BajaNomad

Gonzaga Area

danojeno - 3-10-2022 at 09:25 PM

It's been many years since I've been to Gonzaga, but I'm bringing my two young adult kids down at the end of March. We're bringing kayaks and hope to fish, but what other nearby adventures await? I know Calamajue wash is beautiful and I've heard of several "Oasis" between Gonzaga and Catavina, but don't know which side to access them from and how much hiking is involved. What other cool stuff is around via 4x4? Pictographs, missions, etc..? Also, I'm game to camp or "hotel" though would probably prefer to room somewhere. Alfonsinas is the old standard, but I'm sure reasonable priced competitors have emerged? What do you guys think for late March?

HeyMulegeScott - 3-11-2022 at 09:53 AM

Check out the San Felipe 250 schedule. Things will be very busy if not booked.

David K - 3-11-2022 at 10:33 AM

The 250 does not go near Gonzaga, but getting through San Felipe will be an ordeal on race day.

There are many sites to explore around Gonzaga Bay, I provide images of them on my website's self-guided tours page: https://vivabaja.com/tours/




The beautiful oasis you may be referring to is the Pozo de Escuadra. It is up the Arroyo Santa María canyon, several hours hike from the end of the dirt road (the road ends by El Camino Real trail on my map). The hike to the mission takes 6 hours (one way). Molino de Lacy near Punta Final was a gold ore mill that processed the ore from mines to the south (Pioneer Mine and others). The mission warehouse is just a rectangular outline from the 1769+ Franciscan and Dominican mission period. A trail goes from it, west to the El Camino Real, about 3 miles northwest of Mission Santa María. It was the cargo trail that helped supply Mission San Fernando de Velicatá, and beyond.

So much history to see on this magnificent peninsula! More data in my website, www.VivaBaja.com

danojeno - 3-13-2022 at 08:47 PM

Thanks guys. We're going the week before the 250.