BajaNomad - looking for a new camp spot on the pacific coast

Two areas that have piqued our interest:
1) ...I saw a video once of a beach backed by tall cliffs that was deacribed as ~90 miles north of Colonet. Does anyone know what that might be? Maybe some GPS coordinates?...
...Any info on these spots or other recommemdations?

The description of "90 miles north of Colonet" does not seem to make sense. 90 air miles NNW is approximately at La Mision, north of Ensenada. Yes, there is camping that area, but heavily populated with tourists and locals.
90 road miles may be closer to Ensenada, perhaps the Punta Banda area (home of La Bufadora tourist attraction). There are developed campgrounds on the north side of Punta Banda, on the bay.

Back in the 1980s, I used to camp at San Antonio del Mar, a few miles west of Colonet. Lovely beaches there, extending northward a couple miles. There is 4WD access southward, along miles of beach below the 300' cliffs of Cabo Colonet. No idea of the current status.

Further north on the coast is Ejido Erendira, west of San Vicente on highway 1. The secluded coves a few miles south from Erendira were my favorite destination in the 1970s - 80s. I guided backpacking groups from San Antonio del Mar to that area. No other people during 2-3 days of hiking! No idea about the current status.

Erendira became popular once the road was paved. I understand that there are numerous campgrounds there and along the coast going north a few miles. Coyote Cals is a well known destination. https://www.coyotecals.com/

Boca de Santo Tomas is a long drive in from Highway 1 at Santo Tomas, and may be worth checking out.

StuckSucks - 3-31-2022 at 05:58 PM

You should drive in to Santa Rosalillita then take the good coast road north, checking each Bay or point as you go. See what appeals to you. The good road ends at Punta Cono.

I vote for this. Many good bays, each better than the last. Remote and secluded. You might see a couple surfers. Even the road back to the highway north of Cataviña is pretty scenic.

Both these photos are looking south.

BajaGringo - 4-1-2022 at 08:57 AM

Any info on these spots or other recommemdations?

Maderita is correct - 90 miles north of Colonet places you north of Ensenada and I don't think that is what you are looking for. There are some areas north and south of Erendira that are good spots - not sure if that was what you were referring to.

Another suggestion would be to take the road west from the military base in Lazaro Card##as, just south of San Quintin that leads around the bay and out to La Chorera. There are many great camping locations out here - I can give you coordinates where you won't likely see anyone else to others that are still fairly remote but yet within a five minute drive of a great little off-grid seafood village.

There's some great surf fishing using just the mussels off the rocks as bait and clams are pretty easy to find as well.

https://talkbaja.com/la-chorera-bajas-newest-seafood-mecca/

la chorera beachfront 4.jpg - 119kB

TMW - 4-1-2022 at 07:49 PM

Run the 7 sisters coastal route. Lots of great camping areas and some of the best surf fishing in Baja. Cool or cold nights and warm days. Just what the Dr ordered. Bring your wife, girl friend or dog they'll love it, bring all 3 if you want.

wilderone - 4-2-2022 at 07:59 AM

Camp Rene; stretch between LaBocana and Bahia Asuncion; Laguna Manuela; Punta Baja and a few miles south of there.

Camping on the pacific side

thebeckster - 4-2-2022 at 08:37 AM

Stay away from La Aguja. They are are not user friendly

WideAngleWandering

AKgringo - 4-2-2022 at 08:54 AM

Check your U2U inbox.

[Edited on 4-2-2022 by AKgringo]

David K - 4-2-2022 at 09:04 AM

Stay away from La Aguja. They are are not user friendly

Good advice for the uninvited!

Playas Pacificas (at La Aguja) is a housing development, owned by a Baja Nomad husband and wife. They are very friendly to invited guests and have a guest house near the big sand beach where they have hosted Mike Younghusband during his walk to Cabo with 'Don Kay' the burro (2011). I was also a guest there for two nights during my Baja Bound mapping trips of 2017.

