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Pappy Jon
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Wrong side of the Continental divide.
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Mood: Temp rising.
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What's at Punta Final?
I've heard of this spot south of Gonzaga Bay, but I know nothing about it. How is the camping?
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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Mood: There yet?
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If camping is your interest, one place to consider that we just visited a week ago is Camp Beluga. It is located roughly half way between
Alphonsinas and Punte Finale. On a slight bluff with sandy beach. Owner is real nice person. 15/night I think. Also looks like you could find
several rough camping spots. At Punte Finale proper I can not think of any place to camp. About 30 homes and a great surf fishing location.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Campo Beluga was GREAT! 1.2 miles south of Alfonsina's Pemex...
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 2-9-2004
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There are several dirt roads that lead to Punta Final, and once you get there, you'll find several homes built ringing the cove there. At the
southern (?) end, the airstrip end, is a place where you could camp. If you venture further, past the houses, you'll come behind the cliffs of the
coastal shoreline. In my opinion, you could find a better place to camp - all those houses, a few caretakers hanging around. A day trip to satisfy
your curiosity is enough.
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larry
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Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
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I would agree that a day trip would be fine---but it is a spectacular spot. If you are coming from Campo Beluga and not on the main road, there is a
spot coming out of the big arroyo where you need high clearance and 4WD.
Campo Beluga is my choice to camp in Gonzaga. It is far away from the little development in the area, clean, helpful staff... I paid $15US per night
in December, which was a $5 increase from the previous year, but reasonable I think.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Larry, et al------
------what do you get for your $15 at Campo Beluga? (palapas, toilets, showers, etc. ???)
Can you launch a 14' tin-boat there easily? (and retrieve it?)
Is the beach steep and sandy, or pretty much like at Alphonsina's?
Are you "right on the beach berm" with clear view of the water, or behind a dune system?
How close together are the camp sites?
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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Mood: There yet?
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You have a clear view of the beach/water. Sand is sandy (not rocky). A about twice as high sand hill from camping to water than down by Alphonsinas.
You would have little no problem lauching the boat with assistance by hand (no vehicle would make it that I can think of). Showers, trash and clean
porto potties. If I am not staying at the hotel at Alphonsinas it is Beluga.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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ursidae69
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Registered: 2-22-2004
Location: Youngsville, NM
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There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd.
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Pappy Jon
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Wrong side of the Continental divide.
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This sounds more to my liking. I take it you just drive down the beach, or is there a road/trail to the palapas?
| Quote: | Originally posted by ursidae69
There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd. |
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ursidae69
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Location: Youngsville, NM
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pappy Jon
This sounds more to my liking. I take it you just drive down the beach, or is there a road/trail to the palapas?
| Quote: | Originally posted by ursidae69
There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd. |
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Access is either way. I drove along the beach myself just because that is fun.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Tim40-------et all
So, no palapas at Baluga?
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tim40
Senior Nomad
Posts: 574
Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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2 sizes of palapas. For $15 you get a smaller (plenty large for tent and other camping items) at edge of sand hill leading to water. For $25 you get
a larger 2 story palapa a little further back. For my use the $15 is the way to go even without consideration with the price difference.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Trip Report is coming! Baja Angel and I give Campo Beluga two thumbs up... On the beach, clean flush (not pit) toilets, showers (cold), trash can at
each palapa... clean... NICE people... Photos coming...
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Campo Beluga...........For kayackers and naturalists this is a great place to head out from. The beaches are nice and there is alot of bird life. It
is a clean and safe campground. Nice people too.
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baja829
Nomad
Posts: 167
Registered: 2-24-2006
Location: South Campos, San Felipe, BN
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The drive to Punta Final from the "highway" is extremely beautiful, especially at this time of year. Wild flowers all over the place and great
mountain views. Very passable, narrow and steep in a few places-- When we finally got there, there was only one family left -- all the homes and
businesses were abandonded several years ago. Hills and hills of scallop shells near the old ice plant.
