JakeinVegas
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Registered: 12-15-2013
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Need help planning trip to Bahia Concepcion
I have been reading these forums for several months and have learned a lot from the members of this forum. Thank you. Sorry for the wall of text that
is about to hit but I figure if you have more information about our plans then you might be able to offer more specific counsel.
My family and several other families are planning a trip down to Bahia Concepcion in June of 2014. So far, there will be between 15 and 20 of us
travelling in several vehicles from Las Vegas and possibly a few people flying into Loreto from Los Angeles and renting a car. We will have lots of
young children, a few teenagers, three or four couples in their thirties and a few grandparents. Most of us have experience traveling and living
outside the U.S. but this will be the first trip to Baja for most of us. We will have one native spanish speaker and one gringo who is fluent so that
should help a lot with communication.
We will leave Las Vegas on June 6th and return on June 15th. We will be spending the week at what used to be called Casa De Los Suenos (http://www.vrbo.com/339293#). The owner of the property has been very helpful in providing information to us and I have been researching this trip
fairly obsessively for about four months now.
Our current plan is to leave Las Vegas around one a.m. on June 7th so that we will hit the border near sunrise and then drive to San Quintin. We plan
on staying the night in San Quintin and then driving down to Bahia Concepcion the next day. Any advice on where to stay in San Quintin? We have talked
about going to see the oyster farm for a tour or just playing on the beach and relaxing. The next day is another long drive but we would like to push
through the rest of the way and get settled in.
Once we arrive in Bahia Concepcion we have a lot of people with varying interests and physical capabilities. Some folks in the group are not huge
water people (can't swim) and are looking for things to do in the area i.e. tours, shopping, history and culture opportunities. Your suggestions will
be much appreciated.
I will be bringing down my 13' Avon inflatable with an aluminum floor, inflatable keel and a 20 hp outboard. The plan is to spend every morning
fishing with hook and line and/or spearfishing with the guys and older kids and spending time with my wife and kids in the afternoon and evening
hours. The owner of the property will provide kayaks and other water toys for our use. The objective is to bond with friends and family without
electronic interference and create memories that will last a life time.
Your input and suggestions on safety, food, lodgings, fishing and other activities will be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance for your
knowledge and expertise.
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rts551
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With a group your size I would stay at Mision Santa Maria while in San Quintin. Lots of room and on the beach.
http://hotelmisionsantamaria.com/en/Contacto%20Santa%20Maria...
Remember... During June your stay in Concepcion will be hot. so plan accordingly.
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vandenberg
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Sounds like the perfect getaway for a large family get together.
Bahia Concepcion is indeed a gem, with, besides your private beach, lots of beaches to explore. And Mulege is a great place to visit and spend some
time as is Loreto..
The weather in June is just fine. Maybe a little warm, but no humidity yet and actually very nice.
I live in Loreto so I know of what I speak.
Seems like a very good choice for a large group and I'm willing to bet you won't regret it if you decide to stay there.
Whatever, HAVE FUN!!
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JakeinVegas
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Thanks for the hotel idea. The kids love the beach and San Quintin will be their only chance to play in the waves on the pacific side this trip. As
far as heat goes we will all be coming from Vegas so it will actually be a drop in temperature for us. The property down there has fans but no AC.
Will the evening winds at that time of year cool things off in the house with it being situated higher up on the cliff? My understanding is that the
high temp at that time of year will be low 90's and water temp in the bay will be low 80's. Is that correct?
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mulegemichael
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Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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shari and juan arce can and will help you plan out some water and non water days in asuncion....they are the maestros of that area....we always stay
at their beachhouse right at the edge of town and love it....maybe some fossil time or a day trip to the local lobster fishing village, or some
surfing or just plain beachcombing...shari will give you options...ask anyone; they'll point them out.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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rts551
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
shari and juan arce can and will help you plan out some water and non water days in asuncion....they are the maestros of that area....we always stay
at their beachhouse right at the edge of town and love it....maybe some fossil time or a day trip to the local lobster fishing village, or some
surfing or just plain beachcombing...shari will give you options...ask anyone; they'll point them out. |
Wouldn;t Asuncion be a ways away from Bahia Concecion given the amount of time they have? They stated they would prefer to settle in therre for
their vacation. Just sayin.
