Camping ?'s

Hey all,

New here and thrilled with the info I've been able to read about on this forum. I searched the internet high and low for good information but struck out a lot until I discovered this forum. With that being said, I've got a few questions that would be great to hear from either locals or repeat visitors (and I'm hoping I didn't miss them in the search function!!) We'll be coming from the San Diego area.

1) My wife and I are headed down in April. Which side is the preferred side this time of year? We're just headed down to camp with our dogs and relax and enjoy whatever isolation we can find. Historical records for the area on the Pacific side seem to have 70's-80's. However, people personally say it gets pretty cold.

2) Camping spots! How far south do I need to get for some good camping? Preferably as on the beach as I can get. I've got a 4x4 lifted 2.5", so clearance is not a huge concern for me. Anyone have recommendations of spots they personally camp in/at?

Thanks for any insight you folks have. If I missed some obvious threads on these topics, please forgive me. I'm a big forum user and always use the search function before hand. Some times though, I don't yield the info I'm looking for directly.

[Edited on 02/27/2017 by ScottS]

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Gonzaga Bay, south of San Felipe

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Shell Island, km. 26 south of San Felipe if you want just a perfect beach and no services. 4WD only. Bring air pump as deflating tires is probably necessary. Percebu, km. 20, if you want to be in a camp. 5-6 hrs. from San Diego via Caliexco. See http://vivabaja.com/1009 and if that looks right, see http://vivabaja.com/ and go down and see links to other trips. Most are to Shell Island. Of course, it is an island so water or mud during full or new moons may make access messy to impossible. Stay on the most worn track. The Pacific is nice, too. But is totally different. Baja is so cool that you can do both coasts! Punta Lobos was nice, big beach and sand dunes just south. Just ask any questions. [Edited on 2-28-2017 by David K]

David, Thanks for the info! I appreciate it.

I'm now very intrigued by Shell Island. It sounds like I could be S.O.L. if the moon isn't right when I'm down there though? I'll keep giving your site a read through, the scenery is amazing!

In the event it's inaccessible, where's the next best camping at in the area?

[Edited on 02/27/2017 by ScottS]

Quote: Originally posted by bajagrouper

Just remember Semana Santa starts April 9th.till April !7th. beaches could be crowded more than usual ...............

That's what I've been reading. It'll be a gamble I'll have to take unfortunately. The wife is a teacher, so our time off is limited. Even most spots state side around us would be a mess.

The campgrounds at Rancho Percebu (Km. 20.5+)

Percebu is opposite the north end of the island.


or Nuevo Mazatlan (Km. 32).

Much quieter than Percebu, and lots of shade trees!


I just went to all the camp beaches south of San Felipe, researching for the new guide...

At Gonzaga, Km. 143+ Papa Fernandez' beach is over the hill from the cafe there, they will lower the rope for you to access:




The next places would be Rancho Grande (Km. 147+)


and Camp Beluga (Km. 149+).




If you want your own beach with no camping facilities or gates to pay to pass through, I camped at one between El Sacrificio and Punta Final... photos:







Once youn are in Baja, with 4WD, it just all works out!

Quote: Originally posted by David K

The campgrounds at Rancho Percebu (Km. 20.5+) Percebu is opposite the north end of the island. or Nuevo Mazatlan (Km. 32). Much quieter than Percebu, and lots of shade trees! I just went to all the camp beaches south of San Felipe, researching for the new guide... At Gonzaga, Km. 143+ Papa Fernandez' beach is over the hill from the cafe there, they will lower the rope for you to access: The next places would be Rancho Grande (Km. 147+) and Camp Beluga (Km. 149+). If you want your own beach with no camping facilities or gates to pay to pass through, I camped at one between El Sacrificio and Punta Final... photos: Once youn are in Baja, with 4WD, it just all works out!

Hi Kevin,
I took the Percebu photos on Dec. 29 (Thu).
It appeared very clean and open (compared to other campos I visited).

Here are the other photos I took there:


On Hwy. 5 (Km. 20.5+)

The road in is 2.3 miles long.

You can drive right to the edge of the beach, often in any car. Some places may require driving in soft sand to find a camping location, so 4WD in that case. You will always see plenty of tire tracks before you arrive on the sand as the beach is often the only way to get to some camps or fishing spots and the locals use it as a highway. On the Pacific side, near San Quintin, the sand is flat and hard allowing any car to drive on it, or even busses!

David, thanks again for the photos and info! I appreciate it greatly!

I think I've decided to give your Shell island/San Felipe area a go. We're planning on 4-5 days down south, so that'll be great. I'm hoping it's not too packed with the national holiday, but it'll be what it'll be.

