BajaNomad

Beach Camping in Gonzaga

BajaIan - 1-28-2014 at 01:51 PM

Looking for a nice, safe spot to camp on a nice sandy beach in or around Gonzaga Bay with my wife and kids ages 9 & 11. Planning on a couple of weeks on the beach. We have an older class C motorhome and would like a few amenities ie. nearby place to dump, access to fresh water and basic supplies. We've camped down in Concepcion Bay before where the locals from Mulege and area would stop in daily selling all kinds of goods from produce, baking, water, artwork... Any recommendations?

paranewbi - 1-28-2014 at 03:02 PM

Papa Fernandez has nice a camping beach but absolutely no services ( a restaurant but only open as necessary). ($5 night)
Rancho Grande has plenty of services...not sure about a dump station. Gas, Food, Ice, water, etc. The camp area is nice but can be problematic if you want to choose your neighbors. Nice palapas and concrete patios, not so nice outhouses ($20+ night depending on vehicle and people).
Couple of weeks on the beach at Gonzaga this time of year is a lot of time.

willardguy - 1-28-2014 at 03:14 PM

I'd vote for beluga. now stand-by for a barrage of photos and maps and a lecture on the beauty and magic of baja:rolleyes: oh yeah, and tire pressure!:lol:

Bajaboy - 1-28-2014 at 03:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
I'd vote for beluga. now stand-by for a barrage of photos and maps and a lecture on the beauty and magic of baja:rolleyes: oh yeah, and tire pressure!:lol:


And now that there is a good road.....:spingrin: well you know the rest:lol:

[Edited on 1-28-2014 by Bajaboy]

David K - 1-28-2014 at 07:15 PM

Rancho Grande (pretty dusty, but great beach) and 1.2 miles south, Campo Beluga.



BajaIan - 1-28-2014 at 09:31 PM

Thanks, what does beluga have in terms of amenities?

willardguy - 1-28-2014 at 09:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaIan
Thanks, what does beluga have in terms of amenities?
showers, flush toilets, palapa's, great views, had a store but is closed now. that be it!:yes:

Cliffy - 1-28-2014 at 09:51 PM

Could beluga be reached while dragging a 20 ft travel trailer? Going slowly?

BajaIan - 1-28-2014 at 09:53 PM

march, any dump facilities at beluga? How much $/nt?

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 08:09 AM

What about sewage dumping? Anyone?

Pablito1 - 1-29-2014 at 10:09 AM

I have not been on the road that goes from Rancho Grande to Campo Beluga for 2-3 years but I personally would not take a heavy camper on that road. It has sandy areas and I would just not try it for fear of getting stuck. As far as sewage dumping I have never heard of it in this area at all.

The beach at Papa Fernandez is located behind a short steep hill. With a heavy vehicle I would not try this either.

Others may not agree but this is my opinion.

Regards, Pablo

mcfez - 1-29-2014 at 10:23 AM

http://www.papafernandez.com/

Papa Fernandez is a great spot......there is fuel and a market that is only 20 minutes from there. All you need for supplies can be found .

At least drive into Papa Fernandez Camp and check it out. Should you like the place....there is some awesome camps sites they have.....pass through the main camp and over the ridge you'll see.

Great spot for hiking the hills right there....beach combing...fishing from the shore. Can be windy as any camp can be.....so take tarps!

Alfonsina's restaurant and Motel is 20 minutes away also. You must make a point of eating there. Prices are right...food is great.

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 11:37 AM

What. Does a guy do to dump RV sewage at any of the Gonzaga beach camps?

paranewbi - 1-29-2014 at 12:21 PM

BajaIan
check craigslist or get a new one ($$) for one of the rolling porta containers for RV sewage. If you stay at Rancho Grande (easier access, flat road to beach) just walk it over to the 20 outhouses that line the back side of the camp ground and dump it out in one of those. None of them are used much and not near full or anything. I do this with our small porta potty at Papa's. The boys can pee in the outhouses to save dump trips.
If you have two weeks you might consider heading for Santispec on Conception Bay. there's a dump station behind the bathrooms and the weather will probably be much nicer than Gonzaga.

