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ElFaro
Nomad
Posts: 231
Registered: 9-16-2007
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My wife and I spent last week at Estero Beach Hotel in Ensenada...virtually empty. They have a "promotional" going right now...Maya rooms for
$58/nite. The RV park was deserted. There were a few "one-nite" stop overs. One RV couple who had been there for the last 4 months told us they were
the only ones in the RV park most of the time. A number of "permanent" residences are up for sale at Estero offered by the resort owners. Apparently
the individual gringo owners couldn't sell them and simply let the resort owners "take back" the lot and house. The restaurant is closed now one day
a week every Tuesday. We returned through Tecate on Friday around 4pm and believe it or not there were only THREE cars in front of us at the gates!!
- a 5 minute wait! Normally on Fri. nites in the past there would be a line of cars of Mexicans heading north to party and have fun but not these
days.
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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I don't know what shops, nightclubs and restaurants tourists will be returning to in Rosarito once they do decide to return. Most youth-oriented
places are closed or have reduced their hours- except for the hope of some weekend business. Of course most businesses shuttering after dark a few
months back due to increased robberies didn't help change the crime perception from the merchants perspective.
IMHO the biggest obstacle Rosarito can't recover from in the near future is the passport requirement.
Rosarito is a young peoples spring break party place- or at least that's the demographic they built the tourist zone around. When the college Frats
and social groups make their plans for this spring break- it only takes ONE person without a passport to kill the Rosarito option. I'll bet domestic
destinations like South Padre Island will be rocking- instead of Rosarito. Maybe a recover next year- or when the people who paid for the lions'
share of tourist marketing return from Chula Vista and re-open their clubs.
[Edited on 2-24-2010 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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torch
Nomad
Posts: 295
Registered: 1-27-2010
Location: O.C. Calif. and BCN
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ElFaro
My wife and I spent last week at Estero Beach Hotel in Ensenada...virtually empty. They have a "promotional" going right now...Maya rooms for
$58/nite. The RV park was deserted. There were a few "one-nite" stop overs. One RV couple who had been there for the last 4 months told us they were
the only ones in the RV park most of the time. A number of "permanent" residences are up for sale at Estero offered by the resort owners. Apparently
the individual gringo owners couldn't sell them and simply let the resort owners "take back" the lot and house. The restaurant is closed now one day
a week every Tuesday. We returned through Tecate on Friday around 4pm and believe it or not there were only THREE cars in front of us at the gates!!
- a 5 minute wait! Normally on Fri. nites in the past there would be a line of cars of Mexicans heading north to party and have fun but not these
days. |
I spent new years eve at Corona beach 3 or so properties to the north (the local party was great). we checked out estero (very nice) which was not
busy at all. We loved the margs. and the setting. By the way did you see EL FARO beach?
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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Yeah
| Quote: | Originally posted by torch
surfers are treated alot better now in mex because we still go and provide a little boost for the locals. I think 5 years ago surfers were treated or
at least looked upon differently from the locals. |
When you collectively count spending on Bologna, Bimbo bread and Mayo it starts to really add up.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by torch
By the way did you see EL FARO beach? |
What happened to it?
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torch
Nomad
Posts: 295
Registered: 1-27-2010
Location: O.C. Calif. and BCN
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by torch
By the way did you see EL FARO beach? |
What happened to it? |
I was just making a play on the name since his user name is Elfaro and El Faro beach is next door to Estero beach
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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OK. Now we see the light!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by torch
[
I was just making a play on the name since his user name is Elfaro and El Faro beach is next door to Estero beach |
I have trouble paying attention. 
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alafrontera
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 11-4-2009
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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I was in San Felipe for Valentine's day / presidents day weekend, pretty dead as everyone reports. Went to check out Pete's Camp just to see it, no
campers at all. No rv's, trailers etc on the highway between Mexicali and Puertecitos, not one and it was a holiday weekend !
Barry made a good point, it does seem that the bulk of the baja capmers over the years have been retiree's who have been going for many years. Baja
has changed and it doesn't have the same appeal anymore, plus they are older and perhaps less adventurous than before. Almost everyplace I knew and
enjoyed 30 years ago is (in my opinion) a pit now and I don't go back. So it's going to take a whole new generation of Baja enthusists who are
fascinated by the way it is now to revive it. People like myself who have no notion of what is was 20 years ago.
And I have good reason to go too ! Barry's comments also led me to envision long caravans of 40 foot motorhomes precariously driven by gun toting
octogenarians crusing the California highways frequently checking their maps between "senior moments". I think I feel safer in Mexico now 
low lattitude attitude
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65286
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by alafrontera
I was in San Felipe for Valentine's day / presidents day weekend, pretty dead as everyone reports. Went to check out Pete's Camp just to see it, no
campers at all. No rv's, trailers etc on the highway between Mexicali and Puertecitos, not one and it was a holiday weekend !
Barry made a good point, it does seem that the bulk of the baja capmers over the years have been retiree's who have been going for many years. Baja
has changed and it doesn't have the same appeal anymore, plus they are older and perhaps less adventurous than before. Almost everyplace I knew and
enjoyed 30 years ago is (in my opinion) a pit now and I don't go back. So it's going to take a whole new generation of Baja enthusists who are
fascinated by the way it is now to revive it. People like myself who have no notion of what is was 20 years ago.
And I have good reason to go too ! Barry's comments also led me to envision long caravans of 40 foot motorhomes precariously driven by gun toting
octogenarians crusing the California highways frequently checking their maps between "senior moments". I think I feel safer in Mexico now |
I hope that the Mexicans will learn that LESS IS BEST for many of Baja campers!
