Baja houses

[baja-chris]

Please don't turn this into another hate mexico thread. Nor politics, corruption, crime etc. Start another thread for that. Also you can buy US backed title insurance.

How many of you have houses in Baja? Where at? We bought a 2br 2ba fixer in Pete's Camp, San Felipe for $45k.

Previously we had half an acre 1 house back from the beach in Los Barilles on the East Cape but never built. And we had a lot in Eldorado Ranch that we ended up selling. Been going to baja 30+ years. We like San Felipe because its a short drive from our homes in AZ and you can ride epic desert right from your house.
Plus we like beach time, especially with the black lab. There is a ton of trails nearby, and other than the race courses which have giant whoops, they are mostly fast and smooth. You can ride for days, up into the mountains where there are pine trees and trout streams, over the pacific coast, or all the way to Cabo and countless beaches and routes. We ended up doing a full do-over on our house, tore off roof and most walls and built a nice place suitable for full time living with a 2 stall RV garage, T&G ceilings, new US appliances, etc.

The garage is 50ft deep, 13-6 high so it will hold an RV and a fishing boat but we typically just have off road toys and trucks there. A breezeway separates garage from house. Breezeway has glass roll up doors on each end and built in grill/hood. Great place to watch football. I can't find any pics of the completed house. Need to spend more time down there. We like to be there March/April and October/November because of racing. Jan/Feb is a bit chilly, same as AZ desert day temps but 10 deg warmer than AZ desert at night due to the sea nearby.

We are taking RV to Key West this Jan/Feb but next winter plan to spend more time in Baja, maybe a multi-week trip down to southern Baja.

 

[cofooter]

I will be following this thread. I am actively looking for something, but further south. Just got back from two weeks in Todos Santos, La Ribera/Los Barilles and looked around a bit. I'm going to Loreto/Mag Bay in April and will look there as well. Not in a huge hurry and seems that prices are not really softening much there yet. I too love Baja and will have a place there soon. Would like to see more pics of your place. Used to go to San Felipe and the camps up north of town a lot when I lived in So Cal, but have not been back there probably since the early 90's......... I've never felt unsafe in Baja once south of the border towns.....

 

[RaceTec]

Sounds like a bitchen spot, show us more!

 

[sintax]

sounds sweet

let me know when the house warming / baja tour session is! i'll get my XR650r dialed!

 

[Carlos90041]

Following

 

[ArizonaKevin]

@mesquito_creek to the courtesy phone.

From the mid 60s through about 2005 my family had property at the Mosquito Creek. Before my time to know the logistics, but really want to try to figure out a way to bring mexico back into the fold for family.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

F California!

Oops wrong thread.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

Was in los Barilles back in April prices for property was crazy. Cabo is worse I don’t understand where people have that much cash to tie up in a foreign country. I’d be down for anything under 150k not far from the ocean but those days are long past

 

[Dkahnjob]

A friend of mine has a place in Baja that he is selling. I will list the description and his contact below. It is turn key.

Located in Punta Bufeo, on the gulf side of Baja, (Sea of Cortez) 200 miles South of the boarder. 100 miles South of San Filipe. 10 miles North of Gonzaga Bay.

House is on the beach, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, about 2,000 square feet. (50’x40’)

Garage is approximately 9 cars,

Included is Gamagoat (6 wheel drive diesel, launch vehicle)

Boat is SeaRay 20’ Laguna center counsel outboard with 175 HP Merc outboard.

Solar electric system with battery backup, Fresh water system with pump & 500 gallon tank, Sea water (salt water system) for toilets).

3 Honda 3 wheeler ATV’s 2-90’s 1-125cc.

Fully furnished with dishes, sheets, furniture, everything you need to move in. All new dual pane low E windows. New AGM batteries for solar system ($6,000.00)

A true fisherman’s paradise! Located on a private airstrip.

House is owned and land is leased 10 years at a time with automatic renewal.

$250,000.00



Contact Mike Konle by phone, text, or email.

818-414-1644

[email protected]

 

[rivergames]

I love Baja. My only problem is that I love ALL Baja.

I only go down around 5-8 times per year. I like fishing Gonzaga Bay. Heading back down there in May or June.

I Love fishing and offroading in BOLA.

I like dirt bike riding from Tecate down to San Quitin and back up through Mikes Sky Ranch.

