TRAVEL CLUB DISCOVER BAJA NOW PROCESSING NAUTICAL SPORTFISHING FMMs From the DBTC Office We hope that everyone is Discover Baja is pleased to announce that we are now processing Nautical Sportfishing FMMs for DBTC members enjoying summer! We have a crossing into Baja by sea north of Ensenada. Save yourself the number of exciting things going hassle of dealing with the complicated and vague online on this month: system for just a $10 processing fee per person. Please allow -Fishermen will be glad to hear three days time for processing. A nautical FMM is required that we are now processing each time you enter into Mexican waters and the FMM is not nautical FMMs for Discover Baja good for multiple entry. For an application and more information, please see www.discoverbaja.com/go/nautical- members. See the article on this sportfishing-fmm/ page or call us at 800-727-2252 for more information DRIVERS LICENSE INSURANCE POLICIES -We have new Mexican auto insurance drivers license policies Discover Baja has a new multiple-named drivers license insurance policy that includes roadside assistance and up to featuring up to three drivers on three drivers on the policy for the same price. If you drive the policy for the same price multiple vehicles and want only liability insurance, this is a -David Kier and Max Kurillo will great deal for you. See www.discoverbajaonline.com or call be giving a lecture on the 800-727-2252 for more information. Missions of Baja & Alta California in San Diego on July 24th. See page 5 for more. The New Look of www.discoverbaja.com See you in Baja! You may have noticed Hugh, Carol, Jen, Maythé & some recent changes Monica going on at discoverbaja.com. We’re working to bring you more information, ROAD CONDITIONS: more access and more tools for your next trip to Baja. PESO EXCHANGE RATE: Website address TKTK Here are some of the features: $12.98 to $1 U.S. dollar
-Road conditions page -Events page PEMEX PRICES -Information on regulations, paperwork, and everything Northern Baja: you need before heading to Baja Magna: $3.83/gal -Travel information for planning your trip Premium: $4.04/gal -We’ve moved our popular DBTC Blog to the website. It Diesel: $3.93/gal can now be found at www.discoverbaja.com/dbtc-blog/ Southern Baja: Magna: $3.90/gal We’re continuously working on the site to bring you more Premium: $3.98/gal and more information so check back often! Diesel: $3.93/gal 1 From our members… Editor’s Note: The Northern Baja Renaissance We love to hear your feedback For most of southern Baja, -Barrio.mx A review site for on things you’d like to read summertime can bring a heat that restaurants, bars and activities in about, great places you’ve sends most people running north northern Baja (it’s basically the been to and comments on what of the border. But for northern Mexican Yelp). It’s the best we can do to better serve you. Baja, summertime if the busiest resource if you’re looking for Please email us at time of year. Seasonal businesses where to go and what to do in [email protected] are in full swing, the beaches are cities in northern Baja. It’s also the calling and the Baja med food and only source I use for addresses Hello Discover Baja. craft beers are awaiting your visit. and getting directions to places as
I just ate at Hierbabuena it is literally the only way to get the As a child, when we took family correct information (good luck restaurant in El Pescadero adventures down the peninsula, trying to find a place in Rosarito covered by Nat Geo and it was Tijuana and the rest of northern by just typing the address into outstanding. You might want to Baja were usually a small blip on Google Maps, you’ll end up in the radar as we passed through, mention it to your readers. Guadalajara.). anxious to get farther south to our Joe McKenzie destination. But northern Baja -www.discoverbaja.com/baja- (specifically, Tijuana, Rosarito & california-information/ DBTC Note: Thanks, Joe! It Ensenada) is going through a cityregion-guide/ We’re in the looks amazing. We definitely tremendous renaissance right now process of putting together a recommend that people with a booming art scene, travel guide for all cities/regions of check out the Baja episodes gourmet restaurants, craft beer Baja. We’ve started with some big of “One Wey” on National breweries and boutique wineries. cities in northern Baja. Geographic: No longer just for passing through, Descriptions, things to see/do