Hey so i know from experience that Baja in General can be an extremely windy Character, and ESPECIALLY in the winter time.
If i am looking to spend a few weeks camping on Beaches in Bahia concepcion, Loretto ( Playa Ligui ), La Paz, (suggestions??) and Cabo (Los Frailes).
Am i most likely setting myself up for an awful time with heinous winds morning, noon and night? ideally i would like to be kayaking, snorkeling,
hiking, fishing etc. Just curious to hear from those with experience in these locations at this time. THANKS!!!DaliDali - 12-2-2014 at 11:03 AM
Loreto and nearby areas have wind (from the north) every time a high pressure sets up over the SW USA.
The more storms moving through California, and then out to the mountain west, the more often the wind blows.
Playa Ligui is open to the north. Zero north wind protection.
When it does blow, it will for 3 to 5 days and the Sea is a froth.
Monday I just drove down from up north by Bahia Conception.....even playa Coyote was blown out.
Bahia Los Muertos, south of La Paz is maybe a better shot.
It is protected from the north winds somewhat. tyguypb - 12-2-2014 at 01:20 PM
roger!
That is great info, thank you DaliDalibajabuddha - 12-2-2014 at 01:45 PM
That time of year the weather patterns (as mentioned) are inevitable. I've seen Norther's stand up and blow solidly for a record 13 days straight;
even if you find a lee-ward sheltered beach (there are some) you aren't getting out on the water... and if it lays down and you do, always keep a
sharp eye out towards the northern ocean horizon for the dreaded 'Black Line'... you have about 20 minutes to get back to camp or risk a spanking on
the way back in. Just how it is, comes with the season.
Have a great trip down anyway, make some alternate 'town-y day' trips or archaeological runs. Or, find a comfy sheltered pub to share lies.... er,
stories with other hunkered-down folk. Buen Viaje!RnR - 12-2-2014 at 04:02 PM
Try Punta Chivato.
I haven't been there for a few years, but i just checked one our favorite camping area on Google Earth, and the area is still undeveloped.
Just off the west end of the short runway. Pass below one house on the bluff going west. Under the bluffs along the beach. You can actually get
your rig/tents back into some alcoves in the bluffs. Have spent many weeks here while the north wind howled. Totally sheltered.
Anybody local that can confirm that this rustic camping area is still available?
[Edited on 12-2-2014 by RnR]merlin - 12-2-2014 at 06:38 PM
General rule of thumb in baja - if it's windy on the sea of cortez it's calm on the pacific side and vice versa. Lots of great places to camp on the
west side in January.
baja winter wind !!
captkw - 12-2-2014 at 09:05 PM
its a fact on the northerners !! as far as I have heard Bahia Los Muertos has been renamed to "los suenos" and you cant go there anymore !! Sad !! any
one here have a current report !!Ribbonslinger - 12-2-2014 at 09:26 PM
Try Playa Escondida in Conception Bay
and try to get the camp spot on the north end of the beach against the rock face. You will be right out of the wind and will get sun right till dusk.
Great kayaking there around the islands off the beach. We left first thing in the morning to beat the wind and got back to camp by 1:00. Road is a
little rough to get in there so a trailer is not a good idea but any truck or car with good clearance will get in there no problem. It is run by a
Canadian women and here mexican husband. She was not fond of our dog at first but he grew on her. A lot of the other beaches are packed with RV,s and
my not be what you are looking for.Ribbonslinger - 12-2-2014 at 09:31 PM
Don't buy an ezy - up shade tent. The wind bent our pretty quick. Get a Silvacool tarp (used to keep forest seedlings cool in logging blocks when
tree planting)and rig something against your rig for shade.
plalya esco
captkw - 12-3-2014 at 04:17 PM
UMMM.. something wrong here..the beach is up over a mean bit of "road" and unless somebody just got wedded..Escondido ,means "hidden" and it is and
hard to drive to...SO..what beach where you really camping on ?????bajabuddha - 12-3-2014 at 04:23 PM
The turn-off to Playa Escondida on Concepcion is right past the Posada gringolandia, less than half a klik south, and has a sign at the entrance.
It's before you get to Los Cocos. Small beach, very cozy. It's a bit of a nasty road in, a small trailer might get in, truck camper definitely;
big rig, forget it. Has about 4-6 palapas, definitely sheltered, great place if you don't have a heavy rig; my 28' 5th wheel is a no-go, otherwise
i'd be there in a heartbeat.
[Edited on 12-3-2014 by bajabuddha]Pompano - 12-3-2014 at 04:38 PM
Here's the turn-off sign for Escondido...just south of the Posada entrance.
It's been a few years since any big rigs went in...used to be that taking a 32' fifth wheel in for a few weeks was not a problem. But back then the
road was kept up..mostly because of the heavy traffic in and out for the popular daily volleyball games.
Always a great place for volleyball, good shell sand, and not so crowded.
bajabuddha - 12-3-2014 at 04:50 PM
Pompano, are those recent pics? That road takes a beating from rains, and I wonder how badly this year's storms tore it up; they try their best to
keep it passable, but it ain't an easy drive in.
Same with the road into Requeson; they did all that improvement last year, i'm curious to how it all fared also. Any word in town about it?
bbdtbushpilot - 12-3-2014 at 04:59 PM
its a fact on the northerners !! as far as I have heard Bahia Los Muertos has been renamed to "los suenos" and you cant go there anymore !! Sad !! any
one here have a current report !!
We go there regularly, beautiful beach and nice restaurant. we usually ride motorcycles or quads up the coast road from Los Barriles. There is a
private resort with a great restaurant and model train collection, you can go there if you have reason to (reservations, called ahead first, don't
look like a bum etc.).chuckie - 12-3-2014 at 05:00 PM
Idont think so....That sign I think isnt there any more...Pompano - 12-3-2014 at 05:42 PM
Guys, my photos of Escondido are maybe 2-3 years old. Hospitals took me out for a bit. I wanted mostly to show the beach and views. Road conditions
change by the week, as you know.
My guess is that these days the road is only good for a 4x4, and no trailers.David K - 12-3-2014 at 05:53 PM
Of interest, the access road to EL REQUESON is all new, paved off the highway a bit, easy driving. You can see it in a You Tube recently posted.Ribbonslinger - 12-3-2014 at 05:58 PM
Another great spot we liked was rattlesnake beach south of Puerto Escondido. Go the the south end and you will be by yourself. Great water source
across the highway from the turn off. The water comes from Steinbeck Canyon. We hiked up there last year. There is a link on this site that shows a
boulder tunnel you have to hike through to keep going further up the stream. You can get great donuts and internet at a little store near the beach!
Saw schools of rays, whales in the kayaks. Nice place. KurtG - 12-3-2014 at 08:07 PM
Pompano, are those recent pics? That road takes a beating from rains, and I wonder how badly this year's storms tore it up; they try their best to
keep it passable, but it ain't an easy drive in.
Same with the road into Requeson; they did all that improvement last year, i'm curious to how it all fared also. Any word in town about it?
bb
In October dirt was being hauled into the Playa Escondida road one pickup load at a time. Looked like they were doing a good job but obviously still
not for any larger rig. The lack of motorhomes and large trailers has always been one of the things I like about that beach.
A word of caution about that sheltered northernmost camp site. The rock cliff there is not real stable and I have seen large rocks tumble down into
that area. Pompano, that is right where Killer parked his "Bluebird" before he moved over to Santispac. We used to camp there back before the road
was put in, usually had it all to ourselves.Casey67 - 12-3-2014 at 11:28 PM
Playa Escondido is alive and well under new management by the hard working and friendly Manuelito Diaz (Oldest Son of Manuel Diaz) and possibly
others. They did a lot of work on the road last month, and are committed to making it a great place to stay. New sign by the highway. Supposedly even
the outhouses aren't awful this year.
I haven't driven the road yet but hear it's fine for smaller trailers and any type of car. You'll want to walk it first of course. Luckily the road
into there is short, only about 500m. One of the dips or peaks on the road keeps larger rigs out because of the potential for being high centered or
low centered or whatever. A few Coyote regulars are already there and enjoying it.
I live across the road in the dump by the burning tire.tyguypb - 12-4-2014 at 12:16 AM
General rule of thumb in baja - if it's windy on the sea of cortez it's calm on the pacific side and vice versa. Lots of great places to camp on the
west side in January.
Can anyone else speak to the truth of this statement? I struggle to understand the Atmospheric connection... but i really hope this is true. Anyone?
Not dead set on the Sea of Cortez side, but i do love it... haha
Also, i am driving an 08 Subaru Outback, so All wheel drive, yes. Clearance... meh.. haven't gotten stuck yet! haha
[Edited on 12-4-2014 by tyguypb]Marc - 12-4-2014 at 06:13 AM
Try Playa Escondida in Conception Bay
and try to get the camp spot on the north end of the beach against the rock face. You will be right out of the wind and will get sun right till dusk.
Great kayaking there around the islands off the beach. We left first thing in the morning to beat the wind and got back to camp by 1:00. Road is a
little rough to get in there so a trailer is not a good idea but any truck or car with good clearance will get in there no problem. It is run by a
Canadian women and here mexican husband. She was not fond of our dog at first but he grew on her. A lot of the other beaches are packed with RV,s and
my not be what you are looking for.
Road was washed out as of last October. May be OK now.
BTW if you are not an experienced kayaker be real careful of the wind.
