BajaNomad

camping near ensenada

AguaDulce - 11-10-2014 at 10:21 AM

Leaving tomorrow to check out the Baja 1000 in Ensenada as part of my 8 day camp trip. Hotels should be booked up , so are there any decent sites to camp near or south of town? Thanks

BajaGeoff - 11-10-2014 at 10:45 AM

Estero Beach Hotel has campsites that might still be available. I have camped there a couple times and it's very nice.

http://www.hotelesterobeach.com

DENNIS - 11-10-2014 at 10:52 AM

La Joya and Villarino's in Punta Banda.

MMc - 11-10-2014 at 11:16 AM

San Miguel at the end of the toll road.

Camping

J.P. - 11-10-2014 at 04:01 PM

There's a huge Campground just south of Manendero called LA CANADA it has about anything a camper would wish for.

bajabuddha - 11-10-2014 at 04:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
There's a huge Campground just south of Manendero called LA CANADA it has about anything a camper would wish for.

I pulled into there once, and asked the price; it was about $15 US then, and I thought, ok, that's doable..... until I was told the price was PER PERSON, not per rig, nor just a surcharge for a few more people... and, there were 'chipping' prices for water, electric, etc., so be sure to ask of all the costs up front; it ain't cheap. Fancy, yes. Expensive, yes. Usually empty, yes.

I have always stayed at La Joya on the Punta Banda road; just before Maneadero take La Bufadora road to the west, out about 5 - 6 miles, it's on the right. the RV parking has diminished to almost zero now, with only one or two 'electric' hook-ups (IF they don't spark at you when you plug in). All is close to the beach, and the beach is beautiful; but the entire front row gets crowded with local tent campers every weekend, can be crowded. I was also told by a local full-timer Americano to watch your stuff really well; anything take-able will grow legs. The Dueño of the camp still drives through twice a day in his pick-up, wonderful family runs the place, and the price is great too. At low tide there are hot springs in the beach sands just a few hundred yards to the east of the camping area.

[Edited on 11-10-2014 by bajabuddha]

San Miguel- gated beach, closer to town but...

Whale-ista - 11-10-2014 at 04:47 PM

pretty rustic. I think bathrooms had only cold water last time I checked- maybe OK for summer. Not sure what current fees are.

Pros: gated/secured entrance, 24 hr. Oxxo adjacent for last minute supplies, good restaurant for breakfast short walk up hill from beach, only 5 K from centro, easy access right off Hwy 1 past (closed) toll plaza, good surfing

Cons: some road noise (quieter now that toll road is closed) and not sure if they have any hook-ups (water, electricity etc.)

DENNIS - 11-10-2014 at 05:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabuddha
I was also told by a local full-timer Americano to watch your stuff really well; anything take-able will grow legs.



That would be neighbor campers that are causing those problems although La Joya doesn't really have that reputation. Any stranger off the street or beach wouldn't last two minutes in there without being questioned and told to leave.

bajalearner - 11-10-2014 at 06:11 PM

Anyone have coordinates for La Joya?

bajabuddha - 11-10-2014 at 06:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajabuddha
I was also told by a local full-timer Americano to watch your stuff really well; anything take-able will grow legs.



That would be neighbor campers that are causing those problems although La Joya doesn't really have that reputation. Any stranger off the street or beach wouldn't last two minutes in there without being questioned and told to leave.

Dennis, do you know the guy (forget the name) that has the Li'l concession trailer right by the (used to be and sometimes is) boatramp? Blonde local guy, he's the one that told me to tie it all down. Yes, they patrol. Yes, they're a great family. Yes, chit happens, really quick-like, que no amigo?

MMc - 11-10-2014 at 07:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
pretty rustic. I think bathrooms had only cold water last time I checked- maybe OK for summer. Not sure what current fees are.

Pros: gated/secured entrance, 24 hr. Oxxo adjacent for last minute supplies, good restaurant for breakfast short walk up hill from beach, only 5 K from centro, easy access right off Hwy 1 past (closed) toll plaza, good surfing

Cons: some road noise (quieter now that toll road is closed) and not sure if they have any hook-ups (water, electricity etc.)

If you ask they will turn on the water heater at the bathrooms on the first row. with the road closed it is quite quiet.

Gulliver - 11-10-2014 at 07:35 PM

I stop every year both ways at Ejido Uruapan just a ways south of Mandero. It's on the AAA map. It allows me to screw around in Ensenada and still get South of the mess for the evening. And on the way North I can still hit Tecate at a reasonable hour.