www.ngenespanol.com/ northern Baja has become a checklist, tourist information, and traveler/one-wey/ destination of its own. the links to all of the hotels in that city that offer DBTC members a I’ve been living in Rosarito for a discount! year now and have fallen in love with life down here in northern -bajatheothercalifornia.com I Baja. When I tell people in the invite you to follow along on my U.S. that I live in Mexico, personal blog where I chronicle reactions generally range from many of my favorite places to eat, ROAD CONDITIONS confused to horrified. I challenge drink and explore around northern any of those people to come Baja. spend a weekend along the coast of northern Baja experiencing the Feel free to email me for any beautiful beaches, the Guadalupe recommendations or travel -There is some construction in Valley wine region, foodie hot questions. Likewise, I hope you’ll Tijuana along Second St. close to spots, welcoming people and not share with me some of your the border and west of Via want to stay forever. I recommend favorite places that you love. I Internacional right before the first you check it out if it’s been a encourage you to get out and discover Baja. toll booth. Southbound traffic is while. Here are some tools to help being rerouted along both sides of you out with your explorations: Jen Kramer the median due to lane closures. [email protected]
-Expect major delays between Loreto and Tripui due to Donation Drive for Immigrants construction. There is an immediate need for donations for the unaccompanied -The toll road between Rosarito Central American children immigrants being held in California. Border and Ensenada is still closed with Angels is collecting the following supplies for the children and women traffic being rerouted inland along immigrants:
the free road. The toll road is instant ramen soup (cup-of-noodles), bottled water and gatorade, expected to reopen this fall. flavored pedialyte for dehydration, sweaters or hooded sweatshirts for children and adults, socks for children, children’s blankets, diapers Visit www.discoverbaja.com (size 3 and 4), sanitary supllies for women, toothbrushes and for more road conditions. toothpaste, clean stuffed animals. If you have a recent road You can drop off items at the Discover Baja office by Monday, July condition report, please email 14th or take items directly to: 2258 Island Ave. San Diego, CA 92102. us at [email protected] Borderangels.org 2 ON OUR RADAR FOR JULY
To keep up on the latest Baja events, check out www.discoverbaja.com/events
JULY 12 JULY 18 Dia y Noche Celebrate Tijuana de Estrellas in San Diego Rosarito Mingei Museum Beach Hotel Celebrate the 125th This 12-hour anniversary of music festival benefits the Boys & Girls Tijuana in San Diego with the authors of Club of Rosarito “Tijuana/22000” and “Tijuana 1964” Expect a star-studded event with An evening of food, music, tequila, Baja performances by the Mariachi Divas, craft beers and a special guest Fuerza de Tijuana, Spettacalore and appearance from the Mayor of Tijuana Angel Lopez $15 admission www.clubrosarito.org www.mingei.org
JULY 19 JULY 24 DBTC Guadalupe Valley Wine Trip Join us as we spend the day Lecture on experiencing the wineries in Baja’s Valle the Missions de Guadalupe. Topped off with lobster of Baja & Alta and margaritas in Puerto Nuevo! California For more information, see the next page Liberty Station in San Diego Join us as David Kier and Max Kurillo share the history of the missions of Baja & Alta California. A treat for history buffs and Baja lovers! Free for Discover Baja members For more information see page 5
While there have been land disputes at Scorpion Bay resulting in the destruction of the old cantina, the campsites are still operational with functioning bathrooms (water and electricity have been restored) and a new cantina tent will be up and running soon. For current updates, please see www.scorpionbay.net IMPORTANT REMINDERS -Boat insurance is required at all marinas in Baja. Discover Baja sells on-the-water liability. See www.discoverbaja.com/mexican-auto-insurance/boat-insurance/ for more. -All Discover Baja Mexican auto insurance policies are for tourists only. This means that Mexican citizens with a Mexican drivers license will not be covered when driving your vehicle and your insurance will be rendered invalid. 3 Saturday, July 19th
Come spend a day experiencing Mexico’s Napa Valley with Discover Baja and Baja Custom Tours!
