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barukinzs
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 7-10-2015
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Help Planning a Baja Camping Trip (8 Days)
Hello everyone,
First time to Baja...I'm looking for a trip to build memories with my family. We are leaving July 17th and are planning on crossing into Mexico at the
Tijuana border.
Here's some background information. I have a wife and 2 daughters (10 & 3 yr old). All of which will be coming with me. We will be in a 1998 Land
Rover Discovery I, 2" lift and BFG All-Terrrain tires, winch and roof top tent. My 3 yr old have been camping with us since she was 8 months old.
So, can any one recommend on routes to take, good places/areas to camp, swimming and places to avoid? My first thought was to drive as far south as
possible the first day and eventually base camp at Bahia Concepcion.
FWIW me and the wife are originally from the Philippine Island.
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Jeff
[Edited on 7-10-2015 by barukinzs]
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by barukinzs]
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ADCELAND
Junior Nomad
Posts: 31
Registered: 2-27-2013
Member Is Offline
Mood: in love with Baja
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Hi Barukinz,
I am Adriano, I am Italian and I live in Baja...
Well I hope you will discover a really magical palce during your trip....
About the place you can see my last post where I present my travel App....
About your trip I recommend you that Baja can be a magical place but it's a little hard place... always travel with water at edge and gasolina.....
Your family needs all your care....
"WD-40, vice grips and some duct tape.
Any man who is worth his salt, can do half of the house chores with just those three things"
Walt Kowalski - Gran Torino
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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welcome to the forum
Barukinz, Bahia Conception is a great place, but I have never been there in July. There are nice spots on the Pacific side that should be much
cooler, but you might handle heat better than I do.
I suggest that you go back to the home page, and read through trip reports from other nomads. There is a lot of information there that might help you
with your planning.
Good luck on your trip, I am sure your family will love it!
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64836
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Have a look at my 2012 Trip report... it was a 15 day trip, so you may cut the distance down to make the Loreto area the southern end:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=61576
Sounds like you are campers and four wheelers... perfect!
You will get lots of advice, but no matter what you plan on doing, remain FLEXIBLE and change as you go depending on what you find and like!
My web site is designed to help folks plan on places to go and see in Baja, with an emphasis on history and geology (missions, mines, canyons,
springs, etc.): http://vivabaja.com
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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The entire east side of the peninsula will be hotter than the gates of Hades during that period; you'll all be miserably hot, and your 3 y.o. can be
in jeopardy of heat stroke; kids' inner-thermometers are much more fragile than adults (that's advice from a former EMT). Think west coast, be cool,
keep cool. Save your Concepcion experience for more temperate.... and safer months. Asuncion, Campo Rene, Tortuga, lots to see and do and not
suffer. There's camping, there's roughing it, and then there's just pure misery. I'm not being prejudiced either, Bahia Concepcion was my home away
from home for years. Have a good, safe and comfortable trip.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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bajasusan/a
Junior Nomad
Posts: 96
Registered: 6-23-2015
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I vote for NEVER driving more than 6 hours in a day if you can help it, and that's easy to do in a camper. For the first time, why not just stick to
Highway One (keeping to the Pacific side, as suggested) and the paved roads off of it? And not try to get further than your hearts tell you, because
that's half the point of the Baja -- NO RUSHING, and as little accomplishing as possible! Head for Bahia Asuncion, stay at Shari Bondy's campground on
the beach, and you may not want to go further south this time...
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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Welcome to Nomads barukinzs.
I have camped at Bahia Conception 1 1/2 times in July. The first time was at Playa Buenaventura, I left my camper there and fled to Loreto after the
first night to a motel with AC. The second time I took the camper around to Punta Conception, set up camp and got in the water to cool off. The water
was hot enough to make spaghetti, my wife wasn't having fun and when the dog started wailing from burning her feet on the sand I loaded everything up
and headed to the same hotel in Loreto. Don't go there in July, you won't enjoy yourself. Lots of nice places on the pacific side this time of year,
the gulf is a beautiful place but save it for winter, you'll be glad you did.
