BajaNomad

Camping in northern Baja (with a baby)

vstar - 11-19-2015 at 01:53 PM

Hi all,

My husband, myself and I would like to find a nice place to camp for 3-4 days during Christmas in northern Baja (ideally a 4 hour drive from San Diego). We won't have an 4WD, and we have a 1-yr old. Happy to bring all our equipment and supplies, and looking for either beach camping or some beautiful desert camping.

Any suggestions on what would be open and well-suited to us would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

BajaGeoff - 11-19-2015 at 02:08 PM

Maybe the beach/sand dunes north of Punta Cabras near Erendira? It's about 4 hours to get there from San Diego, the road is paved from Highway 1 to the coast at Erendira and the road north to the beach is easily doable with a 2WD. It's far enough off the beaten path to feel a bit remote, but also close enough to town if you need anything.

MMc - 11-19-2015 at 02:18 PM

Try the area between Erendira (south) and Punta San Jose(north). There are roads to both can can be driven easily by a 2 wheel drive auto. The beaches are very nice, if it gets to crappy you can stay at Coyote Cals in Erendira. We really like this stretch of coast line. Punta Cabras is nice but there are plenty of other areas to camp and enjoy the beach. We have good friends that took their 6 week old camping there.
The big sand dunes at San Antonio Del Mar can be fun also. SADM is about another hour plus from the turn off to Erendira. The drive between Erendira and San Antonio Del Mar along the beach will be very hard to do after the race, so go inland to Collonet and there is a better road.
Any AAA map will get you there.
Welcome to the sand box!

vstar - 11-19-2015 at 02:30 PM

These are wonderful suggestions - thank you Geoff and MMc.

Out of curiousity, if anyone has suggestions on camping inland as well, do let me know. We are desert/mountain lovers as much as beach lovers.

Thanks!

AKgringo - 11-19-2015 at 03:34 PM

I don't have a recommendation for a dessert or mountain campsite within four hours of San Diego, but keep in mind that at that time of the year, the over night temperatures drop drastically when you leave the coast!

motoged - 11-19-2015 at 03:42 PM

The Pacific coast will be cooler/wetter than the Gulf of California side.

South of San Felipe might be an idea to consider....Give yourself a full day to get to your destination rather than the limitation of 4 hours....as it will open up better opportunities.

I know both sides enough to say that I would choose the Gulf of California side for such a trip (fewer people, better beach selections, and warmer). :light:

David K - 11-19-2015 at 07:48 PM

If you don't have a 4WD, then for safety sakes get an air pump so that you can deflate the tires when you get stuck in sand... and can refill them when out. Dropping the pressure to you see big buldge, about 10psi should get you free.

vstar - 11-20-2015 at 10:54 AM

Thanks everyone. We are now considering renting a 4WD just in case (although we are not adept at driving one yet!).

The Gulf side sounds wonderful and I think we will try to make that trip across Baja. Is Hwy 3 typically ok to drive across?

And is it ok to find a secluded spot on the beach and camp (aka boondocking)?

In case we need it, would anyone have a recommendation for a bare bones/backcountry style campground on the Gulf side? Or know how I can find one?

Thanks again!

David K - 11-20-2015 at 12:09 PM

Campo Nuevo Mazatlan, km. 32. It is pretty rustic but has trees and flush toilets and a big sand beach. See http://vivabaja.com/nm

desertcpl - 11-20-2015 at 02:30 PM


VSTAR

perfect place for you guys to camp,, San Felipe just before you come into town its called Pete's camp
no 4X4 needed camp on the beach, has restrooms, showers
restaurant and bar


http://petescamp.com/


bkbend - 11-20-2015 at 03:23 PM

I don't have current info on Pete's but 25 years ago it was the first place I took my kids to when they were 3 and 4. They had a blast. Safe, easy camping close to supplies in town and close to the border. Nuevo Mazatlan is also nice, further from town, took the kids there during Semana Santa when they were in high school. Had a great time. We also camped one night (while headed further south) at Christmas time in the interior desert at the San Fernando mission and had frost in the morning. Beware of the desert at night in the winter. 4WD not needed for this trip, just be smart. Go someplace easy, get the hang of it, and if you see places you can't get to, get a 4WD before your next trip.





David K - 11-20-2015 at 04:01 PM

Secluded is not Pete's, but neither is any other campo. However, once you are comfortable four wheeling and deep sand driving then you could have secluded camping at one place along the gulf coast... Shell Island. Access is at km. 26 south of San Felipe. Just sand and sea, nothing else. Some photos: http://vivabaja.com/908
And http://vivabaja.com/508

[Edited on 11-20-2015 by David K]

wilderone - 11-20-2015 at 08:18 PM

"ok to find a secluded spot on the beach and camp"
Yes, it is OK, but it is probable that there is no access from the road to the beach. There are at least 24 campos before San Felipe and at least 30 south of San Felipe. Just past Puertecitos, there are coves that are not campos - but some have residences built nearby. Once a friend and I went down a sandy 2-track to find ourselves at a fisherman's house on the beach. When we saw him, we told him we were looking for a place to camp, and he said we could camp there - about 40 yards from his house on the beach.
There won't be many people at these campos, and they are all rustic, bare bones. Mostly you don't want to get stuck in the sand. And while passing through San Felipe, you have an opportunity to get groceries - tortillas, beer, ice, water, milk, baby things you might need. I would suggest campos So. of San Felipe - the tides are more extreme in the north. I'm sure David can post the Almanac pages with all the campos on the gulf!

micah202 - 11-20-2015 at 10:04 PM

...what about that hotspring campsite uphill on golf club road,,just south of ensenada?
...a fun drive in,,doable in a 2wd,, nice relaxing setting with good facilities, usually positive interactions with other travellers and mexicans,,, and that great sunday(?) market just down the hill.