Enjoy a day with us in Baja’s Guadalupe Valley as we explore some of the wineries Tour includes: and attractions that the region has to offer. Wine tasting at two wineries – We’ll provide the round-trip transportation, L.A. Cetto and Las Nubes a tour of the new Museum of Wine and Vine, tastings at two wineries, traditional Behind-the-scenes tour at L.A. Mexican lunch at a local restaurant, a Cetto, one of the oldest and largest behind-the-scenes winery tour and a local wineries in Baja wine guide to help explain everything in Traditional homemade, sit-down English. Oh, and a full lobster dinner with lunch with wine endless margaritas in Puerto Nuevo to top Guided tour of the new Wine and it all off. Vine Museum $175 per person. For more Information: Local wine expert bit.ly/1kFdo8b Lobster dinner with margaritas in Puerto Nuevo Call or email today to book your spot! Round trip transportation from [email protected] or Discover Baja offices in San Diego 800.727.2252
4 Discover Baja is pleased to announce that David Kier and Max Kurillo, co-authors of “The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California 1697-1834″ will be giving a lecture about the missions of Baja & Alta California on Thursday, July 24th at 7:00pm in San Diego. Join us as we learn about where and when the missions were founded and how they interact. The lecture will highlight how the Baja and Alta missions were built during the same years and relate to one another. The missions are an important part of California history for both Baja and Alta California. Many of the missions or mission sites are still accessible today. This will be a treat for history buffs, adventure seekers and Baja lovers. You’ll learn about the missions like you’ve never seen or realized before!
Copies of “The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California 1697-1834″ will be available for purchase and signing.
7:00 pm Liberty Station - NTC Command Center, Meeting Room 1 2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
FREE for Discover Baja members. $5 for nonmembers. Please RSVP to [email protected] or 800-727-2252.
For more information, please see bit.ly/1oGjdCV 5 Valle de Guadalupe 2014 Vendimia august 1-17
It’s summertime in the Valle de Guadalupe. The wine is flowing, the seasonal, open-air campestre restaurants are in full swing, and the vines are heavy with grapes, which all means one thing – it’s time for Vendimia! The official Valle de Guadalupe Vendimia (wine harvest) festival will take place this year from August 1-17. Throughout the course of the festival, individual events take place at wineries and restaurants throughout the valley. The events vary, but you can almost always count on there being food, music and, of course, wine.
Tickets to events can often be expensive and hard to get. But don’t be deterred! There are some free events around the valley as well as Ensenada and Vendimia is a fun time to be in the Guadalupe Valley even to go to wineries on days that they aren’t having events.
As you may know from your own frustration, information in English about the Vendimia is extremely limited. We’ve put together some resources to help you through the logistics so that you can focus on the important part – drinking, eating and enjoying!
resources -We’ve put together a full calendar of Vendimia events insider tips in English (the only one that exists to date!) with all of Book Early. Tickets to events sell out early, as the information that you need on our website at bit.ly/ do hotel rooms. There are a very limited amount 1iVypMQ of hotel rooms available in the valley and the -We also have a Valle de Guadalupe page that has prices are expensive during Vendimia. helpful information about the valley. bit.ly/1rW8FTK Find a Hotel Outside of the Valley. If you aren’t -See the next page for recommendations on some of lucky enough to book one of the coveted rooms our favorite wineries, restaurants, hotels and activities in the valley, we recommend staying in Ensenada where there are lots of wonderful -The Provino, the official sponsors of the Vendimia, options just a 30-minute drive away (and places have a website www.provinoac.org with information that DB members get a discount) or even and events in Spanish. Rosarito (about an hour drive).
Don’t Be Confined by Official Dates. A fact highlight events little known by tourists is that while the “official” August 2: Adobe Guadalupe Gala Dinner vendimia festival promoted by Provino runs from August 1-17, many wineries celebrate vendimia August 2: Wine, Dinner & Jazz at Las Nubes events from July through the end of September. August 6: Dinner & Wine Pairing at Laja L.A. Cetto, Barón Balch’e and many of the other August 9: Santo Tomás Free Festival in Ensenada larger wineries have events on an ongoing basis. August 14: Free party in the Valley at the park Still Feel Overwhelmed? Join us on one of our August 14: Dinner & Wine at Viñas de Garza Guadalupe Valley trips. With scheduling, August 14: Dinner at Vena Cava Winery planning and round-trip transportation from San August 16: Dinner & Wine at Finca Altozano Diego taken care of, all you have to do is show August 17: Paella Contest at Liceaga up and enjoy! See page 4.
