Page 81 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL WINTER SPRING 2022

We parked at the foot of the giant sspecimen
towering over the sandy lot that marked the en-
trance to Cataviña’s famed archaeological site. A
dusty footpath led to a secluded cave with walls
covered in pre-historic human and animal figures
dating back 10,000 years, yet still surprisingly
vivid. Perhaps most surprising of all was the lack
of modern graffiti. Here it seems, visitors have
learned to show respect to ancient sites.
Art of a more contemporary kind was on display
at the Hotel Misión Cataviña, a three-minute drive
away. A pit stop allowed us to peruse the art-lined
the walls and hallways of this 45-room hotel, a
welcome oasis in this extraordinarily diverse Baja
California desert. Soon, we were headed towards
San Quintin and the juncture with Highway 1 that
lead north to the border.
Mike had one more delectable stop in mind on
the edge of San Quintin. At another of his favorite
taco stands, Los Compadres, the young owner and
his wife bustled seamlessly between two vats of
sizzling oil, and handed us tacos hot from the pan
so we could top the Baja specialty with a fresh
tomato and cilantro salsa, a fitting conclusion to
Baja California’s enticing cultural attractions.

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