We rolled in to San Felipe, a beachside town on the northwestern coast of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez). We looked on iOverlander to find some camp spots and decided on one close to the Malecón (boardwalk, sea wall, prominade) called Club de Pesca. The cost for the hookup was $45 per night by the ocean but the dry camping was $25 per night. We found a nice spot on the beach in the dry camp area and paid for 4 nights. They offered US or MEX pesos but the rate for 500 pesos was $29, so we paid US cash.
The temperature in this area varies from low 50’s to low 70’s this time of year and the beach is perfect for just hanging out. We walked down to the Malecón to do a little shopping and have some snacks. The beach is very clean and area is pretty nice; a lot nicer than the Puerto Peñaso area, and much less congested. Walking is just about a mile and very accessible. The shops are all about the same with the typical trinkets, shirts, sweaters, etc. that are found in Mexico tourist areas and the restaurants and bars are pretty large due to the massive amounts of people that converge here during the spring and summer.
We had some shrimp tacos and some beverages at a nice little place and then walked back on the opposite block. We passed several neat looking places and then cut back to the beach. When we got to our campsite, we stopped by the little bar, which is really a store, to see what was going on. We met two local transplants, Bozo and Fred, who invited us to hang out and chat. Fred has been coming here for 30 years and Bozo, 12 years, and both live here semi permanently. Both are from Canada, BC and Alberta, as are quite a lot of the folks down here. They invited us back to their daily “meeting” from 1-3:30PM. Bozo gave us a ride back to our camper and a quick tour of the campground. There are several places to purchase here and he quickly pointed them out. A lot of activity for our Monday.
On Tuesday, we enjoyed the beach, explored the campground, and just basically hung out. We did not want to intrude on the meeting, so we headed down around 2:45 to meet with the group. It turned out that the meeting had adjourned early and Bozo was driving out. He stopped and we chatted and he said he was going to a local place and asked us if we wanted to ride along. So we ended up at Fat Boys, on the corner of where everything in San Felipe happens.
Fat Boys is a local bar/pizza/hamburger joint owned by an American transplant. He is doing good business and has lots of “locals” that congregate here. Bozo seems to know everyone. We had several beers (I think 6) on top of the 3-4 consumed at the meeting and Kathy enjoyed a fresh margarita. We BS’d for a couple of hours, talked with a group that was hanging at the bar, and then Bozo was kind enough to bring us back to our camp.
What a neat little community. We feel so welcomed and at home here.