where the desert meets the sea of cortez
Baja is not just a place. It’s a way of life. Technology and innovation have changed our lives irreversibly. Our children will never understand life without selfies and the internet, and we will never have a chance to experience the wild west. You can’t go back in time, but fortunately you can go to San Felipe Baja!
Our $10k beachfront shack we bought near San Felipe Baja 13 years ago takes us back to a different time. You wake up when the sun rises and gives you light. There is no electricity where we live 40km south of town, which means no crowds. Imagine having beautiful pristine beaches and miles of desert trails all to yourself.
The few people that do live in the south campos rely on a few solar panels to charge a few batteries to run a few lights. Propane runs most refrigerators and stoves,ย and water comes from a well or a truck. It takes a little getting used to primitive housing conditions. I recently burnt my fingers trying to reach into the crowded propane stove (I used lavender and frankincense to ease the pain). Septic systems don’t handle toilet paper, and we have to light the water heater twenty five minutes before we are ready for a hot shower.
you’re not in san diego anymore toto
It’s hard to believe we are only 5 hours away from San Diego. Most people pay thousands of dollars a month to share walls there. We couldn’t reach our nearest neighbor with a rock, and we pay $1300 a year in rent (our house sits on leased land).
People in the states worry about crime when they think of Mexico. Maybe we are kidding ourselves, but most people know each other around San Felipe Baja. You know the street vendors, you know your neighbors, and you know the restaurant owners. If someone drives into your campo (neighborhood), your landlord or neighbor will see the trail of dust coming from a mile away.
Without all the people and technology, you can get more in touch with the land and nature. There’s no shortage of beautiful natural scenery to inspire your creative side. You might even find yourself in front of a canvas with some paint or collecting artifacts to add to your yard art.
the tide rules in san felipe baja
It’s hard to escape nature in San Felipe Baja. The tide and the weather are powerful forces that influence daily life there. When the tide rises enough to cover the rocks, fishermen launch their boats, kids go swimming and gringos hit golf balls into the sea. When the tide goes out, it’s time to collect the golf balls, mussels, clams and octopus from the exposed rocky shore. Our landlord makes an amazing ceviche from the seafood he collects in the morning low tide.
High tide is the perfect time to visit the natural hot springs of Puertecitos, just 70km south of San Felipe Baja. As the tide begins to recede, the healing waters of the hot springs are exposed at the perfect temperature. You don’t even have to take the roads to get there. Hop on a buggy or jeep and and take the beach.
an off-roading paradise
Regardless of the tides, you can always fire up your favorite off road vehicle and explore the beach and desert. You can ride up and down the beach for miles and miles, only occasionally passing and waving to another person. Or you can head inland and explore the desert trails that host the famous Baja 250. When the race is on, you can get as close as you dare to the trophy trucks as they fly by you across the desert.
the santa ana winds are your friend if you kitesurf
When the winter Santa Ana winds start blowing dust everywhere, most people stay inside and play games or try in vain to clean the dust from their house. However, that’s when a few of us pump up our kites and let the wind drag us around the Sea of Cortez on our surfboards.
Baja is one of the few undeveloped places in the world where the desert meets the sea. Everyone knows how great it feels to stand on the beach and look out to the sea. However it’s a whole different experience to glide across the water and look out at the desert, mountains and beach.
Baja seems like one of the last frontiers not yet spoiled by human development and regulations. If you ask our landlord what the rules of the campo are he will tell you there are no rules. Sure, some overzealous old timer may try to put up his own 5mph sign along a dirt road, but there’s no one to enforce it.
maรฑana
Forget about having a schedule. In San Felipe Baja, things happen when they happen. If you ask someone a question that begins with when, the answer is maรฑana (tomorrow). The desert is littered with half built structures that we call maรฑanas.
We wouldn’t mind if those half built structures never get finished, let alone maรฑana. The beauty of San Felipe Baja is its pristine undeveloped nature. The lack of crowds is what makes it special – that and those amazing desert sunsets. I don’t know why, but the sky there produces incredible sunsets every night.
baja midnight
After sunset, you might find yourself around a campfire with friends and family, but don’t get too comfortable. People go to sleep soon after it gets dark, called “Baja midnight” (which ranges fromย 7-9pm). Lights are used sparingly at night so as not to drain solar powered batteries. This makes for some amazing night time skies filled with more stars than you have ever seen.
