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Took a trip to San Javier this past Wednesday. Been a few years since we've been up there. The newly paved road has been completed to nearly halfway, close to Las Parras ranch and the little chapel. Impressive !! When totally finished, it should really put this mission within easy reach of all vehicles without worry of breakdowns. Car rental outfits should really be delighted.. There are several beautiful vistas before you get to the chapel. Easy turnouts. The little town has been cleaned up and the road, leading to the mission redone quite nicely. Far cry from 20 years ago. Apparently the road improvement is already paying off. More vehicles at the mission than we've ever seen.
Also several eateries open with clean restrooms.

Great report!

The pavement ended about that spot in July, 2009, so I guess that is all until a new governor is elected or whatever it takes down there? From my web page:



The drive back down to Loreto was as easy as the drive up
over the new road. In 2009, paved for 10 of the 22 miles between Loreto and San Javier.
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San Javier was the second California mission established by Spain in the New World... Here is some notes off my Mission data web pages:

San Francisco Javier de Biaundo 1699-1817

The second California mission was originally founded 5 miles north, but moved here in 1710. The church was built from 1744 to 1758, and remains as the finest preserved stone mission in Baja California. GPS: 25°51'36.9" 111°32'37.0"

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

Great photos Ed - thanks for sharing them. What is the weather like there this time of year???

Many thanks for the tip, Ed. Been years since we went up there. Sounds like it's time to do it again.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Great photos Ed - thanks for sharing them. What is the weather like there this time of year???

At the 2000 ft level it was a little nippy, but since the mission is in a rather deep valley, it was shirtsleeve and shorts weather there.

Is there any place you can stay up there???

just put this on my must visit list!

Is Loreto the closest town for lodging?

Neat place we went up there a couple years ago.They had about 5 miles of road paved then.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Is there any place you can stay up there???

Not that I know off.
Not really much to see or do there, besides the mission. Since it's about a 3 to 4 hour R/T up there, there's really no reason to stay there. The road continues to the west, where it connects with the Insurgentes-San Isidro road, about 10 miles north of Insurgentes. Never did try it, but it's supposed to be nice back country drive.

Wow, have not been back that way in years. It's now back on my bucket list! Thanks for the report.

I have no first hand knowledge of this, but there is supposed to be a small place to stay overnight in San Javier. Can't be sure this still exists.

In San Javier you can spend the night Casa de Ana (613/135-1552 or 800/497-3923. http://www.casadeanaloreto.com) in a little bungalow near the mission ($35 per night).

Originally Posted by edinnopolo

Not that I know off.
Not really much to see or do there, besides the mission. Since it's about a 3 to 4 hour R/T up there, there's really no reason to stay there. The road continues to the west, where it connects with the Insurgentes-San Isidro road, about 10 miles north of Insurgentes. Never did try it, but it's supposed to be nice back country drive.

There are more ruins not far away dating to the mission period... La Presentacion and El Horno... plus the Camino Real to Comondu and on to Alta California , in its day.