BajaNomad

San Felipe Camping recommendation!

rocmoc - 9-5-2013 at 10:57 AM

Planning our first trip to San Felipe in Nov or Dec and need camping recommendations. Trip will be two weeks long with a 36' Motorhome pulling an older Jeep CJ5. Would like to spend a few days to a week near town and the rest outside towards the South. Not into the noise of downtown so don't need to be on the beach. Don't mind dry camping part of the trip. Will be cruising the new road south looking at the possibility of future trips. Will also be trying to find the hot springs for a soak. In general a laid back trip with a little 4 wheeling. First time I have posted on the site for a while but read it daily.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

CortezBlue - 9-5-2013 at 02:35 PM

If you don't need electricity but want to be close to a nice bathroom and shower, Pete's Camp

But, wait for it, wait for it

Shell Island, which, BTW, is not an island but a sand bar

It is actually further south next to Percabu. Great Bar and food at the little resturant/cantina.

Not sure what mile marker, but probably about 1/2 hour south of Pete's camp, which is on the north side of SF
Welcome to the board.

PS Fenix and San Phelipe here

[Edited on 9-5-2013 by CortezBlue]

[Edited on 9-5-2013 by CortezBlue]

Tacodawgtim - 9-5-2013 at 04:27 PM

Pete's camp is a great spot just north of town. Not a lot in town to fit 36' motorhome in. There are a few places south of town but best would be stop at Pete's camp. Then drive south to see if something else is better for you. Plenty of campos if you want to dry camp. There is a littlte road work going on right now near La Ventana, about kilometer 100 as you are heading south. Not bad.

Bob H - 9-5-2013 at 04:39 PM

We have always had a great time at Pete's Camp. Nice place to eat there also and a bar !!

basautter - 9-5-2013 at 05:17 PM

I am not sure how close you need to be to San Felipe, but I would recommend Percibu, which is about 20 miles south Otherwise known as "Shell Island". It's a small community on the beach, with a cantina. I think they have RV spots, but I am not sure what facilities they have. Beach combing is great on Shell Island at low tide. There is an estuary there, so lot's of wildlife and fish. Food at the cantina is quite good. I am sure you can find more info online. Have fun!

http://www.ranchopercebu.com/

CortezBlue - 9-5-2013 at 05:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
We have always had a great time at Pete's Camp. Nice place to eat there also and a bar !!


Yes, Juan makes, in my opinion, the best El Presidente margaritas

It is always our first stop after our 6 hour drive to get a cold refreshment

CortezBlue - 9-5-2013 at 05:19 PM

I now know that no one reads the previous articles!!:smug:

Tacodawgtim - 9-5-2013 at 05:51 PM

The margaritas and food are great at petes camp and prices are good. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great beach and close to town. Gas station is almost right across the street. Couple of small grocery stores very close by

plumkell - 9-5-2013 at 07:40 PM

I like Pete's Camp also but it's just too loud. People riding atv's up and down the beach way too close to my tent is not for me. I do love having the restaurant, bar, and bathroom so close. On our way down south, we stay one night then get back on the road.

nbacc - 9-5-2013 at 08:23 PM

when you want to go further south look at Bahia Cristina. We ate there last spring(GREAT MEAL AND NICE PEOPLE) and they had several nice looking covered camping places on the water. I have no idea of the cost or availability but it was beautiful. anyone know? Nancy

daveB - 9-5-2013 at 11:04 PM

There you go, Rocmoc, Pete's Camp is well recomended. It's a few kliks out of town, closer in (a 15 minute stroll to the malecon) is one we stayed at and enjoyed, back in January: Club de Pesca. Right on the beach, you could pull right up onto a concrete apron and check out the ebb and flow of the the water a few meters down the sand away. Water and electricity, but sewer is 100 meters back. At 36 feet you will still get in. Two 40-foot rigs were parked on the south end while we were there, but moving for them was very tight. Church and Church says 32 feet. We were three rigs, none over 30 feet but had tons of room. Quiet, felt secure - far enough away from the busier sections for some tranquility. There is a clubhouse with wifi and a small store, and showers which we didn't need. On a few evenings some folks with sand machines would try the high sand dune out of sight behind the Park, no problem there. They have a Casino now, it is said, on the way to the malecon. Last winter it was an RV park of sorts, for about ten rigs, maybe just parking for the casino now. Check out canucktravels.wordpress.com for some details.

rocmoc - 9-6-2013 at 08:17 AM

Great info, keep them coming. Pete's Camp sounds great except the noise. We are early to bed and early to rise so the noise would kill us. Between the responses here and the topic about Baja campgrounds, we are going to have a great trip!

