Located in a deep valley in the Sierra de La Giganta, Mision San Javier is one of the few original Baja California Missions in an almost perfect state of preservation. As the second of the missions founded by Jesuits, its history dates back to 1699.

San Javier was originally inhabited by the Cochimíes, who named the place Viggé Biaundó. Jesuit Father Francisco María Píccolo visited the place on May 11, 1699, established a small chapel, the forbearer of the present mission, Father Juan María de Salvatierra dedicated it to All Saints on the 1st of November 1699, which was later destroyed by hostile lndians.

In 1701, the task of rebuilding the mission was given to Father Juan de Ugarte, one of the most esteemed missionaries of the conquest. He introduced cattle breeding, big and small species, developed agriculture and taught the locals to thread and knit wool, not only for themselves, but also for the missionary project in general.

It was not until 1744 that Father Miguel del Barco initiated the actual construction of the mission that stands today. Because of the difficulty in obtaining masons who wanted to come to a remote land, the mission was not completed until 1759. Its strong waIls and foundations are built of limestone and cantera that have withstood the ravages of time.

Today, Mission SAN JAVIER, considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved Mission of the Californias, was built with stone taken from quarry from the bed of the brook of Santo Domingo 20 km southeast of San Javier. Its original baroque appearance has been well preserved. Its interior has: a golden altarpiece with fivefive oil paintings , brought from Mexico City in thirty two boxes; two statues: one of San Francisco Javier and another one of Our Lady of Guadalupe; and a crucifix, all of these are from the 18th century. It has three bells, two of them are dated 1761 and the other one 1803. There is a monument to that time at the end of the street that leads to the church. It is known as "the Cross of Calvary". From there hundreds of pilgrims who visit the patron saint walk sometimes on their knees.

Interesting local sites: A visit to the Church of San Francisco Javier. Festivities of the Patron Saint from the 1st to the 3rd of December. A visit to the olive orchards planted by the Jesuits. On the way to the church, a stopover visit to Las Parras Ranch, which has a more than 200-year-old chapel.