The best thing about Baja midnightย is that we will wake up when the sun rises and do it all over again maรฑana. Every morning as we sip our coffee and stare out at the sun rising over the sea, we are reminded why we love San Felipe Baja.
And all that said, that is why we love living here!
Absolutely!!! We wish we could be there more….
Jill Thanks so much for allowing southcamposcastillos.net to use your blog as part of our advertising.A blog like yours allows potential CAMPOS residents to prequalify themselves mentally,spiritually and financially and a chance to commit to themselves and their families,to the lifestyle described in your blog.Also potential residents will have a choice to be able to socialize with “INTERESTED PEOPLE “
You are most welcome! We love San Felipe…especially the south campos…and are thrilled that you’d like to share our blog with any potential “neighbors.” Thank you for contacting us! Hope to see you on one of our trips!
That looks like such a beautiful place! Can’t wait to visit someday!!
We can’t wait for you to visit!!! ?โค๏ธ
Oh my gosh! Gorgeous! And it sounds like such a fabulous place to go and reboot!
Absolutely!!! Can NOT wait for you to come down and visit!!!
Well said!!! You captured in words and pictures our “Baja Feeling”!!!!
Thank you so much Mary! It is a pretty special place down there! See you again soon hopefully!
You really nailed it! All the things I love about San Felipe! One day I will return, one day.
It is such an amazing place. We are already counting down until we can visit again!
Very nice Jill. You describe our paradise so perfectly.
Thank you so much, DeAnna! We definitely LOVE our Baja paradise!
Nicely done. A secret worth sharing.
Thank you, Nicolas! I totally agree!
What beautiful scenery! The beach looks and feels like a true escape. Great photos!
Thanks, Abigail! It definitely is a true escape. โค๏ธ
San Felipe Baja sounds like paradise. Anymore $10K shacks for sale? ๐ You are SO lucky to have the opportunity to own a piece of paradise. So, do people who own shacks like yourself rent them out to visitors? I’m assuming there aren’t any hotels close by.
There are hotels in town (40km north of us)… and many people do rent out. The places are rustic and most use solar and propane, so there is a lot to learn when renting. However, if you search online I am sure there are places. There are some south camp fb groups that prob have info.
As for 10k shacks… they’ve gone up a little but you can still find some sweet deals. ?
All of us that live here are sharing this like crazy because it describes it so well!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks for sharing. โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ
What a great post! I love that area and to be able to live there would be amazing! So peaceful and away from the chaos of a big city. The more I visit Mexico, the longer I want to stay.
Sheri, I know the feeling. We always have a hard time when it comes to leaving Mexico… especially San Felipe.
Oh wow, that just sounds like paradise. I love that everything is back to basics, where you go to sleep and wake with the sun. I loved how you wrote this, I really felt like I was there. Sounds like you have found a little slice of heaven!
Thanks, Sasha. We most definitely have found our own slice of heaven. It’s wonderful that we all love it… even the 12yo.
Great article! We are in the Bahia Santa Maria campo and have enjoyed our trips to San Felipe during the year. We have a little casita like many family and friends and can never get enough of the sunrise, sunset, start gazing, “Baja midnight” and great company. Of course now that we have technology in the form of cell phones and internet it sometimes disrupts the simple times of the campo. Still, time slows down and is really enjoyed…
Yes… technology seems to sometimes find a way to sneak in…. but Baja life is the best! If you are in Bahia Santa Maria, I’m sure you’ve seen my husband kite by. ? He will be there quite a bit this winter. Hopefully we will get to meet you sometime! Thanks for checking out the blog.
This is only a 5hr drive from San Diego?! Oh wow, I’ve never been to North America as an adult so I imagine the drive down would be lovely. Honestly, places like these are the best – the ability to unplug and just take in your surroundings is what we should learn to do more of.
I love dark at about 7-9 is called Baja Midnight hahah.. Maybe I can adopt it in similar scenarios (even though I probably won’t be at this spot)?
Yes, not far from San Diego at all… a short drive and you feel as though you are worlds away! ๐ We also love Baja Midnight… Definitely adopt it!
What a stunning place! I need to visit San Felipe Baja asap, it looks fantastic. Thanks for the post!
San Felipe is fabulous… I do hope you make it there, Katie!
Very nice place and post. I would definitely love to visit a place there is no electricity so that I don’t get disturbed by my smart phone. I think I will be able to enjoy my childhood time now if I visited San Felipe Baja.