Full event calendar can be seen at bit.ly/1iVypMQ 6 wineries restaurants Las Nubes Finca Altozano www.vinoslasnubesbc.com www.fincaaltozano.com Sweeping views, great wines The seasonal campestre of and a beautiful indoor/outdoor Javier Plascencia is a favorite tasting room of locals and tourists Viñas de Garza Deckman’s en el Mogor www.vinosdegarza.com www.deckmans.com Boutique winery with a beautiful This is outdoor dining at its best outdoor tasting room and – gourmet food, beautiful setting delicious wines and great wine. Alximia Laja www.alximia.com www.lajamexico.com One of the new wineries in the The original gourmet restaurant in valley is sure to delight with it’s town, Laja is often called the carefully crafted wines French Laundry of the valley Vena Cava Ochentos www.venacavawine.com www.ochentospizza.com Upside down boats create the Great pizza and some of the roof for this wine cave housing best views in town await you at delicious wines this local’s spot hotels activities Wine Muesum Adobe Guadalupe www.museodelvinobc.com www.adobeguadalupe.com Learn all about the history of Beautiful architecture, service, wine, the Valle de Guadalupe food and wine at this lovely bed and the wine making process & breakfast Encuentro Guadalupe Rancho Cortes www.encuentroguadalupe.com This working dairy and meat Luxury eco-cabins and a farm is renowned for their gourmet restaurant make this a cheese and olive oil. Stop by for truly unique experience the sample cheese plate
La Villa del Valle La Escuelita www.lavilladelvalle.com Stop by to see the wine school in This Tuscany-style hotel also has the valley to drink and eat at the the award-winning Corazón de café and marvel at the buildings Tierra restaurant on property all made of different materials
vendimia = wine harvestlearn w vino = wine the w copa lingo de vino = glass of wine w botella = bottle w muestra = tasting w degustación = tasting w maridaje = wine pairing w campestre = country w viñedo = vineyard w bodega = wine cellar 7 OUR LOCAL: Miguel Arroyo HOMETOWN: Ensenada B.C Mexico HOW LONG: 30 years OCCUPATION: Tour guide & surf instructor BIO: I love the ocean. I am a diver, surfer, sailor and tour guide. I have my own surf school, www.surfensenada.com. People from the cruise ships and tourists from Canada and the U.S contact me for surf lesson and local tours while they are here. [DBTC Note: If you’ve been lucky The insider’s scoop enough to join us on one of our Guadalupe Valley trips, Miguel is our on the “Cinderella wonderfully charismatic tour guide in of the Pacific”! the valley!]
If you had to describe street food stands like fish tacos doing? You have to stop and Ensenada in three words, what El Fenix, Mariscos La drink a tequila shot in Hussong’s would they be? Love The Guerrerense, Mariscos Yiyos, and Cantina. It’s classic. Weather Muelle 3. Annual events that are worth Best activities to enjoy in Favorite sit-down restaurants making a trip to Ensenada for? Ensenada? There are lots of Sanos, Ophelia, El Rey Sol, The Fiestas de la Vendimia take activities to do in the ocean such Boules and in Ensenada and in place in the Valle de Guadalupe as fishing, kayaking, scuba diving the Valle de Guadalupe there’s every August with the famous and surfing. There’s also lots of Finca Altozano, Laja, and Latitud Paella event at the end of the things to do in the Valle de 32 at El Cielo. festival. The Baja 1000 off-road Guadalupe like wine tasting, race starts (and sometimes ends) What are some of the best winery tours, horseback riding and in Ensenada every November. hotels in the area? Hotel Coral & great restaurants to enjoy. Marina, Estero Beach Resort, Any good shopping? First Street Any good street food? Good Corona Hotel & Spa, San Nicolas has great shopping. food? GREAT Food!! Ensenada Hotel in town and the Hacienda Your best insider tip about started as a fishing town so fishing Guadalupe and Encuetro visiting Ensenada? Don’t be is one of the oldest activities here Guadalupe in the Valle de afraid to try something new. in Ensenada. Now with the wine Guadalupe.
