careful. There has been a lot of water on the lower road over the last couple of months and getting stuck in A motor home might mean getting a tractor to get you out.

DianaT - 2-15-2013 at 05:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
motor homes and large trailers go into Campo Rene all the time. There are two roads in. The signed one which has a rather steep drop from the highway and another easier one about 2-3 miles to the west of the signage. The other ption is to camp along the beach using the salt flat runway as access. Have fun.

If you go to La Bocana be very careful. There has been a lot of water on the lower road over the last couple of months and getting stuck in A motor home might mean getting a tractor to get you out.


If you like quiet, a beautiful lagoon with an island covered with small mangroves and LOTS of birds and good food, don't miss Campo Rene. It is one of our very favorite places. As Ralph suggests, just don't take the first road with the drop off.

On edit --- I forgot to mention that your dog with thank you if you walk across the dirt road from Campo Rene to the beach --- lots, and lots of room to run free!

[Edited on 2-16-2013 by DianaT]

Cypress - 2-15-2013 at 05:19 PM

Just stop anywhere you feel like stopping.:biggrin:

desertcpl - 2-15-2013 at 05:35 PM

the last time into Punta Chivato, the road was a nighmare

I was in a big truck, and experienced damage from the washboard

I would think Russ, is the go to guy on this

how about Petes Camp in San Felipe, you can camp right on the beach, with a little palpas, restrooms, showers, bars, restaurant

PCbaja - 2-15-2013 at 07:01 PM

News flash.....dirt roads in Baja change. The report I gave is about 72 hrs. old. There are a lot of other people that live there besides Russ BTW.

PCbaja - 2-15-2013 at 07:13 PM

Desertcpl, camping beach is open, not sure about boat ramp tho.

BajaBlanca - 2-15-2013 at 07:27 PM

we heard the boat ramp is still not open

you will indeed love campo rene and what RTS551 wrote is correct - the 2nd entrance is indeed the one to take !

la bocana is really tricky and I would hate to have you get stuck ... again ...rts551 is right ! Better to leave that road for another day with another vehicle.

PCbaja - the road today was sooo soo sooo bad ...we LOVE Punta Chivato and esp the residents, so please don't take the post wrong ... this was the first time we found the road to be so bad.

PCbaja - 2-15-2013 at 07:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
we heard the boat ramp is still not open

you will indeed love campo rene and what RTS551 wrote is correct - the 2nd entrance is indeed the one to take !

la bocana is really tricky and I would hate to have you get stuck ... again ...rts551 is right ! Better to leave that road for another day with another vehicle.

PCbaja - the road today was sooo soo sooo bad ...we LOVE Punta Chivato and esp the residents, so please don't take the post wrong ... this was the first time we found the road to be so bad.
No worries Blanca, I guess we are just used to it being alot worse.

Mil Gracias

Howard - 2-15-2013 at 08:11 PM

Thank you for all your input.

Campo Rene will be one of the stops heading North. Just for my information, how far is it off the highway and how long does it take? Sounds like my kind of place. I can do without but does Rene's have hook ups?

I always wondered about heading west on the road in El Rosario, the one at the L turn. Any feedback on that one?

I have been many times to San Ignacio and will pass this time especially because off it being whale season and probably will be too busy for my taste.

Please keep those suggestions coming!

Howard and his trusty Yellow Lab., Gringo the Dingo.

rts551 - 2-15-2013 at 08:17 PM

About 45 miles (approx). about an hour. no hook ups, but palapa/tables, bbq etc (next to your rig), showers, bathroms, and a restarant.

BajaBlanca - 2-15-2013 at 08:19 PM

70 kilometers from highway to campo rene. no hookups. restaurant. Let me hunt up some photos ....

Campo Rene Photos/ Map

David K - 2-15-2013 at 08:28 PM

The Punta Abreojos highway, just north of the Campo Rene road:



The restaurant/ office:



Palapas:







Cabins:



The estero (El Coyote):









Photos all taken in July, 2007

Map (note the road into Punta Abreojos has been all paved for about 4 years):

BajaBlanca - 2-15-2013 at 08:36 PM




this is just an overview of the area - the cabanias are to the right as well as bathrooms. the restaurant straight in front. some trailers to the left BUT beyond those trailers are the spaces for the big vehicles, nice location next to the lagoon.





BajaBlanca - 2-15-2013 at 08:38 PM

hahaha we posted pics at the same time ! yours are, as always, great, David !

willardguy - 2-15-2013 at 08:41 PM

beware the oaxaca sized doors. ouch!:O

David K - 2-15-2013 at 08:52 PM

Hi Blanca... I like yours because they are wide views of the compound! Great!!

DianaT - 2-15-2013 at 09:29 PM

Sorry Howard --- just can't resist --- a few more pictures of Campo Rene. It is just great and it looks like you and your fur friend will visit there.



Your dog will love it as much as our dogs. !





Relax



Watch the birds



Just a favorite place for many.



Now, another suggestion. The road out to Santa Rosalillita is paved, it will be an easy ride with the motorhome --- check it out as a rather unspoiled fishing village.

[Edited on 2-16-2013 by DianaT]

BajaBlanca - 2-16-2013 at 09:55 AM

adding santa rosalillita to our bucket list right now. I had no idea it was paved.

If you let us know what days you will be in campo rene, we can easily go and pick you up for a day in punta abreojos (good restaurants and inexpensive for lunch). It is such a pretty town ! Like a mini version of San Juanico .... and OF COURSE I will show you around La Bocana and then drop you back at campo rene. there is no internet at campo rene,so we wd have to know your plans beforehand.

micah202 - 2-17-2013 at 09:39 AM

.


........not sure if it's already been mentioned,,,,

,,,,,,,,,,,,,but the whale bays are a MUST!!!


.

GC - 2-19-2013 at 08:43 AM

Howard, that was me that Bajablanca referred to in the motorhome. We had a great time at La Bocana and Les and and Blanca are great hosts. Their number is 615-156-0056 and although La Bocana is easy to find, you need directions to their B & B. I had no problems driving my motorhome on the main streets, but we used the Suzuki to explore and they are putting in water lines on some side streets. Call me if you plan to go there. We did go out to Campo Rene in the Suzuki and there was a 40 ft, quad slide, monster of a motorhome there, so you can make it. I just did not like the approach off of the main road coming from the East. Cheers, George.