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 05:57 PM

Thanks Paranewbi, will take that into account. Have stayed at Santispac a few times and was wanting to know if Gonzaga had a similar set up.

David K - 1-29-2014 at 06:06 PM



My photos of Beluga are a few years old, but you still can get a feel for the setup there...




The outhouses in the background are actual flushing toilets and alternating cold water showers.








Low tide that morning.... by noon the water was way up to near where I took the photo... see the wet sand/ dry sand border.



View south to Gonzaga Bay (Papa Fernandez' Resort) from the road to Puertecitos & San Felipe.

55steve - 1-29-2014 at 06:23 PM

Beach camping at Papa Fernandez is great and very secluded. The area is best described as rustic, especially the outhouses!

The main issue we had was I had to use the 4WD Jeep Cherokee to drag my brothers' Tacoma TRD up the hill since he blew the factory Bilstein shocks on the road and the resulting hopping wouldn't allow the truck to make the climb.

dizzyspots - 1-29-2014 at 06:34 PM

the road into Papas is rough!! My vote either Rancho Grande...the new palapas make a great rv patio....Beluga for much better outhouse and showers...just my 2 cents

David K - 1-29-2014 at 06:39 PM

Rancho Grande is no doubt the easiest for Ian to drive a motorhome into, just a mile of good dirt along the SOUTH side of the airport runway to the beach palapas, from the Pemex. However, Beluga, if the graded road in isn't too sandy, would be more peaceful, I think? Beluga is between 2 and 3 miles from the Pemex.

Marc - 1-29-2014 at 07:25 PM

I had to pull a van out of soft sand at R Grande. Was at one of the first palapas. So be careful.

BajaDQ - 1-29-2014 at 09:03 PM

I'll be in Gonzaga in 3 1/2 weeks with my younger brother, and want him to experience Gonzaga - Does Alphonsinas take reservations, or first come, first served? (Haven't stayed there in many years...)

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 10:56 PM

Thanks to all, appreciate the pic David

BajaIan - 1-29-2014 at 11:11 PM

Pics that is...

David K - 1-30-2014 at 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaDQ
I'll be in Gonzaga in 3 1/2 weeks with my younger brother, and want him to experience Gonzaga - Does Alphonsinas take reservations, or first come, first served? (Haven't stayed there in many years...)


Many reports about reservations, so use the Nomad search (top left of page), but you have to spell the place correctly: ALFONSINA'S :light:

SuperbOwl at Gonzaga

BajaVida - 1-30-2014 at 07:09 PM

Would anyone have a sat. TV in the area for viewing?

[Edited on 1-31-2014 by BajaVida]

BajaDQ - 1-30-2014 at 07:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaDQ
I'll be in Gonzaga in 3 1/2 weeks with my younger brother, and want him to experience Gonzaga - Does Alphonsinas take reservations, or first come, first served? (Haven't stayed there in many years...)


Many reports about reservations, so use the Nomad search (top left of page), but you have to spell the place correctly: ALFONSINA'S :light:


Thanks for the info and correction David - So much for my 3 beer spelling, ha!

mcfez - 1-30-2014 at 07:53 PM

Phone 011-52 (664) 648-1951.
Mailing address: Post Office Box 2229, Chula Vista, California, U.S.A. 91912.

mrfatboy - 1-30-2014 at 08:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaVida
Would anyone have a sat. TV in the area for viewing?



There are a couple of TV's at Rancho Grande that the locals sometimes gather and watch. Not sure if they will get the Super Bowl or even want to watch it. Majority rules.

basautter - 1-30-2014 at 08:22 PM

Beluga get's my vote. Best views, and Alphinsina's has the best food in the area.

David K - 1-30-2014 at 08:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by basautter
Beluga get's my vote. Best views, and Alphinsina's has the best food in the area.