I like launching my fishing boat in SD and fishing all the way down to Ensenada and staying for the night.

ABSOLUTELY Love my weekend trips to Cabo.

And I only want to keep seeing more. I can't just pick 1 stop to stay in Baja.

I don't think anyone else should go down though. NOT Safe and good chance you will get murdered!

 

[mesquito_creek]

@mesquito_creek to the courtesy phone.

From the mid 60s through about 2005 my family had property at the Mosquito Creek. Before my time to know the logistics, but really want to try to figure out a way to bring mexico back into the fold for family.

It’s so easy now… Google maps takes you right to anyone’s house on the rio hardy. Mary Carmen (Jessie’s daughter) who took over campo Mosqueda, after Jessie died, rents a couple houses. Here’s the website En.campomosqueda.mx or just Google it.

I actually sold my place less than a year ago. After 30 years of hundreds of trips and 10s of thousand of miles off roading, we got an offer from a Californian I couldn’t refuse. Never thought I could get out of my property with cash in my pocket. But the Covid money and cali cash paid me to leave!

Loved that place but the Americans, van lifers and YouTube ruined it for me. When everyone on the whole baja peninsula takes dollars and speaks English I lost a little enthusiasm for it.

I am switching gears and figuring out how to start flying small planes down into San Carlos and other Gulf of Mexico locations for diving trips. Getting too old to ride off road and barefoot ski, so the wife and I dive instead. Hitting Cozumel in Feb and I will fly into Bay of La still to dive.

The Rio Hardy is awesome, you will love it again all over. Bunch of full timer expats there now and Jessie’s is fun. Valentine Guzman died last year so I am not sure how well Guzman cantina is doing now?

 

[cofooter]

Loved that place but the Americans, van lifers and YouTube ruined it for me. When everyone on the whole baja peninsula takes dollars and speaks English I lost a little enthusiasm for it.

Very True! There's a lot of that has ruined the charm for me as well. But as I'm sure you know, there is still plenty of places to experience the old Baja if you're up for an adventure!

 

[Mandelon]

Baja fan here. From San Diego we have made a zillion trips to the west coast, camping south of Erindura and years ago down to San Felipe as well. We stayed in Pete's Camp too. We still laugh at our dinner there. We ordered the "combo plate" which was literally the same exact thing in five different shapes. Taco, rolled taco, burrito, tostada and enchilada. All the same size, the same tortillas and same ingredients. LOL

We have driven down to Guadalupe Canyon above Tecate for the natural hot springs, and on the West coast to Guadalupe Valley for wine tasting. Lots of trips to Ensenada and Estero Beach when the kids were little. Rented a house a couple months ago in Ensenada with "that Guy" and his wife. I have no problems taking my truck and driving around. It's an adventure!

I've driven from Loreto and Nopolo to the Mision san Franciso Javier ( The first of the Missions) up to Muleje and Santa Rosalia and back, and been to Los Barriles with Outcoled a few times for fishing. Driven around Todos Santos, Cabo and East Cape many times too. I enjoy all of it honestly. Only had one issue with a motorcyle cop, which was resolved for $20. But that was decades ago. I have been wanting to visit the El Dorado Ranch Development in San Felipe That golf course always looks kinda iffy though.

 

[Mr. C]

SIL/BIL now have two houses in Todo Santos. Right next door to each other. About 200 yards from the ocean and no building between them and the ocean. They split time from Taos NM and there. Make the drive. Theirs is about 1400 sq Ft With a separate little casita about 600 sq Ft. For guest.
Then one they VRBO out I’d say is about 7-900 one bedroom living room. Kitchen.
I really like it when we can get away down there. Hope I don’t jinx it but they’ve never had any issues down there.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Very True! There's a lot of that has ruined the charm for me as well. But as I'm sure you know, there is still plenty of places to experience the old Baja if you're up for an adventure!

For sure! I don’t mean to talk about it in a bad way. It’s just “soft” now. When I built down there in the early 90s no cell phones, you needed pesos, had to speak Spanish and mid baja was remote. My last trip to Gonzaga was when the road just opened up through to hwy 1. There were two dozen people in 150k diesel vans camped at the cabanas. It’s all good and now more people get to see it. It’s just progress.

There is still a decent gap between San Felipe and La Paz where it’s still pretty legit. But the American lady at campo puertocitios who charges 10 bucks to pass through their property to get to the hot springs is americanization in my opinion. It’s getting all gated off and harder to get around so see it all now while you can!

I should qualify that I love the place but I am a renter now not a homeowner. I go to rocky point every October, hitting Cozumel in 6 weeks and will fly into Gonzaga/bola/mulege! Is a young persons endenvour to own a house and travel back and forth!

 

[Mandelon]

The worst I remember was all the houses in Punta Banda when the land was found to be owned by an Ejido and not the guy who sold the lots.
Here's and old story: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-25-fi-41581-story.html

A development further north called Cantamar is having issues right now. Here's an article about it.

Trouble in paradise: Americans say they’ve lost access to their Baja resort homes

ROSARITO — The barbed wire fencing that surrounds most of Cantamar, a beachfront development located about 15 miles south of Rosarito, is barely noticeable against the towering palm…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

 

[mesquito_creek]

We have driven down to Guadalupe Canyon above Tecate for the natural hot springs, and on the West coast to Guadalupe Valley for wine tasting.

If you ever go to Guadalupe Canyon hot springs you could go a little farther south to the secret hot springs at Palomar canyon. No gaurd or gates or “fees” last time I check but that could have changed. A couple of American type guides put in some pit toliets and buffed the whole place out, so who knows?

 

[mesquito_creek]

Please don't turn this into another hate mexico thread. Nor politics, corruption, crime etc. Start another thread for that. Also you can buy US backed title insurance.

How many of you have houses in Baja? Where at? We bought a 2br 2ba fixer in Pete's Camp, San Felipe for $45k.

Previously we had half an acre 1 house back from the beach in Los Barilles on the East Cape but never built. And we had a lot in Eldorado Ranch that we ended up selling. Been going to baja 30+ years. We like San Felipe because its a short drive from our homes in AZ and you can ride epic desert right from your house.
Plus we like beach time, especially with the black lab. There is a ton of trails nearby, and other than the race courses which have giant whoops, they are mostly fast and smooth. You can ride for days, up into the mountains where there are pine trees and trout streams, over the pacific coast, or all the way to Cabo and countless beaches and routes. We ended up doing a full do-over on our house, tore off roof and most walls and built a nice place suitable for full time living with a 2 stall RV garage, T&G ceilings, new US appliances, etc.

The garage is 50ft deep, 13-6 high so it will hold an RV and a fishing boat but we typically just have off road toys and trucks there. A breezeway separates garage from house. Breezeway has glass roll up doors on each end and built in grill/hood. Great place to watch football. I can't find any pics of the completed house. Need to spend more time down there. We like to be there March/April and October/November because of racing. Jan/Feb is a bit chilly, same as AZ desert day temps but 10 deg warmer than AZ desert at night due to the sea nearby.

We are taking RV to Key West this Jan/Feb but next winter plan to spend more time in Baja, maybe a multi-week trip down to southern Baja.

There are some really cool and big cold pools up in El Diablo canyon out of San Felipe. You have to hike up on foot to get there so few off-roaders bother with it… big diving pools and no people most of the time.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

It’s so easy now… Google maps takes you right to anyone’s house on the rio hardy. Mary Carmen (Jessie’s daughter) who took over campo Mosqueda, after Jessie died, rents a couple houses. Here’s the website En.campomosqueda.mx or just Google it.

I actually sold my place less than a year ago. After 30 years of hundreds of trips and 10s of thousand of miles off roading, we got an offer from a Californian I couldn’t refuse. Never thought I could get out of my property with cash in my pocket. But the Covid money and cali cash paid me to leave!

Loved that place but the Americans, van lifers and YouTube ruined it for me. When everyone on the whole baja peninsula takes dollars and speaks English I lost a little enthusiasm for it.

I am switching gears and figuring out how to start flying small planes down into San Carlos and other Gulf of Mexico locations for diving trips. Getting too old to ride off road and barefoot ski, so the wife and I dive instead. Hitting Cozumel in Feb and I will fly into Bay of La still to dive.

The Rio Hardy is awesome, you will love it again all over. Bunch of full timer expats there now and Jessie’s is fun. Valentine Guzman died last year so I am not sure how well Guzman cantina is doing now?

Any concerns with running into cartels using small landing strips? I'm assuming you know why there's a landing strip at the Rio Hardy?

 

[Taboma]

The worst I remember was all the houses in Punta Banda when the land was found to be owned by an Ejido and not the guy who sold the lots.
Here's and old story: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-25-fi-41581-story.html

A development further north called Cantamar is having issues right now. Here's an article about it.

Trouble in paradise: Americans say they’ve lost access to their Baja resort homes

ROSARITO — The barbed wire fencing that surrounds most of Cantamar, a beachfront development located about 15 miles south of Rosarito, is barely noticeable against the towering palm…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Cantamar where the trailer park was back in the late 60's ?

 

[mesquito_creek]

Any concerns with running into cartels using small landing strips? I'm assuming you know why there's a landing strip at the Rio Hardy?

Lol… Don is a great friend of mine who flys the twin beech Baron out of the rio hardy. And yes I am familiar with all the folk lore around the compound with the tennis courts. Mary Carmen fixed it all up and I think you can rent houses there now.

But I am not any more worried about cartels and planes than I am about anything else. If I can land a plane safely on a dirt strip cartels are the least of my worries.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Lol… Don is a great friend of mine who flys the twin beech Baron out of the rio hardy. And yes I am familiar with all the folk lore around the compound with the tennis courts. Mary Carmen fixed it all up and I think you can rent houses there now.

Lol the last time we went down there after we had sold our place we rented that compound. We only knew it as "Cooper's," don't know if that is the name of the person?

 

[Boatymcboatface]

We grew up camping on the beach in San Filipe close to the casino and dunes. Was a awesome place back then and still is just not as remote but still great! Loved the fish tacos and churros at La bufadora still the best I’ve ever had! Aslo the roadside tamales!

 

[Caydens Cat]

The worst I remember was all the houses in Punta Banda when the land was found to be owned by an Ejido and not the guy who sold the lots.
Here's and old story: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-25-fi-41581-story.html

A development further north called Cantamar is having issues right now. Here's an article about it.

Trouble in paradise: Americans say they’ve lost access to their Baja resort homes

ROSARITO — The barbed wire fencing that surrounds most of Cantamar, a beachfront development located about 15 miles south of Rosarito, is barely noticeable against the towering palm…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

unfortunately I’m involved with the Cantamar “issues” As you captured above. The pic in the article even shows my place It’s been a wonderful experience to have a beach front property, but nothing ever comes easy. My wife, MIL, and kids were the last one there… that was like 4+ years ago. No access, outrageous fees, no leases renewals…. I’m still hopeful we can reach a resolution, but as Father Time ticks - I become more discouraged.

 

[rickym20]

We are hoping to get into something soon , wife just got her duel citizenship to help the process. Looks like you got an awesome place in San Felipe. I’ll be paying attention to this thread as well !

 

[baja-chris]

I have a 10-year TIP (Temporary Import Permit) to bring my big pontoon to Baja and am thinking the fancy new marina at Puerto Escondido with it's nearby Hotel Tripoli would be a great trip. I want to also get a TIP for the little ski boat and take it to Rio Hardy and Santispac.

 

[TCHB]

We have friends that are into wake boarding and skiing in Mexico. There is a lot of people from Southern California that have nice homes along the Rio Harde River. He came out to our house in Havasu and thought the lake traffic was nuts.

Rio Hardy 'hidden treasure' for some

Some cool off by heading to the beaches of Ensenada or San Diego or maybe the river in Yuma, but others have been splashing around the lesser-known Rio Hardy for

www.ivpressonline.com

 

[mesquito_creek]

I have a 10-year TIP (Temporary Import Permit) to bring my big pontoon to Baja and am thinking the fancy new marina at Puerto Escondido with it's nearby Hotel Tripoli would be a great trip. I want to also get a TIP for the little ski boat and take it to Rio Hardy and Santispac.in

Never knew there was such a thing as a TIP. Crossed the border with all different kinds of boats. I just always told them it was going to the rio hardy and they waved me through… good to know!

 

[mesquito_creek]

We have friends that are into wake boarding and skiing in Mexico. There is a lot of people from Southern California that have nice homes along the Rio Harde River. He came out to our house in Havasu and thought the lake traffic was nuts.

Rio Hardy 'hidden treasure' for some

Some cool off by heading to the beaches of Ensenada or San Diego or maybe the river in Yuma, but others have been splashing around the lesser-known Rio Hardy for

www.ivpressonline.com

It’s started as a secret spot for barefooters. All the Pros trained there with Art Marino before the x games in mission bay etc. Wake board didn’t exist. The wake boarders took it over as that came popular. The community still goes off on the wakeboard boats on Facebook about damaging docks etc just like in the states now!

The Memorial Day tube float and poker run were legendary… still pretty crazy from what I have seen.

 

[TCHB]

I have been down there at least ten times and found it a great place to water ski! Our friends hang with a few of the pro Wake board guys. They have a nice home on the water. It is about a hour from the border. Mobile homes being taken out and nice homes going in.

 

[PRORACER7474]

I have 2 friends that have retired to Petes Camp from Vegas in the last year, they love it

 

[renodaytona]

I absolutely love San Felipe. Of all the places I have been down there I enjoy it the most. I would be stoked on the place you have for future retirement stays. Can't wait to see more pics of what your place looks like.

 

[mesquito_creek]

While in San Felipe, try the crazy peppers at Baja Mar! My favorite! Small green mild chili peppers stuffed with buttery garlic shrimp!

 

[brikman]

Moto/off road guys should check out https://baja-oasis.com/ it in the Rio and owners are working hard to make it premier off-road destination, guided rides are on their schedule and they will help you out with self guided stuff as well. I haven’t had the chance to get here yet but based on reviews it’s worth the trip.

 

[2Driver]

2 friends recently purchased places in Tangolunda. It looks really nice and away from the bs but a little effort to get there.

 

[Mandelon]

I had to look that up. That's far for a weekend trip. LOL

 

[HB2LHC]

Congrats! Petes Camp is rad! I stayed there one night during the Baja 1000 last month.

 

[DWC]

@mesquito_creek to the courtesy phone.

From the mid 60s through about 2005 my family had property at the Mosquito Creek. Before my time to know the logistics, but really want to try to figure out a way to bring mexico back into the fold for family.

Never knew it was called Mosquito Creek. . Some of my best times mixed in with a shitload of close calls. The only house forever was the compound at the end of the strip. I think the Rigg’s built one of the first after that. We spent a ton of days at Jesse’s drinking beer and eating the best chili rellenos. Even more nights drinking tequilla on the benches under the carport/shade deal. Can’t remember if it was your dad or uncle Mike that drifted me over to about 18” of water while bare footing. Scared the shit out of me. Same with the water ski pyramid we did. We practiced me getting on their shoulders. Didn’t think about how I was supposed to get down.
Wonder how many hours that Nautique ended up with? It never stopped..

 

[yard dog]

I have been down there at least ten times and found it a great place to water ski! Our friends hang with a few of the pro Wake board guys. They have a nice home on the water. It is about a hour from the border. Mobile homes being taken out and nice homes going in.

We had a place down there in the 70s and 80s , no power , no water , no sewer dig a hole had a outhouse. Weekends very few people would be there during the week no one ! It was great until people found out about it .

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

No Butt No Putt spends a ton of time down there and is actually creating a Youtube/Instagram/Etc page to help more people understand Mexico and what it offers. He frequently goes to San Felipe and all the coastal cities.

My wife is from Mexico so I'm limited to dentistry in Tijuana and maybe a tourist trap.

 

[TCHB]

I have been down there at least ten times and found it a great place to water ski! Our friends hang with a few of the pro Wake board guys. They have a nice home on the water. It is about a hour from the border. Mobile homes being taken out and nice homes going in.

 

[TCHB]

Reminds me of the Old Parker Strip with small mobiles and now big homes. Our friends are down there about twice a month.

 

[baja-chris]

Rio Hardy / Campo Mosquito had heavy damage in the 2010 Mexicali earthquake. Some land subsidence, many block walls broken or down.
Some places have been rebuilt, others left to deteriorate. Was a popular fly-in destination in 60's and 70's for hunting and skiing.
Landing strip looks serviceable but I did not notice any airworthy planes there the last few times I've driven around.
I'll get down there with a boat this coming year.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Rio Hardy / Campo Mosquito had heavy damage in the 2010 Mexicali earthquake. Some land subsidence, many block walls broken or down.
Some places have been rebuilt, others left to deteriorate. Was a popular fly-in destination in 60's and 70's for hunting and skiing.
Landing strip looks serviceable but I did not notice any airworthy planes there the last few times I've driven around.
I'll get down there with a boat this coming year.

The air strip is totally serviceable! Don flys a twin beech out of there to this day. AND the pheasant hunting is the best in North America
with crazy high bag limits.

My place had the whole patio torn off at the earthquake and the house dropped 8.5 inches in the rear. We jacked hammered holes every 6 feet around the stem walls and set 20 yards of concrete overlay from the interior. Back in action after that!

Looks like a pretty good bird season this fall!

 

[hallett21]

My understanding was that only Mexicans could own property in Mexico.

What’s the start to finish process of buying something down there?

 

[mesquito_creek]

View attachment 1184382 View attachment 1184382 View attachment 1184382

Steve B originally built that place, I thought it was for sale a while back but not sure if he’s still there or new owners.

 

[baja-chris]

My understanding was that only Mexicans could own property in Mexico.

What’s the start to finish process of buying something down there?

The laws on that subject have evolved / modernized and I'm not up to date on them.
My place in Pete's Camp is on a lease from the Rafael Navarro family who has owned it for a very long time.
The land I bought in Los Barriles was purchased (then sold) under a trust that I formed and owned (aka fideicomiso).
I hired a Mexican attorney to assist with that, review contracts in Spanish (Oscar Ramos former SCORE attorney - RIP).

The general advice is not to spend more in Mexico than you can afford to lose. Probably still a good idea.
You can purchase US backed title insurance for Mexican property purchases. And if the property can't be insured like this then run away!
The other common method is a lease like I have at Pete's and it really comes down to your level of trust of the property owner/family.
The Navarro family has the highest level of integrity in my opinion and I'm very comfortable leasing from them.

Property purchases in Mexico are typically cash transactions although mortgages are becoming more common in some areas (not Baja). Also real estate commissions are 10% so factor that in. You do need building permits (usually). You do need to pay 16% VAT to bring materials over the border. Most materials can be bought in Baja for less than the cost of importing however I did import my appliances and toilets because I wanted better than sold there. You can hire companies that will move and import your household furnishings and they seem to do it cheaper than I can, probably better at negotiating values at border.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Never knew it was called Mosquito Creek. .

You have to go way back for the reference of Mosquito Creek. Plus is could have been an Americanization of Jessie Mosqueda, the founding father of the river. First time I heard it was from some of the locals in Curanza. Plus in the 90s the summer time mosquitos were ferocious! It just stuck with some of us. But @ArizonaKevin figured it out and I never have met him, so there must be something to it.

 

[mesquito_creek]

The laws on that subject have evolved / modernized and I'm not up to speed on them.
My place in Pete's Camp is on a lease from the Raphael Navaro family who has owned it for a very long time.
The land I bought in Los Barilles was purchased (then sold) under a trust that I formed and owned (aka fidocomismo).

Rio hardy is all leased lots also… 4 or 5 landowners to lease from. When I first started my lease back in the early 90s my lease was $260 a year! Lol. It was only $1200 a year when I sold it last year

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

The worst I remember was all the houses in Punta Banda when the land was found to be owned by an Ejido and not the guy who sold the lots.
Here's and old story: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-25-fi-41581-story.html

A development further north called Cantamar is having issues right now. Here's an article about it.

Trouble in paradise: Americans say they’ve lost access to their Baja resort homes

ROSARITO — The barbed wire fencing that surrounds most of Cantamar, a beachfront development located about 15 miles south of Rosarito, is barely noticeable against the towering palm…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Boy oh boy do I remember all that mess. I was married with youngsters and looking regionally for a second home getaway. Our primary home was coastal Laguna so looked in local mountains as wife & kiddos snowboarded but also was eyeballing these close by car Baja spots. In 1980 I knew a gal whose folks had a sweet vaca home maybe 30 min max south of Rosarito.... gated and really nice community. I never could locate it in 90s. Anywho, wifey didn't trust the Mexican land deal so punted that Baja concept around '95. I've got a single buddy who loves his shack right on bluff above ocean down maybe short drive south of Puerto Nuevo. He goes down often and seems to enjoy sharing ownership with a retired Rams dude. They have fast passes for border hassles and it works for them as a getaway retreat from hustle bustle of OC. He's in realestate and I mentioned the ownership issues of 90s and he says they've "worked that out" whatever that means. He did however send me a recent pic while sitting at one of the hotel bars facing to hwy... a new Jeep had been riddled with bullet holes right out front on that toll road on a Tuesday afternoon. Well, there is that.....