San Ignacio

Baja travelers barreling south on Mexico 1 or high tailing it home to the north usually zoom past the tiny village of San Ignacio. Barely looking off to the side of the road where a plantation-size mass of palm trees sits atop an underground source of water at the end of a huge arroyo. San Ignacio is about 450 miles south of San Diego as Hwy 1 cuts across from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez. Make it a point to lay over in this quaint little town. Once you've negotiated the winding road into town (about 1-1/2 miles) you'll find yourself at the Town Square. The Town Square is surrounded by laurel trees and is the scene of the town's activity, or lack thereof. With the help of a little forced, native labor, early Jesuits took credit for this magnificent structure with walls four foot thick. In light of the fact that most of the Baja’s missions either laid destroyed or are down miles of unpaved road, this early 16th century mission is a real treat.

San Ignacio Beaches 

Being an oasis in the desert, the only water you will find is underground.

The El Padrino RV Park is a nice facility.

Not really.

There is a La Pinta Hotel on the way into town and with the stereotypical, restaurant, bar, pool. On the other side of town you will find La Posada Motel. With 6 rooms, no a/c, no bar, but food, for around $25 per night. The Fischer family, descendants of Frank Fischer, a German sailor who settled in San Ignacio, runs this quaint little hotel. They can set you up with tours to the cave paintings of nearby San Francisquito.

On the south of Zocalo is Renee’s, where pending availability they serve seafood and a great Mexican combination plate, and the obligatory pitcher of Margarita.

If you’ve come all the way from San Diego to go shopping in San Ignacio, it’s time to call your psychiatrist. You may, however, find most essential items. Many years ago, this used to be the only place to purchase the legendary damiana, herb, which still today is said to be a powerful aphrodisiac. 

Yours.

San Ignacio celebrates its patron, San Ignacio Loyola on the last weekend in July. Lots of food drink and fun. The back road out of town is part of the legendary Baja 1000 off-road race course, and will take you across the southern fringe of the Vizcaino Desert and over to the Pacific side. There is a winery on the road out of town, and you may try San Juanico on the Pacific for lobster.

Prozac, morphine, valium, San Ignacio.