BajaNomad - Dear Gurus, want so got to the beach

Dear Gurus, want so got to the beach

msdmer - 8-28-2019 at 06:17 PM

Drar Gurus,

I am in SF but as many of you know, swimming is not the greatest here. I want to go to either Gonzaga Bay, preferable because it is not too far from here, or Mulege for a few days. I am confused as to the camping conditions in Gonzaga. I am not familiar with the area. Only been there for two hours. Are there usable toilets?? Can I take hwy 5 to hwy 1 by myself without worring about getting lost in road detours? SF is not the best place for me to be durong Labor Day....Too busy. any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks for all your help.

del mar - 8-28-2019 at 06:31 PM

go to campo beluga on the south shore of gonzaga bay, showers flush toilets and palapas, great spot for a swim

msdmer - 8-28-2019 at 06:55 PM

OOOh! that sounds good. I am a directional Idiot. And traveling alone.Can you help me with how to find the place? I am a directional idiot, but do know hwy 5. I have been there a few times, but just dont know where to turn/go to find a place. Just arrived in San Felipe and totally do not want to be here in Vantana condo durong Labor Day weekend.
Thabnks in advance!

4x4abc - 8-28-2019 at 07:06 PM

Campo Beluga
29°46'28.89"N 114°23'0.23"W

Attachment: Campo Beluga.kmz (855B)
This file has been downloaded 282 times

David K - 8-28-2019 at 07:51 PM

Yes, Campo Beluga... here's the map:

Campo Beluga Photos

David K - 8-28-2019 at 07:55 PM

msdmer - 8-28-2019 at 09:01 PM

Ok,

Please remember I am alone and directional idiot. Will I see all of those beautiful signs? Is there a KM marker? Google earth does not state what sand routes as to how to get there, but the place, if it has tiolets and showers, sounds like my piece of heaven. Does anybody have a few markers? I doubt, or am I wrong, in thinking, Labor Day weekend will find this place not san Felipe crowded?
Not a crowed person.
Cheers,

del mar - 8-28-2019 at 09:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by msdmer

Ok,

Please remember I am alone and directional idiot. Will I see all of those beautiful signs? Is there a KM marker? Google earth does not state what sand routes as to how to get there, but the place, if it has tiolets and showers, sounds like my piece of heaven. Does anybody have a few markers? I doubt, or am I wrong, in thinking, Labor Day weekend will find this place not san Felipe crowded?
Not a crowed person.
Cheers,

just look for the sign right after you pass the rancho grande market you can't miss it.

David K - 8-29-2019 at 07:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by msdmer

That's why I posted a map and photos...
The kilometer marker (just before the road) is Km. 149 (shown on map as K149). It is 2.0 dirt miles to the camp from the highway. You turn left at a junction 1.3 miles from the highway. In 2017, palapa camping was US$20 or 350 pesos and cabins were US$40.

JZ - 8-29-2019 at 09:19 AM

Wait, the swimming isn't good in San Felipe??

motoged - 8-30-2019 at 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Wait, the swimming isn't good in San Felipe??

JZ,
The guy describes himself as " I am a directional Idiot"..... so maybe he couldn't find a beach in SF.... I had to chuckle when his request offered GPS co-ords (a demanding bit of directional know-how)....DK's mapology and historical pics may have been better visual aids....

By reading his posts....he even has difficulty navigating his keyboard..... hope it worked out for him.

Alm - 8-30-2019 at 10:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

By reading his posts....he even has difficulty navigating his keyboard..... hope it worked out for him.

Not knowing how to reply with or without quote, is understandable - old school, not much computer use etc. Not reading the answers, or maybe not trying to understand them, is another thing. Makes such attempts of online help inefficient.

gnukid - 8-30-2019 at 10:31 AM

google maps works on your phone to give you directions in Baja

HeyMulegeScott - 8-30-2019 at 10:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

google maps works on your phone to give you directions in Baja

Relying on Google Maps directions in Baja can be dangerous to your health.

motoged - 8-30-2019 at 11:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

google maps works on your phone to give you directions in Baja

Not everyone has a "smart phone", so that is a poor assumption.
I have spent months in Baja with no cell and have survived rather well.... last few times got a Mexican inexpensive cell....and VERY rarely used it....

As a confirmed Luddite, I resent how folks have become so dependent/addicted to their phones..... just more disconnect from humans despite the ease of satisfying one's obsessive/compulsive tendencies....

