John M - 8-16-2013 at 07:29 AM
We've always enjoyed the camping at Rancho Grande, been to Sacrificio also. Now with the likelihood of increased usage with pavement so close, does
Papa Fernandez area offer beach camping? or how about the camps we see just a few mile north of Papa Fernandez - are those just private beaches or do
they have any conveniences such as some sort of outhouses or palapas?
John M
David K - 8-16-2013 at 08:59 AM
Papa's Campsite is on the other side of Punta Willard, and a rope gate secures the road where it climbs over the hill at Papa's to the beach... past
the restaurant. Several Nomads like camping there and have posted about it.
paranewbi - 8-16-2013 at 10:51 AM
Love camping at Papa's!
We kayak fish right off the shoreline from the camping area. Bring wood along if you want a campfire. Bring a porta potti for your lady if she's
coming along...they have RUSTIC outhouses that the plywood doors hit your knees before they close 
Prepare to camp as if in the middle of nowhere because that is about how it goes there. We have always felt safe there to.
If you want to have the restaurant prepare your fish just take it to them and tell them what time you'll be there for dinner...also Bring your own
Booze as the restaurant does not serve any.
David K - 8-16-2013 at 10:54 AM
Is the photo of John Wayne with Papa Fernandez (1960's) still there (in the restaurant)?
photo
akshadow - 8-16-2013 at 11:03 AM
Yes at least it was in March
willardguy - 8-16-2013 at 11:10 AM
this guy's pointed the right way. beluga!
mrfatboy - 8-16-2013 at 07:22 PM
Vote Beluga!
Ken Cooke - 8-16-2013 at 08:20 PM
I took my Baja Grande group to Papa Fernandez in 2011. The beach camping there is secluded, but showers had to be taken down the road at Rancho
Grande for $3/shower. Before returning to Papa Fernandez, lunch at Alfonsina's worked out great.
Bajaboy - 8-16-2013 at 08:33 PM
my vote
Papa Fernandez
Old school Baja....great family, honest, and secure.
and my kids love the place
redhilltown - 8-16-2013 at 11:58 PM
Great pics of Papa's by Bajaboy and I would add my vote to it being a great place to primitive camp. You feel very very safe there as it is on their
property behind their gates and can use the ramp if you have a boat. Nice people and the best thing is they leave you alone...$5.00 a day per car.
Bring a solar shower and you are in heaven. Even if other campers are there they have always been nice and respectful. As in most of Baja camping
areas, just don't leave your food and water out because the coyotes have a knack of taking it when you are-or not- looking. (and the restaurant is
fab as well...just don't be in a hurry...but since it's Baja you already knew that, right?).
Campo Beluga
David K - 8-17-2013 at 08:49 AM
Since a couple of you mentioned Beluga (palapas, showers, flush toilets), which is just a couple miles south of Alfonsina's Pemex/Rancho Grande...
President's Day, 2007:
Here is the onyx (soda) spring to the west, from the beach:
In 2003, I posted this on Nomad:
Gonzaga Bay Sidetrips!
Yes, there is more to Gonzaga than the beautiful beach and bay!
November, 2002 (Thanksgiving), my son and I visited, photographed, and GPS'd these sites: La turquesa Canyon (green pools, turquoise mine nearby),
Molino de Lacy (ore mill site for all the area gold mines, Lacy's grave), Ruins of the mission era warehouse on the shore of the bay (supplies were
off loaded for Mision Santa Maria and Mision San Fernando, here), Huge onyx spring (you can see the white 'glacier like' slope from the beach in the
hills to the west, onyx boulders), the El Camino Real mission trail through the Californias is just a few miles from the bay.
All of the above is at http://davidksbaja.com/1102
David K - 8-17-2013 at 10:22 AM
The Bay(s) of Gonzaga:
Bahia San Luis Gonzaga is the well protected harbor between Papa Fernandez' (Punta Willard) and Alfonsina's (Isla San Luis Gonzaga). Sometimes called
'Willard Bay'.
Ensenada de San Francisquito is the wide open bay between Alfonsina's and Punta Final. Usually called 'Gonzaga Bay', by everyone... 
