BajaNomad

Santa Gertrudis or San Borja?

TLBaja79 - 5-17-2018 at 02:26 PM

Going to be headed down in the fall for some camping.
What is a better Mission to go see and camp near? Santa Gertrudis or San Borja?

Comfortable on the dirt roads, 4x4 truck, etc...

Never been to either and only going to have time for 1 this time around. Prob camp a couple nights somewhere nearby, hike around, relax in the desert

Archie - 5-17-2018 at 03:17 PM

The only advantage i see on San Borja over St. Gertrudis its the hot springs, and if you feel like sightseeing you can hire Chepe or his sons to take you to the cave paintings nearby. With a little luck you can see some wildlife like desert bighorn sheep or bura deer.

By the way, one of Chepe´s sons its a certified tourist guide, he speaks fluent english and can tell you a lot about local history if he´s around. His family have been there forever, and they take good care of the place.

Also, a few days ago, heard some rumors that there was an emerging volcano in San Borja.

David K - 5-17-2018 at 03:29 PM

San Borja.
Camping palapas, flush toilets, showers, larger mission site to explore, larger stone mission church with spiral stairway to the roof, the hospitality of José and his family, are just some of the attractions at San Borja. Also, the Montevideo rock art site is off the road to San Borja and is one of Baja's special places you can drive right to (4WD).

Santa Gertrudis is near twice the distance from a paved road and is interesting to visit, but it could be easily a 1-hour visit whereas San Borja I could enjoy a day or more at.

Photos of my last visit at San Borja and Montevideo: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=85756

Photos of my last visit at Santa Gertrudis: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86781

StuckSucks - 5-17-2018 at 05:16 PM

I stopped by Bora last November and really liked the place. Not the most picturesque Mission, but very cool none-the-less.

The road in:












chippy - 5-17-2018 at 05:53 PM

That chain link fence didn´t do much for the ambiance. What where they thinking?

StuckSucks - 5-17-2018 at 06:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
That chain link fence didn´t do much for the ambiance. What where they thinking?


Along the same lines, my gripe is most missions have power/telephone lines draped in front of them -- always something interfering with a good shot.

motoged - 5-18-2018 at 08:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
That chain link fence didn´t do much for the ambiance. What where they thinking?


Along the same lines, my gripe is most missions have power/telephone lines draped in front of them -- always something interfering with a good shot.


:biggrin::biggrin: You guys are funny...

David K - 5-18-2018 at 08:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
That chain link fence didn´t do much for the ambiance. What where they thinking?


Along the same lines, my gripe is most missions have power/telephone lines draped in front of them -- always something interfering with a good shot.


You will notice on my book's cover, the power lines are gone! That is thanks to my cover artist (Taco Felix on Nomad) who worked magic on my photo for the cover. The same photo, undoctored with three wires, is in the San Ignacio chapter.

shari - 5-18-2018 at 08:36 AM

San Borja hands down! The drive in alone is worth it...that cactus forest is stunning! The camping palapas are sweet as is the hot pool and gardens. I suggest going there either from the highway by Nuevo rosarito....or from the Bahia de Los Angeles road.

But there are lots of neat things to do at Sta.Gertrudis too..cave painting sites as well...and a friend has a ranch you can camp at and they can show you the bighorn sheep and other local sites too...ask for Don Kiko.