The San Felipe Blog

Yes, it has been awhile. San Felipe, in many ways, is still the same, yet in many ways it is very, very different.

The economy has taken its toll on this sleepy little drinking village with a fishing problem, but many residents still enjoy all the regular benefits of San Felipe living.

On the other hand, property values have plummeted and events which used to attract droves of persons now attract handfuls.

Why? Besides the economy, there’s the exaggerations by the U.S media. San Felipe has always been, and for some time to come will be, one of the safest places to vacation or to live. I reside in Los Angeles, and I can tell you I feel more safe in San Felipe than any given day driving around the southland.

If you’re interested in affordable investment properties, now is the time! Many persons are looking to get out of their properties so badly, you can just take over payments. Not all of those deals are great, but there are some real gems to be found right now in San Felipe.

I’m looking myself at the possibility of buying soon…

The part-timers are returning more and more. By the middle of October, most of the solar homes will be occupied.

While the weather cools off, the nightlife heats up in San Felipe. It’s always better this time of year through the holidays.

It’s time for another visit!

It looks like a small turnout for the summer water volleyball tournament and La Ventana del Mar (El Dorado Ranch). Three teams, maybe four.

At least everyone will get a trophy…

I’ve never been on a first place team, so it would be nice–even with such a small showing–to take home the big trophy

Notoriously, the summer’s are scorching hot in San Felipe. This is why nearly all of those living in solar homes take off for the summer. In fact, most of them are gone by mid-May.

Having lived in San Felipe the entire summer last year, I can tell you that — at least last year — the summer’s aren’t nearly as bad as people make them out to be. Now, I wouldn’t recommend staying in a solar home all summer, but if you have a place with air conditioning, there’s no reason to not take summer vacations or live in San Felipe year round. The pool provides plenty of relaxation if you’re at El Dorado or another area with pool access, and the evenings are not as muggy as a midwest or east coast evening (I’ve lived through plenty of those, and while some of the San Felipe residents will complain about muggy summers, they are really NOTHING like the summers out East).

So if you’re thinking about taking a trip to San Felipe… or thinking about staying for the summer… my advice is to give it a shot. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

At the end of the Malecon (the end you drive towards, as it’s a one-way street), lies one of the most fun bars in San Felipe, Bar Miramar.

On the weekends, Bar Miramar can be a nice alternative for dancing to the two bigger night clubs on the Malecon, The Rockodile and The Beach Comber.

Bar Miramar has a couple of pool tables (not in the best of shape, but they are definitely playable and better than a lot of bar tables I’ve played on), a ping pong table, and a small dance floor with a juke box.

Like most bars on the Malecon, things get hopping after ten o’clock. If you’re there early, check out the fish taco stand right next door called “Adriana’s.” This is owned and operated by a wonderful local woman, Maria. And they are quite possibly the best fish tacos in town! At a buck a piece, get three or four…

If you’re looking for an alternative to the extremely loud and crowded clubs on the Malecon, try Bar Miramar!

Although I’m not yet living in San Felipe, I’d like to provide some information on this blog about full-time (or part-time) life in San Felipe. So I’ve started a new category called, “San Felipe Living.”

Being full-time in San Felipe for even part of the year brings certain challenges. The various places you can live in and around this little fishing village have their own unique quirks.

For example, if you choose to live in an area which is solar power only, you’d better be well versed in the basics of solar energy! Even those who have had solar power for years find new challenges as their equipment ages or some appliance starts draining more power than normal. In El Dorado Ranch, there are restrictions on how late you can run a generator, so it’s good to be over cautious when it comes to the use of your power. Even if you have an energy efficient washer and dryer, for instance, it may be better to take your laundry to Playa de Oro or Cachanilla than to use your power.

Solar probably deserves its own category, so I think I’ll add that right now. I’ve been doing a little research on solar power as I will most likely be buying a solar lot in the very near future.

If you have tips on living in San Felipe, feel free to leave a comment here!