Thanks, MORE!
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

sancho - 9-6-2013 at 10:26 AM

In the months you mentioned, there will be little if any
niose, that is, SF is not yr. long party town, in the campgrounds, RV Parks there will be some long term snowbirds
in mh's, but no spring break, Easter Week, revellers.
Most are guys like me, you know, a t shirt with Old Guys Rule on, other than a fire in the washer drum, it should be quiet, weather is cool, sun sets at 5:30, there may a daily NE stiff wind
off the Cortez. In town there are about 8 campgrounds,
as mentioned, if parking on concrete with hookups is
something you want, that is what is in town. Some not
built for a 36', but doable. N and S of SF are GENERALLY
the dry camp, palapa with star gazing

[Edited on 9-6-2013 by sancho]

akshadow - 9-6-2013 at 10:28 AM

might look at Playa del sol, sign by highway approximately KM 184. No cafe in camp but there is camping above the beach, but not on the beach.

David K - 9-6-2013 at 06:28 PM

You mention dry camping, CJ-5 and hot springs... that would mean Valle Chico and its Agua Caliente Canyon; OR Puertecitos; OR El Coloradito during an extreme lunar low tide.

Actually, there are campgrounds at or near Puertecitos, so not totally 'dry' camping.

Shell Island is a barrier island, not a sand bar (which is an area that is covered by sea water at each high tide)... and it is across the lagoon from Percebu, but not Percebu itself... however, close enough. ;) It would be a place to drive your CJ-5 out to (with deflated tires) from your camp at Percebu or Nuevo Mazatlan or somewhere else.

If you want more details on the hot springs, just ask... Here is some notes:

The hot spring pools at Puertecitos are hot sulfur springs that mix with sea water which cools the temp. to your comfort level... best to go on a retreating tide... and there may be a fee charged to cross the property to the hot spring access path.

The hot spring at El Coloradito is exposed only at extreme low tide, where you may need to dig a tub in the sand, between the rocks.

The hot spring in Agua Caliente Canyon, off Valle Chico may require a mile hike from the end of the Jeep track going up the canyon. The water is too hot to bathe in by the source spring, but if you follow the hot stream a few hundred feet it will be nice. A cool mountain stream parallels the hot stream and they join together making this one magic spot in Baja with natural hot and cold running water! NOTE: the flash floods of last week has probably changed conditions!

rocmoc - 9-7-2013 at 06:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
In the months you mentioned, there will be little if any
niose, that is, SF is not yr. long party town, in the campgrounds, RV Parks there will be some long term snowbirds
in mh's, but no spring break, Easter Week, revellers.
Most are guys like me, you know, a t shirt with Old Guys Rule on, other than a fire in the washer drum, it should be quiet, weather is cool, sun sets at 5:30, there may a daily NE stiff wind
off the Cortez. In town there are about 8 campgrounds,
as mentioned, if parking on concrete with hookups is
something you want, that is what is in town. Some not
built for a 36', but doable. N and S of SF are GENERALLY
the dry camp, palapa with star gazing

[Edited on 9-6-2013 by sancho]


Thanks, good to know about the noise level.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

rocmoc - 9-7-2013 at 06:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
You mention dry camping, CJ-5 and hot springs... that would mean Valle Chico and its Agua Caliente Canyon; OR Puertecitos; OR El Coloradito during an extreme lunar low tide.

Actually, there are campgrounds at or near Puertecitos, so not totally 'dry' camping.

Shell Island is a barrier island, not a sand bar (which is an area that is covered by sea water at each high tide)... and it is across the lagoon from Percebu, but not Percebu itself... however, close enough. ;) It would be a place to drive your CJ-5 out to (with deflated tires) from your camp at Percebu or Nuevo Mazatlan or somewhere else.

If you want more details on the hot springs, just ask... Here is some notes:

The hot spring pools at Puertecitos are hot sulfur springs that mix with sea water which cools the temp. to your comfort level... best to go on a retreating tide... and there may be a fee charged to cross the property to the hot spring access path.

The hot spring at El Coloradito is exposed only at extreme low tide, where you may need to dig a tub in the sand, between the rocks.