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5900
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Desolation? Surf? Swim? Fishing? What do you guys like to do when camping? I wouldn't camp on the Sea of Cortez this time of year. I tried to
spend an extra day in Mulege last year around this time and said screw that! We bailed for the Pacific ASAP. Anyways, kudos to you for taking the
family. It will be a trip you will never forget.
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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head to Asuncion and visit Shari. The Sea of cortez side will be way to hot for a 3 yr old. I used to go to Loreto every July to fish 110F with the
water around 90F Conception Bay wont be any different. once while in Bay Of LA the wind came in at sun down and the temp went up 10 degrees by 10:00pm
to around 105F. The Pacific side of the peninsula stays a lot cooler Shari has a great camp ground we camp there often Asuncion is a great little
town with plenty to do around there.
Good luck.
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by BajaDanD]
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Greetings! You will have a great time but I agree with many of the posts as to the heat of the Cortez...not that you shouldn't experience it, but as
the end game it may be too much this time of year for a young family. I love Puerto Santo Tomas as a first night...a nice short drive from the
border and a beautiful farming valley that spills out onto the (cool) Pacific ocean...you can google this place or U2U me for more info.
You have the right rig and the right attitude! And maybe if from the Philippines you can stand the heat and humidity! Please report back.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64836
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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edm1 (Art) and his wife are from the Philippines and had a wonderful July trip report in 2011. Here are a couple of his photo-filled posts of La Paz
to Cabo part:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55945
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55984
My wife and I are from California, and July is our favorite time on the Sea of Cortez side, and children grow up living there, and my kids had no bad
times camping in July either. Who wants cold air and cold water?
However, if it is too hot or humid on your trip, Baja is still perfect because it has a Pacific (cold current) coast too... and there are cold and
foggy options in Baja Norte, as well! The Seven Sisters coast is remote, best traveled in a 4WD, and offers countless beach camping opportunities. In
Baja Sur, the summer fog disappears and the coast is pleasant. Bahia Asuncion is a possibility and Shari is a wonderful host there (see my 2012 and
2007 photos there), but it is a town, now on a paved road.
Here is a little on the Seven Sisters (I call the Distant Pacific) and more from 2007 (a Land Rover LR3 was with us there): http://vivabaja.com/707/
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barukinzs
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 7-10-2015
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Nomads, Thank you Thank you Thank you!! Lots of great sounding suggestions here, we'll have an inflatable Kayak or SUP as well so I appreciate the
ideas on water fun. Being from the island myself, I know what 110 temp feels. When we were kids we used to hang out at the local beach all day with no
clothes, no sun screens and just coconut trees or whatever shrubs we can find for shade but with a 3 yr old in tow that would require a different
approach. The good thing with this trip is we are extremely flexible and open as far as our itinerary. I guess it is important to note that we want
this trip to be a mixture of dispersed camping at the beach (no electricity, toilet and water preferred but established campground is fine too) and we
also want to experience the locals. My wife speaks good spanish and I'm very good at sign language 
As for Bahia Concepcion/Sea of Cortes side, it's going to be a wait and see approach with lots of common sense.
Wife's interests: fresh seafoods, farmers market, local plaza, beach and margarita
Me: Local history, Missions, beer, off the beaten path trails that leads to a nice pano view. no rock crawling please since we are running solo and I
would like to try the local free diving/spear fishing by myself or with a local guide.
Kids: nice sandy beach (warm and cold), collecting rocks, star gazing and playing with other kids. My 10 yr old is very sensitive to mosquitos and
pretty much all insect bites.
Thank you again!! I'm looking forward to comparing these ideas with my maps!