valley there’s an incredible fusion What’s the best time of year to What are the best beaches to between seafood and wine. visit? There’s great weather year visit in Ensenada? San Miguel, ¡Delicioso! Ensenada has some of round, but I personally love spring Playa Hermosa, La Jolla, Arbolitos the best fish tacos ever. There’s and autumn. and Campo Kennedy. also incredible ceviche, clam, The best "local spot" in town? shrimp, tuna, octopus and great Things people shouldn’t visit El Mirador lookout on Margaritas too. Don’t miss little Ensenada without seeing or Chapultepec Hill. 8
THOUSAND SMILES Improving Lives, One Smile at a Time
By Hugh Kramer dollar budgets and payrolls, new “normal” baby, and then Thousand Smiles is 100% run the nurses burst into tears. “It’s Along with the happy memories by volunteers with no staff and what keeps us coming to every one returns home with after an no office to maintain, with all clinic,” they said. adventurous trip to Baja are funding going to provide for the often some sad ones. needs of children. My wife, Carol, and I have been volunteering at Thousand Among them perhaps are Every three months, over one Smiles clinics for over six images of families scavenging hundred skilled volunteer years, and I have been for food to get through another medical and dental honored to serve on the board day or cribs full of abandoned professionals (some regarded of directors for the past four babies from an orphanage visit. as the best in the country) years. One young man who along with ordinary volunteers had his cleft palate repaired at Such was the case nearly thirty travel to Ensenada to provide the clinic twenty-five years ago, years ago, when several well into the hundreds of stopped by our May clinic to Rotarians from San Diego met thousands of dollars of free thank the Thousand Smiles a family that had an infant services to these desperate volunteers for giving him a horribly disfigured with a cleft children. normal life. He is now married, palate. Learning how prevalent has two kids, went to college this condition is in Mexico, they The work literally transforms and now has a good job. recruited other Rotarians who lives—and families. Children were oral surgeons, plastic who have not had treatment for If you would have any interest surgeons, dental specialists, their disfigurements rarely go to in learning more about along with their assistants to school and are ridiculed and Thousand Smiles or assisting immediately address this often live as outcasts all their in our efforts to provide medical devastating issue. lives. Many parents believe and dental assistance for that a cleft-palate baby is a families in Mexico, some That’s when Thousand Smiles punishment for some dealing with unimaginable began providing cleft palate wrongdoing, and some fathers medical issues with their surgeries and dental care at no abandon their families. children, you may enjoy this cost to needy Mexican families. video: Since 1985, Thousand Smiles Fortunately, word of the www.thousandsmiles.org/ has provided over two miracles that Thousand Smiles promotional-video-2/ check thousand cleft palate surgeries provides has spread, and out the Thousand Smiles and provided tens of thousands families from various parts of website: of needy kids with dental care. Mexico come to our quarterly www.thousandsmiles.org or clinics. Last month I watched Thousand Smiles is a U.S. call the Discover Baja office the nurses bring a baby out of 501(c)(3) nonprofit (800.727.2252). Many thanks the recovery room to present to from Discover Baja and the organization, but unlike some the parents. Both the mom and families served by Thousand other similar, and better known, dad burst into tears to see their organizations with multi-million Smiles. 9
The Spanish Missions on the California Peninsula: #25, Santa Catalina Virgen y Mártir (1797-1839) By David Kier
The Mission Santa Catalina story begins with the actions of Padre Juan Crisóstomo Gómez while serving as Dominican President from 1790 to 1793. Padre Gómez had recently completed the construction of the great stone church of Mission San Ignacio, and also had practiced immunization to halt the spread of disease among the Indians. Gómez authorized three mountain missions be founded to secure the inland areas of the northern peninsula and to Christianize the natives. Immediately after the founding of the first mountain mission at San Pai-pai Indians at mission ruins in 1949. Photo by Marquis McDonald. Pedro Mártir, the search for the San Vicente by way of San Diego. California for Durango. Arrillaga second mission site began in the In an October, 1797 letter, was made governor but was region instructed by the Viceroy. Arrillaga determined that a allowed to remain at his residence garrison of soldiers should be in Loreto. In October of 1794, Sergeant José stationed in the delta region with a Manuel Ruiz and Padre Tomás On August 6, 1797, building was presidio at the head of the gulf Valdellon examined the place begun at the future mission site for and a detachment at Sonoita and named Santa Catalina midway the guardhouse, church, and San Felipe, thus securing a sea between the mission of San priest’s house. November 12, route of escape. The first order of Vicente and the Colorado River. business however, was to 1797 was the day that Mission The most important aspect of a establish a mission at Santa Santa Catalina Virgen y Mártir mission site was a reliable year- Catalina. was officially founded by Padres round