TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » General Discussion

Hi Forum Members -

First of all, I would like to thank the many among you that have answered my questions about Pemex gas stations, credit cards, and the possibility of crowded campgrounds during the holidays.

I am now looking more closely at possible campgrounds. My trip will be from Arizona -> Tecate -> Ensenada -> San Quintin -> Guerrero Negro -> Bahia Concepcion -> Ciudad Constitution -> Todos Santos -> Cabo San Lucas -> Los Barriles -> La Paz -> … and then back via the same route. There might be side trips to Pichilingue, Bahia Tortugas, and Bahia de los Angeles on the way back.

I have a general question. Are there campgrounds along this route that you really like? Conversely, are there campgrounds that I should avoid?

I also have a specific question. When camping in the US, it is a given that all campgrounds, whether national forest, state park, or national park have restrooms as well as picnic tables and firepits at each site. I have been studying three guidebooks and restrooms seem to be the rule. I am wondering whether, given that many campgrounds, particularly those in beach areas, seem to have no designated campsites, are picnic tables and firepits typical or might I find them a rarity?

Any information about the stretch of road in the vicinity of Todos Santos and South to Cabo San Lucas would be particularly appreciated as the guidebooks have little.

I would really like those “amenities” and really don’t care about showers, laundry facilities, playgrounds, hookups, nor dump stations.

Thanks a lot.

Chris in Flagstaff, AZ

Originally Posted by cldarron

Hi Forum Members -

First of all, I would like to thank the many among you that have answered my questions about Pemex gas stations, credit cards, and the possibility of crowded campgrounds during the holidays.

I am now looking more closely at possible campgrounds. My trip will be from Arizona -> Tecate -> Ensenada -> San Quintin -> Guerrero Negro -> Bahia Concepcion -> Ciudad Constitution -> Todos Santos -> Cabo San Lucas -> Los Barriles -> La Paz -> … and then back via the same route. There might be side trips to Pichilingue, Bahia Tortugas, and Bahia de los Angeles on the way back.

I have a general question. Are there campgrounds along this route that you really like? Conversely, are there campgrounds that I should avoid?

I also have a specific question. When camping in the US, it is a given that all campgrounds, whether national forest, state park, or national park have restrooms as well as picnic tables and firepits at each site. I have been studying three guidebooks and restrooms seem to be the rule. I am wondering whether, given that many campgrounds, particularly those in beach areas, seem to have no designated campsites, are picnic tables and firepits typical or might I find them a rarity?

Any information about the stretch of road in the vicinity of Todos Santos and South to Cabo San Lucas would be particularly appreciated as the guidebooks have little.

I would really like those “amenities” and really don’t care about showers, laundry facilities, playgrounds, hookups, nor dump stations.

Thanks a lot.

Chris in Flagstaff, AZ

AMENITIES like you listed are very rare at camp grounds and more than rare at beaches.
If you find a campground that has electricity be grateful it's 15 amp. but getting past that there are some beautiful beach campsites.and the cost is next to nothing.

Chris, I can address campgrounds, or lack thereof, in the La Paz area. There's slim pickings on true campgrounds in/near La Paz, but I'd recommend Campestre Maranatha just off Hwy. 1, between Chametla & El Centenario, outside of La Paz. You can do a Google search for more detailed information, but here's a video showing the site & facilities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2w_WnorVTE

To the best of my knowledge, there's no official campground at Pichilingue. Balandra is an amazingly beautiful cove, but last time I was there, there were signs saying "No Overnight Camping". El Tecolote has always had a string of campers, RV's, trailers & other rigs, I personally have never seen tent camping out there. Parking RV's along the beach out there used to be free, but I heard recently that one or more of the businesses out there have recently begun charging for overnight stays, no idea how much, but it's just an open stretch of sandy area above the beach, with no public facilities other than the restaurants & panga tours & possibly other water toy rentals.

Picnic tables?? What's that? Formal fire-pits would be a rarity as well; I'm not sure of the rules/laws regarding bonfires on the beach. There's a dearth of driftwood around here, so you'd most likely have to haul in or purchase wood in town.

Depending on what you're driving, there are a bazillion off-the-beaten-path areas you could explore for more isolated possibilities.