$6 u.s. to dry camp in their little camp ground/orchard. Except for some truck noise on the highway I was fine. I felt very secure. Nice people too. You have to go find the guy to pay.

mojo_norte - 11-10-2014 at 07:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gulliver
I stop every year both ways at Ejido Uruapan just a ways south of Mandero. It's on the AAA map. It allows me to screw around in Ensenada and still get South of the mess for the evening. And on the way North I can still hit Tecate at a reasonable hour.

$6 u.s. to dry camp in their little camp ground/orchard. Except for some truck noise on the highway I was fine. I felt very secure. Nice people too. You have to go find the guy to pay.


directions ? signage ?

Gulliver - 11-10-2014 at 08:08 PM

12 miles South of Maneadero on the left (East side of the road). I believe there is a sign. After you turn off of the the highway then within a block or less you turn left in under the trees. Lots of concrete fire thingies. Some garbage cans. I park wherever I want to as I've never had to share the place. Sometimes the rope is tied up across the entrance. I just untie it, park, and walk across the side road to the ejido office. Maybe there will be someone there. It's Baja.

I drive a class B with kayaks on top towing a cargo trailer and I have to be aware of limbs overhead.

bajaguy - 11-10-2014 at 08:37 PM

Turn at Manedearo and head to LaBufadora (the blowhole)

Right after the first speed bump (tope) turn right into LaJolla (LaJoya) Beach Camp

31 42.59 77N/116 39.53 87W (or there abouts)

Continue straight past LaJolla 100 yards and turn into Villarino's
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
Anyone have coordinates for La Joya?


[Edited on 11-11-2014 by bajaguy]

AguaDulce - 11-10-2014 at 08:40 PM

Wow , thanks for all the info and I will let you know what happened. I am tent camping . But security is a factor as I have been ripped off in Ensenada Wal Mart

bajaguy - 11-10-2014 at 08:46 PM

Tell us the story.....please
Quote:
Originally posted by AguaDulce
Wow , thanks for all the info and I will let you know what happened. I am tent camping . But security is a factor as I have been ripped off in Ensenada Wal Mart

DENNIS - 11-10-2014 at 08:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
I always like Villarino's... they, when I was camping there more than a few years ago, always kept things locked down and we never worried about our stuff when we were out fishing.
Nice people, too.
And the showers were hot!


They have Wi-Fi as well, as does Paty's coffee shop in front of La Joya.

DENNIS - 11-10-2014 at 08:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabuddha
Dennis, do you know the guy (forget the name) that has the Li'l concession trailer right by the (used to be and sometimes is) boatramp? Blonde local guy, he's the one that told me to tie it all down. Yes, they patrol. Yes, they're a great family. Yes, chit happens, really quick-like, que no amigo?



That's Butch Lowe. Great guy. He and his wife, Liz, are only local part of the time. They live up in Orange county.

AguaDulce - 11-10-2014 at 08:56 PM

no big deal. . Just stop at Wal mart many times on the way to my place in San Juanico. Got comfortable . Some body slim Jim my toyota and took a lot. Passports fine tequila new wetsuit and I pod from 2 persons travel bags . All the clothes! So the rest
Of the trip my friend and I bought 2 of everything so we always were twins. Had fun and went back across the border without passports . the Border person laughed at us .Now I keep an eye on things .

Gulliver - 11-10-2014 at 08:59 PM

My technique for avoiding theft is simple. Where would a thief look for a mark? Be somewhere else.

Poorly supervised camp grounds. Pulling up to an empty beach on Conception and going kayaking (lost a laptop and a camera that time).

Completely out of sight and far from a town of any sort works great for me. Never had a coyote or a snake steal a thing from me!

The probability of theft drops exponentially as you leave the vicinity of any sort of public drinking place. These are low rent younger males who have time on their hands.

Same as stateside. When I was a kid there were laws criminalizing 'no visible means of support'. The laws were abused and went away but there was a reason for them. A guy with less stuff is all too often going to try to take your stuff. It's the human condition.

Oddly enough, a really poor guy often doesn't steal. It seems to me as though the guy who has a little and thinks that a generator or a camera or an outboard motor will solve all his problems that looses his self respect.

redhilltown - 11-11-2014 at 01:28 AM

It is a bit out of the way but if you have some time, just turn right at Santo Tomas and head down to La Bocana...stay on the beach or at a cabin of (God) and Mr Gomez...or take a right and continue on to Puerto Santo Tomas and check in with Sam at his place...camping or houses...about 45 mins from the main road.