Cheers,
Jeff
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by barukinzs]
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5900
Registered: 7-18-2011
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I bet you would enjoy camping at San Juanico. You can camp outside of town to be alone, or in town at the campgrounds, where last time I checked they
had bathrooms, some water, and a great view. You can find them on Facebook if you search for "Scorpion Bay". If you don't like surfers then avoid
this spot. Nice big sandy beach for the kids, fresh seafood, supplies in town. Desolate but not too desolate, depending on which way you come in. A
beautiful drive. A long sandy beach to go on drives and look for panoramic perfection. No mosquitos that I can think of. Warm days. Perfect water
temperature.
May be a little far for an 8 day trip though? 2 days driving time to get there.
If not enough time, I would recommend the Vizcaino area and go see Shari in Asuncion. Good camping, nice weather, nice views, fresh everything, and
she can point you in any direction yo may be interested in.
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by Ateo]
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bajasusan/a
Junior Nomad
Posts: 96
Registered: 6-23-2015
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hope this doesnt count as a "classified" since it's not for me, but could not resist showing what we are talking about when we say "go to shari's" ...
http://bahiaasuncionmexico.com/2010/06/30/campo-sirena-on-th...
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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I'd suggest packing a couple or 4 cans of OFF spray just in case... the last few years have seen moisture, which breeds skeeters, and there have been
outbreaks of Dengue fever in summer/fall. Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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barukinzs
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 7-10-2015
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Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  | | I'd suggest packing a couple or 4 cans of OFF spray just in case... the last few years have seen moisture, which breeds skeeters, and there have been
outbreaks of Dengue fever in summer/fall. Better to have and not need, than need and not have. |
Yes..we don't go outdoors without them and we also use mosquito repelling incense and patches. Now the Degue tho 
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barukinzs
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 7-10-2015
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Thank you Susan! I'll be checking Asuncion area/Shari's most likely. Seems like they have a pretty cool set-up there.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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Aside from the fact that mosquitoes MAY carry dengue fever, a few bites never bother me much. Those tiny black gnats (no seeums, bobo's, jejene's,
whatever) are another story. Before I even know they are there, I have a bite that usually swell and itches and takes a long time to heal!
If your son is sensitive to bites, watch out for the gnats even more than mosquitoes. Ask a doctor what to give your son for an antihistamine if he
is prone to swelling and inflammation.
My favorite places on Baja are on the Sea of Cortez side, but that is where I have had more problems with bugs.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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barukinzs
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 7-10-2015
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| Quote: Originally posted by Ateo | I bet you would enjoy camping at San Juanico. .
May be a little far for an 8 day trip though? 2 days driving time to get there.
If not enough time, I would recommend the Vizcaino area and go see Shari in Asuncion. Good camping, nice weather, nice views, fresh everything, and
she can point you in any direction yo may be interested in.
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by Ateo] |
Ah San Juanico..Thank you! seems pretty chill place to base camp. I assumed the most direct route would be coming from the north/San Ignacio?
We can stay a of couple days or 3 if need be.
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barukinzs
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 7-10-2015
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | edm1 (Art) and his wife are from the Philippines and had a wonderful July trip report in 2011. Here are a couple of his photo-filled posts of La Paz
to Cabo part:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55945
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55984
My wife and I are from California, and July is our favorite time on the Sea of Cortez side, and children grow up living there, and my kids had no bad
times camping in July either. Who wants cold air and cold water?
However, if it is too hot or humid on your trip, Baja is still perfect because it has a Pacific (cold current) coast too... and there are cold and
foggy options in Baja Norte, as well! The Seven Sisters coast is remote, best traveled in a 4WD, and offers countless beach camping opportunities. In
Baja Sur, the summer fog disappears and the coast is pleasant. Bahia Asuncion is a possibility and Shari is a wonderful host there (see my 2012 and
2007 photos there), but it is a town, now on a paved road.
Here is a little on the Seven Sisters (I call the Distant Pacific) and more from 2007 (a Land Rover LR3 was with us there): http://vivabaja.com/707/
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Thank you David! your trip reports and pictures inspires me. Let me know if by any chance you get lost and find interest in the PI islands.
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by barukinzs]
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