Hello fellow Baja travelers and Toyota drivers! Here we will have a look at past photos of sites that we may visit during the October 2026 Toyotas in Baja expedition. The focus will be interesting and historic locations from Bahía de los Angeles south to Bahía Asunción.
- THU OCT 22 to San Felipe area from USA.
- FRI OCT 23 to L.A. Bay, then south to San Rafael, Punta San Francisquito and Rancho Escondido cabins.
- SAT OCT 24 to El Barril, Mesa del Carmen, Mission Santa Gertrudis, and on to Bahía Asunción.
- SUN OCT 25 to Explore the region, Bahía Tortugas and ?, then back to Bahía Asunción.
- MON OCT 26 head north to San Felipe area, see pronghorn reserve near state border/ Eagle Monument.
- TUE OCT 27 return to USA
Day #2 Oct. 23, we see L.A. Bay and continue south. Numbered paragraphs are possible sites we may see.
1) Bahía de los Angeles, or “L.A. Bay” is a beatiful, island filled bay and small town with most services: gas station, motels, campgrounds, markets, tire repair, a wonderful museum (open daily, 11-2). Here could be a chance to see the museum or enjoy some great seafood before heading south.
2) Bahía Las Animas*
*Going to Las Animas may be an option for another trip. If so, continue south to San Rafael.
The mystery walls were ‘discovered’ in 1966 by the Erle Stanley Gardner expedition. Desert Magazine editor Choral Pepper was there and concluded (after doing research) this was likely connected to the aborted Mission Santa María Magdalena project of the mid-1700s. A dam + reservoir and a lone date palm, located at the base of this hill, were the convincing bits of evidence, with these puzzling walls. Located 2 miles from the bay, this could be an interesting bit of exploring for many. The bay might be an excellent camp location for the night.
3) Bahía San Rafael (Day #2):
Return to the graded road to continue south. Bahía San Rafael has two beach access points, about 2 miles apart. Depending when we leave Las Animas Bay, this may be just a brief stop or lunch stop if the water or fishing (halibut) is inviting. Option to skip Las Animas and stop or stay here on Day #2.
Map begins just south of San Rafael fish camp.
4) Puerto San Francisquito (on Day #2)
5) South shore of Bahía San Rafael (6 mi. from main road)
6) Rancho Escondido cabins. The #2 night may be at Rancho Escondido guest ranch for the night or just a meal.
Day #3 Oct. 24, will begin at Rancho Escondido or a beach camp then explore the following numbered sites before arriving at Bahía Asunción
7) Ybarra House, El Barril (Day 3 morning, 8 mi. from Rancho Escondido)
8) Mesa del Carmen (on Day #3)
Located 8 miles from Piedra Blanca and 1 km. off the main road to El Arco (near the La Unión jcn.), this is a most rewarding site after a 15-minute steep hike to it.
9) Pozo Alemán
10) El Arco (Day #3)
11) Mission Santa Gertrudis https://vivabaja.com/santa-gertrudis/
After Santa Gertrudis, we cross into Baja California Sur, change to Mountain Time Zone, and get gas at El Vizcaino:
12) Bahía Asunción https://bahiaasuncion.com/
The town of Bahía Asunción has all services. Shari Bondy, whale tour expert and host at her La Bufadora Inn and camping will be sure to make all comfortable for Night #3 & #4. If Day 4 is in the Bahía Asunción area, we could enjoy the beach at San Roque or go fossil searching for prehistoric shark’s teeth.
13) A Day #4 trip may be for exploring the ‘hook’ of Baja with that night camping or returning to Bahía Asunción.
Day #5 will be the trip north, all the way or to San Felipe area for a final Baja night. The pronghorn reserve is close to the highway, just north of the state border/ Eagle Monument at Km. 123.
14) Pronghorn Reserve (Day #5) https://www.facebook.com/peninsularpronghorn#
MAPS
May 2025 Expedition: https://vivabaja.com/baja-525/
May 2026 Expedition: https://vivabaja.com/baja-526/
Viva Baja home page: https://vivabaja.com/
Toyotas in Baja group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/toyotasinbaja
Viva Baja group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja