BajaNomad

Palapas south of Gonzaga

hombre66 - 9-19-2015 at 12:34 PM

I am targeting G bay for a one day drive from the Palm Desert area..somewhere around a 7/8 hr drive, then on towards Loreto at a leisurely pace. Google earth shows a couple of palapa developments south of the houses that werent there last time I was in the area.(been 20 yrs). Are they for rent? Any Nomads out there that are familiar with the details of these spots? Just want a simple and easy check-in after a long drive.

AKgringo - 9-19-2015 at 01:00 PM

There are some very well constructed palapas at the end of the road across from Rancho Grande (turn by the Pemex). I don't know what they rent for, since I did not need one for the couple of hours I was there.

You would need to check in at the restaurant or store at Rancho Grande. If my info is bogus, I hope there will be someone along to correct it.

bajabuddha - 9-19-2015 at 01:30 PM

All the former palapas there have been walled in with solid boards, and I believe are going for about $20 u.s. a night. Dunno about farther south down the beach.

weebray - 9-19-2015 at 01:31 PM

We stayed at the hotel. The price wasn't bad and neither was the food. Pretty attractive alternative after a long hot drive.

David K - 9-19-2015 at 01:57 PM

The second set of palapas is Campo Beluga for camping. Showers and flush toilets set back from palapas. We stayed there and I have posted photos. Was about $20 I think. I will add the photos...





















*Papa Fernandez has camping, private residences, and a restaurant
*Alfonsina's has a motel ($80), private residences, and restaurant (good shrimp)
*Rancho Grande has the private palapas and a store on the highway
*Campo Beluga has the camping palapas
*El Sacrificio has cabins and a restaurant
Punta Final is a private residents, camping nearby

On July 26, 2015: Two shrimp dinners and four Pacificos were US$42 + tip. We ask Antonio about a room, and the price is posted at US$80.

[Edited on 9-19-2015 by David K]

rts551 - 9-19-2015 at 02:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by weebray  
We stayed at the hotel. The price wasn't bad and neither was the food. Pretty attractive alternative after a long hot drive.


what was the price?

woody with a view - 9-19-2015 at 02:20 PM

$80/night for Alfie's if that's what you ask?

David K - 9-19-2015 at 02:29 PM

Here's what the $80 US rooms look like on the outside... You are paying for the Location Location Location!







woody with a view - 9-19-2015 at 02:33 PM

the AC is what i paid for! the cantina was pretty nice as well!

hombre66 - 9-19-2015 at 06:38 PM

Not a Baja hotel/motel guy Woody, but thanks for the input. Got a camper rig, but I am always attracted to the palapas for good shade after a day of fishing. Don't really want to pay $20 a night for one, but then again, this is the modern world.
David K: This was the info I was looking for. Your info W/pics is above and beyond the call of duty! Thanks.. Beluga it is.

David K - 9-19-2015 at 09:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
Not a Baja hotel/motel guy Woody, but thanks for the input. Got a camper rig, but I am always attracted to the palapas for good shade after a day of fishing. Don't really want to pay $20 a night for one, but then again, this is the modern world.
David K: This was the info I was looking for. Your info W/pics is above and beyond the call of duty! Thanks.. Beluga it is.


Just have a great time! Please give a trip report when you get back!

The signed turnoff for Camp Beluga is about a mile and a quarter south of the Pemex on Hwy. 5. El Sacrificio uses the same access road, and it is a few miles further, past the Beluga driveway, off that access road.



hombre66 - 9-20-2015 at 08:48 AM

DK: How soft is the sand up to those palapas? My truck is a 2wd T100( with posi.)

mrfatboy - 9-20-2015 at 08:59 AM

When I was there last year it was all hard pack with some soft sand on sides. You shouldn't have a problem.

Tioloco - 9-20-2015 at 09:00 AM

Dirt road to the palapas. No problem with 2wd

dizzyspots - 9-20-2015 at 09:04 AM

hombre66...when are ya headed down?

hombre66 - 9-20-2015 at 09:23 AM

Dizz, I will be leaving Oregon Oct 26 and after a brief stay with relatives in Indio, will cross over around the 29th or so, mas o menos. Plan to stay and mosey 2 wk. Destination Loreto where cousin has a place.

AKgringo - 9-20-2015 at 09:46 AM

I will be passing through, and checking out the same area at about the same time.

It would be handy to have our usernames displayed somewhere on the vehicle. That way one would know whether to say 'Howdy', or keep on driving, depending on what they have been posting!

David K - 9-20-2015 at 09:48 AM

It was 2007 when I took those photos, and was close to it when I went to check out El Sacrificio in 2011... all 2WD friendly.

However, a Baja must, get a good tire inflator pump and have an accurate air pressure gauge that reads below 10 psi.