Well, if the tide is out far enough (and especially near the Quarter Moon phases), you drive right out to the beach. You will find few if any people there, and usually never any over-night campers. Even if you do, the island is four miles long, so you have many crowd-free options. ENJOY!

[and if you are not used to sand driving, if you begin to bog down: stop instantly].

Don't spin your tires at all! Let more air out of your tires... look for them to bulge. Get a low-pressure gauge. 8-12 psi range for some truck tires is necessary. Try 15-20 first, 4WD-HIGH, as low range may just want to spin you down... too much power. It's about floatation, not power. If you have traction control options, I use mine and the limited slip really improves the drivability.

I made a test to show how just lowering the pressure was like night and day...

Left the tires at street pressure (32 psi then, 2010 stock tires, new truck):

2010 Post:

We returned to our favorite beach in Baja last Saturday (July 17, 2010) with a heavy load of camping gear including two full ice chests and 6-gallon tank of water.

Two weeks earlier we discovered with the heat and heavy load, the Traction Control in H4 alone couldn't keep us moving (as it had last winter with a light load).

Again, we did cross the expanse of sand to the water's edge, but the truck struggled in the sand. I also tried A-TRAC in L4, but it still wanted to dig in. Once the air pressure was dropped to 15 PSI, I moved on with ease (in H4).

I took photos where I deflated the tires and seeing the two sides is pretty dramatic.







SHELL ISLAND, KM. 26


32 PSI the truck was digging in and moving slightly sideways on the steep beach. Once deflated to 15 PSI, the truck 'floated' on the sand and drove straight. I circled back to take these photos.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Well, if the tide is out far enough (and especially near the Quarter Moon phases), you drive right out to the beach. You will find few if any people there, and usually never any over-night campers. Even if you do, the island is four miles long, so you have many crowd-free options. ENJOY! [and if you are not used to sand driving, if you begin to bog down: stop instantly]. Don't spin your tires at all! Let more air out of your tires... look for them to bulge. Get a low-pressure gauge. 8-12 psi range for some truck tires is necessary. Try 15-20 first, 4WD-HIGH, as low range may just want to spin you down... too much power. It's about floatation, not power. If you have traction control options, I use mine and the limited slip really improves the drivability. I made a test to show how just lowering the pressure was like night and day... Left the tires at street pressure (32 psi then, 2010 stock tires, new truck): 2010 Post: We returned to our favorite beach in Baja last Saturday (July 17, 2010) with a heavy load of camping gear including two full ice chests and 6-gallon tank of water. Two weeks earlier we discovered with the heat and heavy load, the Traction Control in H4 alone couldn't keep us moving (as it had last winter with a light load). Again, we did cross the expanse of sand to the water's edge, but the truck struggled in the sand. I also tried A-TRAC in L4, but it still wanted to dig in. Once the air pressure was dropped to 15 PSI, I moved on with ease (in H4). I took photos where I deflated the tires and seeing the two sides is pretty dramatic. 32 PSI the truck was digging in and moving slightly sideways on the steep beach. Once deflated to 15 PSI, the truck 'floated' on the sand and drove straight. I circled back to take these photos.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

As wilderone says, nearly everyone in Baja is nice (why not, it is the greatest place to be)! Most of the "Campos" are not camping places but are private home locations or places with lots for long term leasing. In the new map/guide I am working on, I have been documenting only the camping places. If the signage on the highway is not clear, then I investigate. My first research trip was from Km. 0 (south of San Felipe town) to Punta San Francisquito. Trip Two was from San Ignacio to Loreto area (and west to La Purisima). Trip Three will be (I think) Mexicali to San Felipe (so I can check out all the places north of town).... and then desert camping possibilities, like all the canyons to the west of San Felipe down to Matomi. Once it stops raining, then I can work on the Pacific side. Here are the Highway 5 camping places I recorded south of San Felipe. Again, if they are only home locations and not campgrounds or RV parks, then they are not included. Distance to camp from highway included. Km. 0 is 6.1 miles from downtown traffic circle, left turn off airport road. Km. 6.5 El Faro Beach (no name on lighthouse sign, just spray painted "Camping") 0.5 mi to gate. Km. 8.5 Villa Marina RV Park and palapas 0.3 mi. Km. 12 Punta Estrella Beach 0.9 mi. Km. 20.5+ Rancho Percebu 2.3 mi. Km. 26+ Shell Island (no services, just beach) 4WD only 2.0 mi. Km. 32 Nuevo Mazatlan 0.5 mi. Km. 72+ Campo La Toba 0.1 mi. Km. 74.5 PUERTECITOS paved road: 0.2 mi. to Octavio's Playa Escondida road (0.3 mi. in). 0.9 mi. to Puertecitos camping palapas (go left after Pemex station). Km. 82 Beach no services Km. 83 Bahía Cristina Km. 84.5 La Costilla 0.4 mi. Km. 103 Nacho's El Huerfanito Km. 105.5 Campo Tano (future home lot campo) Km. 133.5 Punta Bufeo (motel) 1.4 mi. Km. 143 El Faro 1.6 mi. No services. Km. 143+ Papa Fernendez' Resort (camping) 1.1 mi. Km. 147 Alfonsina's Resort (motel), 1.8 mi. in, first left after Pemex. Km. 147+ Rancho Grande palapa camping, 1.2 mi., second driveway after Pemex. Km. 149+ Camp Beluga 2 mi., El Sacrificio 4 mi. Km. 156 Punta Final 6.3 mi.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