Uninvited guests onto their property are obviously not welcome. It is a private home area and they are watching out for the home owners, who may not be there. www.playaspacificas.com

Beach

thebeckster - 4-2-2022 at 09:33 AM

I was talking about the beach. Not an invasion of their development! They were probably most congenial to anyone willing to promote them for free! :lol:

thebeckster - 4-2-2022 at 09:46 AM

My U2U box is empty.?

David K - 4-2-2022 at 03:15 PM

I was talking about the beach. Not an invasion of their development! They were probably most congenial to anyone willing to promote them for free! :lol:

Oh, probably! :rolleyes:

Hundreds of miles of empty beach are on both sides of their area. So, they might have wondered why you where on their section of coastline?

Just be nice to people and ask... they may be nice back at you?

Show them your Baja Nomad ID card, next time! :light:

WideAngleWandering - 4-6-2022 at 11:37 AM

Maybe they meant (or I misremembered) 90 km north of Colonet? If i can find the video / travelogue I will post a link.

Thanks for tue great suggestions all.

I have been sidetracked to meet a friend over in BOLA (who didn't show? WTH) so I am bookmarking these ideas for my planned July trip.

Last word from my amigo he was leaving San Diego for Las Animas and then to meet me here in BOLA. If he doesnt show i may spend my remaining days hunting for him in the sierra nearby.

Maderita - 4-6-2022 at 01:02 PM

Maybe they meant (or I misremembered) 90 km north of Colonet? ...

That is likely. 90 km by road could be driving to Ejido Eréndira on the coast, then following dirt roads northward toward Punta Cabras. Lovely coastline, mild climate. Often in a marine layer into July, hence the fog desert flora. Chilly ocean temperatures along that coast (south of Punta Banda/Ensenada).

90 km is also approximately the driving distance for Boca Santo Tomás.

WideAngleWandering - 4-6-2022 at 09:16 PM

That sounds fantastic. I guess i really have been giving the pacific coast up north the short end. I will have to spend some time up there.

David K - 4-7-2022 at 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita

Maybe they meant (or I misremembered) 90 km north of Colonet? ...

La Bocana (Boca de Santo Tomás) in October 2017:

Great road, going back to Hwy. 1.

It is 17 miles from Km. 47 at Hwy. 1 to La Bocana:

[Edited on 4-7-2022 by David K]

WideAngleWandering - 4-10-2022 at 08:29 AM

Apologies for subjectimg y'all to an "overlanding" video but this is the spot that caught my eye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NajwPZAznr8&t=18m45s

surfhat - 4-10-2022 at 11:10 AM

Tough to beat the privacy of your chosen camping spot. depending as always on mother nature and her tide swings. haha

Great to see a surfboard making use of the swell at the time.

That cooking pot? Was that a Moroccan style Tangene, sp?

Being able to see what this site is most appreciated by everyone without going political, is even more appreciated in these contentious times.

Keep them coming. Drown out the noise of alternative facts.

While Pura Vida is mostly associated with Costa Rica, I apply the same emotion for Baja. Peace and Love, and some fish tacos thrown in.

WideAngleWandering - 7-13-2022 at 06:33 PM

Wow, great spots folks. So many places I haven't considered before. I'm planning a quick August run down to Guerrero Negro and up to San Felipe to try and organize some fabrication work for my 4x4. I have a bit of free time along the way and am considering San Pedro Martir or one of these coastal spots.

Quote:

Apologies for subjectimg y'all to an "overlanding" video but this is the spot that caught my eye:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NajwPZAznr8&t=18m45s

Listening more carefully, at around 19:30 they say they are on a beach northwest of Punta Colonet. They also mentioned the road to the beach was on the 2020 Baja 1000 route. Thoughts?

Quote:

That cooking pot? Was that a Moroccan style Tangene, sp?

