San
Quintín Baja Bash a Success!
text
by connie ellig; photo by david hopps
Under
the new management of Laura & Gene Allshouse, Wet Buzzard Restaurant/Gypsys
Beach Camp at Rancho Cielito Lindo held its annual Baja
Bash on March 20. The fiesta attracted more than 170 Mexicans and
Americans including local residents, snowbirds and a large contingent from
Punta Banda and Ensenada. To the accompaniment of live rock, the hungry
horde devoured vast quantities of pork carnitas, barbequed lamb, rice,
beans, macaroni salad, corn tortillas, cake and three kegs of Tecate beer.
It was an afternoon to meet new friends, reacquaint with old ones, tell
tall tales and savor the flavor of Baja.
Although the bash wound down around 6pm, many guests were still wound up. The party moved to the bar at Cielito Lindo Restaurant where music, dancing and margaritas flowed until the wee hours. All had a great time and another memorable chapter in the history of San Quintín fiestas was written.
Located on Bahía Santa María, Gypsys Beach Camp features 37 dry RV sites, enclosed camping, hot showers and Laura’s Wet Buzzard ("Zopilote Mojado"), open daily from 6am-9pm. For info or reservations, call (616)165-9229; e-mail Cielito Lindo Motel/RV Park features 13 refurbished rooms, full hookup and palapa campsites, and restaurant/bar featuring world-famous Juanita’s Cracked Crab Claws. For reservations call (616)165-9246; USA voice mail (619)593-BAJA ext. 2; e-mail
Be
sure to check out the most comprehensive, up-to-date
English
language Events Calendar for Ensenada County at
San Quintin
by Carlos Fieta
San Quintin is home to one of the largest bays on the west coast of Baja. This mostly agricultural town is roughly a four hour drive south of the International border. It is the last coastal tourist town before the main highway heads down and over to the Sea of Cortez.
Boating and fishing are popular here, as is claming. There are no main tourist centers here yet. There are, however, three small motels on the bluffs overlooking the bay, and a very large La Pinta hotel south of town, right on the beach.
A variety of services can be found along the highway running through town, including restaurants, gasoline, two banks and other miscellaneous services.
Because of the relatively close proximity to the U.S. border, several different plans are under way to develop this area for tourists. Waterfront homes, a marina, a golf course, and lots more are on the drawing boards.
San Quintin is often considered the pivotal town where Baja civilization ends and the real Baja begins. Heading south, visitors find the decompression process kicking in more completely, and that 'Baja mode' really begins to take over!
Beaches, San Quintin has great beaches, without question. Also, part of the uniqueness of the area is the large bays that have made San Quintin so popular over the years. Collectively, these bays are some of the biggest on Baja's west coast, and offer excellent opportunities for fun and adventure! Camping, RVing, There are miles and miles of open areas to camp both north and south of the San Quintin area, both inland and at the beach. However, if some degree of civilization or amenities are desired, these camping areas are available. Fishing - Boating, The fishing in the 3 large bays here is particularly good, as access to the bays by commercial boats is not always easy because of the ocean waves. Halibut, mackerel, perch, croaker, are readily available in the bays, and yellowtail, yellow fin, sea bass, rock cod, link cod, and sometimes dorado can be found in the open sea. Surf fishing can be good on the beaches south. Boat rentals can be arranged at the Old Mill Hotel and the Cielito Lindo Hotel. Hotel´s, Lodging, First class hotel accommodations are not San Quintin's strongest suite, although there are plans on the drawing board to change that. Meanwhile, the existing hotels and motels provide a good place to hang your hat while exploring the Baja peninsula.
BIRD WATCHING, The bays and marshes south of town offer some of the best birding on the Baja Peninsula. A big variety and enjoyable climate ad to the fun.
CLAMMING, All 3 bays, plus the ocean facing beaches are productive at low tide. For access to the bays, head for the Old Mill area. For access to the ocean, the La Pinta Hotel area is a good area.
HUNTING, The tidal flats and marshland just south of San Quintin provide good hunting for duck and goose in winter, and for quail all year long.
KAYAK, Kayaking in the bays is a pleasant experience because of the calm water. Ocean kayaking and wave riding is good south of the bays, with easy launching.
SCUBA DIVING, Located 5 miles southwest of Cabo San Quintin, Johnston's Seamount offers good visibility, plenty of sea life, and interesting pinnacles and reef structure.
SURFING, Good surfing can sometimes be found at the beach break at Picacho, north of the bays, and at the point break at the end of the San Quintin peninsula.
Restaurants - Bars, Above and beyond the list in the business section, there are many other restaurants and bars scattered along the Transpeninsular Highway for several miles from Lazaro Cardenias to San Quintin. There are also quite a few taco stands, which offer a great way to grab a quick snack (and they are cheap!). Shopping, Highway One goes through town for a couple of miles, offering just about everything a Baja traveler might need. Gasoline, pharmacies, liquor stores, taco stands, tire repair . . . you name it. Load up now because these things are in short supply over the next few hundred miles. Next significant shopping down the highway is Guerrero Negro. Transportation, Buses traveling the Baja Highway make a stop in Lazaro Cardenas, just north of San Quintin, on the west side of the street. There are a few taxis in town, and 2 PEMEX stations.
The new gas station in El Rosario, ca. 35 mi south happens to be a very reliable self service . Best bet is to fill up there, which should get you to Guerrero Negro. The PEMEX at the La Pinta Hotel in Cataviña has only sporadic gas, the Pemex at the Bahia de Los Angeles junction has been closed for some time.
CARLOS FIESTA'S HOT TIP:San Quintin
offers a great harbor, but water access is not so obvious. There is a launching
ramp next to the Old Mill motel which will accommodate most trailered boats. This
is also a nice place to stop for a bite to eat and for a cup of Baja coffee.
