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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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Need help, first Baja NORTE Exploration
Vehicle: High-Clearance off-road/sand-proven RV, self-contained
Interests: Serenity, seafood, strictly dry-camp and subsist on "home/RV prepared" food, NO RV parks.
Duration: 10 days
Preliminary itinerary:
San Ysidro border crossing
SOUTHBOUND Mex3 - Ensenada to San Felipe
Puertecitos/Calamajue/Coco's Corner
Optional (if time and interest permit) - Bahia de los Angeles
NORTHBOUND Mex1 - Catavina to El Rosario/Ensenada
Back to San Ysidro Border crossing
Looking for Baja Nomads' favorite (GPS waypoints please if available):
1. Secluded/safe spots Sea of Cortez-side between (or around) San Felipe and Coco's Corner - to dry-camp overnight
2. Secluded/safe spots Pacific-side between (or around) El Rosario and Ensenada -to dry-camp overnight
3. Nice/Safe places to visit between (or around) Coco's Corner and El Rosario
4. Nice/Safe places to visit between (or around) El Rosario and Ensenada
5. Grocery store within my itinerary for buying supplies and for gasoline
6. Fish/seafood markets/stores/sources (preferably fresh catch by the shore)
[Edited on 5-10-2007 by edm1]
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by edm1
Need help with first Baja Sur Exploration
Vehicle: High-Clearance off-road/sand-proven RV, self-contained
Interests: Serenity, seafood, strictly dry-camp and subsist on "home/RV prepared" food
Duration: 10 days
Preliminary itinerary:
San Ysidro border crossing
SOUTHBOUND Mex3 - Ensenada to San Felipe
Puertecitos/Calamajue/Coco's Corner
Optional (if time and interest permits) - Bahia de los Angeles
NORTHBOUND Mex1 - Catavina to El Rosario/Ensenada
Back to San Ysidro Border crossing
Looking for Baja Nomads' favorite:
1. Secluded/safe spots Sea of Cortez-side between (or around) San Felipe and Coco's Corner - to dry-camp overnight
2. Secluded/safe spots Pacific-side between (or around) El Rosario and Ensenada -to dry-camp overnight
3. Nice/Safe places to visit between (or around) Coco's Corner and El Rosario
4. Nice/Safe places to visit between (or around) El Rosario and Ensenada
5. Grocery store within my itinerary for buying supplies and for gasoline
6. Fish/seafood markets/stores/sources (preferably fresh catch by the shore) |
Not to be picky but Baja Sur is a long way further south. However everything your looking for is right where your going. Stop often and enjoy all
around you.
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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TW, sorry, I meant Baja NORTE (edited post above).
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cbuzzetti
Nomad
Posts: 193
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: Atascadero, Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Lookin for a vacation
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Post pics of RV, would like to see what you are driving. I am looking for a good offroad camper that is not going to break the bank.
Of the places you are going I have only overnighted in San Quitin. I stayed at the Old Mill RV Park.
I hear alot of good things about Punta Baja. The turn off is in El Rosario I believe.
BajaBuzz
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larry
Nomad
Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
Member Is Offline
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You have chosen a route that I have traveled several times in recent years (except that I cross at Mexicali or Tecate). I recommend that you stock up
on groceries in Tijuana or Mexicali. After you get south of San Felipe, there is not a great selection of fresh food in stores until Bahia de los
Angeles, and though adequate there, you may not be able to find everything you want (if you have your heart set on a particular item).
Bahia Gonzaga, south of San Felipe, is one of the most attractive spots that I have visited. In part this is due to the fact that the road there from
Puertecitos south is extremely challenging. Be prepared to travel very slowly and be prepared for flats. Because this road is so difficult, many
people don't come to Gonzaga---and that is just fine.
There are two formal campgrounds there with palapas, outhouses and cold showers. I have stayed twice at Campo Beluga. It is clean and well
maintained. There is a mini market there which sells fresh seafood. There is a mini market (Rancho Grande) on the road as well. Both have a very
limited selection (although Rancho Grande has a fairly big liquor section).
There is also a Pemex Station on the road in Gonzaga. It has had gas both times that I have been there (in December). You should certainly fill up
before you leave San Felipe, and again in Gonzaga if gas is available. There are no more Pemex stations until Bahia de los Angeles (I understand a
second Pemex just opened there).
I highly recommend Daggetts campground in Bahia de los Angeles. It has hot showers, clean flush toilets and a beautiful location. There are other
nice places to camp nearby as well.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Bring two empty gas cans, fill them in Baja (technically they wont let you bring them in), load on your roof, tie off to rack railing, lock up with
cable and lock. It will be a nice little reserve, pour them into the tank on your way home if not used.
Shop at your home store, freeze beef and chicken, your on a mission, you don't have time to shop at three differant places to fill a grocery list and
you don't want to leave your rig in a parking lot unattended. Buy fish in Baja, bring filet knife. Buy lots of limes, they're cheap.
Bring LARGE cooler to store ice and beer in. I mean large, like Costco large, like so big you can't pick it up large. The price of Ice has gone up a
bit, $10 will fill one of those baby's at an ice house, or spend twice that at your grocery store and your done. Replenish in L.A. Bay with ice.
It has turned hot in Baja already.
Have a great trip!
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for all the input everyone. Keep them coming!!!
Cbuzz, see your U2U for pics of my RV.
Larry, your suggested spots all look great. I'm even looking at entering via Mexicali border. What's the advantage?
For flats, I DON'T have a spare wheel/tire per se BUT on trips like this I bring my tire irons along with two bare/unmounted tires and the repair
kits. I don't want to carry the whole assembly, one wheel/tire assembly alone weighs 150lbs; I'll dismount/mount them.
BajaWarrior, won't I have time to grocery shop? With 10 days around Norte only? Hmmm, I thought that'd be plenty. And I am not going to be alone; I'll
bring someone to stay in the vehicle, along with my 100lb Doberman. As for fuel cans, you got that right - I have two, only they are mounted under
carriage (I have room under there).
Everyone, please keep them suggestions coming. AND remember NO PARKS, just desolate places. I'll be sleeping inside the RV and showering in or outside
the RV!
Thanks.
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by edm1]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Click on the links that appears at the bottom of all my Nomad posts... the one for finding photos of Baja places for a self guided tour is one that
will help you decide on what you want to see in various Baja Norte areas...
Find Baja Location Photos Fast: http://community-2.webtv.net/vivabaja/tours
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by David K]
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larry
Nomad
Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by edm1
I'm even looking at entering via Mexicali border. What's the advantage?
edm:
There may be no advantage for you coming from San Bernardino except that you will probably be coming back through Ensenada so you won't duplicate too
much if you go straight to Mexicali and then to San Felipe.
Coming from northern California, I usually try to avoid the sometimes grinding traffic of Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Tijuana.
Even if you go to Ensenada on the way south, the road from Tecate to Ensenada over the mountains is very serene compared to traveling through Tijuana
and Rosarito. Last December I returned from Ensenada to Tecate. I crossed the border at Tecate and drove up to the US Border official WITHOUT
STOPPING. There was no wait at the border at noon on December 23.
I usually buy groceries in Mexico just because I like the Mexican cuts of meat (which you can buy in supermarkets there rather than making an extra
stop at a Mexican butcher in the US) and because keeping the food in a cooler, it will be one day fresher.
I highly recommend you check out David K's vivabaja website. It has been a great resource for me in exploring the area you are headed to.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by edm1
BajaWarrior, won't I have time to grocery shop? With 10 days around Norte only? Hmmm, I thought that'd be plenty. And I am not going to be alone; I'll
bring someone to stay in the vehicle, along with my 100lb Doberman. As for fuel cans, you got that right - I have two, only they are mounted under
carriage (I have room under there).
Everyone, please keep them suggestions coming.
Thanks. |
Oh it's just that I'm a huge planner and get all of my shopping done before I leave on a trip. I will start with fuel for my vehicle and then start
loading from there a day or two before I leave.
My coolers have to fit in the truck before anything else so they go in first loaded. Also, I will freeze any meat, poultry, or fish I am taking
along, therefore helping out the cooler. Now mind you, the coolers I use are like small coffins, and can hold enough ice if shaded in hot weather for
up to 7 days, and these are not expensive coolers, just those great big Igloo's from Costco. I can pack em, stack em, and tie them off with Motorcycle
tie downs.
Also, I am familiar with my grocery store at home (Vons) and don't have time to scan every shelf in a new (and foreign) grocery store that may or may
not have the products I am looking for. Multiple stores are usually required to fill a grocery list in Mexico. I want to get there, even if I have a
month to be in Baja, I will be about 98% ready before I hit the border. I usually stop for a couple of items, limes, beer, and Kahlua. But I do look
for Shrimp when in season.
That's my story, it works very well for me.
That road to Gonzaga is pretty rough for an RV, take it slow.
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by BajaWarrior]
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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"Looking for Baja Nomads' favorite:
1. Secluded/safe spots Sea of Cortez-side between (or around) San Felipe and Coco's Corner - to dry-camp overnight
2. Secluded/safe spots Pacific-side between (or around) El Rosario and Ensenada -to dry-camp overnight
3. Nice/Safe places to visit between (or around) Coco's Corner and El Rosario
4. Nice/Safe places to visit between (or around) El Rosario and Ensenada"
Neal's choices:
1: La Turquesa (a few miles north of Coco's Corner). Shell Beach south of San Felipe..
2: La Bocana beach at the mouth of the river east of El Rosario. 14.9 miles east of Ensenada on Hwy. 3 toward San Felipe, turn south toward Agua
Caliente and camp where ever.
