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El Rosario is a small Baja California town, located in an inland valley along Mexico Federal Highway 1, only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. El Rosario is the last town where basic services, such as lodging, fuel, groceries and repairs are offered, before the nearly 200 mile drive to Guerrero Negro, in Baja California Sur. When you stop in El Rosario, you'd be wise to top off your gas tank, and purchase food, ice, and most importantly beer for the remainder of your trip.
Photo: Looking north on Highway 1, which is the unamed main street of town. La Cabaña Motel and Mama Espinosa's Restaurant are located to the right of the photo. Before the transpenninsular highway was completed, El Rosario was where the paved highway ended. Little has changed from those days, as Highway 1 swings inland from El Rosario, and travels some of the most remote and unpopulated desert country for nearly 200 miles until Guerrero Negro, the next major town is reached. The years haven't changed El Rosario, as its still a small town, and the economy is still based on highway traffic, nearby fishing and agriculture.
Photo: Looking south along Highway 1, just south of the significant bend that the highway takes. The highway is the main street in town, but is unnamed. El Rosario is quite picturesque, as its located in a canyon, overlooking Cañada San Fernando, which is basically a wide, seasonal creek, where a variety of agricultural crops are grown. Highway 1 is, predictably, the main street in town, and homes and businesses face the highway. The highway is built on a grade, and near the center of town, just past landmark restaurant Mama Espinosa, there is a sharp turn, where the highway starts its journey to the east. Combine the sharp curve with the steep grade in town, and that has prompted the town to erect signs requesting that truckers don't use their "jake breaks," to keep the noise down from the busy highway. The town is prosperous, clean, and very safe, but if you're a "Spring break" type looking for excitement, you'd better stay in Ensenada, or set your sights for Cabo, as El Rosario is quiet, peaceful, and if you're a member of the party crowd, quite boring.
Photo: This chicken is looking for a meal in front of the only family clothing store in town. I found it quite interesting to watch a chicken looking for food in the main street in town. However if you're interested in adventure, consider this: The town is located only about 10 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, and only a couple miles from some of the most beautiful desert scenery that you can imagine. There are four-wheel drive trails that go everywhere, so if you're in love with the outdoors, El Rosario is the place to be. Sadly, during my visit in October, 2007, I had time constraints, and I was driving my Toyota Camry, so I didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the nearby beaches, or explore the four-wheel drive trails. Next trip!
Photo: Looking south on Main Street on Friday, October 5, 2007. When you drive south of El Rosario, you'll be treated to the beautiful Valle delos Ciros, which is an area that's afforded protection by the federal government, to keep the area natural, pristine, and beautiful. You won't believe the weird cactus that grow in this area, as these cactus are nothing like you've ever seen before. South of El Rosario, along a bend in the highway, I encountered a rather interesting shrine, erected in the memory of a desced trucker, Hector Gastelum, who perished at the site, back in 2000.
Photo: A quiet Saturday morning in El Rosario... note the horse dung to the right of the pedestrian, as horses are a very common mode of transportation in El Rosario. The car in the right of the photo is my 1996 Toyota Camry, and I'm enjoying a fine breakfast of menudo at Loncheria El Pollitos Loquito in the background. I stayed at La Cabaña Motel, next to landmark Mama Espinosa restaurant, just up from the town's only Pemex gas station. My Friday evening consisted of roaming around the town, snapping photos, and enjoying some of the best tacos that I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Despite the fact that Mama Espinosa is located next to the motel, I didn't get the chance to dine at the restaurant, but that will change the next time I have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful town of El Rosario.
Copyright(c) 2007 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since January 19, 2005. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custom photography for any occasion...
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