On your first walk through the town of Loreto you can already feel the hundreds of years of history behind this place. Every building, courtyard and home has its own tales to add, and each time you return, more of the story takes shape. The truth is, the only way to really understand all of Loreto’s history is to sit in a shady courtyard and listen to one of the locals tell you the story over a lazy afternoon.

10,000 years ago
Few signs are left of the Cochimi and Guavcura people who first settled Loreto over 10,000 years ago. However, a short trip into the mountains and canyons close by reveals well-preserved cave paintings that tell of life in Loreto long ago.

The first capital of the Californias
In 1697, Jesuit priest and explorer Juan Maria de Salvatierra established California’s first settlement on the shores of the Sea of Cortés. It was from Loreto that Father Junipero Serra launched the 18th century expedition that led to the establishment of 17 California missions that stretch north all the way to San Francisco. Loreto served as capital to “Alta” and “Baja” California for 133 years, until the capital was moved to La Paz, allowing Loreto to remain the peaceful village it still is today.

The luck of Loreto
Fast forward to the 20th century and Loreto is poised for big changes. Thirty years ago, FONATUR, Mexico's tourism development agency, identified Loreto and four other destinations in Mexico as having the highest potential for tourism. Since then, the others such as Cancun and Los Cabos have become popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. Loreto is the last of the five to be developed, but this time with a different approach, one that respects its history and allows it to retain all of its original charm and character. We invite you to share our vision for the future of Loreto.