The bay is incredible. The family was pleasant and it was a great drive - will return.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by baja829
The drive to Punta Final from the "highway" is extremely beautiful, especially at this time of year. Wild flowers all over the place and great
mountain views. Very passable, narrow and steep in a few places-- When we finally got there, there was only one family left -- all the homes and
businesses were abandonded several years ago. Hills and hills of scallop shells near the old ice plant.
The bay is incredible. The family was pleasant and it was a great drive - will return. |
Ummm.... I am confused... Punta Final (south end of Ensenada de San Francisquito/ 'Gonzaga Bay') is a private vacation home area and site of a future
resort perhaps, since purchase by a Korean businessman from the owners of Rancho Santa Ynez. Ice plant??? Maybe there is another Punta Final?
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
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Mood: Thirsty!
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Punta Final + driving on the beach...
| Quote: | Originally posted by ursidae69
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pappy Jon
This sounds more to my liking. I take it you just drive down the beach, or is there a road/trail to the palapas?
| Quote: | Originally posted by ursidae69
There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd. |
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Access is either way. I drove along the beach myself just because that is fun. |
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my
understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read
concerning this one. Anyone??? C
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ursidae69
Nomad
Posts: 275
Registered: 2-22-2004
Location: Youngsville, NM
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cameron
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my
understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read
concerning this one. Anyone??? C |
Good question. I think accessing places from the beach is more environmentally friendly than creating more 2-tracks through the desert. The beach
replenishes itself every tidal change, the numerous 2-tracks are there for years. If it is illegal, they don't seem to enforce it with all the ATVs
everywhere.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ursidae69
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cameron
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my
understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read
concerning this one. Anyone??? C |
Good question. I think accessing places from the beach is more environmentally friendly than creating more 2-tracks through the desert. The beach
replenishes itself every tidal change, the numerous 2-tracks are there for years. If it is illegal, they don't seem to enforce it with all the ATVs
everywhere. |
I thought the same thing ursidae69, until I was made aware of turtles hatching on Shell Beach (Punta Chivato) the last 2 years.
I no longer drive on the beach.
Ken
[Edited on 2-21-2007 by tripledigitken]
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty!
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Beach Driving...
| Quote: | Originally posted by ursidae69
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cameron
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my
understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read
concerning this one. Anyone??? C |
Good question. I think accessing places from the beach is more environmentally friendly than creating more 2-tracks through the desert. The beach
replenishes itself every tidal change, the numerous 2-tracks are there for years. If it is illegal, they don't seem to enforce it with all the ATVs
everywhere. |
RE: "..more environmentally friendly..." - I have to say I disagree with your statement about beach driving being more "environmentally friendly" than
creating new roads through the desert.
There's thousands and thousands of square miles of desert in Baja, vs. much, much less beach/oceanside land. IMHO, that makes the beaches much more
prone to destruction and much more precious as far as the need for preservation goes. Also, one of the main reasons the beaches in Baja Sur are
federally protected is for wildlife habitat protection and protection of several endangered species of Turtle.
As far as the enforcement issue goes, just because the law isn't routinely enforced doesn't mean it's OK to break it!Would it be OK to throw trash
from your car window if there wasn't anyone looking? Is it OK to chop down a Cardon just because violators are rarely caught? Is poaching shellfish OK
if nobody's around to catch you? I don't think so.
Much like the US campaign to cut down on litter in the '70's (Anybody remember the crying Indian?), the Mexican government is trying to get a handle
on issues like littering, beach driving, poaching, etc., but it takes years, if not a whole generation for the changes to occur.
If you are caught driving on the beach by Profepa in Baja Sur, they have the ability to levy a stiff fine for the first offense. If you're caught a
second time, they CAN LEGALLY SEIZE YOUR VEHICLE.
PLEASE don't drive on the beaches in Baja Sur! Yes, it's lots of fun. Yes, you can usually get away with it. Does that make it OK? No. 
Cameron
[Edited on 2-21-2007 by Cameron]
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