Scorpion Bay is a primitive recreation destination 650 to 889 road miles south of Tijuana depending on the route. Look on the west coast of Baja California Sur, north of Magdalena Bay, South of San Ignacio Lagoon. San Juanico can be found near Punta Pequeña, a south facing point with a lighthouse. La Purísima is the closest town inland. San Juanico is a Mexican fishing village in transition. In addition to the flow of visitors, some Americans have built palapas, set-up trailers and built cottages or houses in the town. Just to the west along the coast is the Scorpion Bay campgrounds, restaurant and cantina. Travelers from around the world camp along the cliff edge and make the cantina and restaurant their center of activity. The area is open year round and is managed by Americans Dave and Laurie Steibel.

Their fax number from outside Mexico is 011-52-113-828-50. You may also contact Ruben Andrews, the General Administrator at (619) 239-1335 or fax at (619) 235-6018 or email ruben@scorpionbay.net in the U.S.A. 

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GETTING THERE

The first thing you're liable to be asked on arriving in San Juanico is, "How'd you come in?" That's because it's usually such an adventure and the condition of the road is of great interest to those leaving. The dirt roads in Baja are graded periodically, but not more than once a month. Availability of fuel is uncertain. Always fill-up at every fuel stop.

Normally it takes two days to drive from Southern California to Scorpion Bay. Or you could drive it straight through in fourteen hours with a gallon of coffee and a new lifted Toyota 4Runner. You can figure about 30 miles an hour on the dirt. Watch out for livestock on the road, especially in the evening. Mexican highway wisdom has it that if you can see, you can go fast. If you can not see, you must go slow. Be extra cautious at the blind turns on the last 30 miles into San Juanico, as the single lane road is narrow, the sides are steep and the oncoming traffic can be very fast.

Tijuana to San Ignacio via Highway 1 is 545 miles. From there you have three choices:

THE SOUTH ROAD via Santa Rosalia, Mulegé, Loreto, Cuidad Insurgentes and La Purísima is a total of 889 miles (30 miles on dirt) from Tijuana. If you're towing anything or driving a passenger car or you're not mechanically prepared, this should be the preferred route. This is the longest, but the easiest.

THE EAST ROAD via Santa Rosalia, Mulege, Rosarito and San Isidro/La Purísima is a total of 684 miles (69 miles on dirt) from Tijuana. If there are thunder storms or it has been raining recently, it may be muddy and there may be flash floods in the washes. This route takes a four wheel drive vehicle or a truck if the road is OK.

THE NORTH ROAD, take the turn off to Abreojos just north of San Ignacio, at San Angel turn left and connect with the road from San Ignacio at El Alamo, go right to La Fridera Fish Camp on the shore of the lagoon and then go left and proceed to Cuarenta, San Jose de Gracia, Raymundo, Cadajé and on into San Juanico. This route is a total of 650 miles (105 miles on dirt) from Tijuana. But think twice before you take the turn off to Abreojos, especially if you're not caravaning with another vehicle. The route is unmarked and uncertain. Bear to the right at forks in the road and go via the mud flats. Risk breaking through brittle crust to the muck below. Maybe no one will be along for days. Maybe you've taken a turn no one will take for weeks. Bear left at forks and encounter the moon dust; obscured terrain beneath deep powder-fine dust, a swirling blizzard of choking grit that fills your mouth with mud and your windshield with a yellow haze; traverse steep washes, some with mud and flowing water. Take a shovel, some plywood, a tow chain, a good map, maybe a GPS, extra fuel and water, spare tires. Take notes, it will be interesting.

THE AIRSTRIP at San Juanico has been closed for over a year. The closest airport is Loreto. Aero California flies to Loreto from L.A. The closest general aviation airport is at La Purísima, landing is by special permission. Contact John Levy 760-931-9009 Ext.105.