I don't know when it happened but when I stopped at my favorite curio shop a little north of Catavina - carried onyx figurines, great prices - in
early June if was closed and obviously out of business. Sad day, I loved that shop, I always stopped to buy stuff. Oh well...David K - 6-23-2017 at 10:41 AM
I don't know when it happened but when I stopped at my favorite curio shop a little north of Catavina - carried onyx figurines, great prices - in
early June if was closed and obviously out of business. Sad day, I loved that shop, I always stopped to buy stuff. Oh well...
That is Rancho Sonora...
Just south of the road to El Mármol (the onyx mine).
They serve food there too.
Did the closure look permanent?
It dates back to 1974 on that spot, when the founder (Santiago, I recall) moved it to the new highway from the old main road (just over the hill).
Rancho Somora was first recorded in guidebooks in 1967.
The ranch just north, Tres Enriques, also moved to the highway after it was built in late 1973 by here. They closed their restaurant a few years ago,
and went back to just ranching, on the old main road.
Rancho Sonora Km. 149, 18 mi north of Cataviña
David K - 6-23-2017 at 10:54 AM
Here are photos we took in 2011 at Rancho Sonora:
RV Parking
There is not a separate word for onyx, in Spanish, so the word for marble is used. The mine was El Mármol and is just under 10 miles to the
northeast.
Filled with Baja Nomads shopping!
Tire changing tool on display.
Baja Cat and David K vehicles in front.
Udo - 6-23-2017 at 10:55 AM
Mama Espinoza's restaurant in El rosario has quite a stash of onyx figures that get sold from the store.
(Not that I am trying to promote Mama Espinoza's...that place has gone downhill on food and service).David K - 6-23-2017 at 11:32 AM
Thanks for that Udo!
There are very few 'tourist' gift shops in central Baja where one can get gifts or souvenirs. A list of any or all south of Ensenada/ north of Mulegé
may be nice?Udo - 6-23-2017 at 11:37 AM
If one gets started, David, count me in. My share may be about 100 different places, although yours and mine will probably overlap some. BigBearRider - 6-23-2017 at 11:41 AM
I have somehow managed to miss that shop. Too bad.yumawill - 6-23-2017 at 11:52 AM
The Curio shops in San Felipe are awash in dust. And they're still quoting in Dollar$ while I'm speaking Spanish. So sad. The tourist trade that was
is no more. Mexico is in denial. It's almost 1970 again. So sad.David K - 6-23-2017 at 11:55 AM
There are so many Mexican tourists now, compared to the past, it is too bad that they can't make a go of it without greenbacks or loonies. I sure did
see a zillion Canadians on the beaches in Baja Sur this year, however!shari - 6-23-2017 at 12:07 PM
my favorite gift shop is in the village of Sta.Rosalillita beside the church...if it is closed ask around and maybe someone can go and open it up.
They have lots of marble stuff and abalone, shell etc....nice jewellery, napkin holders, etc. all locally made.BigBearRider - 6-23-2017 at 12:12 PM
my favorite gift shop is in the village of Sta.Rosalillita beside the church...if it is closed ask around and maybe someone can go and open it up.
They have lots of marble stuff and abalone, shell etc....nice jewellery, napkin holders, etc. all locally made.
I've missed that one, too. Hopefully, I'll see it before it closes!BajaBlanca - 6-23-2017 at 04:30 PM
The store at Malarrimo Hotel in Guerrero Negro and the shop in Cataviña hotel both have some different items.
I am very sorry to hear that the onyx store closed - I made a point to buy something ocean related to give the marine biologist student from Punta
Abreojos who is studying in La Paz. It was my personal gift to her.BajaMama - 6-24-2017 at 08:22 AM
David K, yes it did look permanent - we cracked open the door and it looked vacated for some time.
Thanks for the other curio shop locations. David & Udo I too would love a list of great your curio shop secrets!
I have seen the onyx at MaMa's but they were super spendy compared to the closed store. Also, if you want to line your garden with onyx stones you
can drive out to Marmol and gather up some fabulous onyx rocks (although the mine area is fenced off.) Also some cool structures and a small
graveyard out there.David K - 6-24-2017 at 08:46 AM
David K, yes it did look permanent - we cracked open the door and it looked vacated for some time.
Thanks for the other curio shop locations. David & Udo I too would love a list of great your curio shop secrets!
I have seen the onyx at MaMa's but they were super spendy compared to the closed store. Also, if you want to line your garden with onyx stones you
can drive out to Marmol and gather up some fabulous onyx rocks (although the mine area is fenced off.) Also some cool structures and a small
graveyard out there.
Thanks.
The structure, half demolished, sadly, is/ was the World's Only Onyx Schoolhouse.
Shari turned me on to my favorite gift shop a few years ago, the Federal Prison Gift Shop with items made out of Abalone shell, beautiful earnings,
clocks of Baja in Baja shaped maps and my prize was a cartel inmate made belt buckle with inlaid Abalone shell in the shape of a Mack10.....bajabuddha - 6-24-2017 at 09:11 PM
I don't believe anyone's mentioned the llantera / RV camp / restaurant at San Augustin a mile and a half north of the El Marmol turnoff on the west
side of the highway. They don't display much, but I bought a couple of wonderful onyx gigs from them about 5 years ago; El Jefe that runs the
llantera had an interesting collection. Tomorrow i'll try to photo what I bought and post 'em here. I've stayed there many a night with a wholesome
meal, a quiet respite, and old country charm. Ain't fancy, but fit my bill just peachy keen.
Edit (second thought): some literature states the San Augustin basin was also a Pleistocene lake not too long ago (geologically speaking) and has
fossils of fresh water turtle shells in the area. Used to be wet and verdant at the end of the last ice age, same as Laguna Chapala and several more
in the area. Also a great viewing for El Picacho Del Diablo from the southwest. Kewl beenz I think.
[Edited on 6-25-2017 by bajabuddha]mcnut - 6-25-2017 at 07:07 AM
I don't believe anyone's mentioned the llantera / RV camp / restaurant at San Augustin a mile and a half north of the El Marmol turnoff on the west
side of the highway......I've stayed there many a night with a wholesome meal, a quiet respite, and old country charm. Ain't fancy, but fit my bill
just peachy keen.
I agree wholeheartedly, basic but pleasant and run by a great family. I's a nice hosted dry camp option in a region with few options.
BrucePaco Facullo - 6-25-2017 at 08:29 AM
Mr. Bajagrouper or anyone else,
please give the location of the Federal prison that has the gift shop.
that I would love to see and buy something nice.
Should have figured that you would know exactly where it's at.
( with pictures ) what ? No GPS coordinates? Just kiddin
They are on the bottom of the Google Earth image!
27°17.007'N, 112°14.623'W (elev. 272').
You are covered amigo!fishbuck - 6-25-2017 at 02:27 PM
I had an onyx chess set that I bought in the old gift shop at the old Rosarito hotel. I gave it to a friend I played chess with when he moved from
Newport where we both lived then.
I don't think I realized at the time how cool it was and where it probably came from. I paid $20 for.
My 1st attempt at haggling a price.
If anybody sees one please rell me.
