Trips to Loreto

Event poster for October 2025 Sister City-Mission visit to Loreto, Baja California, celebrating the founding of first mission and the first capital of California. Includes logos, a brief description of Loreto's cultural significance, and mentions a children's choir performance at noon on October 26.

The Ventura Sister City Association plans two group trips each year.

OCTOBER:

A Ventura Sister City delegation travels south to Loreto every year to join in the celebration of the founding of Loreto on October 25, 1697.

FEBRUARY/MARCH:

A naturalist sponsored trip to Loreto for whale watching in the Gulf of California and in the Pacific at Magadalena Bay.

For more information about future trips, group airfare, and lodging options in Loreto, email: chair@venturasistercity.org.

Hope to see you in Loreto!

WHALE WATCHING IN LORETO!

February 23 - March 2, 2026

October 2025 Trip: Boating & Goating in Loreto

A large group of people, including children and adults, poses for a photo at an airport terminal in front of the arrivals area. Some people are holding luggage, and many are wearing lanyards and identification badges. There are signs for international arrivals in the background.

Sister City Members arrived at Loreto International Airport.

GOATING at Rancho Viejo

On another day, we boarded our van with our friendly, knowledgeable, and more-than-competent tour guide, Mario. Bound for Mission San Javier (insert link), we stopped along the way to learn about goats at nearby Rancho Viejo. We started by meeting many of the goats, Beginning with the adults, then the teens, and continuing to the youngest of the herd. The teens were the biggest hams in the pens (maybe better to use “comedian” instead of “hams”?)

Next we milked a goat! The method looked easy and most of us gave it a try. We soon realized that none of us were the “Greatest Of All Time” goat milkers. We also learned to make tortillas by hand. Everyone got a ball of fresh tortilla dough and learned how to flatten it into a thin round tortilla. For beginners, we did ok. One of the kitchen helpers made goat cheese for us to try on the freshly made tortillas. Muy delicioso!

BOATING to Isla Coronado (coming soon!)

Tour boat on calm water near a marina with dock and seagulls, distant islands in the background.
Group of dancers on stage performing at a nighttime outdoor event with large illuminated letters spelling "OBET 32" in front of the stage.

Celebrating the founding of Loreto

People relaxing on a beach with sand, sitting under a canopy and near a boat in calm water on a sunny day.

After a 2-hour flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), our group from the Ventura Sister City Association (and Hermosa Beach Sister City Association) arrived at Loreto International Airport (LTO). We were excited about the interesting, delicious, and educational adventures planned for us. We knew or heard stories from other group members— about this town’s wide range of accommodations; the tasty and unique food; amazing shopping; and everything else we would experience during the next five days.

By the way, this international airport is small. It’s more like a small regional airport, with no enclosed jetways. Arriving passengers walk down stairs or a ramp rolled up to their plane, then walk to the customs and baggage claim area in the only terminal building. The terminal has tasty food and beverages, souvenirs and clean restrooms.

In the late afternoon of the first day in Loreto, Liz Ramirez, past Sister City Association president and owner of a charming small hotel (Casa Mangos) near downtown, hosted a “Welcome” and “get to know each other” happy hour for our group in Casa Mangos’ lovely courtyard. It was a beautiful and fun evening.

Close-up of a brown goat with black markings, sticking out its tongue, standing outdoors near wooden fencing.

Loreto 2024 October Trip

A historic yellow building in Loreto, California, illuminated at night with purple lighting and pink awareness ribbons displayed on the windows and balcony, honoring breast cancer awareness.

Loreto City Hall

Outdoor stage setup with white chairs in front of an old stone tower with a clock, and a yellow building to the side, under a clear blue sky.

Mission Loreto the first of the California missions.

A woman wearing a straw hat, orange top, and sunglasses hanging from her neck, smiling and holding a large shell in an outdoor rustic setting. Another woman nearby is also holding a shell, with chairs, tools, and a tree in the background.
Group of people at an award ceremony, with one person receiving a framed certificate from another on a stage at night, with palm trees and stage lighting in the background.

Carl Morehouse, our Sister City Chair, and the Governor of Baja California Sur

Our October 2023 Ventura Sister City group photo before a trip to the islands

We had a wonderful trip to Loreto in October of 2023!

We had the largest ever from Ventura, including 7 students from various Ventura schools who are all in the Ventura Mission Choir.

We are planning another trip the end of Feb/ early March to see the whale migration.

We also plan to return again in October of 2024! This is when Loreta celebrates the founding of their city.

Group of people sitting at a restaurant table with Mexican food, including tacos and drinks, smiling and enjoying their meal.

Ventura Sister City Chair, Carl, and Vice Chair, Mark, enjoying the wonderful food in Loreto with their wives.

A historic stone church with a bell tower surrounded by palm trees, set against a clear blue sky.
Group of people standing in front of vehicles with a mountain range and palm trees in the background on a sunny day.

Ventura Sister City board members being recognized by the Mayor of Loreto and Governor of Baja Sur

A group of nine people standing on stage during a presentation or ceremony, with a woman speaking at a podium. The stage has a large screen with colorful graphics and text, including the letters "T" and "L" in the background.
Four men standing in a formal meeting room, with one holding a framed certificate or document. The room has wood paneling and raised seating in the background.

November 13th 2023

The Ventura Sister City Association board members were able to present a proclimation of friendship between our cities to our Mayor Joe Schroeder.