redink
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 10-14-2012
Location: Redding, CA
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Suggestions for out trip to Loreto, and some ?'s.
Hello. I am seeking some suggestons for places to camp on our way down to the Mulege area. A little explanation of our trip last year. We are a young
couple, 41 and 33, with a truck and overhead camper. We went from
Redding to San Diego
to BOLA deserted palapa
to an RV park in Mulege so we could empty our tanks
to Santispac
to Juncalito
to Cabo
to Ligui
to Satispac
to BOLA
to Ensada
to Redding from Ensenada with a 3 hour boarder crossing, 18+ hours and 2 energy drinks.
In a nutshell, we had a fabulous time. We had 2 books and various maps. One was Baja Camping 3rd edition by Fred and Gloria Jones. We refered to it as
"The book of the old ways." Also, The Guide to Baja Sea Kayaking. We had not planned on going to much past Loreto, but our trip was from late March to
mid April. We were warned at Satispac that is was going to get busy. Really? How busy could it get? Well as Easter got closer the beach got fuller. So
we tried to go south. Finally at Juncalito on the Thursday morning before Easter we had only one option left for quite camping, my Grandmas garage in
Cabo. So we made a bee line there and holes up until Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday we went to Luigi and like a storm passing the beach was clear by
about 4pm. It worked out great because we had the best fishing there out of our kayaks.
So this is less like a trip report and more about asking questions, here goes.
1. Is Christmas as busy as Easter at the popular beaches from BOLA to Loreto?
2. Does the wind blow as hard in December as it did in April? The Westerlies.
3. Can you recommend any places for camping and kayak fishing other than the beaches mentioned? Ligui was our favorite. We are not opposed to the
pacific side.
4. Can you give a thumbs up to Baja Dark Skies Inn for a stopping point after the boarder? The drive to BOLA was a bit much for a first day and we
need a stopping point before hand.
We are leaving Redding, CA by Dec 15th and returning around the 6th of January. I am going through the posts to seek some answers also. Thanks in
advance.
J and A
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
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#4: YES.
Do go to Baja Dark Skies. Thumbs up. It's about 5 hours from the border and a perfect place to spend the night. Good thinking!!! Bay of LA is a
long way in one day unless your 18 years old.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Oh and welcome to Baja Nomad!!!!!
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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Christmas time is not beach time, Semana Santa is beach party city.
Generally no Westerlies, we get northers which can start anytime, we've already had a few light ones. use internet weather sites such as Bouyweather
to see what's happening during your trip. also VHF nets (cruisers) can keep you informed, just ask anywhere around marinas and bays with boats
anchored out.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65112
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I recommend a visit to San Javier, 22 miles from Loreto. Sounds like you caught Baja Fever!?
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Regarding #2:
There is almost always some wind during that time frame. It may and often does blow stronger than the westerlies but not as consistently. The wind
will blow typically for 3+ days and then settle to complete calmness. The calm periods also seem to last about 3 days but sometimes less. But there is
sure to be another storm coming. The wind, when it comes affects the entire peninsula - there are no pockets of calmness. It's stronger near the water
than inland. We try to camp on the leeward side of cliffs or stay inside the camper during such periods. Windy days are for reading books. 
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acadist
Super Nomad
Posts: 1125
Registered: 3-31-2007
Location: Spanaway,WA
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Mood: Waiting for the Sun
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Asuncion
Dave
I moved to CO and they made me buy a little rod to make it feel like a real fish
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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For kayaking at that time of year, it would be tough to beat Bahia Concepcion. Always some lee in the prevailing December winds. The crowds will be
NOTHING like Semana Santa (Easter); maybe 10% of that crowd and a large pctg. will be gringos in rigs.
I've always liked Playa Escondida because you can access Santispac and Coyote very easily in a yak and you dont have the explosion of houses right
along the shore. But I havent been there is several years now; maybe that's changed. It also juts out towards some of the islands.
Escondida used to have a rep for thievery when you left your camp, especially in a boat where they can see you return. I dont recall breakins but
leave your camp secure when you leave. I really like having a long length of that vinyl coated steel wire with crimped loops on the ends that you can
run through the handles and legs on things and then lock it to your rig.
I'm a big believer in making friends with the campers around you so you can watch each others camps while each are gone.
[Edited on 11-19-2012 by Hook]
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Why not.......
Go down to San Felipe......south of it is a great road for exactly what you are doing! That camper will certainly make the route to Mex-1
The Punta Final area, in the far south east corner of Bahia Gonzaga is by far the best part of the bay to explore by kayak........ there are plenty of
isolated coves and beaches to explore and camp on less than ten miles paddle from the north end of Bahia Gonzaga. GB itself is fantastic too.
Excellent fishing....motel there too. Gas.
The drive from south of SF to the Mex-1 is VERY scenic......and safe!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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BillP
Nomad
Posts: 420
Registered: 1-28-2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Punta Chivato is worth a look
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redink
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 10-14-2012
Location: Redding, CA
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Thanks for all the responses and suggestions. That trip was my gf's first to baja, but I have had the fever since I was 12 or 13. I spent a few
Christmases on Shipwreck Beach near Cabo back in the early 80's, 8 of us in a rental motorhome one trip. My grandparents then bought a lot in Cabo and
built a house in the early 90's. I have been there many times and ventured up to Cabo Pulmo and Tito's tacos before it closed a few times and Los
Cerritos before all this development. My Grandparents were in Cabo for many years, Al and Ola Pike. He passed away a while ago and she just passed
last week. Glad I got to see her last April.
I will have to look into San Felipe. My first impression is that it is a bigger city that is americanized. But I guess if we took the road south there
might not be as many people. We like to camp 3-5 days untill we need more beer, I mean supplies, then move on.
J and A
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Too much chance of winds that will keep you off the water in San Felipe in December. Cold westerlies coming off of mountains that receive snow every
year. SF is much colder and windier than all places, save BOLA, at that time of year on the Cortez.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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I highly recommend camping in Bahia Asuncion - Shari is THE person to meet and CAMPO SIRENA is a very pretty place to camp at. Not sure about
kayaking but there is surfing and eating and beering (new verb) and Baja hanging out. Ohhhhh yeah, there is swimming with the sea lions and
shorefishing.
Once you leave there, stop by here to say hi as you move north.
Once you leave us, I then recommend CAMPO RENE to camp at. It is awesome for kayaking, has a nice inexpensive restaurant, hook ups if you want and
incredible birdwatchig. From our B&B to there is about 40 minutes.
Semana santa can be very scary. My jaw about dropped the first time I saw the crowds on the beaches.
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Bajame
Nomad
Posts: 458
Registered: 6-12-2005
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Mood: Baja Dreamin
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You have to stop in San Ignacio on your way down or you will be missing one of the prettiest towns in Baja. The new restaurant is open one block
behind the plaza, behind the cafe internet. Have a blast!
We all want a peaceful world, filled with love and laughter, but we fill ourselves with anger and hate trying to fiqure out how to achive it.
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