3: La Turquesa (a few miles north of Coco's Corner. The canyons in the Sierra San Pedro Martir west of San Felipe.
4: La Lobera a few miles north of El Rosario. Hwy. 3 Wine Country north of Ensenada.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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David K, the link you gave is the perfect tour of Baja Norte. Thanks! Looking at the photos, I feel like I've been there with you during the past 10
years. It gives away the surprise factor; why do I still have to go?  - I know I
have to actually be there to experience it. But with my limited 10 days, it's information overload.
Then comes Neal Johns to alleviate the information overload with his on-target suggestions. THANKS!!! La Turquesa, Shell Beach, La Bocana are THEM
spots. If I stay 2 day/nights in each spot (while exploring the areas around them), would that be enough/worth the trip?
Many Thanks!!! Keep 'em suggestions coming.
[Edited on 5-10-2007 by edm1]
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1922
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
Member Is Offline
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The only thing that would concern me is..
...not carrying a spare. The road between Puerticitos & Highway one can be a section with surprises. We usually lower air pressure
significantly for those 90 or so miles
In the event of a tire problem, having a standard - or common sized tire/wheel will help if you need to purchase a used tire along the way.
John M
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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Also, about the tire--I'd carry a fully assembled spare/wheel rather than hassle pulling tires off the rims in that heat...
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larry
Nomad
Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
Member Is Offline
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I have to agree. The only time I have had to change a flat in years was between Puertecitos and Gonzaga. It is a brutal road and there have been
many reports on this board of people having to change flat tires. It is also essential to air down your tires when you leave the pavement in
Puertecitos.
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1922
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
Member Is Offline
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tire pressure
I said that I significantly lowered tire pressure, but realize that isn't very informative.
In the Jeep CJ-7 we drove for umpteen years in Baja, it was common for us to lower to 15 pounds (from a highway 30 or 31 pounds) on this particular
section of Baja road. Tires were both BFG K/O All Terrain & later BFG Mud Terrain - both in size 31x10.50x15.
This year, our first trip in a Toyota 4x4 with the stock factory BFG Trail (whatever it is) tire in a 265x16 - we went from 32 pounds highway to 17
pounds - don't know why 17 pounds but it seemed to be the thing to do.
Of course I probably drove slower than most folks - especially in the rough riding Jeep - 10 to 15 mph -vs- 15 to 20 mph in the much better riding
Toyota.
I may need correcting but I believe that at those slow speeds there won't be too much heat generated thus causing other concerns.
John M
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by John M]
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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John M has the right pressures for a Jeep-Jeep. With my Tacoma (33x12:50x15 BFG T/A) I run 20-25 lbs in the rear and 20 lbs in front carrying a
pop-top camper on bad roads.
At 150 lbs per tire assembly, I have not figured out what RV you have, maybe a Pinzgauer? 
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by Neal Johns]
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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Wheels/tires concern
Neal, John M, Mexitron, I share your concern regarding spare wheel/tire. And I have been debating the pros and cons and have been going from one side
of the fence to the other back and forth. My big concerns are sidewall damage and sweating it out (if I don't) VS weight(if I do). My tires are 14 ply
tires (R19.5s) very thick tread and regroovable BUT they could get hurt on the sidewall just like any other tire. I've driven them from 100psi down to
15psi on sand. I just think carrying 300lb spares (2 pieces) would be too much. Maybe I could just bring one? Or maybe, bring two regular sized
(16-inch) much lighter (but not as sturdy) wheel/tires spares.
It's a matter of probabilities. And based on your input the probability of sidewall damage is very high!!! Am I right?
Anyway, it's something that I have to decide and live with whatever decision I make.
Here's my rig.
[Edited on 5-10-2007 by edm1]
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Ok, now I know what you're talking about, nice rig!
Yes, deflate them in the front to a comfortable pressure (for you). Lower one then record the pressure and match the other side. Those 19.5's are
strong tires and have much sidewall strength. As far as the rear, you don't want your duals to rub, long distance that is, so I wouldn't take too much
out of those, again, just a comfortable pressure (for you!) It will really make a differance, you'll be more comfortable , and your cabinets won't
fall off of the walls.
As far as spares, you have two right there under the rear of the vehicle. If you were to have a second flat, you can always rob on of the duals and
only run the outer wheel.
Good luck with your trip, your vehicle looks real good.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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edm1, the photos and any road milages/ GPS are just to get you into an area that is of interest to you. The photos do not take away from the
experience of being there... You will see that I have returned to many Baja places, and each time they seem 'new' and special to me.
Cool rig, thanks for posting the photo!
FYI, when you edit to make a correction, you can delete the previous 'edited on...' lines which will leave the one, last edit line showing instead of
all of them.
Looking forward to your Baja trip reports!!!
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