| Pages:
1
2
3 |
marksnet
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 4-13-2011
Location: BC Canada
Member Is Offline
|
|
surf camping in a van
hello everyone, im Mark from canada and i am going to be baja bound in about 1-2 weeks for the first time. this website is a wealth of knowledge and
whenever I try and find information on surf spots/ camping I end up reading somthing else baja related for hours.
my girlfriend and i are going to be heading south in a couple of days on the coastal route through washington, oregon and california. we will be
camping the whole way down and our total trip is 6 weeks. I am hoping to convince her that most of that time should be speant in mexico, and with
your help hopefully i can make that reality. We enjoy surfing and general beach activites the most and we are looking for the best beaches/
destinations for the best beaches and surfing. we are a young couple and would like to hang out with other young people if they exist down south!
we will be driving a VW eurovan that i converted into a camper but it is not a 4wd. we have good tires and are not affraid to head a bit off the
beaten path. from what i read we hope to go to Bahía Asunción if we can make it there, as well as mulege, la paz, loreto etc. any insight to
destinations we should not miss and good safe camping preferably with other people but not essential would be greatly appreciated. I am sure that
once we are down there we will run into many people and visit/leave places as we please but we are unsure as to where we should camp the first night
after crossing the TJ border.
i know i should have searched more, but everytime i did i found myself reading somthing else, its all good info but we are leaving very soon and i
would like to persuade my girlfriend for more time in mexico!
thanks in advance, mark
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Do get out to Bahia Asuncion... Shari (Canadian) will take good care of you!
The country, food and people of Baja are all great... All sorts of interesting things to see along your route...
La Lobera, Las Pintas, any of the mission sites, Cataviña painted cave and boulder fields/ boojum forests, Bahia de los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez,
Bahia Asuncion, Campo Rene and Punta Abreojos, San Ignacio... Mulege, Bahia Concepcion.. ah man... it is endless! SO MUCH BAJA... SO LITTLE TIME!
Photos of interesting sites in links below...
|
|
|
Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
A great place to camp that's safe and sometimes has good waves is Punta San Jose just south of Ensenada. Victor is the caretaker and he'll charge 5
bucks for the night and much appreciates a coca-cola and a chat. Its safe (as long as you don't fall off the cliff) and the wave can be very fun.
You'll also most likely be in the company of other gringo's looking for a weekend surf. The road out is in Santo Thomas. Check the Baja almanac for
exact directions.
Personally, I wouldn't camp anywhere North of that.
yuletide
|
|
|
Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
|
|
How early do you intend to cross the border?
I would cross it early and drive through to El Rosario. For many of us baja starts at El Rosario. The northern part is less interesting.
Six weeks seems like a long time but it's surprising how fast your time will pass as it's a big peninsula with much to see and do.
|
|
|
marksnet
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 4-13-2011
Location: BC Canada
Member Is Offline
|
|
yah from what i have read we would like to cross early (5am) and drive south for almost the whole day. Is there a good camping spot in Rosario?
after the first day we will take it slower but we understand that we must get into the "safe zone" on the first day. will my van be able to go to
most places? i would like to remain on pavement for most of the trip but understand that many beaches you must travel off road.
|
|
|
marksnet
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 4-13-2011
Location: BC Canada
Member Is Offline
|
|
thanks david, i have gone through just about all of your photos in the last week and look forward to taking some of my own pictures of the same
places!
|
|
|
chrisx
Banned
Posts: 173
Registered: 12-17-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: baj nomad is broken
|
|
there is a place in oregon to stop a surf
they say to only surf at low tide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMoFSO-cIw
Nelscott Reef is an ocean reef near Lincoln City, Oregon, United States that creates a reef break (where waves spill over to create whitewater) that
is known as the only place on the Oregon Coast with the right conditions for tow-in surfing. It is named for the former community of Nelscott, which
is now a part of Lincoln City.
The reef is the home of the Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic. Nelscott Reef is the only spot on the Oregon coast to consistently produce double overhead
waves, thus the event brings in big name surfers, such as Peter Mel and Adam Replogle.[1][2] Before 2003 no one had been able to paddle out in this
region due to the shallow water and undertow.
The 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic was held on November 2, 2010 as part of the male-dominated Big Wave World Tour. An exhibition featuring three
world champion women—Keala Kennelly, Savannah Shaughnessy, and Mercedes Maidana—delayed their event one day due to wave faces of 40 to 50 feet (12 to
15 m) causing havoc for the mens' event.[3]
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES
SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD AT ALL TIMES
HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN
WAIT, PASS WHEN SAFE
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES!
|
|
|
805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
|
|
You can't go unless you drive a Toyota, sorry David's rules.
|
|
|
marksnet
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 4-13-2011
Location: BC Canada
Member Is Offline
|
|
wow, i am a canadian surfer (not that experienced). i am looking for singe o/h max! i dont think my van would make a very good tow in rig.
the waves showcased in that video are anything but relaxing. we just want to relax!
