Nestled in the mountains of Sierra de la Giganta, San Javier is a small, sleepy village located 22 miles southwest of the seaside Loreto. To get here, it’s a beautiful yet windy drive through the craggy mountains and lush valleys off of the Mexico 1.
What to Do & See in San Javier, Baja California
Visit Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó
Our first stop of this historically rich village: Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó, a 322-year-old mission founded by the Spanish Jesuits, the second in all of Baja California after Misión De Nuestra Señora de Loreto Concho in Loreto. While we weren’t able to enter because of the pandemic, it’s obvious as to why this beautiful structure is the crown jewel of Baja missions. Alongside the property, we tasted homemade wine and visited a gnarled 300-year-old olive tree (the latter costs $10 U.S. as a donation to the caretakers).
Afterwards, we enjoyed a late lunch at Restaurant La Palapa, a quiet family-owned place boasting delicious chilaquiles, machaca burritos and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Be sure to pick up some of their homemade coyotas (empanada-like cookies).
Hike Cueva de la Serpiente
Later that afternoon, we traveled in and out of arroyos down a narrow dirt road to arrive at Rancho Santo Domingo, the property of local rancher Humberto. We set up camp for the evening after taking a quick tour of the donkeys, goats, chickens and corn fields. The next morning, Humberto’s grandson Brian guided us on a scramble up the half-mile skree to Cueva de la Serpiente, home of ancient cave paintings that are said to be thousands of years old. The pictographs, which were created by the native Cochimi, were unlike any we’ve seen before — a whale, deer-headed serpents and more — and the view from the cave was spectacular!
After our hike, we stopped by Humberto’s once more with a donation and a six-pack of cervesa for his hospitality. We also picked up some of his delicious goat cheese. Shout out to Rove & Swig for recommending this awesome Baja adventure!
When traveling, do you set out to experience the history of an area? If so, what has been your favorite stop?
