Located
84 miles south of Mulege and 217 miles north of La Paz lays the historic town
of Loreto. Not only is it the oldest town in Baja California, founded
in 1697 by the Jesuits, but its surrounding scenery is incomparable; the magnificent
Sierra de la Giganta mountain range, the awesome desert and the azure Sea of
Cortez.
Facing
Loreto from the Sea of Cortez are the beautiful islands "the Coronados"
with its turquoise waters and sea lion colonies; there is also Isla Carmen
with its beautiful
pristine beaches and private coves; a paradise for scuba diving and
a favorite of
the ecologist
with
its unique flora and fauna.
Excellent sportfishing
can also be found with an abundance of fish like yellowtail, sailfish,
dorado, marlin, wahoo and roosterfish.
Sportfishing has made Loreto famous and is one of its main tourist activities.
The area of the Sea of Cortez in front of Loreto has been declared a Nation
Marine Park by the Mexican government thus preserving the pristine waters.
The
mission of Nuestro Señora de Loreto, built
in 1752, has been rebuilt due to earthquakes and floods many times, but
serves as the leading mission in colonialization of the Baja peninsula.
One of
Baja's most magnificent missions, San Javier, can be found 23 miles to
the west
in up a windy dirt road in the Sierra Gigantes.
The
tourist corridor of "Loreto - Nopolo - Puerto Loreto" offers
many tourist amenities and is developing into a popular getaway with
hotels and new ocean front housing developments being built. Along
with an 18 hole golf course and a magnificent tennis center , Loreto
is growing into Baja's new destination of choice.