The hot spring in Agua Caliente Canyon, off Valle Chico may require a mile hike from the end of the Jeep track going up the canyon. The water is too hot to bathe in by the source spring, but if you follow the hot stream a few hundred feet it will be nice. A cool mountain stream parallels the hot stream and they join together making this one magic spot in Baja with natural hot and cold running water! NOTE: the flash floods of last week has probably changed conditions!


Thanks for the info. Near Shell Island was on my location list. Did not know about El Coloradito hot spring. Will do an internet search.

Thanks again,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

David K - 9-7-2013 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocmoc
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
You mention dry camping, CJ-5 and hot springs... that would mean Valle Chico and its Agua Caliente Canyon; OR Puertecitos; OR El Coloradito during an extreme lunar low tide.

Actually, there are campgrounds at or near Puertecitos, so not totally 'dry' camping.

Shell Island is a barrier island, not a sand bar (which is an area that is covered by sea water at each high tide)... and it is across the lagoon from Percebu, but not Percebu itself... however, close enough. ;) It would be a place to drive your CJ-5 out to (with deflated tires) from your camp at Percebu or Nuevo Mazatlan or somewhere else.

If you want more details on the hot springs, just ask... Here is some notes:

The hot spring pools at Puertecitos are hot sulfur springs that mix with sea water which cools the temp. to your comfort level... best to go on a retreating tide... and there may be a fee charged to cross the property to the hot spring access path.

The hot spring at El Coloradito is exposed only at extreme low tide, where you may need to dig a tub in the sand, between the rocks.

The hot spring in Agua Caliente Canyon, off Valle Chico may require a mile hike from the end of the Jeep track going up the canyon. The water is too hot to bathe in by the source spring, but if you follow the hot stream a few hundred feet it will be nice. A cool mountain stream parallels the hot stream and they join together making this one magic spot in Baja with natural hot and cold running water! NOTE: the flash floods of last week has probably changed conditions!


Thanks for the info. Near Shell Island was on my location list. Did not know about El Coloradito hot spring. Will do an internet search.

Thanks again,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico


My pleasure... here are some maps: National Geographic shows the island and uses a beach umbrella to show about where I camp on Shell Island:





This pilot navigation map shows the island as well:



Here is a overall area map I made in 1988, the pavement ended just south of Punta Estrella... and you can see where Coloradito is in relation to Percebu:



Satellite image:

Hot Springs

J.P. - 9-7-2013 at 09:58 AM

At Purtecitos the Hot Spring is nice it has improved seating in the spring .the Campo owner keeps the area clean. They also have a few improved Palapas and a restaurant .The restaurant isn't open on a regular basics. The owner of the property charges foe entry to the property. The fee is never the same twice and appears negotiable. I have a friend that has a house there and the owner has tried in the past to charge me a fee to visit. All and all it's a decent place, I would recommend it for a over night stay. Personaly I wouldn't stay any longer.

Playa Del Sol

Ken Cooke - 9-7-2013 at 12:03 PM

Cheap Showers, Good Restrooms, Clean beach, just North of San Felipe

David K - 9-8-2013 at 01:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Cheap Showers, Good Restrooms, Clean beach, just North of San Felipe


OR, one could take a CJ-5 and go to this type of camping place that made Baja so attractive in the old days (and still today to some of us):


Look closely and you will see Ken Cooke's Jeep!


Access is at Km. 26, south of San Felipe (at low tide, as it is an island) ENJOY!

[Edited on 9-8-2013 by David K]

bajajeffrey - 9-14-2013 at 12:20 PM

Percebu can handle bus size motor homes, with careful driving from highway 5, Look for the Large Rancho Percebu sign around kilometer 20. feel free to check out shell island but you might want to get some local knowledge on how to access it, the tidal zone is not drivable.
Motorhome spots are dry with shade palapa and cement slab some with tables.
Best spots are behind the cantina overlooking the Cortez, Best Sunrise in Mexico.

David K - 9-14-2013 at 05:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajeffrey
Percebu can handle bus size motor homes, with careful driving from highway 5, Look for the Large Rancho Percebu sign around kilometer 20. feel free to check out shell island but you might want to get some local knowledge on how to access it, the tidal zone is not drivable.
Motorhome spots are dry with shade palapa and cement slab some with tables.
Best spots are behind the cantina overlooking the Cortez, Best Sunrise in Mexico.