Thanks casey
captkw - 12-4-2014 at 12:07 PM
been going to esco for a long time..no more volley ball and the cool regulars are long gone...glad to hear someone else has taken it over besides the
guy in the red Datsun p/u.....nice place besides the Jake brakes from the trucks all night !!! the road keeps it Escondido !!!tiotomasbcs - 12-4-2014 at 12:55 PM
Yes, amigo, due to Harmonic Convergence that rule of thumb is true. Winter on the Pacific side is great while the Boardheads enjoy the wind. Come on
over/down. Today... light winds with daytime temp in low eighties. Cold nites in January. TioChirojustin - 12-6-2014 at 01:20 AM
Hello, we are going to drive south from San Felipe to loreto December 19th. Playa la Escondido looks like a great place. Does anyone know if tent
camping is a good idea there? Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for great places to camp along the way I would really appreciate it!Skipjack Joe - 12-6-2014 at 05:06 AM
Don't buy an ezy - up shade tent. The wind bent our pretty quick.
Pay attention to this !!! This is good advice.Ribbonslinger - 12-6-2014 at 11:01 AM
Escondida tenting would depend on the size of your tent. If it fits in the palapas, no problem. Or try at the rock on the north end, falling rock
hazard was mentioned by others though.
We liked Punta Final, but you need kayaks or a boat to really enjoy the place. Lots of private, small beaches south of camp spot.
Go see the whales or just camp at the lagoon south of Guerro Negro. Great place to camp for $5 . bajabuddha - 12-6-2014 at 11:14 AM
Hello, we are going to drive south from San Felipe to loreto December 19th. Playa la Escondido looks like a great place. Does anyone know if tent
camping is a good idea there? Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for great places to camp along the way I would really appreciate it!
Keep in mind, you can't lock a tent. NEVER leave anything of value whatsoever in a tent, even if it's for a short 10 minute stroll on the beach.
They are prime targets of coyotes who love to poke in their noses and take whatever is available, sometimes even your clothes. Backpacks for their
kids' schools. You name it, it's gone. And, rock down your corners; they don't float very well either.Chirojustin - 12-8-2014 at 12:03 AM
Ribbonslinger and bajabuddha, thanks for your feedback. Can you tell me from your experience if activity rentals or services aré available at punta
final, bahía de los Ángeles, or bahía Concepción? Thank you!Ribbonslinger - 12-8-2014 at 06:33 AM
I am a Baja rookie but he are my observations. Others will give you better info for sure.
Punta Finale is just a place to camp with only a pit toilet. If you want other services in Gonzaga Bay there are other places to camp. Nomads
commented on Campo Beluga, but I have not been there.
I have not been to BOLA yet.
The previous mgt. at Playa Escondida rented Kayaks. Not sure if you can still rent them. If you stay in Mulege there is a B&B at the Oasis,
Clementines, that is pretty nice. You can get fishing charters, horseback riding, etc. from there.bajabuddha - 12-8-2014 at 07:04 AM
Marco and Olivia have some day-rental kayaks and stuff at Buenaventura, and good food, cold beer. You can spend the day paddling around Isla
Requeson, nice if no wind, but watch to the north for the 'black line'.... wind's coming, head back soon. While at Requeson hike the island; there
are ancient middens of shells on top from ancients long gone and forgotten. Might even get lucky and get into dolphins; they should be active this
time of year.
Looking for a boat ride and fishing, check in at El Burro. There's a little taco restaurant on the west side (mountain side) of the highway, first
one you get to. The guy there has a pontoon boat he charters out on the bay. Again, no fun in the wind.... he knows the bay well, and is an
eco-minded guy. Their Almejas Gratinada are wonderful. Across the road on the beach is Bertha's restaurant, run by Celia and Emelia. Also great
people, good food, a must to visit..... and so are most of the eateries along the stretch of bay. Love it, miss it. Was home for 15 years. Enjoy.wilderone - 12-8-2014 at 08:42 AM
As a more general reply to the original post, if you are traveling for a few weeks, you will probably experience a big blow lasting up to 3 days.
Then again, maybe not. Just be prepared with a Plan B for those days to wait it out and still enjoy your time. Have a tent that you will be
comfortbable in to get out of the wind for 1/2 day, reading or whatever. Scope the area to pitch your tent in the best natural shelter available,
between bushes or trees - then tie your tent to these at multiple points, tie it to your car, stake it down of course, and putting a heavy boulder
inside at the corners is effective. I've had my tent blowing sideways, but was comfortable inside. The wind can blow across the highway and make it
look like a snowstorm. All part of the experience. I was in BOLA during a 3-day blow, and there was a large covered palapa at Los Pinos camp that
was situated to shelter from the wind; ditto with the palapas at Ojo de Liebre. And it can get cold too. And when the wind is blowing in the evening,
your cooking flame is less effective, so bring a good wind screen for it so you don't waste fuel, or bring food you don't have to cook. Bring a
section of tent pole for a field repair in case one breaks. Happy adventures!
