BajaNomad

Dec. whales + 2WD car camping

WSUCDB - 12-8-2020 at 11:31 AM

Greetings nomads,

I have a couple of lingering questions before my girlfriend and I make our first trip to Baja next week. Our plan is to spend two nights in Valle de Guadalupe, then do four days of car camping before coming back to Ensenada.

We are planning to camp at Ojo de Liebre Dec. 19-20 in hopes of seeing the whales. Will this be too early to see them this year? If so, we were thinking of spending that time in Bahia de Los Angeles instead.

Second, I was hoping to get suggestions on camping in the Gonzaga Bay/Puertocitos area. I was thinking of staying at Papa Fernandez or Rancho Grande, however we will be driving a 2WD Sedan and am worried about the road conditions/sand at those spots. Are my concerns unwarranted or are there campos in the area that will be easier to access?

Any and all suggestions and advice is appreciated, and thank you in advance. This board has already been a tremendous help to me.

Mother of Dragons - 12-8-2020 at 11:34 AM

It might be a bit early for the whales.
You can camp right on Gonzaga Bay and the road is packed. Pay in the market.

Mother of Dragons - 12-8-2020 at 11:38 AM

Oh, you could easily car camp at Ojo in a 2 wd but check to see when the camping opens. It’s a great spot with a good restaurant and cheap with porta potties.

[Edited on 12-9-2020 by Mother of Dragons]

Whale-ista - 12-8-2020 at 12:52 PM

December is early for seeing whales inside the lagoons.

There may be a few around, but in my experience (after 35 years of visiting various lagoons), they won't be as friendly as the ones who arrive later in the season.


Youngsters/solo males often arrive first, then pregnant females about to give birth. Moms and older babies are typically the most interactive later in the year as the babies develop.

Shari Bondy just saw two young whales near her home in Asuncion, between San Ignacio and Ojo de Liebre lagoons. She would be a good one to ask for updates.

HeyMulegeScott - 12-8-2020 at 05:24 PM

I parked my 30,000# Winnebago at Rancho Grande last month so I think you are good in a car.:D

We went to Bay of LA also and you can free camp at La Gringa. Might be a little windy but a beautiful spot.

del mar - 12-8-2020 at 05:43 PM

I'd recommend camping at Beluga in gonzaga bay, no problem with 2wd

David K - 12-8-2020 at 06:00 PM



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HeyMulegeScott - 12-8-2020 at 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
I'd recommend camping at Beluga in gonzaga bay, no problem with 2wd


I scouted that one in the Jeep. Didn't get a great vibe but did get chased by some dogs from the camp and was pretty impressed one of them kept up for a good sprint at 30mph.

David K - 12-8-2020 at 06:46 PM

The sandy road is long and can get tricky. Large motorhomes would best go to Rancho Grande... but I personally like Beluga better... quieter, less dust, nice flush toilets. I am in a Tacoma, so there is no sand that can stop me! :biggrin:

HeyMulegeScott - 12-8-2020 at 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The sandy road is long and can get tricky. Large motorhomes would best go to Rancho Grande... but I personally like Beluga better... quieter, less dust, nice flush toilets. I am in a Tacoma, so there is no sand that can stop me! :biggrin:


Haven't really had a problem with noise and dust at Rancho Grande but those pit toilets are probably some of the worst in Baja with the best view. I don't think sand would be a problem at Beluga. Reviews look pretty good. Do they really charge $25 a night? Rancho Grande is 250 pesos - http://www.ioverlander.com/places/14171-camp-beluga-san-luis...

Mother of Dragons - 12-9-2020 at 08:05 AM

Oh, you could easily car camp at Ojo in a 2 wd but check to see when the camping opens. It’s a great spot with a good restaurant and cheap with porta potties.

[Edited on 12-9-2020 by Mother of Dragons]

BajaDanD - 12-13-2020 at 10:05 AM

Best time to see the whales in Ojo de Lieber is end February to the middle of March
There might be a few whales in December but February and March there can be a couple thousand and you'll most likely get a chance to touch some.

shari - 12-13-2020 at 10:13 AM

The lagoon camp opens Dec.15 but the restaurant & pangas at the ejido camp dont usually begin till January as there are usually no whales before then.
Marios tours that leave from their restaurant on the highway do start running pangas as soon as there are a few whales to see...good luck.

wilderone - 12-13-2020 at 03:16 PM

Shari, is it your understanding that pangas, restaurant and camp will be open for the season then (vis a vis COVID)? Any provisions for fewer people in the boats, masks, etc? I'd really REALLY like to take a Baja trip in February - the lagoon camp would be on my radar.

shari - 12-13-2020 at 05:16 PM

as far as we know things will be open and we haven't been advised that we have to have limited seating or anything. We will take precautions like masks, extra sanitizing & cleaning, taking temperatures etc.
At the moment I am reserving less people on the pangas in case the government implements limits as they did before but we are in the orange zone no here everything is open with no restrictions except masks worn in stores.

I am asking that our guests get tested before coming down.
You will LOVE our new whale camp....it's waaaay out there!

DawnPatrol - 12-15-2020 at 08:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
as far as we know things will be open and we haven't been advised that we have to have limited seating or anything. We will take precautions like masks, extra sanitizing & cleaning, taking temperatures etc.
At the moment I am reserving less people on the pangas in case the government implements limits as they did before but we are in the orange zone no here everything is open with no restrictions except masks worn in stores.

I am asking that our guests get tested before coming down.
You will LOVE our new whale camp....it's waaaay out there!



Shari: where is your new whale camp in relation to the old whale camp?

Alan (The Greyhound Boys)