Hot Springs??

bajaguy - 11-11-2014 at 07:22 AM

Anywhere along the road to or at the hot springs in Canyon San Carlos, behind the Baja Country Club.

There are several unimproved camp spots along the stream and a small store at the hot springs

bajalearner - 11-11-2014 at 07:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
It is a bit out of the way but if you have some time, just turn right at Santo Tomas and head down to La Bocana...stay on the beach or at a cabin of (God) and Mr Gomez...or take a right and continue on to Puerto Santo Tomas and check in with Sam at his place...camping or houses...about 45 mins from the main road.


Time is what I what I have most of and this is the type of camping I am interested in. I'm heading out Thursday from Tijuana. I'll look up this area. Thx

Santo Tomás Options, 25 miles south of Ensenada

David K - 11-11-2014 at 07:43 AM

The El Palomar Campground at Santo Tomás is on Hwy. 1, entrance is on the left (east), across from the El Palomar Restaurant/ Curio store/ Pemex station. This is 25 miles south of Ensenada.

The ruins of the third site of the Santo Tomás mission, moved here in 1799, is just north of the campground by the tall palm trees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A quiet campground is on the running stream, 3.9 miles west of Hwy. 1, in an oak tree grove... take the La Bocana/Puerto Santo Tomas road west from Hwy. 1 where you enter the big valley. Go 3.4 miles to a side road left, across the creek, past a ranch and to the picnic/camp area.

The remains of the first Santo Tomás mission (not much left) is in the big clearing south of the trees, founded in 1791. The second mission site is in the pepper field passed on the La Bocana road, 2.8 miles from Hwy. 1. Nearly nothing remains there, either. Photos at all three: http://vivabaja.com/missions2/page8.html

DENNIS - 11-11-2014 at 08:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
It is a bit out of the way but if you have some time, just turn right at Santo Tomas and head down to La Bocana...stay on the beach or at a cabin of (God) and Mr Gomez...or take a right and continue on to Puerto Santo Tomas and check in with Sam at his place...camping or houses...about 45 mins from the main road.


Time is what I what I have most of and this is the type of camping I am interested in. I'm heading out Thursday from Tijuana. I'll look up this area. Thx



Twenty miles of washboard between HWY-1 and the water. Be prepared.

bajalearner - 11-11-2014 at 08:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
It is a bit out of the way but if you have some time, just turn right at Santo Tomas and head down to La Bocana...stay on the beach or at a cabin of (God) and Mr Gomez...or take a right and continue on to Puerto Santo Tomas and check in with Sam at his place...camping or houses...about 45 mins from the main road.


Time is what I what I have most of and this is the type of camping I am interested in. I'm heading out Thursday from Tijuana. I'll look up this area. Thx



Twenty miles of washboard between HWY-1 and the water. Be prepared.


Muchas gracias. Nice to know that.

J.P. - 11-11-2014 at 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gulliver
12 miles South of Maneadero on the left (East side of the road). I believe there is a sign. After you turn off of the the highway then within a block or less you turn left in under the trees. Lots of concrete fire thingies. Some garbage cans. I park wherever I want to as I've never had to share the place. Sometimes the rope is tied up across the entrance. I just untie it, park, and walk across the side road to the ejido office. Maybe there will be someone there. It's Baja.

I drive a class B with kayaks on top towing a cargo trailer and I have to be aware of limbs overhead.













I have drove past that place a bazillion times but never stopped there. If you are going south its a little before Santo Thomas on the left. there is one of those international markers you know the ones that are blue and have a image of a teepe and swimmer.
We don't do that much camping for me roughing it is when you stay at a Holiday Inn That doesn't have A Swimming Pool.:lol::lol:

David K - 11-11-2014 at 09:25 AM

I think it was Ateo who posted a 'horror' story about camping at La Canada... just too noisy and no rest all night long.

J.P. - 11-11-2014 at 09:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I think it was Ateo who posted a 'horror' story about camping at La Canada... just too noisy and no rest all night long.







For most of the year the place is mostly deserted. as far as road noise goes if you camp close to the hwy. yes but the place is huge and on the back side there is some pretty remote places. The place Probably isn't for everyone it's family oriented I have ben out there with some local Mexican friends and actually it's pretty nice :yes::yes:

David K - 11-11-2014 at 10:14 AM

Agree J.P., I think Jon's family pulled in on a busy night... and the horror story was he had set up a spot just for his family, and in the night a local family pulled in right next, almost on top of them, and cranked up the musica (as I recall)... when there was no need to invade their camp site like that.

