Visiting San Javier

It was very hard for us to leave the Sea of Cortez. We had been living happily on its beaches for over a month but eventually we ran out of drinking water, fresh food and with our stash of beer depleted, it was time to move on…

Please enjoy our latest video while watching it on a big screen in 1080P with sound cranked way up, enjoy!

Road Winds Uphill Away From the Coast

After a month of not driving anywhere we had almost forgotten how steep, rough and narrow the road was down to this place. Now with gravity working against us we slowly climb back up to the main highway, the FARTHER is an amazingly capable rig.

Meeting New Friends Along the Way

Once reaching the main highway we decide to turn south instead of heading north towards Loreto. Loreto is very busy so we choose to drive back to Ciudad Constitución to re-supply.

Campground In Ciudad Constitución

Ciudad Constitución is not a tourist town, it is a small city that serves as a gateway to San Carlos, Magdalena Bay and is the agricultural center for the cultivation of wheat, chickpea, cotton, asparagus, citrus, and vegetables, among other crops.

Best Purified Water In Baja, Agua Purificado del Rio, Downtown Ciudad Constitución

Ciudad Constitución, established around 1940, is a much easier city to navigate with its wide avenues and grid like road system.

Visting Our first Star Coffee, Ciudad Constitución

During the 4 days we spent in Ciudad Constitución we accomplished many chores. We took Otis to a vet for a checkup, shop for fresh foods and veggie’s, filled our tank with purified water, enjoyed some fantastic local foods, exchanged money and prepped the rig for the next leg of our adventure.

Overland to San Javier.

Road To San Javier

Departing Ciudad Constitución the road paralleled the Pacific coast. In roughly 40 miles we turn east onto a very potholed and washboarded track that heads inland towards San Javier.

The first 15 miles cross a flat and dusty desert. Distant views of the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range loom in the distance.

Middle of Nowhere Camp, Headed East Towards San Javier

Soon we camp in sparsely vegetated landscape in the middle of nowhere with not a soul around for miles. The evening light provides us fantastic colors through low clouds as Ruby looks for bunnies.

Entering the Canyon and the First of Many Water Crossings

The next day as we enter the mouth of the canyon and come to the first of over 25 crossings of the San Javier river. The water crossings are not deep but are very rocky which makes for slow going.

As we wind deeper into the mountains we stop often to wander along the rivers edge and explore the surrounding vegetation. The farther we drive into the canyon the more dense the trees, cacti and brush become.

We pass several ranchos with cows wandering aimlessly, often right in the middle of the road.

After 45 miles we eventually enter the small village of San Javier.

Mission San Javier

This picturesque little village is situated along the banks of the San Javier river and is surrounded by steep cacti covered mountains. It was established by the Jesuits in the 1700’s and is the cultural center for many of the surrounding ranchos.

A reliable year round water source enables growing all kinds of crops.

In October of 1699, Spanish soldiers and Indian converts began to construct the mission. It was dedicated on December 3, 1699, and became the second most enduring mission established in Baja California.

Golden Alter Inside The Mission
Freshly Cultivated Fields Near The Mission

The construction of dams, aqueducts, and stone buildings, many of which are still in use, were responsible for what has been called “the jewel” of the Baja California missions.

Local Convenience Store

We spend a quiet night in the village square and awake early to roosters crowing and donkeys braying.

After spending the day enjoying the village we depart San Javier and continue east on a narrow paved road stopping along the Las Parras river for some hiking. We find many colorful flowers, frogs and a stunning landscape. We explore a slowly flowing creek which is unusual in southern Baja.

This year round water source heads east towards the Sea of Cortez and is one of the main sources for the city of Loreto.

Las Parras River
The Las Parras is One Of The Main Sources Of Water For Loreto

Ruby Enjoys Jumping From Bank to Bank

Upon reaching Loreto we have once again completed another trans-peninsula crossing. At this point we turn north towards home, still about 4200 miles away. This journey will take us about 2 months and includes stopping at many new and favorite destinations along the way.

Road North Towards Alaska
Roadside Shrine

Thanks for following us on our journey. It has been another fantastic winter of enjoying the warm Mexican hospitality, making new friends, exploring Baja’s wild country and most importantly finding the climate that “suits our clothes”.

One of the Many Different Types Of Campers We See In Baja

This adventure will begin again sometime in Oct of 2023, join us as we set off for new and exciting locations throughout the southwest and Mexico.

Stay Tuned!!

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16 thoughts on “Visiting San Javier


  1. We loved the premier…as we were nestled in your “cozy theater” with a great sound system! We love your stories.


  2. Absolutely beautiful and safe travels.
    About when will you be home? I’m coming up in September to North Pole and would love to visit.


  3. Oh my! The videography was amazing! You two are getting to be professionals with these videos. They make me smile the whole way through, and the music is perfect. Ruby is simply joyful, and I loved Otis’s “scratching post” – ha! The mission is lovely in so many ways – historically as well as in it’s simplicity. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.


    1. Thanks Kay Lynn! We really enjoyed the challenge of driving cross country to San Javier from the west. Ruby and Otis are the best travelers….we are very lucky. Hopefully we will get some face to face time in this fall, till then enjoy the summer!!


  4. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you guys had a really chill experience in Baja this year. As always, an excellent video production worthy of a studio!


  5. Tim and Denise, I love reading your travel log and looking at your amazing photos! I hope we can get some face to face time soon. Our deck and lunch/dinner awaits you in the fall. Take good care. Urs

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