[Edited on 4-15-2011 by marksnet]
|
|
|
landyacht318
Nomad
Posts: 247
Registered: 7-28-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Do not worry so much about not having a 4x4.
Worry about your ground clearance, the quality of your tires and your ability to know where each wheel is going to be in any tight spot.
I think new VW's have magnesium oil pans so if you puncture/ crack it, well your up chit creek in a barb wire canoe.
Some brands of new tires simply cannot handle Mexican washboard. I learned this the hard way. Bring an air compressor so you can re inflate after
airing down to get unstuck, or just to make the washboard marginally more tolerable.
You might want to post which brand and size tires you have and see what the cumulative knowledge of this board has to say about them.
|
|
|
tiotomasbcs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1837
Registered: 7-30-2007
Location: El Pescadero
Member Is Offline
|
|
South of Ensenada be sure to camp in a campground for safety! Cuatros Casas Is cool I believe. Legendary surf spot. Sunken ship--San Jacinto?? is a
small community of surfers (most part time). Both accessible by VW Van. Sadly, there are books & maps of all the surf spots. Know your season and probable swell directions! Wetsuits needed until summer-all
year in Baja Norte! Southern Baja is your..... sorry, almost slipped up?! Look up Costa Azul Surf Shop in Cabo. No swell---go to the Sea of
Cortez! Have fun. Tio
|
|
|
marksnet
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 4-13-2011
Location: BC Canada
Member Is Offline
|
|
selection of tires was very limited for my van as they are passenger car tire size but they require a large load rating for the heavy van. they are
kuhmo commercial something or other but they should be good for resisting punctures, although the tread is not nearly as aggressive as the bfg
allterrains i have on my truck. i do have a compressor but i want to use it as little as possible as it takes quite a while to inflate a tire.
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
don't plan on camping until you reach southern baja. power thru to g. negro or san ignacio. get a room. easy 11-12 hour drive. from there you still
have 5 weeks and 6 days to figure it out.....
|
|
|
rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
don't plan on camping until you reach southern baja. power thru to g. negro or san ignacio. get a room. easy 11-12 hour drive. from there you still
have 5 weeks and 6 days to figure it out..... |
Lots of good places to camp in between El Rosario and GN/ And if you get the map out, there are lots of good beaches to explore!
And I believe you are aware of that wOODY.
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
i am. but there will be ZERO chance of surf, multiplied by 1000, at this time of year. and Mark wants surf more than he wants anything else.
in case you were wondering.....
but the camping is there if you want cloudy, onshore, cool daytime temps this time of year.
in case you were wondering.....
|
|
|
DavidT
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 4-9-2005
Member Is Offline
|
|
http://www.bajasurfbreaks.com/
33 spots listed in the north, 19 in Baja Sur.
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
|
|
|
mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by chrisx
there is a place in oregon to stop a surf
they say to only surf at low tide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMoFSO-cIw
Nelscott Reef is an ocean reef near Lincoln City, Oregon, United States that creates a reef break (where waves spill over to create whitewater) that
is known as the only place on the Oregon Coast with the right conditions for tow-in surfing. It is named for the former community of Nelscott, which
is now a part of Lincoln City.
The reef is the home of the Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic. Nelscott Reef is the only spot on the Oregon coast to consistently produce double overhead
waves, thus the event brings in big name surfers, such as Peter Mel and Adam Replogle.[1][2] Before 2003 no one had been able to paddle out in this
region due to the shallow water and undertow.
The 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic was held on November 2, 2010 as part of the male-dominated Big Wave World Tour. An exhibition featuring three
world champion women—Keala Kennelly, Savannah Shaughnessy, and Mercedes Maidana—delayed their event one day due to wave faces of 40 to 50 feet (12 to
15 m) causing havoc for the mens' event.[3] |
Straight from wikipedia. You even been there before ChrisX? Hell..I'm surprised you didnt advise about drunks and red cars.....
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
or fat chicks driving honda's..... who try harder!
|
|
|
Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
|
|
If for some reason you happen to cross the border later in the day, I would suggest you head to Punta Banda which is just south of Ensenada. There are
two places to safely park and camp for the night, La Jolla Beach Camp and Villarinos. Both places are right on the beach in secured camp grounds, mini
market and prepared food near by if you need it.
From Punta Banda it's an easy 9 hr. drive to Guerrero Negro.
P>*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
|
|
|
Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
|
|
Definately wait until daylight to cross. St Rosallilita is a nice easy days drive. No chance of surf this time of year, but scenic and quiet.
Prepare for wind. Bring a shovel for digging out of sand.
No worries
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
