text by connie ellig; photos by david hopps & connie ellig

San Miguel Arcángel de la Frontera Mission
Protected adobe ruins of the Dominican mission established by Padre Luis Sales in 1787 are located in the historic valley of La Misión next to the primary school at Km. 65.5 on the Tijuana-Ensenada free road. (Exit south from toll highway at La Fonda.) The annual La Misión Fiesta with rodeo events, entertainment, regional foods and cultural exhibitions occurs in late May.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Norte Mission
A sign marks the original site of the Dominican mission founded in 1834 in Ejido Francisco Zarco, Valle de Guadalupe, just off Highway 3 to Tecate.

Santo Tomás de Aquino Mission
Adobe ruins of the second site of the mission founded by Dominicans in 1791 are located on the premises of El Palomar RV Park in Valle de Santo Tomás, 30 miles south of Ensenada on the Transpeninsular Highway.

San Vicente Ferrer Mission
Preserved adobe ruins of the Dominican mission established in 1780 are located slightly north of the town of San Vicente, 50 miles south of Ensenada. Drive west .7 miles on the signed dirt road near Km. 88 on the Transpeninsular Highway.

Santo Domingo Mission
Preserved adobe ruins of the second site of the mission dedicated in 1775 by Dominican padres Manuel Garcia and Miguel Hidalgo are located near Col. Vicente Guerrero, 99 miles south of Ensenada on the Transpeninsular Highway. Turn east at the signed turnoff near the bridge before town, then follow the scenic 4.5-mile graded dirt road to the mission. Annual fiestas honoring Santo Domingo, the patron saint, are held in early August. There are RV campgrounds within walking distance of the mission site.

El Rosario de Viñadaco Missions
Protected adobe ruins of the Dominican mission founded in 1774 are located on a dirt road just south of the Delegación Office in "upper" El Rosario, 39 miles south of San Quintín on the Transpeninsular Highway. The second mission site founded in 1802 overlooks the riverbed near the Community Museum in El Rosario de Abajo. For precise directions, inquire at Mama Espinoza's Restaurant or a local business.

San Fernando de Velicatá Mission
Adobe ruins mark the site of the only Franciscan mission in Baja California, established by Padre Junipero Serra in 1769. Drive west about 3 miles on the dirt road turnoff next to Rancho El Progreso on the Transpeninsular Highway, 77 miles south of San Quintín.

Santa María de los Angeles Mission
Adobe ruins in a picturesque desert oasis mark the site of the Jesuit mission founded in 1767. Take the paved road to Rancho Santa Inés, one mile south of Cataviña. From Santa Inés, a difficult 14-mile trail leads to the mission (4 x 4 or high clearance vehicle recommended). Expect to hike the last mile.

San Francisco de Borja Adac Mission
Inaugurated by the Jesuits in 1762 and completed by the Dominicans in 1801, San Borja is built of quarry stone and is one of Baja California's two fully intact missions still in use. Primitive camping is permitted. Access is via a 23-mile dirt road off the Transpeninsular Highway, east of El Rosarito, 206 miles south of San Quintín (high clearance vehicle recommended). It is also accessible via a dirt road off the highway to Bahía de los Angeles. Check road conditions with locals before traveling.

Santa Gertrudis La Magna Mission
Founded by the Jesuits in 1752, Santa Gertrudis features its original freestanding bell tower and is one of Baja California's two fully intact missions still in use. Primitive camping is permitted. Although only 23 miles east of El Arco, best access for passenger cars is via the 37-mile dirt road northeast at Km. 154 (Ejido Mujica) on the Transpeninsular Highway, north of Vizcaíno in the state of Baja California Sur. Annual fiestas occur in early November. Check road conditions with locals before traveling.

NOTE: The hard-to-reach mission ruins of Santa Catalina, San Pedro Mártir and Calamajue are also located in the County of Ensenada. When visiting remote areas, the services of a local guide are recommended.

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