Without knowing what to expect, we left Mulegé in the afternoon, eager to find a place to camp along the beach. Not driving very far, we dropped into the Conception Bay area and were immediately stunned by the beauty. A massive bay stretched before us, dotted with islands and ripe with camping spots nestled along its shores. The water shimmered under the late afternoon sun, and we instantly knew this was where we wanted to spend the night.
The long and empty roads of Baja. Photo by Dalton Johnson
We took our time driving along the road that skirted the bay, scanning for potential campsites. But as the sun dipped lower, we realized we needed to act fast. Using radios to communicate between vehicles, my buddy Andrew, who was driving ahead, called back, "This one looks good, let's see how much they charge."
We pulled into a gated beach that offered camping spots, and the attendant informed us it was $5 per vehicle for the night. The price seemed like a bargain, especially considering the beachfront location and the palapas available for shade. We quickly paid the fee and parked, each of us claiming a spot just steps from the water. By the time we had set up, the sun had already set. The bay was now cloaked in twilight, with only the soft lapping of waves breaking the silence.
The start of sunrise while camping on the beach at Conception Bay. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Dinner that evening was quick and simple, prepared in the fading light. My girlfriend Kristin and I were traveling in a converted van, and since the air was warm and humid, we decided to sleep with the back doors wide open, letting us gaze out onto the bay. Andrew, traveling with his dog, set up his rooftop tent on his Ford Bronco. The gentle sound of waves just 20 feet away made it easy for all of us to fall asleep, lulled by the tranquility of the place.
Kristin watching the Conception Bay sunrise from the back of the van. Photo by Dalton Johnson
I woke up early the next morning to find the start of a sunrise unfolding before me. The first light of dawn cast a soft glow over the bay, turning the sky shades of orange, pink, and purple. The water was perfectly still, reflecting the colors like a mirror. It was a moment that felt almost too perfect to be real. As I lay there in bed, taking in the view from the back of the van, I could feel the cool morning breeze and hear the faint rustle of leaves from the nearby palapas.
Realizing that this was a moment worth capturing, I climbed out of the van to check on Andrew. He was already awake, standing near his Bronco with his dog by his side. "We shooting this morning?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.
"Yup, I’m getting ready now," I replied, heading back to grab my camera. Andrew nodded, already grabbing his gear. This was why we were here—to capture moments like these for the marketing projects we were working on.
The next hour was spent transitioning between the van, the beach, and the Bronco. We snapped photos of the sunrise, capturing the way the light danced on the water and highlighted the rugged beauty of the bay. Kristin joined us, taking in the view while we worked. Even as we focused on getting the perfect shots, we made sure to pause and simply enjoy the moment—the warmth of the sun on our faces, the soft sand beneath our feet, and the peacefulness of the bay waking up to a new day.
Andrew and Kicker stoked to see the sun in Conception Bay. Photo by Dalton Johnson
One of my favorite shots from that morning was taken from the back of the van, framing the sunrise through the open doors. It perfectly encapsulated the freedom and beauty of van life, a reminder of why we chose this way of traveling. Andrew, meanwhile, got some incredible angles from the beach, using the rippled sand and gentle waves to add texture and depth to his photos. His dog, always curious, wandered into a few shots, adding an unplanned but welcome touch of personality.
As the morning progressed, the colors of the sunrise gave way to the bright light of day. We packed up our gear, satisfied with the shots we’d captured, and took a moment to sit together by the water. Kristin brewed coffee on our portable stove, and we sipped it slowly, savoring the quiet before the world around us became busier.
That morning in Conception Bay was unforgettable. The combination of warm sunlight, gentle waves, and the sheer tranquility of the place created a memory that I’ll carry with me forever. For a mere $5, we experienced something priceless—a connection to nature, to each other, and to the simple joys of van life. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt just right, and I’m already dreaming of the next time I can wake up to a sunrise like that.