This can happen anywhere in Mexico... we were the only campers at La Perla, Bahia Concepcion when, just before sunrise, a car drove by and the musica blared from it and then from the fishermen shack several hundred feet away, and didn't stop! LOL Viva Mexico!

J.P. - 11-11-2014 at 10:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Agree J.P., I think Jon's family pulled in on a busy night... and the horror story was he had set up a spot just for his family, and in the night a local family pulled in right next, almost on top of them, and cranked up the musica (as I recall)... when there was no need to invade their camp site like that.

This can happen anywhere in Mexico... we were the only campers at La Perla, Bahia Concepcion when, just before sunrise, a car drove by and the musica blared from it and then from the fishermen shack several hundred feet away, and didn't stop! LOL Viva Mexico!







This is true we camped at the Pesca rv park in San felepi on a Mexican Holiday. a young couple from Mexicalle pulled in next to us and set up they secured their tent to the bumper of our M.H and set up their huge boom boxes. they cooked and partied all afternoon and asked us to join them. the remarkable conclusion to this tale. They turner off the Music promptly at 10pm.

David K - 11-11-2014 at 10:35 AM

That was amazing they turned off the music so EARLY!:bounce:

redhilltown - 11-12-2014 at 01:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
It is a bit out of the way but if you have some time, just turn right at Santo Tomas and head down to La Bocana...stay on the beach or at a cabin of (God) and Mr Gomez...or take a right and continue on to Puerto Santo Tomas and check in with Sam at his place...camping or houses...about 45 mins from the main road.


Time is what I what I have most of and this is the type of camping I am interested in. I'm heading out Thursday from Tijuana. I'll look up this area. Thx



Twenty miles of washboard between HWY-1 and the water. Be prepared.



No...not even close. Just drove it and drive it often. Like all dirt roads it can change during the year but the cement plant at Punta China and all Ejido farming collective keep it (relatively) very well maintained. It degrades a bit after the turn off to Punta China but still quite do-able by most cars/trucks etc.

Alm - 11-12-2014 at 12:15 PM

Did anybody notice that the OP have already left for Mexico 2 days ago? :)

As quiet camps go, I'm surprised nobody mentioned Mona Lisa next to Estero Beach, in the same Chapultepec sub-district. I think there is one more camp to the North of Estero, and then Mona Lisa. Quiet - because the owner lives there. They rent the beach to day-picnic people, but those are not too loud and don't stay overnight. Gated, hot showers, and prices half of what Estero is charging.

DENNIS - 11-12-2014 at 12:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
Did anybody notice that the OP have already left for Mexico 2 days ago? :)




Ohh...that doesn't matter. Usually we post just to hear ourselves talk. You know that. :lol:

DENNIS - 11-12-2014 at 12:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm

As quiet camps go, I'm surprised nobody mentioned Mona Lisa next to Estero Beach, in the same Chapultepec sub-district. I think there is one more camp to the North of Estero, and then Mona Lisa. Quiet - because the owner lives there. They rent the beach to day-picnic people, but those are not too loud and don't stay overnight. Gated, hot showers, and prices half of what Estero is charging.


El Faro is out there as well.
Estero Beach isn't the only thing that has changed out there. Mona Lisa used to be a hotbed of drug activity. The owners son was killed in these activities and only a couple of years back, there was a gangland hit near there.

Alm - 11-12-2014 at 01:18 PM

Yes, I think El Faro is the one between Estero and Mona Lisa. I stayed at Mona Lisa in 2013, and it looked quiet, those events that you mentioned must've happened before 2013. Don't know if it's changed since then. At Estero Beach I simply can't justify the prices, they charge more than in the US, for God's sake.

DENNIS - 11-12-2014 at 01:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
At Estero Beach I simply can't justify the prices, they charge more than in the US, for God's sake.


Yeah...Novelo doesn't need anymore money than he already has. He prices everything to keep the locals out.

sancho - 11-12-2014 at 04:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS



















Ohh...that doesn't matter. Usually we post just to hear ourselves talk.










Who needs logic here, let us blowhards babble on. I don't believe
Extero allows tenting any longer.Another in the same area is
Corona Park. Hey D , are the vendors still at the Blowhole?

[Edited on 11-12-2014 by sancho]