This is good advice from Jeff...

The access road to Shell Island, 3 miles south of Percebu, can still go underwater at high tide and be a muddy mess... again why I think calling it Shell Island is both more accurate and romantic then Shell Beach...

Here is edm-1's 4WD motorhome with front and rear locking differentials stuck trying to get onto the island:



The nearby fisherman's 4WD truck rescued Art and saved the day!

Looking west, towards Baja, from Shell Island at high tide:



This is where the 'road' from Hwy. 5 (Km. 26) reaches the island... but it is high tide... and it is an island!:

Fred - 9-14-2013 at 06:15 PM

Great info. But, guys like me take notes for later use and would love it if you could give the camping rate of these places. Just a thought.

Thanks for your help,

Fred

David K - 9-14-2013 at 06:31 PM

Fred, things can change in Baja from last trip we take to the first time you go there... Maybe if there were multiple places to camp in a single area, then a rating would help.

Now San Felipe area could be such a place... but you have so many ideas here of what is a good campground... Pete's Camp (El Paraiso) seems to get high points here... but for me it has always been noisy, crowded, dusty... and I don't drive for hours to just camp in the middle of a mini city or off road park (unless THAT is why you drove for hours)!

So, best to be aware of what's there and what it was like in the past... but understand when you get there, it may be a different place altogether!

In the end, any place in Baja is still better than any other place, right?!

Choices

bajaguy - 9-14-2013 at 06:46 PM

http://www.bajaquest.com/sanfelipe/baja13b.htm

willardguy - 9-14-2013 at 07:08 PM

I gotta tell ya david, the magic of shell island totally escapes me, but thats the beauty of baja, its different for everyone!:yes:

Fred - 9-14-2013 at 07:10 PM

Great points Terry. I would just like to record what the rates are for now and keep them in my travel Baja book. I always update it as things change, but I have to start somewhere. I have not camped in that area much. Plus places always close. Also Rocky Point is another place I have not updated in years. I am just a note taker. LOL I always jot down the small hole-in-the-wall places that nomads have eaten at.

rocmoc - 9-15-2013 at 07:30 AM

Thanks for all of the great info & PICS! Not even going to try and get to shell island, too big & heavy. But we will consider taking the Jeep over. We have decide to spend a week near San Felipe, like the quiet locations, drive down to Gonzaga Bay with the Jeep and return with the Motorhome after we decide where we want to camp in Gonzaga. Keep up the post & PICS tho, really enjoying!

Thanks again,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

David K - 9-15-2013 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
I gotta tell ya david, the magic of shell island totally escapes me, but thats the beauty of baja, its different for everyone!:yes:


Right, different strokes for different folks... Baja has it all!

Solitude, beauty, sand beach, four wheel drive necessary, less than a day's drive to reach, ... are all things that make it a magic place for us. Obviously my sharing it hasn't changed it's appeal... we are still in solitude when we camp there on holidays. It remains as nice a place to camp in 2013 as it was my first time camping there in 1978!

Bajajorge - 9-15-2013 at 09:41 AM

Read off a San Felipe site this morning that pollution levels off the San Felipe Malecon are on the rise. But then I've been hearing about pollution levels in the Sea of Cortez all up and down that area due to all the campos septic systems leeching into the water for years now. Just saying

Campos? I doubt it

akshadow - 9-15-2013 at 12:02 PM

I would bet the polution on the Malecon area is more related to the downtown flooding they had in the past couple of weeks, water standing in street must really over welm the sewer systems that run under it. Also high use in summer on beach by Mexicali people leads to more human waste. Look at all those small kids in diapers.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajorge
Read off a San Felipe site this morning that pollution levels off the San Felipe Malecon are on the rise. But then I've been hearing about pollution levels in the Sea of Cortez all up and down that area due to all the campos septic systems leeching into the water for years now. Just saying

4Cata - 5-9-2015 at 07:40 PM

Spent a month at Pete's Camp. Loved it--best bar and very good restaurant. Great neighbors, very friendly. Went to a wonderful Dia de los Muertos party. We rented the home with the great deck over the beach. Only problems were 1. firecrackers many nights scared dogs half to death. Thought the windows were coming out of frames. 2. Much of Pete's Camp is very old and the septic tanks (with no bottoms in them) have failed and much of the front rows absolutely reek. You would think you were driving thru a sewage plant.