If we wanted all the services and entertainment found at a KOA, then we wouldn't go through the difficulties of Mexico travel/ border crossing/
fear...
We want natural, undeveloped or lightly developed places to stay... like palapas or shade trees to make it nice... showers and toilets, no more...
even less.
Places like Nuevo Mazatlan, Campo Beluga, El Requeson, etc, are where we would go. When I first went to Baja in the 60's and 70's that was the way it
was... and campgrounds south of San Felipe were busy.
Pete's Camp or even Percebu has been a zoo during holidays in recent past years... But, as you said... even they are lacking... The upcoming San
Felipe 250 race on March 13 will be their big event to have business... maybe the 500 and 1000 if it goes near San Felipe.
Not much else will help... It just isn't worth it. Only if Baja is DIFFERENT than the United States can it attract campers again, like it has for
generations... different in that there is rustic camping, good fishing, swimming, recreation (beach and desert off road fun), no hassels, no crime, no
fees... just freedom to enjoy one's vacationaway from civilization.
Nuevo Mazatlan (Agua de Chale) in 1967:
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Geez. And campers spend how much money there? People are out of work. Anyone who smugly feels that an empty Baja is better should start a fund to buy
food for the hungry down there.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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Visitors to Baja want different services catering to their individual needs. Even among Nomads we all differ in how we enjoy our time in Baja.
Simpler isn't necessarily what alot of us want.
Look at the success of Baja Cactus and Jardines, offering amentities not usually found in Baja at the $35-$45 price point. In fact many of the
"budget" motels now offer wifi and coffee makers, heaters, TV's are becoming the norm in the less than $50 properties. Campers as they age turn to
"Truck/Campers", fifth wheels, etc. and are demanding electrical hook-up, drinking water, etc. at campgrounds.
Baja does and will attract all types from those that dry camp to those that frequent the all inclusive properties in Cabo.
When, and I believe it will, the violence on the border subsides
people will start coming back to Baja including new first time visitors.
disclaimer: I have been accused of being an irrational optimist by a few members here. 
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
When, and I believe it will, the violence on the border subsides
people will start coming back to Baja including new first time visitors.
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Other things will have to see some adjustments as well. The border and the economy. It just ain't what it used to be.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
When, and I believe it will, the violence on the border subsides
people will start coming back to Baja including new first time visitors.
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Other things will have to see some adjustments as well. The border and the economy. It just ain't what it used to be. |
read my disclaimer. 
You can do your part, get Sharkey's to have $1 bacon wrapped hotdogs with $1 pacifico's on Saturday afternoons.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
You can do your part, get Sharkey's to have $1 bacon wrapped hotdogs with $1 pacifico's on Saturday afternoons. |
I think the beers are always 15 Ps. I'll work on the BWHD idea. Sounds good. 
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Donjulio
Nomad
Posts: 376
Registered: 5-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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Big drug bust at Playa de Oro also. Just came back from town an hour ago. Beachcomber has a for sale sign on it. V Lounge has a for sale sign on it.
One of my friends GF's is a stripper. She made $11 Saturday night. Several landmark restaurants, one open since the 60's have closed. Tough times
right now.
And Bajahowodd - we actually have a food bank here which is currently serving about 500 families but we need more food/money to serve more. There is
easily a need to bump it up to 1500. If anyone has a church group, company or friends with money that want to contribute they could sure use it. I was
just at the food bank today and heard that the San Diego food bank is feeding 365,000 people a week.
Tough everywhere right now.
The Catholic church is feeding 60 a day in their soup kitchen 5 days a week but they are out of food and need help. Locals are struggling bad.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65286
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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People still need to get away... and with us Americans being poorer now. camping is a method to treat the ills of 'civilization'!
Of course there are all kinds of Baja travelers... and there is Cabo San Lucas for them!
It is just that any Mexican who was able, thought that making his part of Baja into another 'Cabo', was the answer to prosperity... Look at Loreto Bay
and other such fiascos.
It is either cater to the kind of business that will keep going to Baja, no matter what...or just ruin places with empty developments.
Baja Cactus is an awesome example of keeping things within budget, yet making it a nice experience... Many places require a 2 day or more drive and El
Rosario is at the end of a day's drive for many of us... for $35 you get a beautiful, large room... Otherwise, it is set up a camp somewhere and pack
it back up the next morning to continue on.
I would rather pay $35-$40 and not have to unpack my truck until I get to my camping destination.
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Visitors to Baja want different services catering to their individual needs. Even among Nomads we all differ in how we enjoy our time in Baja.
Simpler isn't necessarily what alot of us want.
Look at the success of Baja Cactus and Jardines, offering amentities not usually found in Baja at the $35-$45 price point. In fact many of the
"budget" motels now offer wifi and coffee makers, heaters, TV's are becoming the norm in the less than $50 properties. Campers as they age turn to
"Truck/Campers", fifth wheels, etc. and are demanding electrical hook-up, drinking water, etc. at campgrounds.
Baja does and will attract all types from those that dry camp to those that frequent the all inclusive properties in Cabo.
When, and I believe it will, the violence on the border subsides
people will start coming back to Baja including new first time visitors.
disclaimer: I have been accused of being an irrational optimist by a few members here. |
tripledigitken, very well stated....a refreshingly realistic approach!
I'd never call you Pollyanna!
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
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I'm just glad I got to enjoy it in the 60's, the newer version is not nearly as nice.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2405
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
I'm just glad I got to enjoy it in the 60's, the newer version is not nearly as nice. |
DITTO
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