BajaNomad

San Javier Mission visit

superbusydad - 7-1-2014 at 11:45 AM

Can I take a rental mini van up to San Javier Mission or is it too rough? If so, do people visit the mission in the summer? We have AC and like adventures. How long would it take from Loreto? What do you think?

ElCap - 7-1-2014 at 01:05 PM

Since you are so busy: yes, no. yes. <1.5hrs. Go.

vandenberg - 7-1-2014 at 02:09 PM

San Javier is an easy drive into the mountains. Nice scenic spots to take some pics. Take tour time and it will take a couple of hours. Good small restaurant close to the mission.
Also, for snorkeling, Nopolo beach point is an excellent spot. 6 miles south of loreto at the Loreto Bay Inn. You can also rent canoes, paddleboards and other marine gear right at the beach.
Have a nice trip and post some pics.

David K - 7-1-2014 at 02:39 PM

It's a paved road
Summer is the only times I go.
Only twenty some miles mountain road.

superbusydad - 7-1-2014 at 05:30 PM

Thank you, if you any other suggestion please chime in. I think I am going to get up early and trekiup the hill. Is there a breakfast place? What is minimum amount of time up and back to make the trip worth while? FYI- I have so many plans besides the mission but love to visit missions.

MMc - 7-1-2014 at 06:04 PM

Where are you staying?
The trip can take up most of the day or you can walk around the church for 10 minutes and bolt. We spend a couple of hours there usually. It is a very well preserved. the Glass was made in it was made on the mainland and shipped via sailboat and carried by mule about 300 years ago. the church was founded before San Diego.
Here is a blog that will give you some incite to all the missions there is stuff on San J in the latest post.
http://msgdaleday.blogspot.com/

MMc - 7-1-2014 at 06:18 PM

Just an idea for planing. We write the stuff on post-it notes sort them by most want to do to least. (A B C) then we go about getting stuff done. Everybody gets a vote. We post on the window and plan the next day before going to bed. Sitting and reading with a sarsaparilla is something always on the list. Sometimes we will do two things like read while the other walks the beach or snorkels. If there are things like go to the mission(A) and take hike(C) we'll work both things in. To think you'll do the mission and take a panga fishing isn't going to be a good day. It helps keep things on track.

StuckSucks - 7-1-2014 at 06:32 PM

Just so you know what you're in for, here's some photos of the drive to the mission from several years ago, starting in Loreto. You WILL have a great time.

StuckSucks - 7-1-2014 at 06:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
The magnificent, cut-stone church was constructed between 1744 and 1758.


Fun learning about the mission, thanks!

David K - 7-1-2014 at 07:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by StuckSucks
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
The magnificent, cut-stone church was constructed between 1744 and 1758.


Fun learning about the mission, thanks!


Get the book! http://oldmissions.com
Come to our lectures! Next one at Liberty Station in San Diego on Thursday night, July 24. Details: http://www.discoverbaja.com/event/spanish-missions-baja-cali...

BajaBlanca - 7-1-2014 at 07:18 PM

If you haven't gone yet, stop at the caves on the left as you go up. You walk in a bit and you will see some cave paintings near a small brook.

David K - 7-1-2014 at 07:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
If you haven't gone yet, stop at the caves on the left as you go up. You walk in a bit and you will see some cave paintings near a small brook.


Have they uncovered them since the last flash floods of 2013?

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=68912

Great!

[Edited on 7-2-2014 by David K]

Paula - 7-1-2014 at 07:58 PM

Although the road is paved all the way, it was damaged by last fall's rains, and there are short sections without pavement, and a very brief stretch or two with just one lane, so be alert on the way up. It should take well under an hour to get there, but there may be delays unless they have finished the repairs. The trip took a bit over an hour both times I went up in April. You could easily spend an hour or two up there with a breakfast or lunch stop at the restaurant. The food is good, and the machaca and cheese is made by the owners. Delicious and traditional!

There is a sweet little cultural center on your left as you drive in toward the mission, about half way down the street. They have some nice photos from the ranches on display and sell local artesania-- leatherwork, embroidery, jewelry, etc. and can arrange for guided hikes if you have the time. They are open 3 days a week I think, weekends maybe the best time to go. I'll post if I can find the hours.

You'll love the trip, and any car can do it-- the road is good.

Loretana - 7-1-2014 at 08:18 PM

I was there shortly after the flash flood events last October and the road was still passable....there are some unpaved spots, but that is part of the fun!

My little Jetta had no problem



And be sure to hike around the back of the Mision to see the very old olive tree....does it date from the 17th century? Maybe.



The stone work details are very beautiful

Wow, what a wealth of information

superbusydad - 7-2-2014 at 06:09 AM

When I was 8-18 years of age my parents and I stayed at Escondido Bay for at least a week in July in our 6 pack camper, and never once visited the mission. My loss, and I am determined to do so with gusto! Thanks for pictures, articles, and factoids.

David K - 7-2-2014 at 09:07 AM

Photos of each mission, past and present are in my Baja Mission web pages:

http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions/

Here is Loreto and San Javier: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions/page2.html

BajaLuna - 7-2-2014 at 09:27 AM

If you decide you don't want to drive up there and instead leave the driving to someone else so you can take in the beauty of the drive along with having a guide to tell you all about the Mission...you can hook up with a guide in Loreto that will take you there, we did this and it was great!!

Loretana - 7-2-2014 at 11:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna
If you decide you don't want to drive up there and instead leave the driving to someone else so you can take in the beauty of the drive along with having a guide to tell you all about the Mission...you can hook up with a guide in Loreto that will take you there, we did this and it was great!!


I can't say enough good things about Local guide and Taxi driver Oscar....he excels at the Mision run, stops at a lovely rancho for goat cheese, and shows you all the interesting points along the way, including cave paintings and ancient fig trees....his English is quite good, as well

Oscar owns Blue and White Sindicato Taxi Van #18
his Loreto cell phone is 044-613-109-7156

home number 613-135-0801

danaeb - 7-2-2014 at 12:22 PM

Be sure to go all the way around to the backside of the mission past the cisterna. There is a 300 yr-old olive tree, still producing, that is (according to legend) the oldest tree in Mexico. It's a beauty.

San Javier is a treasure.

BajaLuna - 7-2-2014 at 12:24 PM

another thumbs up for Oscar, he's fantastic!!!

tripledigitken - 7-2-2014 at 01:45 PM

A great day trip out of Loreto. Here are a few of my photos of our visit a few years back.

a view of Loreto




palm in canyon


























a wave from a local






[Edited on 7-2-2014 by tripledigitken]

David K - 7-2-2014 at 03:04 PM

Nice!