If you drive off the hard pack anywhere or need to cross some sand that momentum won't carry you to the other side... DEFLATE all 4 tires... to 10 psi... and drive on... DON'T spin the tires. Refill once you are out. Get some tire repair plugs too, so you can fix your own flats (and refill).

4Cata - 9-20-2015 at 02:57 PM

So a Class C rv would make it? I love the idea of our user names on our vehicles. Mine will have! Hope someone will say Howdy!

dizzyspots - 9-20-2015 at 03:05 PM

We'll be at the Rancho grande leased palapas from Sep 30 thru Oct 6th...



bajanomad sticker and a sharpie???

[Edited on 9-20-2015 by dizzyspots]

David K - 9-20-2015 at 03:14 PM

Put a Baja Nomad sticker on the back of your rig.

mrfatboy - 9-20-2015 at 03:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4Cata  
So a Class C rv would make it? I love the idea of our user names on our vehicles. Mine will have! Hope someone will say Howdy!


I don't think it would be a problem to get to camp beluga. The only issue is I think a class C would be too big if other campers are there.

hombre66 - 9-20-2015 at 08:50 PM

6 months ago, I sent a couple of bucks to someone who said they had a "few" extra Nomad bumper stickers and I got burned. Anybody got em?

David K - 9-20-2015 at 09:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
6 months ago, I sent a couple of bucks to someone who said they had a "few" extra Nomad bumper stickers and I got burned. Anybody got em?




Here is the thread with ordering info... However, it isn't from this year, so maybe contact Doug to confirm?: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=63889

[Edited on 9-21-2015 by David K]

MICK - 9-21-2015 at 07:13 AM

If you are just staying one night I would Rancho Grande. It is a much closer and easier drive than bulugas. They Charge 10 dollars for open palapas and 20 dollars for enclosed palapas for the night. Bulugas Charges 20 dollars for the night for open palapas. Just stop at the store on the road and pay and then drive in on the road to the right of the airport. quick and easy. Bulugas is a little harder to find the road in and you have to drive for about a mile or so off the road to the camp on a sometimes maintained road. If we are going for a few days we will stay at bulugas for the quieter beach. but even that is going away. have a great time. and watch out for the vados on the road down.
Mick

hombre66 - 9-21-2015 at 08:25 AM

Thanks Nick. AKG mentioned R Grande but didn't state prices. Good reminder about the steenking vados. Pavement seems surreal to me since I haven't driven that route to G Bay since 1983. The road was almost unmakeable back then. Did it in a 79 Scout with sloppy springs and an immense 34 gal gas tank that got punctured shortly after Puerticitos.

dizzyspots - 9-21-2015 at 12:03 PM

re: Rancho Grande Still rents to campers...dust is still a bit of an issue, but MUCH better than right after they mowed down 640 acres of desert fauna...and the palapa area is hard packed and easy to camp on...

Beluga has great outhouses ( they alternate between one being an outhouse and the next is a shower)

David K - 9-21-2015 at 12:05 PM

Thanks Dizzy!

hombre66 - 9-21-2015 at 12:19 PM

Ditto, Dizzy

BajaNomad - 9-21-2015 at 06:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
6 months ago, I sent a couple of bucks to someone who said they had a "few" extra Nomad bumper stickers and I got burned. Anybody got em?




Here is the thread with ordering info... However, it isn't from this year, so maybe contact Doug to confirm?: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=63889



While hundreds of the BajaNomad stickers still exist, right now's a difficult time for me to make commitments in getting more of them out. There are still a handful of people waiting to get stickers they requested.

Thank you everyone for your very kind understanding.

Marc - 9-21-2015 at 10:35 PM

Most of the Rancho Grande palapas are now partially enclosed.

Rancho Grande

John M - 9-22-2015 at 05:35 AM

The Palapas at Rancho Grande are twice the size as those at Beluga, and if (if?) it's windy the enclosed Palapas offered at Rancho Grande make the stopover much more enjoyable.

The outhouses are fair to poor but available, and nearby - just throw some ashes from a previous campfire in to help quell the stench.

And the access road to Rancho Grande is less than a mile and is kept in good shape.

John

dizzyspots - 9-22-2015 at 06:18 AM

John M...agreed. PS We are headed back Sep 30 for a week of fishing, cerveza,relax,repeat.....only a week left!!

24baja - 9-22-2015 at 11:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by hombre66  
Dizz, I will be leaving Oregon Oct 26 and after a brief stay with relatives in Indio, will cross over around the 29th or so, mas o menos. Plan to stay and mosey 2 wk. Destination Loreto where cousin has a place.



Where are you in Oregon? We are in Grants Pass. Enjoy your journey!

hombre66 - 9-22-2015 at 06:44 PM

24 Baja: I am in Brookings enjoying a nice sunset here on the bluff north of town. I tell ya its great here, but a Baja sunrise/sunset still has an edge. Since you are BofLA folks, I have to add the sunsets watching the land colors off the islands are among the finest moments in my life. So many shades of earth tones.