Puerto Peñasco….. Centrally Located

For those of you who have no idea where this little “Sleepy Drinking Town With A Fishing Problem” is located, let me tell you. We are 60 miles south of the US Border or 220 miles south of the Phoenix Metro and the same distance from Tucson. I say we are centrally located not only because of the proximity to Arizona but also to California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. It is an easy drive from all of the above.

Once you are here, if you decide to move or just come and spend a few weeks or a month, you are going to want to explore the Mexico that surrounds us. As you come down you will pass the Pinacate Biosphere. Here you will find the largest crater range in North America. Stop at their visitor center and you will learn so much.

We are also the starting point to visit the Padre Kino Missions. We have always made sure we take all of our company on this little day trip. We leave Puerto Peñasco as early as possible as we make a long fun day. We stop at Limini Coffee shop to say good morning to our coffee family of guys and now gals, before embarking on our day. What a better way to start off with conversation and laughter! We then get on the road going south east past the Mayan Palace and forging onward towards the city of Caborca. I use the words forging as sometimes the pot holes will swallow your car (just Kidding). But the good news is the highway is being re-done and soon it will be a smooth easy drive. Sometimes we make a diversion and go to Desemboque ( a small fishing village with a great shelling beach). Back on the highway, we pass hectarias (acres) after acre of Thompson seedless grape fields, olive groves and at one point Pecan groves. Sadly the Brandy Distilleries have all been moved to Mexico City, but the remnants remain as do my memories of trips in the 90′s where we would caravan with about 10 vehicles of retired snow birds to visit the distilleries. That was long before I could even fathom retirement, I enjoyed being a part of their group.

The drive to Caborca is about a 2 hour drive as there are several little towns to pass through. Once there, we sometimes stop for a cup of coffee or breakfast at the El Camino Motel there and we go there because they are so gracious. Then it is off to take pictures and walk around the grounds of the oldest of the Padre Kino Missions known as Templo de la Purisima Concepcion and was founded in 1692 but constructed between 1803-1807. Finally 2 years ago, after going there countless times, we found it open and got to go in. It is awesome as you can see from the pictures. The care taker opened up the museum for us as well as allowing us into the Mission. So much history to be seen. Due to the fact it is built along the banks of the river, it has succumbed to many floods and been flood damaged on more than one occasion. But the community never let’s go and re-builds it. On one visit, I learned to say my colors in Spanish from the caretaker of the roses. Amazing what a smile can do!!!!

After heading back into town for lunch at La Carreta ( it is easy to find as it has wagon wheels outside for the wall) we decide to see Pitiquito about 10 miles south of Caborca. Our 1st stop is the Templo de San Diego de Pitiquito. You can see from the info out front the age of the mission. Although it is very small in comparison to the one in Caborca, it is none the less meaningful. The region to the east of Caborca and Hermosillo is called Ruta de Missions. Do to the many missions to visits, you will want to spend the night along the way.

I believe I also have mentioned in the past, but Pitiquito is the home to a very large leather factory that manufactures some of the most beautiful handmade leather jackets, vests, purses, belts and more. They also have this wonderful little courtyard where you can just sit while your spouse is shopping.

Back on the road to Caborca, it is again time to stop at our favorite lunch place or if we are not hungry, just stroll the stores of Caborca. Where else can we get Carne cooked over a small table top hibachi grill and done to perfection. Once we have finished, we know it will be a beautiful drive back to Puerto Peñasco and we will be able to see the sunset over the Sea of Cortes for many miles.

As you can see, we have so many things to do not only in Puerto Peñasco but the surrounding part of the State of Sonora, you will never be bored. We are also only 5 hours away from Hermosillo if you decide you want to take a bus to the South of Mexico. There are 1st class buses all the way or hop a plane.

There is always something to do in and around Puerto Peñasco. Come down and join us, the weather is is nice, the water is warm and the beer is ice cold.