Mision San Francisco Javier de Vigge-Biaundo, Baja California, Mexico

5NewfiePupLover 5:00 PM Jul 26, 2020

The Mission AND the Drive To Get There Were Great
Don't be afraid to rent a car of your own if you're staying in the Loreto area and drive to the Mission. From the city of Loreto it is about a 40 minute drive and if you're coming from Villa del Palmar from the south it is about a 25 minute drive to the turn off (JUST NORTH of the airport road) and then another 40 or so minutes from that turn off. The drive through the mountains to get to the Mission is almost as great as the Mission and town themselves. Wonderful mountain & desert scenery and a fine paved road all the way. Due to Covid-19 I was the only person visiting in the entire town while I was there until another group of 4 people showed up later. The church was closed due to Covid, but it was still a very pretty area to visit and the outside grounds of the church as well as the olive trees are still viewable. The tiny town has a few restaurants and a convenience store and a couple of small gift shops. About half were closed due to Covid when I was there, but those that were open were happy to have some business. I would recommend a visit to the town & church as well as dining at one of the local restaurants while you're there. The church itself is amazing knowing it's one of the first two in the series of Missions established all throughout the Californias.

4MCPOUSNrtd 5:00 PM Jul 30, 2021

Worth a visit WITH the right guide!
First time visitor and the experience was superior because we were hooked up with a great taxi/tour Guide, “Oscar Roman”. What made it special was Oscar’s historical knowledge of and family connection to the whole area. He Connected many things the Spanish Missionary “introduced” to the area that still are present today (such as date palms); seeing the beginnings of the “Camino Real” winding through these rugged mountains that extends through California is really amazing. Note: many people bypass the small connected Museum- DON’T! And, do walk the Mission grounds. You will see irrigation ditches still in use from the start of the Mission. Personally, I found visiting “ the Olive tree” planted well over 300 years ago the most fascinating! Still producing olives (introduced to Baja) and the roots actually break through the ground to create another tree. There is one root that has 3 large fully grown trees still attached to the “Mother” tree! So, not to ruin it, just know, with the right guide, this trip has more going for it than just seeing the Mission!