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Pompano
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Welcome to BajaNomads, Jake.
I'm very familiar with Conception Bay, having had a home there since the '70's Know that it will be very warm at that time...well, at least for me.
And with some humidity but not as much as later on, unlike Las Vegas. Fishing is minimal in the Bay at best, so I wouldn't rely on catching much for
dinner. Quite a few good guides in Mulege to take you out on the Cortez.
Use your own boat to explore and picnic in the bay...many nice island beaches and privacy await. It's a bit of a climb up and down those stairs, so
take it easy in the heat.
Kayak in the bay to your hearts content. Bring your snorkel & fins and explore the rocky shores and points...look for Sargasso and find an
aquarium of small fishes.
Lots of cafes near you in the bay, also....dine out and meet some locals.
Take a guided tour to the cave paintings. Do the Mulege café tour. Visit the mission and old prison. Soak up some Baja history. Have a piñata
party. Have a margarita contest. Go skinny dipping on Dead Dog beach. Have a best photo contest.
Will add more Bay info to this later as I think of it. Have a good and safe trip.
[Edited on 12-15-2013 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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mulegemichael
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my bad....all of the "cions" got me confused; a product of age...sorry....yes...concepcion is remarkable, truly.....especially if it's not cranking
from the north....like today...we LOVE our time here!
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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David K
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Petroglyphs, missions, and more... for the non-water activities.
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JakeinVegas
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 12-15-2013
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Fishing in bay and surrounding areas
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pompano
Welcome to BajaNomads, Jake.
I'm very familiar with Conception Bay, having had a home there since the '70's Know that it will be very warm at that time...well, at least for me.
And with some humidity but not as much as later on, unlike Las Vegas. Fishing is minimal in the Bay at best, so I wouldn't rely on catching much for
dinner. Quite a few good guides in Mulege to take you out on the Cortez.
Use your own boat to explore and picnic in the bay...many nice island beaches and privacy await. It's a bit of a climb up and down those stairs, so
take it easy in the heat.
Kayak in the bay to your hearts content. Bring your snorkel & fins and explore the rocky shores and points...look for Sargasso and find an
aquarium of small fishes.
Lots of cafes near you in the bay, also....dine out and meet some locals.
Take a guided tour to the cave paintings. Do the Mulege café tour. Visit the mission and old prison. Soak up some Baja history. Have a piñata
party. Have a margarita contest. Go skinny dipping on Dead Dog beach. Have a best photo contest.
Will add more Bay info to this later as I think of it. Have a good and safe trip.
[Edited on 12-15-2013 by Pompano] |
Weather and water conditions permitting we have discussed using my boat to go out to the mouth of the bay and work the rock piles. On a calm day we
are considering going all the way out to the large reef southeast of Punta Chivato to do some spearfishing. We will have a handheld marine radio with
GPS. Am I crazy to consider taking my boat to these locations? We are also considering driving up early in the mornings and launching the boat from
San Bruno and working the reef on the southeast end of Isla San Marcos. We are also open to doing a couple of days of charter fishing in the area. Do
you have any recommendations on local panga captains?