BajaDQ - 1-30-2014 at 09:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by basautter
Beluga get's my vote. Best views, and Alphinsina's has the best food in the area.





Heh, heh, heh... Caught your drift right there David!

Buzzed typing is NOT a crime!!

David K - 1-30-2014 at 09:36 PM

Viva vino y tequila!

bajaguy - 1-30-2014 at 09:51 PM

The store/taco stand/bar across from the PEMEX has a TV. Saw it working last week. Don't know if they get the Superbowl
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaVida
Would anyone have a sat. TV in the area for viewing?

Rancho Grande

John M - 1-31-2014 at 05:51 AM

Rancho Grande can be a bit crowded on weekends - and there are more palapas - something like two dozen of them. Some of the outhouses are ok - we just take a bag of lime to "sprinkle after you tinkle" - keeps the outhouses more pleasant.

The weekend crowds disappear by Sunday afternoon and you will have more solitude until the following Friday. I agree, March can be windy. The market at Rancho Grande is a pretty good one, and there is a tire shop/mechanic behind it. I'd ask at the store about R/V dump - but taking a portable tank is the best idea as suggested.

Palapas are really large and the first ten or so have wooden sides installed half-way around lately to provide a very nice wind break, and a tiny bit more privacy.


Palapas all lined up on the beach



Dawn at Rancho Grande




No so in focus




Nothing to do with this thread but - at the Colonial Hotel in Mexicali a day before the NORRA race - brand new BFGs but not so for the front hubs. They finished the race in fine style!

Sweetwater - 1-31-2014 at 06:21 PM

Are there any enclosed palapas at CBeluga?

3 years ago we stayed at RGrande and it was cool and windy, fortunately, we had an enclosed palapa that opened to the beach. It kept us sheltered from that NW breeze. Wonderful sunrise the next morning!

mcfez - 1-31-2014 at 06:28 PM

We always take several tarps....some rope.....for wind/sun protection. Works very well.

Marc - 1-31-2014 at 07:27 PM

Always take tarps, line, & nails.

Ribbonslinger - 2-2-2014 at 02:58 PM

We went to Punta Final a couple of weeks ago. It is a kayakers paradise. It costs $12 with no services other than an outhouse.

David K - 2-2-2014 at 03:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ribbonslinger
We went to Punta Final a couple of weeks ago. It is a kayakers paradise. It costs $12 with no services other than an outhouse.


Where (in relation to the private homes) is this camping area?

woody with a view - 2-2-2014 at 03:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by John M
Some of the outhouses are ok - we just take a bag of lime to "sprinkle after you tinkle" - keeps the outhouses more pleasant.


camp fire ashes work just as well, if not better!

Sweetwater - 2-2-2014 at 03:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
We always take several tarps....some rope.....for wind/sun protection. Works very well.


Won't work with the motos, we're traveling very light on two bikes. If I was in a crate, no problemo. The question remains, are there sides on any of the palapas at CBeluga?

willardguy - 2-2-2014 at 04:27 PM

no

dizzyspots - 2-2-2014 at 10:26 PM

@David K...on the beaches south of the residents...near Snoopy

David K - 2-3-2014 at 12:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dizzyspots
@David K...on the beaches south of the residents...near Snoopy


OK, near Snoopy, 10-4. Thank you!



[Edited on 2-3-2014 by David K]

Sides on the Palapas?

John M - 2-3-2014 at 05:58 AM

None at Beluga as far as I recollect - at Rancho Grande there are perhaps 7 or 8 with sides - arriving mid-week you'd almost be assured of getting one - exception might be Semana Santa holidays 13-20 of April.

As Neal Johns might say " trust me!"

JM

Bwana_John - 2-3-2014 at 07:34 AM

Quote:

are there sides on any of the palapas


If you put a side on a palapa type structure in the Gonzaga Bay area, the wind will end up pushing it over!!!