source of water. A year later, José Loriente and Tomás Ensign Alférez Bernal led an The order for a new mission was Valdellon. It was the 7th Dominican expedition and explored the placed by the Viceroy and the California mission, the 25th region. Governor Borica provided governor. The mission was to be mission on the peninsula, and the Bernal with a list of ‘prime strongly fortified as it was known 42nd mission in all of California. essentials’ a mission site must to be in dangerous territory. Santa The location was a place the possess. The list included: a Catalina would also be the last natives called Jaca-Tobojol, which constant source of water, land for mission built on the peninsula that means “place where the water raising wheat and maize, near-by was authorized by the Spanish falls over stones”. The elevation at firewood and pasture, and government. No other mission site Santa Catalina is 3,900 feet above numerous available heathen. was so greatly researched by sea level. repeated expeditions than Santa Lieutenant-Governor José Joaquín Catalina. In 1798, an adobe house with two de Arrillaga, traveling north from rooms was built with each room his home in Loreto, left Mission Lieutenant-Governor Arrillaga had measuring 14 feet by 17 feet. In San Vicente on September 5, 1796 desired to separate California into 1799, another adobe house to examine Santa Catalina and the two political districts, and his 1796 measuring 14 feet by 20 feet was route to the Colorado River. This expedition was to be influential in constructed to serve as a shelter was but one of four expeditions that happening. Governor Borica for girls and single women. Santa that year to determine if a land also favored the plan, yet nothing Catalina had a population of 133 route to Sonora was feasible. of it came for several more years. Indians in 1800. Another house Arrillaga had met hostile Indians at Governor Borica died in July, measuring 17 feet by 17 feet was the Colorado River and returned to 1800, shortly after leaving Alta CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 10 Dominican, ever returned to rebuild Santa Catalina.
The walls have melted back to the ground leaving almost nothing to visualize the once important mission. Archeologists in recent years have excavated to the stone foundation at a corner of a mission room, and accurately mapped the site with sophisticated equipment. 2004 photo by Jack Swords The Pai-pai Indians are still living near the mission. Their village is called Santa Catarina which is a slightly different spelling than the mission’s name.
To reach the Santa Catalina mission site by Santa Catarina, use the Ensenada-San Felipe highway (Mexico #3) and drive just south of Km. 91, in the town of Ejido de los Heroes de la Independencia. Go The mission site plan as drawn by Peveril Meigs in 1929. east, on a well graded dirt road. Near the 5 mile mark from Hwy. 3, also built that year. In 1802, an was called Antigua (Old) take the fork to the right and go adobe structure with two rooms California. These names (Nueva downhill, then work left through the measuring 14 foot square was and Antigua) appeared on little town of Santa Catarina soon constructed and may have served documents describing the two going over a hill to the cemetery. as a workshop. regions of California for many Turn left and go up the hill, above years. The idea for a third Only four Dominicans are named the cemetery. The mission site is 5.6 mountain mission, ordered by serving Santa Catalina, José miles from Highway 3. Padre Gómez, was abandoned. Loriente in 1797, Tomás Valdellon GPS data and satellite views of the in 1797 and 1798, then a 10 year In a letter written in Loreto on mission sites in Baja California can gap in the records until Manuel December 23, 1808, the be seen at: http://vivabaja.com/ de Aguila was stationed at the Dominican Padre Ramon López missions4/ mission in 1808 and 1809. Padre wrote: “The two missions in the Felix Caballero was perhaps the hills, Santa Catalina and San In the book, ‘The Old Missions of last Dominican in charge at Santa Pedro, cannot give what they Baja & Alta California 1697-1834’ Catalina (1819-1839) and is don’t have. The minister at Santa are the details of the establishment named as such in an October 3, Catalina formerly was able to of all 48 California missions, in the 1822 letter from Padre José send something, but now he order they were founded. The Miguel de Pineda, of Mission struggles just to make ends peninsula of California is home to 27 Santo Tomás. meet.” missions and the land north, that many years later became part of the California was officially divided The population at Santa Catalina United States, is home to 21 into two districts on March 26, was reported as more than 600 in missions. There was just one 1804. Arrillaga was made 1824 then down to 250 in 1834. California when all but the final five governor of Upper (Alta) This would have made Santa missions were founded. The final California, and Captain Felipe de Catalina the most populous of the two missions were founded after Goycoechea was appointed to be Dominican missions. In October Mexico won its independence from governor of Lower (Baja) of 1839, the Santa Catalina Spain. All 48 missions were California. Alta California also mission was attacked burned, abandoned before 1850 when (Alta) was called Nueva (New) and 16 neophytes were slain. California became the 31st state of California, and Baja California Padre Caballero, nor any other the United States.