There's one other RV park bay-side right along the hwy as you come into El Centenario which I heard had changed ownership & reopened sometime in the past year, but unless the new owners did major rework on the plumbing in the bano/shower house, I would never stay there again. Let's just say it was a very noisy not to mention extremely odoriferous stay!!

The road between Todos Santos & Cabo still has stretches of unfinished areas & dirt detours & depending on the weather, it can be either very dusty or muddy. I personally feel that the inland route through San Antonio/El Triunfo is much more scenic, albeit very curvacious; it's shorter distance-wise, but slower because of all the extreme curves through the mountains. I've driven both over the past year in my compact which has maybe 6" ground clearance, only complaint was a little off-roading in the sections still in work. No idea about camping areas outside of the immediate La Paz area.

If you have questions about the La Paz area, just ask!

Keep your camera handy because you're going to see some truly awesome sights! Safe & happy travels!!

Spitting distance to Tecate

I like staying here

Can't really help you for the rest.

Originally Posted by soulpatch

Spitting distance to Tecate

I like staying here

Can't really help you for the rest.

That place is just down the hill from my house.

Thanks soulpatch, J.P. & longlegsinlapaz -

I plan to stay my last night in the US at Potrero Park. It looks ideal to get an early start off to San Quintin. I am researching places to camp near La Paz and La Ventana looks like a possibility although I'm finding evidence that Playa Tecolate & Playa Balandra out on the peninsula might also be an option.

Regards,

Chris in AZ

Do you have this book?: 'Camping Mexico's Baja' by Mike & Terri Church, 2006

Thanks David -

Yes ... I have the 4th (2008) edition of that book. I am using it, as well as the book by Moon Outdoors (Baja RV Camping by Laura Montone) and Baja Camping by Fred & Gloria Jones to prepare for my trip. I have not been able to find an definitive answer about having campfires on the beach.

Regards,

Chris in AZ

In Baja California, unless it is specifically posted otherwise you can have a campfire on the beach...

Thanks BajaGringo. That is very helpful.

Chris

Originally Posted by cldarron

Thanks David -

Yes ... I have the 4th (2008) edition of that book. I am using it, as well as the book by Moon Outdoors (Baja RV Camping by Laura Montone) and Baja Camping by Fred & Gloria Jones to prepare for my trip. I have not been able to find an definitive answer about having campfires on the beach.

Regards,

Chris in AZ

That is one of the best parts of beach camping!



You are free (more free) in Baja... not a bunch of rules some nanny made in an office, thousands of miles away. Just use good judgement and be considerate of others, be a good 'camper'... leave the place as nice or better than the way you found it.

Originally Posted by David K

Just use good judgement and be considerate of others, be a good 'camper'... leave the place as nice or better than the way you found it.

Great rules to camp by, anywhere on this planet...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Great rules to camp by, anywhere on this planet...

Yup, it seems only natural... but it is amazing what some leave behind when they go... as if to scortch the earth so nobody else can use it! Locals after a Baja race or Semana Santa come to mind! In time, we may all be on the same page!

Thanks David K -

I appreciate the input. As a longtime camper, I take pride in ensuring that my campsite is nicer when I leave then when I arrived.

Chris in AZ

Whatever happened to the Baja Book? Seems like that is not published anymore maybe?

sb

Originally Posted by cldarron

really don’t care about showers, laundry facilities,

By now, I'll bet you don't have a neighbor within a thousand yards.

Originally Posted by surfingbodi

Whatever happened to the Baja Book? Seems like that is not published anymore maybe?

sb

1974:


1979:


1987:


1992:


1996:



Tom Miller passed away after Baja Book III and Ginger Potter updated and enlarged it in 1996. Ginger passed away not long after...

Hi David,
I loved those books! I think I only have up to Baja III. So sorry to hear about their passing. What a gift those books are.

Thank you for updating me :)

sb/gari

Originally Posted by surfingbodi

Hi David,
I loved those books! I think I only have up to Baja III. So sorry to hear about their passing. What a gift those books are.

Thank you for updating me :)

sb/gari

El Gusto es mio! I have a pretty good Baja library, and am happy to share it on line...

They still become available from time to time online. I have a wish list that is almost complete after keeping saved searches for them on eBay...