The Mexican highways have kilometer markers, some places they are missing (like just south of Nuevo Rosarito) and sometimes they are moved. But, that is pretty rare. My list above are the kilometer marker signs on Hwy. 5, south from the San Felipe airport road. Km. 0 is 6.1 miles from the traffic circle in San Felipe (the one with Pemex stations on each side). If a location is close to half a kilometer from the last/ next sign, I add the .5. If it is a hundred or two beyond then I add the +.

Copy that. Thanks for the clarification.

Your posts have been tremendously helpful, and I'm becoming very excited for my trip!

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Great to hear Scott! I will be in Baja for the next several days continuing my research. 2017 Trip Report #3 coming when I get back.

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

no firewood crossing the border. Tryat any OXXO or figure out how to do without.

Quote: Originally posted by bajapedro

Agree with David, you can't go wrong at Shell Island or Rancho Percebu for April. Weather is usually perfect in April. Percebu has camp sites and a bar/cantina and is a frequent watering hole for folks traveling north/south down beach. Will find plenty of friendly people there to discuss future trips. Shell Island, actually starts just across from the Cantina, then heads south about 5 miles. Shell Island is pretty cool place and offers pretty good shore fishing at the north end just across from cantina. 5-8# corvina on silver spoons. A word of advice though, Avoid Percebu over Easter weekend at ALL costs. Packed. Ironically, even with the crowds at Percebu, Shell Island will be pretty much empty of people.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

What Pedro said! As for food, take all you need for your meals. Eat out when you are in civilization because it is great. I had lunch today at Campo Pomo, just north of Punta Bufeo. A full plate with three halibut filets, salad, rice, beans, tortillas.... and two cold beers for 280 pesos, or $14. I was the only customer from 11:30-12:30. Photos coming.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

It can, go at low tide, which will be before noon. Use the diagonal track to the fishermens camp, keep tires in the most worn track... which will have the deepest water if the tide came up over 18'. See the San Felipe tide chart. If you are not comfortable doing that, camp at Percebu or Nuevo Mazatlan. Otherwise where I camped at Gonzaga over New Years could be nice as it wasn't an established camp.

Cool, that's good to know. We'll be leaving OC around 5, so that should get us there before the tide rises. I'll check it out when we get down there, and if it looks sketchy, a few back up plans will be nice.

David,

Thanks again for the info on Shell Island. We had a great time!

We didn't quite make it in time to cross over to the island portion of the area, so we set up camp about halfway between the house and the crossing. Came across 12 other souls total the entire 4.5 days there, none camping.

Temps were in the low-mid 80's with a pretty constant sea breeze, and in the shade couldn't have been any nicer. First night we set up closer to the dunes and woke up to a fly infested camp. We quickly packed up and re-set up camp closer to water - 20 feet during high tide. That seemed to eliminate the fly issue the rest of the trip. That and keeping our used trash bags about 30 feet from camp!

It was neat to see the clear water and schools of small fish when we stood still in the water. Lots of birds cruising the water for food. We counted about 4 fishing boats out in the distance towards dusk each night with the hum of their motors against the tide rolling back in. Every night, shortly after dark there'd be a speed boat or two racing in the dark past us. We let our imaginations guess what they might be up to...

Despite me getting burned pretty good due to poor sun screen apply, we still had a great time. Your info was a great help, and we'll for sure be back!

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Great that you got there and had such a nice camp set up. The island is 4 miles long so the choices for where to camp are many. My wife can't wait until it warms up more and she has vacation days, soon.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Only hotter, but usually close to 90°, so not too hot. The desert gets over 100°, but on the beach is cooler. What is great about summer there is the sea is warm day or night. Magical, like another planet. If there is a strong daytime breeze then the waves at high tide can make bathing rough. If the lagoons on either end fill, then that provides calm wading. During the highest tides around a full or new moon then high tide is early afternoon and after midnight.