BajaNomad - Book Recommendations and New Member Introduction

Book Recommendations and New Member Introduction

BeachSeeker - 6-7-2023 at 10:08 AM

I've spent the last couple months taking in all of the great information here, and decided I should finally join and participate. I'll start with my question first, and will write a brief introduction at the end if anyone cares to read it.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a fairly up to date guidebook on the less known beaches of Baja? I have the Benchmark Map/Atlas, but it lacks the detail I need. I know Baja is all about the adventure, but sometimes a tip or a hint is all that is needed to get you started. I spend a lot of time on Satellite maps, but determining if a road/trail is passable is not always possible, and a locked gate can waste an hour of backtracking. I've starting compiling bits and pieces from trip reports, which is certainly helpful too. I imagine David K's new Road Guide might be what I'm looking for. When do you plan to start printing David?

My wife and I enjoy exploring and the adventure of finding the secluded beaches of Baja. The perfect beach for us is sandy, clear water, snorkeling nearby, and not another person around. Decent fishing is a plus too. Even well known beaches can be nice if you can drive a km away from the crowd and be by ourselves.

Our first trip to Baja was La Paz in 2018. We flew to Cabo, rented a Jeep, and drove to La Paz. We spent a week exploring all of the beaches we could find on the Satellite map from La Paz to La Ventana. We were hooked. Baja was magical, and gave a true freedom to explore. Since then we have been back to the East Cape about a dozen times, usually staying in Los Barriles. We have found pretty much every "secluded" beach between La Ventana and Cabo Pulmo. A couple weeks ago we decided to drive down to San Felipe for the first time. While San Felipe isn't at all our style, we found a few stretches of sand that were great between there and Puertocitos. As a kayak fisherman, I've always read about BOLA, Ganzaga, Mulege, etc, but this trip finally sparked the realization that there is so much more to explore in Baja than just the East Cape. I'm already planning our next trip, making our way to Mulege. We are looking forward to exploring the rest of Baja and finding all the amazing beaches.

4x4abc - 6-7-2023 at 10:53 AM

maps are the least reliable tool for road conditions

the most detailed maps are the INEGI topo maps
https://www.facebook.com/groups/651595359982880

most useful nav tool for Baja is GaiaGPS

but in the end it will be you making it possible to get to those remote beaches - or not.

no gates in remote areas of Baja beaches - except Timbabiche. There is a gate going towards Los Gatos. Seems only closed on weekends and holidays

4x4abc - 6-7-2023 at 10:56 AM

I forgot to mention Google Earth

you should not venture anywhere remote in Baja without STUDYING sat images
that might be as many hours as the actual drive

BeachSeeker - 6-7-2023 at 12:24 PM

Thanks for the information Harald! I've never messed with GaiaGPS but I'll have a look. Do they allow offline satellite and topo?

I do spend a lot of time already studying satellite maps. That is pretty much the basis of all my trips; find a beach on satellite that looks cool, accessible yet off the beaten path, then go try to get there.

David K - 6-7-2023 at 12:30 PM

Welcome aboard BeachSeeker,
I hope you have been to my www.VivaBaja.com site, which I am modifying and adding content to almost daily.

Rather than a long list of links to content (maps, photos, history, etc.) on the home page, I am grouping things onto side pages so it may be quicker to find content. I am working on an index, too. Revisit often to see what's new and what I have changed.

To see beaches, look at my Interactive Photos Map and to read about that beach, go to my Trip Albums. My Baja Bound Road Guide is back on production following a delay for the Baja 500 and NORRA 1000. The person Baja Bound has hired to make the book ready to publish is heavily involved with the sport.

Thank you for your interest in my Road Guide work. Did you know, I have shared several pages from the book's pre-publication edition you can see now, on VivaBaja.com?

OK... so here are some places to look:
https://vivabaja.com/locations/
https://vivabaja.com/driving/
plus if you want to see some history on your way to a beach:
https://vivabaja.com/history/

As always, I am happy to assist... feel free to ask, u2u, or email me. There also is VivaBaja on Facebook, where we share locations, photos, camping trips, etc. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja

mtgoat666 - 6-7-2023 at 12:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker

Does anyone have any recommendations on a fairly up to date guidebook on the less known beaches of Baja?

My wife and I enjoy exploring and the adventure of finding the secluded beaches of Baja. The perfect beach for us is sandy, clear water, snorkeling nearby, and not another person around.

The beaches listed in books and on websites are overrun with other people.
If you want a private beach, don’t look for it in books and online.
If you want your discovery to remain uncrowded, then don’t post your discovery on line!
Posting on the internet is the fastest way to ruin something!

