It's about time there was something on here about surfing in Baja California. While the purpose of this blog is to connect people with ideas for outdoor adventures here in California, and Baja is obviously a state in the country of Mexico, it is close enough and accessible enough to deserve to be included here.
Baja Norte is a dream come true for Southern California surfers. The water is crystal clear (yes really), and the coastline in Baja is much more open to swell than So Cal is, because there is no blockage from the Channel Islands. Lineups empty out just 20 minutes south of the border, and as one might imagine, the further you go the fewer surfers you find.
Food and campsites are cheap and people are friendly. As soon as you can (Rosarito most likely), get off of the toll road and take the free highway. It's got cracks and some parts don't have lines painted on the road, but you miss a lot taking the toll road. On the free highway, you drive past and through all sorts of small towns along the way, and can stop for fireworks or coconuts much easier.
Most places have secure parking lots that cost US $5 / day to use, although there is really no need to use them. Starting off any social interaction with a smile and a wave will ensure you a pleasant journey through Northern Mexico.
Heading south from Tijuana, the first surf spot you will want to check is Baja Malibu. About a 15 minute drive from the border, Baja Malibu is an excellent beach break that has killer lefts on south swells. Park up top, outside of the neighborhood, and walk down the cobblestone road to the beach.
The next places to check out are the 3 right point breaks in Calafia. Mushrooms is a soft, bending wave; the point at the Calafia Hotel is a shallow right with a barreling inside section that makes one drool just watching it.
After Calafia comes the crown jewel of Baja Norte: K38. Just 38 kilometers past the border, you will find three A-frame waves, all walking distance from each other. Get off where you see the K38 surf shop sign. There are three places to park. The first is a dirt lot ($5), right on the edge of the beach. The second option, if you have a 4x4 vehicle, is to just park on the beach itself. The third option, and the one that we used, is to park under the overpass. I strongly suggest parking under the overpass if you bring a dog down with you, as it is the only shady place around K38. The waves at K38 are all time, and the main break, a hollow, running right hander on the northern side of the beach, has a slab section about half way through the wave that it's best not to underestimate. It is makeable, if you pull in and rush it. Mess up, though, and your stuck on a knee deep boulder while overhead set waves pummel you.
There are tons of small campgrounds along the Mexican highway 1. One that stands out, however, is the Los Alisitos Campground in La Fonda, 58 km past the border. Here, you can park on the bluff overlooking the ocean, and peaky, barreling beach break waves.
Further down, you get to the campground and excellent right point break at San Miguel. After that, there are the beach breaks of Ensenada. South of Ensenada, you have to do a lot more searching, but the waves only get better, the crowds, lighter.
Be respectful, speak Spanish whenever you can. Eat local food and purchase local crafts. Baja gets a bad wrap sometimes, but it is beautiful place full of love.
Baja Norte is a dream come true for Southern California surfers. The water is crystal clear (yes really), and the coastline in Baja is much more open to swell than So Cal is, because there is no blockage from the Channel Islands. Lineups empty out just 20 minutes south of the border, and as one might imagine, the further you go the fewer surfers you find.
Food and campsites are cheap and people are friendly. As soon as you can (Rosarito most likely), get off of the toll road and take the free highway. It's got cracks and some parts don't have lines painted on the road, but you miss a lot taking the toll road. On the free highway, you drive past and through all sorts of small towns along the way, and can stop for fireworks or coconuts much easier.
Most places have secure parking lots that cost US $5 / day to use, although there is really no need to use them. Starting off any social interaction with a smile and a wave will ensure you a pleasant journey through Northern Mexico.
Heading south from Tijuana, the first surf spot you will want to check is Baja Malibu. About a 15 minute drive from the border, Baja Malibu is an excellent beach break that has killer lefts on south swells. Park up top, outside of the neighborhood, and walk down the cobblestone road to the beach.
The next places to check out are the 3 right point breaks in Calafia. Mushrooms is a soft, bending wave; the point at the Calafia Hotel is a shallow right with a barreling inside section that makes one drool just watching it.
After Calafia comes the crown jewel of Baja Norte: K38. Just 38 kilometers past the border, you will find three A-frame waves, all walking distance from each other. Get off where you see the K38 surf shop sign. There are three places to park. The first is a dirt lot ($5), right on the edge of the beach. The second option, if you have a 4x4 vehicle, is to just park on the beach itself. The third option, and the one that we used, is to park under the overpass. I strongly suggest parking under the overpass if you bring a dog down with you, as it is the only shady place around K38. The waves at K38 are all time, and the main break, a hollow, running right hander on the northern side of the beach, has a slab section about half way through the wave that it's best not to underestimate. It is makeable, if you pull in and rush it. Mess up, though, and your stuck on a knee deep boulder while overhead set waves pummel you.
There are tons of small campgrounds along the Mexican highway 1. One that stands out, however, is the Los Alisitos Campground in La Fonda, 58 km past the border. Here, you can park on the bluff overlooking the ocean, and peaky, barreling beach break waves.
Further down, you get to the campground and excellent right point break at San Miguel. After that, there are the beach breaks of Ensenada. South of Ensenada, you have to do a lot more searching, but the waves only get better, the crowds, lighter.
Be respectful, speak Spanish whenever you can. Eat local food and purchase local crafts. Baja gets a bad wrap sometimes, but it is beautiful place full of love.
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