briantroy
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Camping Northern Baja
I am planning a trip and was hoping to get some suggestions about where to camp/shop/ eat/drink wine. We plan on entering in Tecate, doing some
shopping for pottery and grabbing some lunch. From there we were going to head toward Guadalupe Valley were we hoped to camp. I found a KOA outside of
Tecate but they don't allow fires and that is a MUST have. We wanted to get some wine tasting done the next day and have a nice dinner before heading
back to camp for another night. Any suggestions are appreciated. I did see Laguna Hanson but I am weary about the motorcycle noise level.
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Mango
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I was warned about Laguna Hansen before I went; but, didn't find the noise too bad, although I think I may have been there on an off weekend. It was
still nice; but, it takes a good 1 1/2 hours (moving fast) from the turnoff on the highway just to get there.. so I think it may be too far for you.
Some places you might try.. (from a brochure fromhttp://www.descubrebajacalifornia.com/)
Balneario Las Jacarandas San Antonio de las Minas, BC KM 88 on Hwy 3. (646) 113-3561
Rancho Cuesta Mar (I think near the first) (646) 155-3017 or (646) 112-1682
Rancho El Cerrito KM76 (646) 155-2136
I've never been to any of the three places listed above; but, maybe it will help you on your search. I'd love to hear about your trip and hope you
have a good time.
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805gregg
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There is a camp or cabin rental I think east of Tecate called Rancho Ojai? Yeah thats it rancho-ojai.com, cabins, camping pool etc.
[Edited on 11-5-2007 by 805gregg]
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toneart
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Isn't this the area that was burnt out in the great fire of a couple of weeks ago? I don't mean the actual wine country, but the camping areas around
Tecate on both sides of the border. Absolutely no open campfires! Also, the Santa Ana winds have not left for the season.
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Dave
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Great place to camp
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mango
I was warned about Laguna Hansen before I went; but, didn't find the noise too bad |
Laguna Hanson is a very remote place. Only time it's busy is on national holidays, in spring, summer or fall. In the winter months it's
cold...can be very cold. You shouldn't have a problem in Nov-Dec. You'll probably be the only ones there.
[Edited on 11-5-2007 by Dave]
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jeans
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mango
I was warned about Laguna Hansen before I went; but, didn't find the noise too bad |
Laguna Hanson is a very remote place. Only time it's busy is on national holidays, in spring, summer or fall. In the winter months it's
cold...can be very cold. You shouldn't have a problem in Nov-Dec. You'll probably be the only ones there.
[Edited on 11-5-2007 by Dave] |
I drove through there mid-November 2000...there were small patches of snow on the ground.
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Mango
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Yep, I think Laguna Hansen would just be too far, too cold(this time of year), and too much time for camping while wine tasting. I'd look in the
Guadalupe Valley or near Ensenada somewhere.
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mango
Yep, I think Laguna Hansen would just be too far, too cold(this time of year), and too much time for camping while wine tasting. I'd look in the
Guadalupe Valley or near Ensenada somewhere. |
personnaly, i think one of best times of year to camp in the mountains is the winter, so is you're the tougher type that likes camping in winter, I
suggest you go for Laguna Hansen - but it's a bit of a long drive from Guadalupe Valley, so not convenient to wineries. cool nights, and often
moderate to warmish days, and best of all the cold-woosie masses are not there so the park is all for you..
there is some camping closer to guadalupe valley - haven't camped there, but have driven by it, and seen it. undeveloped campsites are east of valley
(generally east to SE of the main cluster of wineries, i think). not sure how to point you to it on a map, but if you search around for some hot
springs east/SE of the wineries, you'll be near, just head east of the hot springs... but you better do a recon trip to find the campsites, I wouldn't
count on finding anythinng in the dark after drinking all day
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Mango
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mtgoat666 - Good advice and I agree with you. My favorite time to camp in Yosemite is during the winter for reasons the very same reasons you listed
above. Less people and more solitude.
Even for people that enjoy camping in the snow and cold, I still think Laguna Hansen is just too far from Guadalupe Valley for a wine tasting/camping
trip. Too much time driving IMO.
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wilderone
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You'll probably go to the LA Cetto winery (then stop at Dona ___'s winery -- just up the road and a right turn. There is a camping area 5 miles from
the LA Cetto winery - it's $5/nt. Continue on the dirt road past LA Cetto (i.e., don't go back to the highway), follow it as it meanders past grape
fields, and through 3 or 4 streams. Eventually you will come to a small rancho, with a chain across the road. Here, the ranchero will look you over
and charge $5/nt to camp. Proceed on the road another mile, until you cross the stream one more time, and come to a parking area. This is the
campground - also camping on the other side of the stream. You can hike for miles through the canyon there, and there is a primitive hot springs
pool, a fairly deep pool made by a seasonal waterfall, and a cold stream. Cattle too!! Mid-week, you should have the place all to yourself.
There is also camping at the Kumayee (sp?) cultural center which is past Dona ___'s.
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vandy
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Camping
What about camping on the US side?
I just drove through Tecate last week, and the fires didn't hit Portrero County Park. There's free internet at the library before the park too.
It's only a 2-hour drive through the entire "Ruta del Vino" from there, and almost no delays at the border.
The only cool campgrounds I know of in North Baja are down by San Quintin, and they can be extremely windy in Winter.
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vandy
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Dang wilderone, I had no idea! I think your place sounds nicer than mine...if I could find it.
Next time I'll read all the posts before replying, maybe
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