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JakeinVegas
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
my bad....all of the "cions" got me confused; a product of age...sorry....yes...concepcion is remarkable, truly.....especially if it's not cranking
from the north....like today...we LOVE our time here! |
Sounds like a great stop for another trip though. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JakeinVegas
[Weather and water conditions permitting we have discussed using my boat to go out to the mouth of the bay and work the rock piles. On a calm day we
are considering going all the way out to the large reef southeast of Punta Chivato to do some spearfishing. We will have a handheld marine radio with
GPS. Am I crazy to consider taking my boat to these locations? We are also considering driving up early in the mornings and launching the boat from
San Bruno and working the reef on the southeast end of Isla San Marcos. We are also open to doing a couple of days of charter fishing in the area. Do
you have any recommendations on local panga captains? |
Going offshore in your 13' inflatable? Sure, if you are a competent boat operator, not overloaded, and keep to your guns about never going on the
water in a wind of more than 10mph. (12mph and over makes whitecaps, which makes your trip very bad news.) Check Buoyweather.com or another reliable
weather site. Personally, I would save all that wasted water time 7 fuel from the Bay to anywhere outside by using the boat ramps in Mulege or Ej.
San Bruno or San Lucas Cove. I agree that San Marcos would be better ...for everything.
You could also swing around Pt. Conception and snorkel along the rocky shores and points to the south. We used to call that our 'Grocery Store'
Guides. There's some good ones. Check at the local cafes, bars, and hotels for the latest hi-liners who can guide you. Talk to the guys who went
fishing yesterday and got into them. What, where, and how are your questions. Remember..bigger waves, bigger boats. Yours will only be useful on
flat days.
Some names to throw around when asking for guides...Alex & Mateo...but there are always some new experts coming along.
For San Marcos & Tortuga island guides, inquire with Pescador on this forum about the guides from there. He fishes a bunch and lives in San
Bruno.
Well, enough for now. Sounds like you will have a great trip, so keep to your plans, ....and enjoy Baja like all of us!
edit to add this photo. A very fun thing to do with your small boat would be a short trip to Playa Domingo (at the entrance to the Bay on the
peninsula side..starboard on the way out..) Beachcombing, picnic, swimming...fun times for all.
[Edited on 12-15-2013 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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JakeinVegas
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 12-15-2013
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Thanks Pompano. We definitely don't plan on any offshore fishing from my little boat. It sounds like our best bet is to drive north and then launch
from San Bruno or San Nicolas Cove.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Just walking around Mulege is an interesting thing to do, and maybe visit the old prison and other places Pompano suggests.
Would suggest a day to travel up to San Javier. Check with locals at that time about the road, and if you don't want to drive it yourself, you can
hire guides and vans in Mulege to take you there. The old mission there is nice and it will give you a feel for a more rural area of that part of
Baja.
Just a couple of ideas for now.
I agree with rts555 about where to stay in San Qunitin as the Santa Maria is larger and it is right on the beach. I am not sure how good the swimming
right there might be, however. Baja Gringo would know the best place for swimming in that area.
Pompano is definitely the expert on the Bahia Conception area, and for fishing, boating, etc., hopefully, Pescador will chime in.
Another thought, on the way down or back, do take the time to turn off the road for San Ignacio. It is right off the highway and well worth seeing.
It is so much like a small town on the mainland. And if anyone is interested in the history of that area, visit Casa Lerre right off the plaza. San
Ignacio is one of our absolute favorite places to be. It is apt to be quite warm the there is lots of shade in the plaza.
HAVE A GREAT TIME.
[Edited on 12-16-2013 by DianaT]
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JakeinVegas
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Thanks Diana. I think my mother in law would enjoy San Javier and we are definitely looking forward to checking out San Ignacio (I love fresh dates).
Pompano your suggestions have helped me in doing some additional research. I did a search on the site for Pescador's comments and he is definitely an
expert fisherman. I learned a lot from reading his past comments. You have all been very generous with your suggestions and expertise.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Nearest to Bahia Concepcion are these mission sites:
Mulege (Mission Santa Rosalia de Mulege), Magdalena, San Juan Londo, Guadalupe de Huasinapi, Loreto, San Javier.
More info, photos, etc.: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions
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BajaBlanca
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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welcome to the board and have a blast on your trip!
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