A lot of people asking others here to plan their travel with what often appears to be their first bit of planning is based on asking Nomads rather than figuring out a few simple things themselves...

Oh, well....

AKgringo - 8-30-2019 at 11:59 AM

Well said fellow Luddite! No wonder we got along well.

BajaBlanca - 8-31-2019 at 03:20 AM

The first time can be quite challenging. What seems obvious afterwards is not so obvious the first time.

Bear in mind that msdemer could be a woman, right?

Have fun and let us know how it went!

motoged - 8-31-2019 at 12:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

.....

Bear in mind that msdemer could be a woman, right?

And....?

chuckie - 8-31-2019 at 12:35 PM

sounds like fishbuck under a new name yankin our crank...

TMW - 8-31-2019 at 12:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

Bear in mind that msdemer could be a woman, right?

/rquote]

That explains everything, now make it a good day, just funnin Blanca.

sancho - 8-31-2019 at 02:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

As a confirmed Luddite

X2, Don't know how I made it down the Peninsula with only
a AAA map and T Miller's Baja III

David K - 8-31-2019 at 02:56 PM

Tom Miller was a nice guy!
In the days before the Internet, he and Shirley Miller kept us in the loop with their Mexico West newsletter that came during and after The Baja Book editions... 1974+.

David K - 9-3-2019 at 09:35 AM

Keep an eye out for a new place called Piedra de Tortuga, Tortuga de Piedra, or something like that. Information, photos, location, all appreciated.

[Edited on 9-3-2019 by David K]

bajagregg - 9-3-2019 at 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Tom Miller was a nice guy!
In the days before the Internet, he and Shirley Miller kept us in the loop with their Mexico West newsletter that came during and after The Baja Book editions... 1974+.

Tom was a great guy. He quit his job as a salesperson in 1973, put on a pair of flip-flops, and never looked back! I worked with him on the original Baja Book and the Mexico West newsletter along with a number of other projects. Unfortunately, he left us too soon.

Alm - 9-3-2019 at 10:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

Don't know how I made it down the Peninsula with only
a AAA map and T Miller's Baja III

I don't know how anybody would not make it down the peninsula with nothing but a simple map, when there is only one highway - not counting SF corridor. Baja Almanac mapbook served me well, more than just for driving.

Having said this, - in my very first drive down the Baja Road (after many plane/bus trips) I carried both smartphone and handheld GPS. Smartphone was a freebie from my provider after 3 years of service, never connected it to mobile network (kept using my flip-phone instead 'cause it was more convenient), but loaded that smartphone with Spanish dictionary AND free offline navigator. Navigator didn't cover Baja, but saved my ars while crossing the states (I'm in Canada). There is no excuse not to have a navigator with voice guidance when it's free, the area is unfamiliar and roads are many.

Handheld GPS was a legacy from my wilderness kayaking days, I loaded it with waypoints for turn-offs to planned camps and hotels and it beeped when approaching the point.

If you can't plan, can't use a map, and can't or don't want to open your mouth and say "camp Beluga" at any convenience store or gas station on the only major road of San Felipe... Then you have a problem.

[Edited on 9-3-2019 by Alm]

David K - 9-3-2019 at 11:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajagregg

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Tom Miller was a nice guy!
In the days before the Internet, he and Shirley Miller kept us in the loop with their Mexico West newsletter that came during and after The Baja Book editions... 1974+.

Some good history!
The Mexico West camping trips were fun... Laguna Manuela, Posada Don Diego, etc. My introduction to 4WD Subarus are thanks to Tom... I had three between 1977 and 1994.
WON was well worth reading just for Tom's collum and he was full of energy always.
I enjoyed talking with him and was sorry that he was taken from us, too soon.

What a coincidence!

AKgringo - 9-3-2019 at 03:43 PM

I read this post this morning, then went out to my property for a drive-about. I checked in with the neighbors to see if they needed anything, and Chris said she had found an old Baja book that belonged to her ex, and could I use it?

It is The Baja Book II, by Tom Miller and Elmar Baxter. It is signed and dated 12/5/80, and includes a business card for Baja Trail Publications!

I intend to take it with me on my next adventure, and compare his findings with my own. What timing!

roldanojr - 9-3-2019 at 06:24 PM

Bahía Luis Gonzaga, Rancho grande has cabins, and small rooms, with all amenities, except fridge, why they don’t have fridge, because they sell ice in the market. Lol, business man!