David Kier is co-author of ‘The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California, 1697-1834’. The book is available for purchase at the DBTC offices (call 800-727-2252). You can follow along with the series to learn about the history of all of the Baja California missions on the DBTC blog and in future newsletters. 11 Buen Provecho: El Gaucho Argentino, Rosarito
By Jennifer Kramer homemade chimichurri sauce. We ordered the lomito sandwich (steak) and the choripán sandwich www.bajatheothercalifornia.com We chatted with Gerardo and (sausage). Both came topped with It’s true that there’s no shortage of Flavia, and they told us about El grilled onions and more of that authentic street food in Rosarito. Gaucho and their story. Gerardo is delicious chimichurri sauce. from Mexico and Flavia is from the You could feast for weeks off of French fries served on the side. U.S., but her father is from the tacos, carnitas and mariscos. The sandwiches were juicy, Argentina, which is where the But when you need a break from flavorful and satisfying. The recipes for the restaurant come Mexican food and you’re looking empanadas, as I hear from the for a delicious meal with a different from. Gerardo and Flavia had many rave reviews on Trip kind of latin flavor, it’s time to try El been living with their daughters in Advisor, are supposed to be Gaucho Argentino. Los Angeles, but moved the family delicious as well. On Saturdays, El down to Rosarito a few years ago This hole-in-the-wall sandwich Gaucho returns to its street food and started their business as a roots by bringing out a grill onto shop, just off of the main drag in street cart on the main drag in the sidewalk in front of the store Rosarito, had been on my radar town. Now, two years later, they’ve and having a barbeque. I can for a while. Trip Advisor has it upgraded to a little restaurant ranked as one of the top assure you, I’ll be back to check it space just down the street from out soon. ¡Buen provecho! restaurants in Rosarito. “Best where the cart used to be located. steak sandwich ever!” “Authentic The décor is sweet and welcoming El Gaucho Argentino and delicious!” “Awesome with high-top wooden tables and Calle Rene Ortiz Canopy empanadas and chimichurri!” I stools at the tables as well as at a Rosarito, 22710 had no choice but to check it out counter. There’s seating for about (When you reach the Banamex on myself. 15 people inside and there are a the main street in town, turn
We went on a Wednesday few more tables and stools toward the ocean. Restaurant will evening to try it out. The owners, outside the storefront as well. A be on that block on the left.) Gerardo and Flavia Marquiz, were chalkboard inside lists the items 664-440-5984 there along with their two young on the menu. The grill is located www.facebook.com/ daughters. The entire family behind a counter near the front of elgauchoargentinorosarito speaks perfect English. We the restaurant so patrons can still GPS: 32.341539, -117.057647 ordered our sandwiches and watch Gerardo cook up the savory Open Monday-Saturday from Gerardo got behind the grill to meats. And most importantly, the 10-7, Sunday 12-5 prepare the food as Flavia brought food hasn’t lost its authentic street Cash only us bread with a delicious cart soul.