I think it's a similar idea but it has clamps so it can hold higher pressure than a tagine. They call it an Afghan Pressure Cooker on their site: https://www.mengrills.com/store

Marco gives his recipe for campside birria here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8XAusbVkno

Stay away from La Aguja. They are are not user friendly

Where is this place? (so I can avoid the prospect of awkward conversations between gringos about Mexican property law). :rolleyes:

[Edited on 2022-7-14 by WideAngleWandering]

AKgringo - 7-13-2022 at 07:10 PM

Quote; "Where is this place? (so I can avoid the prospect of awkward conversations between gringos about Mexican property law). :rolleyes:

"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

You weren't anywhere near it. It is pretty much due west of La Paz, between Punta Conejo and Punta Marquez.

If you get down that far south, there are plenty of other cool spots to check out without getting into a private development.

[Edited on 7-14-2022 by AKgringo]

Maderita - 7-13-2022 at 07:47 PM

"Listening more carefully, at around 19:30 they say they are on a beach northwest of Punta Colonet. They also mentioned the road to the beach was on the 2020 Baja 1000 route. Thoughts?"

The closest beach access to the north of Punta Colonet (Cabo Colonet) is San Antonio Del Mar. It is a few miles west of Colonet. Lovely beaches there, extending northward a couple miles. There is 4WD access southward, along the beach below the cliffs of Cabo Colonet. No idea about the current status, as I haven't been back since the 1980s.

Maderita - 7-15-2022 at 12:23 AM

WideAngle,
I did a little sleuthing on Google Earth. Can't resist a good puzzle, lol. Unable to match up the topography exactly. But I still suspect that their camp was at, or near, the beaches at the northern end of San Antonio del Mar.

In the video, it seems that the low sand dunes of San Antonio del Mar are visible in the distance, to the south, with Cabo Colonet (aka: Punta Colonet), the geographical feature, behind.

Then, a look at the 2020 Baja Mil course map showed the route passing near at approx. mile 110.
https://score-international.com/raceinfo/course-map-2020-baj...

There are numerous similar beaches to the one in the video as you can see by a close look on Google Earth. So, don't get too hung up about duplicating their experience. You will find many, equally nice, camping areas. Here are some coordinates which may approximate what I saw in the video:
31° 7'28.94"N 116°18'30.14"W

Where is this place? (so I can avoid the prospect of awkward conversations between gringos about Mexican property law).

David K - 7-15-2022 at 07:09 AM

Stay away from La Aguja. They are are not user friendly

On the left side of the peninsula:

repentsinner - 7-17-2022 at 09:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

Camp Rene; stretch between LaBocana and Bahia Asuncion; Laguna Manuela; Punta Baja and a few miles south of there.

Wilderone - how is the bay between Punta Baja and Punta San Antonio? When you say "a few miles south of there" how far into that bay are you recommending?

Thanks!

la chorera to punta colonet

EllieEstrellado - 7-17-2022 at 09:43 AM

I have been sidetracked to meet a friend over in BOLA (who didn't show? WTH) so I am bookmarking these ideas for my planned July trip.

What happened to your amigo and did you narrow down your July beach camping destinations? Asking for a friend. ; )

David K - 7-17-2022 at 10:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by repentsinner

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

Camp Rene; stretch between LaBocana and Bahia Asuncion; Laguna Manuela; Punta Baja and a few miles south of there.

Wilderone - how is the bay between Punta Baja and Punta San Antonio? When you say "a few miles south of there" how far into that bay are you recommending?

Thanks!

I traveled that road twice... took photos if you want to check them out...

2005: https://vivabaja.com/p1205/

2014: https://vivabaja.com/trail-of-missions-1-helicopter-over-baj... (on page 2)

Map:

Yes, you can get from Punta San Antonio to Punta San Carlos.

JDCanuck - 7-17-2022 at 11:30 AM

Stay away from La Aguja. They are are not user friendly

On the left side of the peninsula:

Thanks for the mapping, it appears and I can confirm the area just south of the point you marked as La Aguja has a huge amount of non-gated public beaches to enjoy, camp and surf at (Punta Marquez).

The Beckster: Gated, private roads into residential areas are best avoided unless you check first with the owners, I'd think. Or is there some law in Mexico that guarantees access to others' private residences? What kind of "use" were you referring to?