Simple answer to the OP: don’t ask the question!

David K - 6-7-2023 at 01:22 PM

That is so untrue, goat. I have been sharing Shell Island with my Nomad friends since Nomad began, 21 years ago... and it still looks like this, as it did when I first camped there, 45 years ago!:

A typical Memorial Day weekend, nobody else was on the 4-mile-long beach/ barrier island...

The secret is 4WD and not being a sissy or needing any facilities.
As anywhere, if you bring it in full, you can haul it out empty. Take only photos and leave only footprints.

[Edited on 6-7-2023 by David K]

AKgringo - 6-7-2023 at 01:53 PM

Will you have a good 4x4 on your planned trip? I have explored quite a few remote beaches, but some of them are risky in a standard vehicle.

BeachSeeker - 6-7-2023 at 02:43 PM

David K - Thank you for the welcome. Yes I have explored VivaBaja and I really appreciate all of the information. I am slowing piecing locations together. Like you mention, and if you don't mind the feedback, the website could benefit from some sort of menu or indexing. I understand that is a ton of work, and just having the information there is so helpful to the community, so I don't want to sound ungrateful. I'll check out those links, they seem to be pointing me in the right direction. I am definitely going to check out Shell Island next time I head South. We never have really been campers. Don't need much in the way of accommodations, but a shower and a bed are nice after spending the whole day exploring. I'll keep an eye out for your Road Guide once it is in print.

mtgoat - I get what you are saying, I really do. I'm not looking for a TikTok story on each beach. All I need is some basic info. "Turn left at km xx.x, dirt and sand road, trucks ok, xx.x km to sandy beach with reef on South side." Wasn't sure if there was something like this available or not. I've found some great beaches in the East Cape, which is definitely not an unexplored or undocumented area of Baja.

AKgringo - I'm not looking to do any major offroading, but sand/dirt/mud is fine. Arroyos and unmaintained trails are fine. I'll be driving a mostly stock newer Tacoma TRD Off Road. Capable, but the offroading is a means to an end, not the goal.

4x4abc - 6-7-2023 at 04:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker

Thanks for the information Harald! I've never messed with GaiaGPS but I'll have a look. Do they allow offline satellite and topo?

I do spend a lot of time already studying satellite maps. That is pretty much the basis of all my trips; find a beach on satellite that looks cool, accessible yet off the beaten path, then go try to get there.

I am mapping professionally

GaiaGPS is one of my main support tools. It is the only one that offers the original Mexican INEGI topos (subscription needed)

works flawlessly offline
topos need to be preloaded, of course

4x4abc - 6-7-2023 at 04:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

The beaches listed in books and on websites are overrun with other people.
If you want a private beach, don’t look for it in books and online.

right - the cool stuff is not in the books (yet)

mtgoat666 - 6-7-2023 at 05:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

The beaches listed in books and on websites are overrun with other people.
If you want a private beach, don’t look for it in books and online.

right - the cool stuff is not in the books (yet)

Every day the cool stuff gets ruined when people post it on in their social media, on ioverlander, etc.
The cool stuff left is behind gates or in roadless areas.
The internet sharers are fast ruining everything else…

shari - 6-7-2023 at 06:51 PM

Welcome to the sandbox Beachseekeer! For remote pristine sandy beaches with not a soul on them visit us on the central Pacside. the weather is lovely between July & March...not too hot in summer, not cold in winter.

Here around Bahia Asuncion there are dozens of beaches within a half hour of the village where shore fishing yields a fish every cast. I can dial you in to how to best access them if you stop in and visit me at La Bufadora Inn. To see some of the area beaches take a peek at www.bahiaasuncion.com
There are miles of empty beaches between Bahia Tortugas & La Bocana to explore and fish.

wilderone - 6-8-2023 at 09:05 AM

You're on the right track, and your truck will do just fine. Lots of beaches are empty at the end of the road. Are you camping? Santa Rosalillita was all ours - see the small sign to the right before you get to town. Try the Conception Bay peninsula west road. Punta Chivato, then south to Bahia Sta Ines. BOLA, but then south to Bahia Las Animas.

David K - 6-8-2023 at 09:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker

David K - Thank you for the welcome. Yes I have explored VivaBaja and I really appreciate all of the information. I am slowing piecing locations together. Like you mention, and if you don't mind the feedback, the website could benefit from some sort of menu or indexing. I understand that is a ton of work, and just having the information there is so helpful to the community, so I don't want to sound ungrateful. I'll check out those links, they seem to be pointing me in the right direction. I am definitely going to check out Shell Island next time I head South. We never have really been campers. Don't need much in the way of accommodations, but a shower and a bed are nice after spending the whole day exploring. I'll keep an eye out for your Road Guide once it is in print.

