Some Beach Somewhere..... Destination recommendations?

[PNW_Steve]

Oh how I hate that song this time of year 🙂 It snowed again this morning and I am about to loose my mind.

My wife and I have visited a number of different destinations in Mexico but never in our RV. We have been kicking around the idea and got to wondering if there is any place within 1-2 days drive of the AZ or CA border that we could spend a week or two on the beach?

What we are after is a spot to pitch camp and enjoy a warm sunny beach and a week or two of relaxation.

Is that realistic this time of year? I have never driven any further South than Ensenada and have no clue as to how far South we can realistically travel in 1-2 days. Especially pulling our 5th wheel.

Our tastes run on the simple side. We do not need the Ritz just the most basic amenities.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

[PNW_Steve]

GeneB wrote:
Hi Steve,

Sorry I can't answer your question about safety in Puerto Penasco as I've not kept up with recent happenings there. Can you post a news link to update me?

Regarding the weather....the forecast for the next ten days indicates high temps near 70 and low temps near 50 degrees F. http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Puerto+Penasco+Mexico+MXSR0096 Not what I would think of as "beach weather". The air and water temps in November were perfect but tend to gradually cool later in the year and slowly begin to increase as the days lengthen. If you want warmer you should probably head further south.

Gene

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/dec/19/five-killed-puerto-penasco-tourist-zone-gun-battle/

"Five people were shot dead in a gunfight with Mexican police in the Sonora beach resort of Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, early Wednesday.

Sonora Attorney General Carlos Navarro said the gunfight took place in a tourist zone called Sandy Beach. It’s a popular destination for Arizona travelers, and it has left some American visitors afraid to stay.

Steve Heisler was sleeping when he woke to helicopters firing at people on the ground.

"It was a full military assault," Heisler said. "Those guys were on a mission and serious about who they were going after."

Heisler lives near Sandy Beach with his wife. They had been thinking of leaving Rocky Point, and Wednesday's shooting "certianly puts us over the top," he said."

[Talleyho69]

San Carlos/Guaymas isn't more than a very easy 2 days, most of us do it in one. It's warmer.

[gjwarneke]

Cross the east border crossing at Mexicali and head down to San Felipe(hwy 5)...temps are running low 70's plenty of beach and quiet right now...but plenty to see & do around San Felipe if you so choose.
Jo

[GeneB]

Hi Steve,

Sorry I can't answer your question about safety in Puerto Penasco as I've not kept up with recent happenings there. Can you post a news link to update me?

Regarding the weather....the forecast for the next ten days indicates high temps near 70 and low temps near 50 degrees F. http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Puerto+Penasco+Mexico+MXSR0096 Not what I would think of as "beach weather". The air and water temps in November were perfect but tend to gradually cool later in the year and slowly begin to increase as the days lengthen. If you want warmer you should probably head further south.

Gene

[moisheh]

If you want " southern weather" then 1 or 2 days from the North is not enough time. On the mainland you would have to be at least as far south as Mazatlan. This time of year the water temps in the Sea of Cortez in the North are cool. This morning in Kino the outside temp was about 60 degrees.

Moisheh

[mexicoruss]

San Carlos Guaymas are about 6 hours south of the border at Nogales. Yes reachable in a day.

Penasco is where I live it is 1 hour south of the border at Lukeville. It is calm and it never snows here. Lots of open air and space. I have lived here for the last 8 years and still love it totally

Come down for a visit.

[PNW_Steve]

GeneB wrote:
My wife and I spent three weeks in Puerto Penasco/Rocky Point in November of 2012 and thoroughly enjoyed it. We pulled a 26' travel trailer down from Phoenix through Gila Bend and Ajo, AZ and went back up through Yuma the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you're in California cross at San Luis south of Yuma and take the highway south toward El Golfo then continue southeast on the coastal highway to Puerto Penasco. We found the roads to be in good condition and enjoyed the drive. We stayed at Playa Bonita RV park http://www.rockypointreview.com/ad11324.html and would recommend it. We later checked out other parks but found Playa Bonita right on the beach the best for us. Some websites to check out: http://wikitravel.org/en/Puerto_Pe%C3%B1asco and http://www.rvgoddess.com/TRAVEL/MEXICO.aspx

Hey Gene,

Thanks for the info. I have some reservation regarding the recent events at Rocky Point. Is it safer now after the Government showoff force or was that more of an indicator that safety in RP is declining?

I feel as safe visiting places like Puerto Vallarta or Playa del Carmen as I do visiting Seattle or San Diego. However, areas close to the US border do cause me a bit more concern. And again, is it likely to be "beach weather" that far North this time of year?


What do you all think?

Thanks again.

Steve

[PNW_Steve]

the bear II wrote:
Along the west coast of Baja is tough due to a recent road collapse. I haven't heard how soon it will be repaired. You should be able to get to Rosarito Beach area for camping.

Near the AZ border a lot of RVers go to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco). There was a recent drug cartel/military police shootout at a condo resort in town.

Just south of San Diego on this side of the border is Silver Strand Beach or Chula Vista RV Resort (right next to San Diego Bay). So far this year the weather has been nice. High 60s to 70s.

Thanks for the reply Bear.

We have been to Rosarito many times. That used to be one of our fav's. Always stayed in a resort though.

Any destinations reachable in 1-2 days from the border that may be a bit warmer? I am clueless as to what realistic travel distances are pulling a 5th wheel in Mexico.

Are Guaymas or San Carlos reachable from the border in a day?

Thanks

[GeneB]

My wife and I spent three weeks in Puerto Penasco/Rocky Point in November of 2012 and thoroughly enjoyed it. We pulled a 26' travel trailer down from Phoenix through Gila Bend and Ajo, AZ and went back up through Yuma the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you're in California cross at San Luis south of Yuma and take the highway south toward El Golfo then continue southeast on the coastal highway to Puerto Penasco. We found the roads to be in good condition and enjoyed the drive. We stayed at Playa Bonita RV park http://www.rockypointreview.com/ad11324.html and would recommend it. We later checked out other parks but found Playa Bonita right on the beach the best for us. Some websites to check out: http://wikitravel.org/en/Puerto_Pe%C3%B1asco and http://www.rvgoddess.com/TRAVEL/MEXICO.aspx

[the_bear_II]

Along the west coast of Baja is tough due to a recent road collapse. I haven't heard how soon it will be repaired. You should be able to get to Rosarito Beach area for camping.

Near the AZ border a lot of RVers go to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco). There was a recent drug cartel/military police shootout at a condo resort in town.

Just south of San Diego on this side of the border is Silver Strand Beach or Chula Vista RV Resort (right next to San Diego Bay). So far this year the weather has been nice. High 60s to 70s.