Surfing Baja
Growing up in SoCal and making your way down to Baja to go surfing isn’t one of trips that you plan, you just do. One of the places that I have frequented was a little point called Punta San Carlos known as a windsurfing destination with some incredible waves.
Located about 400 miles south of LA in a secluded piece of heaven where the mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. A trip you could make in about 8 hours if you drove non stop, with the last 35 miles winding down a dirt road that filters you through a Saguaro forest to the cliffs over looking the Pacific. It was June and my buddies and I arrived at about 5pm hungry and thirsty after a long drive. As we decided to park the VW Camper on the cliffs and set up camp, the view from the point as the sun began to set burned a image of paradise.
Punta San Carlos is an interesting spot, isolated by it location and accessibility but close enough that you could connect with a adventure guide and fly down in a few hours. But with the seclusion comes the preparation of bringing everything you could possibly need, including spare vehicle parts, food, water and tequila since the destination has nothing in the way of amenities.
Hanging out in the desert for 5 days with your buddies surfing, hiking and mountain biking the coast, how could it get any better? With the morning spent in the water prior to the afternoon wind and with each days swell getting larger than the prior, we would wake up and start surfing a spot call Chili Bowl, a right break with long rides into the bay that just seemed to go on for every. After a nice morning session that lasted until 11am, naps and food were always in the days plans as we needed to regain our strength as we prepared for the afternoon Mountain Bike ride. The trails go for ever and the hard packed make for easy traction as you work your way prepared the desert. With a landscape dotted with rock formations, desert plateau’s and the Pacific Ocean, this was always a great way to end the day and recharge the batteries as the week ended much to soon.
Now that I have moved out of California, Punta San Carlos will away hold a place in my heart. Hopefully one of these days I will be able to gather the guys and make another trip down south. Friends, fun, adventure, paradise and no cell phone…how can it get any better.
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