Oh yes, I agree... I have been loading my reports and logs as well as great links, maps, photos, and history... It is jam packed and sort of a rabbit-hole that you could spend a vacation in, without leaving home!

To reduce the search time, I have moved many links into groupings and will continue to try and make the Viva Baja experience more streamlined (click on blue text to see each):

Click to DISCOVER WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO, and HOW TO GET THERE:
Discover LOCATIONS (Travel Articles, Maps, Books, Road Logs)
Discover HISTORY (Missions, El Camino Real, Painted Caves, etc.)
Discover DRIVING (Border Crossing, Road Maps, Kilometer Marker, GPS)

Funny that you should mention an index... which hyper-links you to the page with that place or thing. I have begun building one!
See it here, under construction: https://vivabaja.com/viva-baja-index/

Thank you for commenting and anything else I can do to help one navigate VivaBaja.com or find a Baja adventure to experience, let me know!

surfhat - 6-8-2023 at 12:32 PM

Back in the old days of the 70's, the best we had was the Baja Topographic Book.

It showed just about everything except locked gates. haha

There are many more of those these days, so these modern updates are invaluable. Even more so with the occasional hurricane changing the access to the out there spots.

There is something special about holding a book in your hands and finding maps of roads and trails that might go somewhere many others will not. One can hope so.

Having Baja to yourself when you can will always remain special. Sharing adventures with close friends is even better if there are as few of them as possible. I never went down to join a crowd if I had the choice, but a couple of friends along were welcomed if they didn't tell of their friends later. haha

David K - 6-8-2023 at 01:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat

Back in the old days of the 70's, the best we had was the Baja Topographic Book.

It showed just about everything except locked gates. haha

There are many more of those these days, so these modern updates are invaluable. Even more so with the occasional hurricane changing the access to the out there spots.

There is something special about holding a book in your hands and finding maps of roads and trails that might go somewhere many others will not. One can hope so.

Having Baja to yourself when you can will always remain special. Sharing adventures with close friends is even better if there are as few of them as possible. I never went down to join a crowd if I had the choice, but a couple of friends along were welcomed if they didn't tell of their friends later. haha

In the 70s, besides what the Auto Club produced for its members, we had these road log and map guidebooks:

In the 1980s

and in 1986 the first edition of two Baja Topo Atlas books. [They would later
become the Baja Almanac editions later. Today, we have the Benchmark Baja Road Atlas]:

aburruss - 6-8-2023 at 07:40 PM

Also.. Get the Avenza Maps app, and load in the Benchmark Maps Baja Atlas. Will allow you to track your location overlaid on their maps. Super resource for exploring when you don't know where you going.. Is there a road? Yep! Nope! Figure it out!... Sometimes it'll get you close, and then you find something worth exploring down the road where their road or path ends! But if nothing else, it'll keep you on track with where you're trying to go.

Bahia Asuncion

AKgringo - 6-8-2023 at 08:38 PM

BeachSeeker, did you take the time to view Shari's video link? http://www.bahiaasuncion.com

I have spent some time at La Bufadora...it is a special place, and many beaches are a short drive away if the ones in town don't suit you. While exploring the area, keep in mind that the fishing co-op is watchful of their abalone and lobster stocks.

I have met them several times, and it was a cordial encounter each time. They had no problem with me and my dog spending nights in either of the locations.

BeachSeeker - 6-8-2023 at 09:48 PM

Thank you everyone for the information! I have spent no less than 20 hours just looking through trip reports and piecing together information on satellite and topo maps. This is nothing new. We have explored the entire East Cape like this. As well as much of the Pacific side of Costa Rica.

Sheri & AKGringo Bahia Asuncion and that whole area are on the list. However, the Sea of Cortez is more of a draw for use, with white sand and warm water. When we do go, we will definitely come visit you Sheri and stay at the La Bufadora Inn. Maybe that is the place to go in the hottest months when the Golfo is too hot.

Speaking of books, is there anything like "The Baja Catch", but updated? I think the last one was published in 1997.

[Edited on 6-13-2023 by BeachSeeker]

BajaBlanca - 6-9-2023 at 01:37 AM

You are going to love, I think, the remoteness of the Pacific side! From Bahia Asuncion, be sure to head for La Bocana - remote incredible empty beaches the whole way!

