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purdyd
Since 27 Nov 2006
41 Posts
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 Mon Oct 08, 07 8:22 am |
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here is my dump
starting from the south
Los Barriles (the barrels) is 45 minutes (2 cervezas) from San Jose del Cabo airport - either by shuttle or rental car
it is a fair sized town with a super market, several restraunts, hotels and plenty of options for renting a house/room or camping
if you walk down to the beach it looks like just about any rich gringo beach town - because that is what it is
the season in LB really starts to rock at the end of March when the fisherman come into town and the low life kite and windsurfers leave
the kiting is generally done north of town in what is called the North beach area - you can walk up there and kite if you are staying in town
it is not a crowded area - there can be shore pound and rocks as you launch - mostly swell and chop - the only real game in town for rental equipment is Vela
when it is windy - there are other options around that provide varying conditions
1:45 minutes from Los Barriles is La Ventana - if you take the cutoff at San Antonio to Los Planes (which is now partially paved but has some big ruts in it from the hurricane)
La Ventana is a small fishing village which in contrast to LB is deserted after March
if you want to be in the middle of it all - LV is the place - it is also a better place for beginners or anyone who doubts there ability to stay up wind.
stretching north of LV up past El Sargento there is an immense amount of room and some nice places to stay
November through March is the season - by easter, the wind warriors are gone
the El Norte wind is driven by high pressure over the four corners region of the US - so when Santa Annas are blowing in California - it is going off in Baja
When it is blowing - it is windy everywhere - and LB might be the windier spot - but the wind is also influenced by thermals in the valleys and the mountains and LV is the more consistent of the two
this should be a better year for wind as it is a La Nina year - that typically means the storms will stay farther north but more importantly - the subtropical jetstream should avoid sending clouds over southern baja and clear blue skies mean better thermal winds
good luck on your trip
David |
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pjc
Since 06 Mar 2005
649 Posts
Addicted
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| Mon Oct 08, 07 9:16 am |
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if you have never been before, you should probably rent a car (or drive) because a big part of the fun in baja is cruising around and interacting with the friendly locals. on the non windy days there are cool trails to hike on and also good places to snorkel and scuba from la paz all the way down to san jose del cabo.
of course, renting a car in baja adds a lot to the expense. you ought to get some form of liability insurance as without it you could be SOL in the event of a car accident.
if you really want to roll cheap you don't need a car just to hang in la ventana. it can get crowded at the main beach there but you can feel safe riding super far out from the launch as the catcher's mitt extends a long way out.
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If you feel sleepy you need to be driving faster. |
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genek
Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
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| Mon Oct 08, 07 9:18 am |
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Good info except it definitely took us over an hour to get to Los Barriles. Maybe we weren't speeding enough  . Also, I wouldn't really want to walk to North beach from town unless you're at the Northern end while carrying all my gear. Ian and Megan run a school at North beach and will rent you a gear package for $70 I believe. |
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purdyd
Since 27 Nov 2006
41 Posts
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| Mon Oct 08, 07 11:40 am |
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| genek wrote: | | Good info except it definitely took us over an hour to get to Los Barriles. Maybe we weren't speeding enough . Also, I wouldn't really want to walk to North beach from town unless you're at the Northern end while carrying all my gear. Ian and Megan run a school at North beach and will rent you a gear package for $70 I believe. |
from the airport SJD to los barriles is about 40 miles and with a stop for beer and picture at tropica de cancer figure 1 hour -
2 1/2 hours straight through to La Ventana (no stopping no shopping) - if you know where you are going and yes, i have done it several times
you don't need to walk all the way to North beach - the first washout north of town is huge and a great place to launch - about a kilometer north -
that is where vela has their kite shack
about another kilometer up to North beach proper
you can always stick out your thumb and get a ride on a quad or dune buggy
i spent a week in los barriles at playa del sol and that is what i did every day - walk up to the wash with two kites and a board you don't need to go all the way to North beach - the air is cleaner and it is a little windier - you would basically have the place to yourself - but really there are no rules about where you can launch
having a car definitely opens up some possiblities to explore - especially when it isn't windy - but it is not absolutely mandatory
David |
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genek
Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
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| Mon Oct 08, 07 12:26 pm |
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| Good stuff. I guess we had a car and were staying within walking distance of North beach so never really explored the other options. Having a car was great for us because we were able to go ride La Ribera three times which actually has some fun wave riding unlike the swell/shore break at North beach. We also heard there's a breaking wave by the fancy hotel South of town, but never checked it out because we could ride La Ribera. Talk to Ian, Megan, and Shawn at North beach for the scoop if you head that way. |
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purdyd
Since 27 Nov 2006
41 Posts
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| Mon Oct 08, 07 3:49 pm |
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| genek wrote: | | Good stuff. I guess we had a car and were staying within walking distance of North beach so never really explored the other options. Having a car was great for us because we were able to go ride La Ribera three times which actually has some fun wave riding unlike the swell/shore break at North beach. . |
good to score some waves - i've heard about all kinds of secret spots along in that area - maybe having a car or a boat - is the right idea
David |
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kookurt
Since 25 Jun 2008
1 Posts
La Ventana, B.C.S. Mexico
New Member
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| Wed Jun 25, 08 6:11 pm The Downside |
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| fu manchu wrote: | | I stayed in La Ventana for 5 months last season. Curt and Marinas (directly next to New Wind) is by far the best campground there. You camping is awesome, you have hot showers, a huge palapa with a communal kitchen, free really fast wireless internet, and the best launching beach in the town. Also, there is a really cool bunch of regulars that stay there every year. The only downside is that you have to deal with Curt, he is nice but a bit of a kook sometimes. Also, 20 feet away from the campground is the hot dog stand!!! hot dogs wrapped in bacon...yum! It sounds bad but they are really good! |
I just happened across this post, not sure why dealing with me is a downside other then me being a kook "fu manchu" and "blowhard" thanks for coming to my rescue, if either of you are in La Ventana this winter I will make you both a pizza (on the house)
Kurt 
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Kurt |
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