Mision San Francisco Javier, Loreto

"We're in a desert, but you can see that this is the perfect example of how you can transform your
reality.  It' s a challenge, but it's worth it."  
-Guide who's name I'm thinking was Moses, but can't really remember...

While in Loreto, we took a tour to Mision San Francisco Javier.  The mission is located up in the mountains, about 30 minutes outside of Loreto.  The drive itself was really beautiful, as you get wonderful views of the rugged mountains and desert scenery.

The mission was built back in the 1700s (I'm blanking on the exact year) and has architectural influences from the Jesuits and Dominicans.  The Jesuits had brought several olive trees over and planted them, so there's a grove of olive trees behind the mission.  In that grove is the largest olive tree I've ever seen, though to be fair my experience is pretty limited.  Basically, it's just a beautiful mission and the surrounding town is wonderfully quaint.  There's a little restaurant near the mission that offers authentic food.  They had delicious homemade cheese and a mango jam that the memory of makes my mouth water.

 

My point is, if you're looking for something to do that's outside the water activities that Loreto offers, this is the stop I would recommend.