bmurphy
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 7-19-2015
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Camping in Boca de Santo Tomás Area
Hi Everyone,
Totally new to this board and to Baja. My girlfriend and I, along with another couple, are heading down next week to stay just south of Ensenada and a
friends little beach house. But we all love to camp and I'm wondering if anyone has ever camped out at Boca de Santo Tomás or any of the surrounding
areas? We really want to spend a couple nights out there to surf, fish, and camp. My questions are primarily A) is it safe? B) can you camp right on
the beach? We're pretty good at roughing it so we don't really care about showers etc.
Any advice or tips would be great! I've been doing a ton of research and just would like to hear some first hand knowledge.
Love the site! Thanks.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2405
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
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welcome to the board
sundays are usually slow,, you should start getting info soon
have you heard of the book "God and Mr. Gomez"
fun read,, I think it takes place where your going
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Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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Yes, the story takes place right there and "God and Mr. Gomez" should be a must reading for all people heading to Baja and especially that area. As a
teaser, one of my favorite parts of the book is when Jack asks Mr. Gomez where the water for his house will come from. Anyone remember that part?
I also look forward to finding out about that area as that is one of the places I need to stop and smell the roses.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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We have not camped there for 20+years but you could where the river meet the ocean on the road in. There was the store/office there at that time.
Store was washed out many years ago. Go try it! If it does not work jump down to Punta Cabras.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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Campers usually use the grassy area next to the lagoon behind the beach at La Bocana. Someone may charge you a few bucks if they're paying attention.
The store is there but has been closed for some time due to a variety of circumstances. There are no facilities, but if you're a dry camp vet you
won't care, because you'll mostly have the place to yourself, and it is beautiful. Watch out for the cow pies.
Beach camping is possible if you take the Punta China turnoff to the left a mile or two before hitting the coast, but note that wind can be an issue
on that beach if you are tenting it.
I've always felt safe down there, and the homeowners to the north of the beach now have a security guard who roams the area, but of course, that's no
guaranty of anything. Take the same precautions you'd take anywhere you're out on the coast in Baja.
You can fish off the beach or from the rocks to either side, or go out with one of pangueros at Puerto Santo Tomas about three miles to the north of
La Bocana. They know their stuff and you'll likely not be disappointed.
As far as surf goes, the break on the beach at La Bocana is shifty and often walled out, but can be happening if the swell is just right and it's
blowing offshore (if this happens when you're there, buy a lottery ticket when you get back). There's also a sketchy reef break you can walk to by
climbing the dunes on the south end of the beach. The water is cold, the wind is constant, the longitudinal current is strong, and there's tons of
kelp. On the other hand, there's never anyone in the lineup (except for seals). 
Go , have fun, and post a report when you get back.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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bmurphy
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 7-19-2015
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Wow! This is all really great information. I really really appreciate the input from everyone. I think we'll do a bunch of day trips and exploring
this time around. And plan a larger camping trip next time. But I'm really looking forward to posting a report when we get back!
Thanks again! This site is awesome.
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 8-24-2010
Location: Tijuana
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Mood: in search of more
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I camped on the grassy área last year. I returned a couple weeks later and camped on the flat spot above the grassy área in front of a couple houses
(big flat área) becaause there was a wildland fire creeping down the mountain toward the lower grassy area. I enjoyed it but the road is very
washboard and is 30 to 40 minute drive. Depends on what type of vehicle you are taking.
I drove out to the end of the road to the fishing village and bought some fish off a returning ponga.
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