12 8 DBTC staff Peninsula Picks: SUMMER READS Summer means it’s time to explore, learn new things, or grab a hammock and a good book. Here’s what’s on our Baja summer reading lists:
All books can be purchased online at squareup.com/market/discover-baja. Or give us a call at 800-727-2252
STAFF MEMBER: Carol PICK: Birding in Baja California Sur by Kaia Thomson WHY: As I listen more intently to my family and friends who are avid "birders,” I get more interested in our little feathered friends. Birding is perfect for me. It is a collection of over 140 stunning colored photographs of the birds of Baja Sur. It pictures the birds in their specific eco habitats and captures many diverse behaviors. It's an essential for your next trip to BCS.
STAFF MEMBER: Monica NEW! PICK: Lagoon Time by Steven L. Swartz WHY: I wish this book had been out before I went on my trip to see the whales at San Ignacio. It has a lot of information about whale behavior and the history of the whales in the Lagoon. It’s a great book for first time whale watchers as well as experienced visitors.
STAFF MEMBER: Maythé PICK: Crossing South DVD, STAFF MEMBER: Jen season II PICK: Nearer My Dog to Thee by WHY: Jorge Meraz is really Graham Mackintosh entertaining to watch as he WHY: Graham is one of my favorite explores activities and cuisine authors and his books are deliciously in Baja. He inspired me to try entertaining. This is the perfect light- zip-lining! hearted beach read for summer!
STAFF MEMBER: Hugh PICK: Baja California Plant Field Guide, 3rd Edition by Jon P. Rebman and Norman C. Roberts WHY: Although God and Mr. Gomez has got to be my all-time favorite Baja book, this summer I find myself deep into the pages of Jon Rebman's and the late Norm Roberts' Baja California Plant Field Guide. This is the indispensable handbook for anyone interested in the diverse and often endemic plants you will encounter throughout the peninsula. Beautiful color photography and important info on Baja's climate and geology. A valuable companion to bring along on your next adventure south.
13 MELING RANCH HORSEBACK ADVENTURES Meling Ranch is now offering multi-day horseback trail ride adventures through the high desert country along the base of the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, some of the highest mountains in Baja. The Trail Ride Adventure will begin and end at the Meling Ranch, with overnight campouts on different neighboring ranches each night. Time in the saddle will be approximately 3-4 hours each day. Both novice and experienced riders welcome.
Riders will experience four days and three nights of life on-the-trail, much like that lived by cowboys during the early part of the 20th century. A wide variety of terrain will be traversed during the four-day ride exposing the riders to several different types of scenery – some of which includes riverside, dry arroyo, and densely-strewn boulder covered hills. The area covered by the ride is home to many wildlife species, including coyotes, fox, quail, kangaroo rats, rabbits, and many varieties of birds.
For more details, visit www.ranchomeling.com. Email information requests to [email protected], or telephone Lorenzo DeAn at 646-132-5240 (in Mexico) or 619-272-8335 (in the U.S.).
PROPERTY FOR SALE IN Why We Baja: Member Travel Photos SAN MIGUEL DE COMONDÚ: A lot with a producing avocado orchard, equipped with asequias (irrigation channels), approximately 1700 square meters in size. San Miguel de Comondú is located two hours on paved road from the port of Loreto. It is a quiet little town for vacationing and relaxing. The listing price is $65,000 U.S., the first payment being $30,000 U.S. and the remainder in two payments. Call or text Alberto Cota Murillo, 011-52-613-114-7751.
San Juanico, Scorpion Bay. Photo courtesy of “Friends of Scorpion Bay Campground and Cantina”
Why do you Baja? Is it for the taco stand you can’t get enough of? The father/son fishing trips? The encounters with nature and wildlife that you can’t get at home? Or the peaceful moments before the sun goes down when the whole world is aglow? Email your “Why We Baja” photo moment to [email protected] and we may publish it in the next newsletter. Or, if you Instagram, follow us @discoverbaja and tag your photo with #whywebaja
This is a monthly online publication of DISCOVER BAJA Travel Club. 3264 Governor Drive San Diego, CA 92122 Phone: 619 275-4225 or 800 727-BAJA Fax: 858 458-0722 www.discoverbaja.com email: [email protected] © 2013 DISCOVER BAJA, Inc. Unsolicited stories and photos are welcome, but should be accompanied by postage if they are to be returned. On-line submissions may be sent to [email protected] No part of this newsletter may be reproduced, except for personal use, without written permission from the publishers. 14