We also have a small hotel in La Bocana or you can park your vehicle and stay right in front - since ours is the last house, it is quiet sitting in front of the vast Pacific. Be sure to look for Joaquin and he owns the Baja Cactus restaurant which ONLY opens with a prior reservation. It is a lifetime experience to be there! Be sure to have a margarita and lobster at the Cabanyas Restaurant (and if you are a fisherman, staying there, you cross a patch of sand and jump into your panga!!)

Since you are exploring so much, maybe you should write the next book!

Welcome to BajaNomad. Please be sure to post pics of your adventures.

David K - 6-9-2023 at 08:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by aburruss

Also.. Get the Avenza Maps app, and load in the Benchmark Maps Baja Atlas. Will allow you to track your location overlaid on their maps. Super resource for exploring when you don't know where you going.. Is there a road? Yep! Nope! Figure it out!... Sometimes it'll get you close, and then you find something worth exploring down the road where their road or path ends! But if nothing else, it'll keep you on track with where you're trying to go.

That was such a pretty beach, where the road touches it on you screenshot map! I camped there one night. Yes, the Avenza App for the Baja Road Atlas is great... uses satellites to locate you in real time. No cell service needed.

David K - 6-9-2023 at 09:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker

Thank you everyone for the information! I have spent no less than 20 hours just looking through trip reports and piecing together information on satellite and topo maps. This is nothing new. We have explored the entire East Cape like this. As well as much of the Pacific side of Costa Rica.

[B]Sheri & AKGringo - [/B] Bahia Asuncion and that whole area are on the list. However, the Sea of Cortez is more of a draw for use, with white sand and warm water. When we do go, we will definitely come visit you Sheri and stay at the La Bufadora Inn. Maybe that is the place to go in the hottest months when the Golfo is too hot.

Speaking of books, is there anything like "The Baja Catch", but updated? I think the last one was published in 1997.

This is the 1997 edition...

In 2008, this author joined Baja Nomad and showed us his new book, it has some fishing in it, but is more about launching your boat:

Smaller books about fishing in Baja include:

(1996)

(1981)

and my favorite, from 1979:

(1974)

Then the classics from Ray Cannon:

(1966)

(1964)

wilderone - 6-9-2023 at 09:38 AM

How much time do you have? Are you camping? Which port of entry? How far south are you going? What time of year? IMO, an updated book on popular beaches of Baja California is not going to tell you what you want to know. The research you're doing will all come together and you'll learn all the secret places that aren't recommended in a book. Baja Catch does show the shoreline topo and species which is helpful and doesn't change except for over-fished spots and seasons. Bring a boogy board and enjoy the Pacific side. El Tomatal, Laguna Manuela, Laguna San Ignacio. Worthy of exploration and experiencing the diversity of Baja California's 2,000 mi of coastline.

4x4abc - 6-9-2023 at 10:01 AM

the fact that Avanza has that Benchmark map as a scan with limited resolution (notice the fuzziness in David's image above) makes it inferior to the digital pdf version of the INEGI maps on GaiaGPS

besides, GaiaGPS is a much easier to use app than Avenza (I am using both)

same for their desktop versions - GaiaGPS is so much easier to use.

David K - 6-9-2023 at 11:57 AM

It was aburruss' image, a close up screenshot. The thin line for the unclassified road is quite sharp, not fuzzy. For $19.99, it is really nice to know where you are in Baja with a satellite locating you on the map. No reason not to have other maps, but bang-for-buck, Avenza is sweet and the road data is new, for 2021. Hurricane Kay in Sept. 2022 did quite a number on many roads from L.A. Bay south.

4x4abc - 6-9-2023 at 02:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

It was aburruss' image, a close up screenshot. The thin line for the unclassified road is quite sharp, not fuzzy. For $19.99, it is really nice to know where you are in Baja with a satellite locating you on the map. No reason not to have other maps, but bang-for-buck, Avenza is sweet and the road data is new, for 2021. Hurricane Kay in Sept. 2022 did quite a number on many roads from L.A. Bay south.

I pulled that image on both my Avenza and GaiaGPS on my phone. Avenza fuzzy - Gaia crystal clear

Avenza:

GaiaGPS

David K - 6-9-2023 at 04:01 PM

Excellent... but no roads shown, if that is the same place. Your Gaia gps is definitely better, especially for backpacking when you need that close look and the contour lines.
How much is it?

4x4abc - 6-9-2023 at 05:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Excellent... but no roads shown, if that is the same place. Your Gaia gps is definitely better, especially for backpacking when you need that close look and the contour lines.
How much is it?

I picked the same screen shot you were showing

That is the INEGI map on GaiaGPS (One of the map choices with subscription)
I think, the subscription was $69