Misión El Descanso was the brainchild of Dominican missionaries having trouble with consistent flooding at neighboring Misión San Miguel because they had constructed it too close to the Guadalupe River. Vowing to find higher ground and a more practical location, they discovered the preferable El Descanso site on the banks of an arroyo in the El Descanso valley and in 1817 charged Dominican Tomás de Ahumada with the task of establishing their new Misión.

Over time the El Descanso land was developed for agriculture and several buildings were constructed, including a chapel, sacristy and missionary rooms in the form of a square. Walls were created using an especially tough adobe made from a specialized mixture of pebbles, crushed shells, sand, soil, water and clay. Roofs were woven together from rush branches placed over oaken beams.

The Dominican missionaries took pride in cultivating their vegetable and grain crops, orchards, and vineyard which thrived thanks to the relatively mild and humid climate of the Pacific Coast region. They grazed domesticated animals like sheep and cows in local pastures and enjoyed trading with sea vessels which cruised the Baja California coastline looking for goods such as grains, vegetables and otter pelts.

After Father Félix Caballero built the adobe chapel in 1830, Kumeyaay neophytes from both Misión El Descanso and Misión San Miguel came to worship frequently at the new site. However, this success was short-lived. Just four years later, thanks to politics and the wishes of a new Mexican government, the Catholic Misión system was abandoned all throughout Baja and Alta California.  (parts from an unkwown author, source wikipedia)

Today to the North of Mision El Descanso stands a newly constructed residential development duly name El Descanso. Constisting of a Mission styling with modern amenities.  Views into the adjacent arroyo allow for spectacular views  all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  Prices are moderate, with living space from 1200 square feet. Annual property taxes for these homes are only a few hundred dollars yearly. With a moderate climate you can look forward to great weather most of the year.    

Living is easy in Baja.  Come see for your self.

Call today for an appointment to see El Descanso