BajaNomad

San Borja fiesta

dravnx - 2-11-2013 at 02:20 PM

Has anyone been to the Mission San Borja fiesta. I think it's held in mid October. I'm the mission planner for a group thats taking motorcycles from N. California to Baja. The last time I talked with someone about it was many years ago while I was in BOLA for NYE and they suggested it was not a "gringo" kind of thing to do.
I'm assuming it's a camping event. Is water, food, bathroom facilities available?
What are the dates of the fiesta?
Is there enough going on to entertain my group for a day or two or should we just ride up for the day?

shari - 2-11-2013 at 02:56 PM

I just googled it and came up with this...9-10 of October...probably the saints birthday but they might adjust it to fall on a weekend? or not

http://www.comanji.org/blog-secc/misionsanborja/fiestas-patr...

I like to stay the night and star gaze in the hot pool!!! You can also visit the cave paintings and their lovely huerta gardens...there is the biggest mango tree I've ever seen there. They do have a couple little rustic rooms and outhouses...the schoolhouse was outfitted with beds last time I was there.
I think the guys might dig it!

got missions?

David K - 2-11-2013 at 04:19 PM

The Lower California Guidebook agrees with Shari: Oct. 10

Want more on the missions, there's 27 in Baja and 21 in Alta (California)? My web site is filled with details and photos: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions

... and our new book is a handy guide to understanding the founding of all 48 California missions, when you're on the road: http://oldmissions.com

Questions are happily answered to the best of my ability!

Have a great time!!!

Here are some examples of mission sites in Baja:




#2) San Javier 1699-1817, at second site from 1710, stone church completed in 1758.
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#16) San Borja 1762-1818, stone church finished in 1801.
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#34) Santo Tomás 1791-1849, photos of second site (1794-1799)

The historic Spanish sites that were made of adobe are vanishing from weather, and treasure hunters, and farmers!
Several have been stabilized with protective coatings or steel awnings, but more are not. See (and photograph) them while you can!

woody with a view - 2-11-2013 at 05:09 PM

they don't wait for the weekend. it is held on the proper date.

Thanx folks

dravnx - 2-12-2013 at 09:30 AM

I've been to the mission a few times now. I was looking for information specific to the fiesta. Has anyone been? Whats it like?

TMW - 2-12-2013 at 10:13 AM

Here is some info read down.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=13246

wilderone - 2-13-2013 at 11:43 AM

Angel and Henry told me about this event. The entire region converges on the grounds. Trucks have cases of beer 10 feet high - the truck owners sleep overnight on top of the cases! It lasts for at least 4 days. Yes, there are camping spots, maybe 10 - there will be hundreds of rural folk out for this fiesta. "Water, food, bathroom"? There is a nice pump well for water. But no food or bathroom facilities. If I were you, I'd go at a time outside this event and enjoy the many highlights. Once I brought hot dogs enough for the family there - Angel and Henry, my camping buddy and I had a marvelous evening talking, roasting hot dogs over a campfire. Also, if you go and nobody else is there, you might have the warm springs all to yourself (on their private property - you need their permission).

David K - 2-13-2013 at 12:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
Angel and Henry told me about this event. The entire region converges on the grounds. Trucks have cases of beer 10 feet high - the truck owners sleep overnight on top of the cases! It lasts for at least 4 days. Yes, there are camping spots, maybe 10 - there will be hundreds of rural folk out for this fiesta. "Water, food, bathroom"? There is a nice pump well for water. But no food or bathroom facilities. If I were you, I'd go at a time outside this event and enjoy the many highlights. Once I brought hot dogs enough for the family there - Angel and Henry, my camping buddy and I had a marvelous evening talking, roasting hot dogs over a campfire. Also, if you go and nobody else is there, you might have the warm springs all to yourself (on their private property - you need their permission).


The Gerardos, a great family... first met them in 2001. Here are some photos in July 2003:







===========================================

July, 2009:


Jose Gerardo and his family live next to the
mission and provide guide service to the area's fascinating sites.

Pappy Jon - 2-17-2013 at 07:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari...there is the biggest mango tree I've ever seen there.


That mango is gynormus!


BajaBlanca - 2-17-2013 at 08:20 AM

gosh what a tree.