Vishal, it is a wonderful feeling to not be tied to technology! Its a fabulous escape! ๐
That is absolutely beautiful and peaceful. And how weird that such a place exist near San Diego. I’m just not sure if I will be able to live there. Maybe for a weekend though. :p
Wow this looks utterly amazing. I too have felt the hot burn of a poor cooking decision. If we didn’t live in Australia I’d be tempted to move down to Baja to get away from it all.
Do you have essential oils, Jean?! Lavender and Frankincense are amazing for burns (and many many other things). Australia, wow… we haven’t been there yet…but hopefully soon!
I’m glad to hear that there are hotels nearby! We are going to have to add this to our “Places to visit” list. It sounds amazing!
Awesome! Do let us know if you make it down to San Felipe! ๐
Wow, what a place! Thanks for an inspiration- we will definitely visit San Felipe Baja during our trip to Mexico ๐
Fabulous!!! It is an amazing place. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Wow! $1300 a year?!?! That’s unbelievable. Mexico, in general, has all sorts of hidden gems along the water. It’s such a beautiful place!
Oh wow
Someone take me here — it’s too beautiful!
I could legit stay here in solitude for forever ๐
Wow. All these photos look absolutely amazing. I want to go! Especially now when it’s getting colder.
I so have to visit! My bucket list is growing out of control! Lol.
I sure hope you make it to San Felipe, Briana!
So pretty. You are lucky to have a place to run away to and get new scenery. A place to gather your thoughts and unwind for a bit.
You are so right, Rose! We are incredibly lucky… its the perfect place to reboot!
Your photos are GORGEOUS! It looks like you had an amazing time!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Thank you, Jessica! We certainly did! Can’t wait to go back!
I am sat here thinking I should be somewhere like San Felipe and enjoy such spectacular views.
Thanks for sharing he amazing place! It looks stunning!
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
Thank you so much, Beth! ๐ We sure love it!
Well it sounds like a bit of a paradise really. It’s so lovely that you are able to connect with the people around you and form a true community. The photos are amazing. Love the idea of the off roading. The manana, manana. I totally get that. Living in Spain, they had the same sense of urgency, even in the big cities. What a beautiful part of the world. Thanks for sharing.
It is most definitely our paradise! ๐ The community down there is amazing! We love our baja family!
This place looks absolutely fascinating. You captured the beauty of your travels – would make for a great travel diary!
We absolutely LOVE it in San Felipe… our photos are a perfect diary! We love to look through them.
I know the exact feeling of being simply happy, enjoying the waves of the sea, searching for hermit crabs instead of stalking someone online, and just staring up in the sky during nightime and count those falling stars, hehehe. I don’t believe that the whole Mexico is dangerous. If you violate something, then face the consequences. If you are always friendly, then you will be blessed.
I agree… I travel all over Mexico and am just fine! ๐
Loved reading this! San Felipe is forever in our hearts! We have a casa there and travel at least once a year to our home away from home. (We live in British Columbia). We also have some property south of Puertocitas at Los Delfines which is our real getaway! โค
Thats awesome, Vicky! What campo are you in? We definitely love getting down to San Felipe!
I’m freezing my hiney off and would so love to come there now. It looks beautiful Paradise my friend. I’m w you praying they don’t finish those buildings.
We are very lucky to have our own slice of paradise.
Wow I don’t think you could have captured San Felipe anymore beautifully!! I’ve only ever visited Mexico City, Los Cabos and Playa del Carmen but I would love to discover more of this beautiful country. I would love to have a holiday home here!!
Aww. Thank you so much. We also LOVE Mexico… so many fabulous places!!
What an amazing thing to do. 10k for your own peice of paradise seems like a no brainer to me.
Haha. Yes, we agree!!! It is definitely paradise!
This certainly does sound wonderful, especially in comparison to San Diego!
Wow!!! How peaceful and beautiful looking place. Must be so different to stay in a place with no electricity. But at least it will keep you away from the hustle and bustle of those who need power. Great photos too.
This looks just a.m.a.z.i.n.g. … the beach, a dream but all the activities you did there!?!? Wow!
Oh my oh my, I could really use a place like this right now! And only 5 hours away from SD! Lucky you for having a piece of this paradise ๐
you have some stunning images here. these pics making me eager to visit this place. for adventure lover its a good place and i m the one…
You are right… it is a fabulous place for an adventure lover! ๐