Introduction

Little-known Loreto is a charming town 85 miles south of Mulege. As the first capital of the Californias, it boasts a pair of 17th-century Jesuit missions, as well as a quaint downtown area with shaded plazas and an attractive malecon (seaside promenade) that draws locals and tourists alike for strolls along the waterfront.

Local attractions include visits to the nearby prehistoric cave paintings in Canipole and San Borjitas, as well as a bumpy back-road trip to the San Javier Mission. Waterborne adventures include deep-sea fishing in the local bays and snorkeling at pristine Isla Coronado.