...someone fill in details?

.

mcfez - 11-20-2015 at 10:24 PM

Easy.....gorgeous route.....no 4x required....about four hours from Mexicali.

http://www.mysanfelipevacation.com/local-area-guide.asp?cat=...

bg.jpg - 38kB

David K - 11-20-2015 at 10:52 PM

No camping at Alfonsina's but just south at Rancho Grande and Campo Beluga.

That blog link sure loves Cowpatty, but could use help with his mission history!

Long time no see mcfez!

redhilltown - 11-21-2015 at 12:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
No camping at Alfonsina's but just south at Rancho Grande and Campo Beluga.

That blog link sure loves Cowpatty, but could use help with his mission history!

Long time no see mcfez!


And at Papa Fernandez. Up and over the hill and safely on their land.

Marc - 11-21-2015 at 08:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by redhilltown  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
No camping at Alfonsina's but just south at Rancho Grande and Campo Beluga.

That blog link sure loves Cowpatty, but could use help with his mission history!

Long time no see mcfez!


And at Papa Fernandez. Up and over the hill and safely on their land.

Best place to be close to the border. Take a warm jacket.

mcfez - 11-21-2015 at 09:50 AM

Thanks David. Been extremely busy with the farm and other projects. Patti Haynes of The Cowpatty was a neighbor of ours down at our Campo Ocotillo ....for a year. It's truly incredible that a little shanty shack named Cowpatty has such a popularity with thousands of folks!

What's the name of that beach camp.... that has those whale bones up on the hilltop.....in that area? It's a nice beach to camp at.
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
No camping at Alfonsina's but just south at Rancho Grande and Campo Beluga.

That blog link sure loves Cowpatty, but could use help with his mission history!

Long time no see mcfez!

David K - 11-21-2015 at 01:19 PM

Not sure which Deno, if not one of those mentioned, perhaps Punta Final? El Sacrificio is another, between Beluga and Final.

mcfez - 11-21-2015 at 06:02 PM

That's it El Sacrificio txs
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Not sure which Deno, if not one of those mentioned, perhaps Punta Final? El Sacrificio is another, between Beluga and Final.

David K - 11-23-2015 at 09:49 AM

micah202 - 11-23-2015 at 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by micah202  
...what about that hotspring campsite uphill on golf club road,,just south of ensenada?
...a fun drive in,,doable in a 2wd,, nice relaxing setting with good facilities, usually positive interactions with other travellers and mexicans,,, and that great sunday(?) market just down the hill.
...someone fill in details?.


okayy,,here's the deets for the hotspring campsite just south of ensenada,,,for me it's a 'must-stop' arriving from canada,,,a great way to unwind and get on Baja time.....

...someone got pictures of the San Carlos Hotsprings?

here's the hotspring thread... http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50517&pag...


Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Hot springs in Canyon San Carlos, Ensenada.

Take Highway 1 headed south from Ensenada. About 4 miles south of the COSTCO, turn left at the road to the Baja Country Club (stoplight intersection).

Follow signs to the Country Club, then turn left off the Country Club road where indicated by the sign for the hot springs.......

I have been told that you can make it to the hot springs in a passenger car, but since you have to cross a stream bed with running water several times, I would suggest something with high ground clearance.
I'm sure other Nomads can fill in the details and add photos
[Edited on 1-22-2011 by bajaguy]


...here's an update....last march,,had no problem accessing with a nissan quest,,crappy road-clearance,,,the streams are a very uniform depth of ~5'',,if you feel allright after doing the first crossing,,you'll make it no problem,,the crossings are the same or less from there.........the drive is ~20 minutes,,don't be fooled by a number of quaint places that say 'hotsprings campground',,they mean to say 'camp here,,drive to the hotsprings after'....follow the uniform little signs that are usually posted right beside these places.The 'real' springs campground is the only one with a barrier and attendant waiting,,and is the end of the road.

......last march,I arrived for saturday night ,,,it seems the locals enjoy this place for a big weekend party,,or maybe it was spring break,,,but not the best if you are seeking seclusion.This visit was a late december weekday and quiet.,,,priceing is ~$7/person for overnight,with a lesser rate for visits till ~7pm........massages are ~$15 and VERY well worth it,,,a unique 'lotsa hot water' technique is used.

......this place is excellent as a stop to unwind after a Llllooonnnggg drive from the north!...or unwind and cleanup before making the trek north....car access is okay,,though maybe that extra clearance is worthwhile if there's lotsa rain...as I say,,you'll know at the first crossing:)

[Edited on 11-23-2015 by micah202]

David K - 11-23-2015 at 05:31 PM

Bad link micah202... ?