[Edited on 7-17-2022 by JDCanuck]

David K - 7-17-2022 at 11:52 AM

Rob took me to Punta Marquez and showed me the area... That was in 2017, so things change.

Photos on this page of my 2017 Trip page: https://vivabaja.com/p817/4/

[Edited on 7-17-2022 by David K]

surfhat - 7-17-2022 at 11:54 AM

As always, thanks to DK for the maps.

That stretch between Punta Baja and San Antonio and San Carlos appears to remain an inaccessible 'lost coast' area. Must be one of the few left.

There must be some gems there for the discovering. What would it take to get in and out of that bit of coastline?

Boats? haha Are there no fishing camps along that hidden coast?

As for the Punta Marques south to Todos, I recall a surf spot X that could only be accessed by dune buggies or some other very capable sand vehicles. I drove north of Todos one time as far as I could and ended up using the highway and washboard to Marques and exploring as far south as I could at the time. I had a Ford 4wd at the time, but knew it had its limit.

I did spend a very cool night camped under some trees close to Marques where I could hang my hammock and chill for almost a day. It was a special place that gave me more than I expected. I did leave that spot cleaner than I found it, as pack your trash was a primary consideration.

Even though it was out of ear shot of the ocean, it had a magic of its own that I soaked in while had the chance. I still have a couple of photos somewhere of my overnight Baja discovery away from the ocean that will always be a 'find' to me.

This is Nomad at its finest when it chooses to be what brought us all here to begin with. Peace and love to Nomads of every stripe as we sure have them of every stripe.

JDCanuck - 7-17-2022 at 12:30 PM

Good points all Surfhat: A little respect for other users or owners goes a long way to enjoying continuing access to all those great spots. Thought I'd add a bit of additional info on the area. There is now a motel with swimming pool built between Conquista Agraria and Punta Marquez. When I was there last an RV Park/Campground and small restaurant/pub were being added. Only about 1 km off the end of pavement and the road to that point was very wide and quite smooth. Another 4 km or so to the beaches and surfing at Punta Marquez. The road looping back inland from the north end of Punta Marquez had been upgraded since the most recent Baja 1000, but as usual is being roughed up by use since. I found using the Punta Marquez route, altho a bit longer, was much easier, more scenic and maybe just a bit faster than the more inland route through Ley Federal Reforma Dos shown on the map David provided.

[Edited on 7-17-2022 by JDCanuck]

A tip for anyone exploring that area

AKgringo - 7-17-2022 at 12:53 PM

After you leave the pavement, it can be confusing sorting out which is the "main road". Following the most used roads dead ended at a couple of ranches for me.

Traffic to and from the ranches and hwy 1 was greater than the traffic trying to pass through going north or south, so sometimes the lesser used road is the one you want.

surfhat - 7-17-2022 at 01:00 PM

Thanks Canuck. Having an alternate route to the paved highway north from Todos or south from Marquez would be preferable for what was once mostly untouched by developers.

I have a couple of friends who moved from Pescadero and built homes in the Marquez area to get away from the peaceful lives they had had for decades around Pescadero. I hope they found what they were looking for and wish them the best.

We had our moments camping at Punta Pescadero before and after the campground came in.

Treasure those moments. We all have them.

JDCanuck - 7-17-2022 at 01:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

After you leave the pavement, it can be confusing sorting out which is the "main road". Following the most used roads dead ended at a couple of ranches for me.

Traffic to and from the ranches and hwy 1 was greater than the traffic trying to pass through going north or south, so sometimes the lesser used road is the one you want.

For good or bad, traffic to Punta Marquez is increasing, so as long as you follow the new signage to the Playa at the end of the pavement and turn left through Conquista the road to the surfing is the main one. I was surprised how many people even from up here on Vancouver Island knew of and had camped out on Punta Marquez. I suspect it's about to see a surge in use now that the campground and motel are being developed.

boe4fun - 7-18-2022 at 06:59 AM

Good camping on the bluff at Punta Colonet’s Cueva del Pirata but you most likely won’t be alone.

repentsinner - 7-18-2022 at 11:18 AM