Camping in La Ventana?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

We're considering a week trip to La Ventana around Christmas. One idea is to camp there. Anyone care to comment on the quality of the campground there? Also how much do they fill up? I'd imagine Christmas-New Years would be one of the busier times...

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2611 Posts The 503 METAL

The "campground" looked kinda hectic to me. We enjoyed camping at New Wind.

Free camping at LB was nice.

Kurt · Since 04 Nov 2005 73 Posts

Phil,
Last year I camped from the end of Feb to early April. It was kind of crowded when I first arrived. It was a ghost town when I left. I heard that x-mas vacation was a zoo. I'm going to start my drive south in about two weeks. Probably camp in the camp ground the first month then move over to my friends lot when they arrive in late November. I'll post a report on the camping situation in a few weeks.
Kurt

tonyb · Wed Oct 03, 07 7:44 pm

Hey Phil, the main campground can get pretty crowded around Christmas. We've camped at Yoyo's which is just south of Baja Joes and found it to be a lot quieter and the bathrooms and showers are a LOT nicer. I'll check with Grom and Shan on how fast it fills up before Christmas. We went down two years ago at Thanksgiving and there was plenty of room. We camped one year at Christmas time but already had friends down there holding a spot for us and I can't remember if the place was full or not.

Free camping in the arroyo or up by the hot springs! Just bring a sun shower, a shovel and toilet paper!

Tony

DrScoles · Since 13 Nov 2006 25 Posts Sammamish, WA

wow, I envy you guys being able to travel for that long! What a great life!

Mike

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

Iv'e never heard of the ZOO being reffered to as a campground
it didn't look like any camping I ever saw
everybody jammed in on top of each other sand being held down with blue tarps
One of the higher price places sounds much better like Curtis's and Marina or Baja Joe's
I'm just trying to see how far I can get on planes for the same amount of $.
but then it's hard to stop and fish while on a plane

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

The "campground" at La Ventana looked more like a concentration camp when we were there in 2001. You couldn't pay me to stay there. We camped at Captain Kirk's in an ideal setting, and although expensive at $25 a night, it had all the amenities, including Christmas Eve margeritas (the best I've ever had) and was well worth it.

The better cheaper camping and more ideal kiting location was down at Los Barriles, where we camped right next to the beach on the north end of town. More spread out campsites, showers and less like Stallog 13. Keep in mind this was 6 years ago so I don't know what's changed since then.

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

whats the best time for wind there? and how strong does it blow? i'm fucking jonesing after going cold-turkey on my wind fix in the last week +.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Los Barilles has WAY more space for sure. I was down there last December and it didn't look crowded at all (less crowded on the water too). We stayed at a really nice German couple's house and paid a bit over $400 for four of us to stay there for the week. We had our own place down stairs with a big master bedroom/bed and a nice kitchen/common area with a small fold out couch. Campground would be even cheaper I'm sure. The wind blows in La Ventana and Los Barriles from November through March for the most part from what I've heard with potential wind on either side of that depending on the season I'm sure. The wind is pretty strong, blowing in the twenties or even low thirties on a good day. Some days there's little wind or it's light in the mid to upper teen range. ikitesurf's baja section has a bunch of info about the weather.

What I didn't like as much personally was the lack of flat water or real waves. For the most part you ride in big choppy sea swell. It's awesome to be riding in strong wind during the winter, but the water conditions aren't the best. La Ribera half an hour South of Los Barilles had some pretty decent waves though where the giant head high plus wind swell would actually break pretty nicely.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2100 Posts PNW Bigfoot

[quote="genek"]Los Barilles has WAY more space for sure.

What I didn't like as much personally was the lack of flat water or real waves. For the most part you ride in big choppy sea swell.

Both true statements. I liked Los Barilles for the wide open camping north of town and the lack of crowds on the water. Lots less noise in the early morning in Los Barriles vs La Ventana (ie roosters, dogs, and fishermen all up before dawn). The town has more ammenities, but both locations are great and were fun to visit. Lets face it, sun, warm temps and salt water beat what we get in P-town in the winter any day of the week.

Got to try the open air resturant on the North end of town in Los Barilles on the main road right where the road takes a 90 degree turn. . . Can you say fresh seafood and yummy margaritas by the pitcher; be sure to ask for Shaggy at the resturant, he will hook you up. Actually, the resturants in La Ventana rocked too, just don't be in a hurry because the people making your food sure aren't.

For some info, vids and photos try this prior post:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-1072.html&highlight=&sid=515cb78bc033a78991b5fa045111268e

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Did you guys check out the hot dog stand lady that has a bunch of white plastic tables and chairs set up at another near 90 degree turn in the road? If you're coming from the North end of town (from the kite beach) it'll be right where the main road takes a sharp left turn for the first time. The hot dog stand will be on your left. They have AMAZING food for really cheap! They have super burritos for $2 and big plates of steak for $6. Both taste really good and are made right in front of you. We ate there every day of the week once we discovered it except sadly for the one day they were closed (Wed. I think). Still haven't had a burrito that came anywhere close to those. Also, no one got sick during the whole stay and a bunch of the other gringos in the area eat there with their families so I think the food must be in good condition. Don't forget to bring your own cervesaz since they don't serve drinks there. Enjoy!

PS Damn, my mouth is watering already. Might be worth another trip just to eat some of that amazing Mexican food.

PPS Don't rent any ATVs from the Quad Man (the rental shop closer to the center of town when you first drive into Los Barriles). He's a huge dick and got my friend thrown in jail (interrupting his kiting lesson) 5 days after we rented ATVs from him because he kept demanding more money for my friend scoffing up his ATV even though he'd already paid him for the damages and signed the paperwork. Some people are just greedy assholes.

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

for you folks that have been widsurfing and kiting for a while and have experience in la ventana, can anyone comment on what the seaon might shape up to be down there if we are indeed going into a la nina year here...? anyone been there in a la nina year?

fu manchu · Since 04 Sep 2007 2 Posts New Member

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!

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

Curtis ? a kook?
just don't let him get a hold of ya

and tell him HIS pizza is the
BEST

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

is there any type of shuttle or car service for getting up and down to the different beaches people are mentioning? If I go, I'm planning to fly and hopefully won't be renting a car.

newwindkiteschool · Since 17 Sep 2005 25 Posts Hood River / La Ventana

If anyone gets a chance to head down early this year it might be worth it! I checked I-kitesurf this morning at the North winds just turned on today and the longterm forecast looks good for wind just like mid-winter.

Also, I got an e-mail from Kurt (at Kurt & Marina's) the other day and he is no longer allowing tent camping....he's just renting spots for RV's now, so it looks like the best spot for camping will be Yo Yo's down in the corner of the bay.

Can't wait to get down there!

Cori

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB