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Outside Magazine January 2002

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Mexican Hat Trick (cont.)
Access and Resources

While there's almost never a bad time to visit Punta San Carlos, the weather is most consistent between March and October, with dry, sunny days and reliable afternoon winds. Winter can bring monster swells, and sudden storms can wash out roads and strand you for days—not always a bad outcome. Highs range from 60 degrees in March to 75 from August through October; nights are always chilly.

Guided Trips: Solo Sports (949-453-1950; www.solosports.net) offers eight-day multisport packages year-round starting at $1,350 per person (with a 20-person limit), including round-trip van transportation from San Diego—an eight-hour trip each way—all meals, and gear. Custom trips are also available. Solo provides roomy, private dome tents, sleeping bags, and the latest models of Terry Senate surfboards, Naish and RRD sailboards, and full-suspension K2 mountain bikes. There's plenty of room in the vans if you'd rather bring your own bike or boards, but take a hard look at how many airports you'll have to hump them through first. Do pack a wetsuit and booties, a windsurf harness, hiking boots, and a CamelBak.

On Your Own: Punta San Carlos is about a 300-mile drive from Tijuana, Mexico. Follow Mexico Highway 1 south; about 15 miles past the village of El Rosario, head west on the rugged 35-mile dirt road that leads to Punta San Carlos. (Beware, the turnoff isn't always well marked, thanks to surfers who jealously protect their slice of paradise by plastering the sign with surfing stickers.) A four-wheel-drive vehicle with plenty of ground clearance is recommended. Bring everything you could possibly need, including spare vehicle parts, since Punta San Carlos has nothing in the way of amenities. The good news: You can buy meals and water and rent gear and tents through Solo Sports even if you're not on one of its package tours. Call Solo Sports for a price list.

Don't Miss: An evening Baja Fog at base camp—a vaporous tequila-and-beer drink that will ease the throb of those aching muscles.

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