Unusual beauty scenery and large biological diversity

throughout history El Pinacate has been considered as one of the most arid and inhospitable regions of the Sonoran Desert. El Pinacate is not far from being a biologically rich region. The volcanic shield of El Pinacate and the ocean of stabilized, semi-stabilized and active sand dunes that surround it form the core of the Great Desert and extend 1,765,706 acres.
Recent activity has turned this area into an open air biological laboratory. It’s biological diversity and unusual beauty has captured the interest of researchers, naturalists and tourists throughout the world.
All biological groups of higher vertebrates are represented despite de scarce rainfalls, lack of surface water and extreme summer temperatures which can reach over 110 F degrees. There are 41 native mammal and five introduced species. Five of these are in the protected category: The Pronghorn Antelope, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Badger, Desert Foxes and Long Nosed Bats.

Field of Dunes and Volcanic Gigantic Maar-type Craters
The majestic granite mountain ranges, enormous field of dunes and 1,250,000 acres of volcanic shield with gigantic Maar-type craters without a doubt have turned El Pinacate into one of the world’s most interesting tourist attractions. Additionally this region contains an excellent representation of the Mexican Sonoran Desert ecosystems.
To visit El Pinacate National Park is to meet with millenary events that are engraved in the Dark rocks and to perceive ancestral songs floating in the deserts silence.

Location
El Pinacate National Park is a biosphere reserve located in Northwestern of Mexico, east of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) in the Sonoran Desert which is directly below the border US state of Arizona and north of the town of Puerto Peñasco Sonora (Rocky Point).
It is one of the most strikingly visible land forms in North America when viewed from space. Much of its landscape is formed of a volcano system of cylinder cones known as El Pinacate

source: www.sonorandeserttours.com

During the memorial ceremony on the island of San Pedro, in Yuriria, Guanajuato, the Secretary said that with this designation Mexico is now second in the world, behind only the United Kingdom, in the number of Ramsar sites it currently has. One hundred and thirty one sites exist and cover a total surface of eight million, 915 thousand, 433.7 hectares. The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty, which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation on the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Mexico joined the Convention on November 4, 1986.

The wetlands of Bahía San Jorge extend over more than 35 linear kilometers of coastline, from the northern tip of Estero Almejas to the southern tip of Estero San Francisquito. This Ramsar site brings together a combination of habitats, marshes, low intertidal mud, salt marshes, coastal dunes, sandy beaches, permanent shallow marine waters and wetland-terrestrial interface, connecting the earth system with one of the most productive marine systems world, the Gulf of California, and are in turn connected to the Sonoran Desert.

Currently, this area is of great importance for fisheries and aquaculture production, and for species, such as rays, guitarfish, shark, octopus, shrimp, and crab. Like other estuaries in the region, Bahía San Jorge’s wetlands serve as nesting, resting and feeding grounds for migratory and resident birds that are part of the Pacific Flyway, including species like the least tern, the American oystercatcher and savanna sparrow. The canals and marshes of the site serve as refuge and feeding areas for the larval and juvenile stages of fish and invertebrates, and as well as for feeding grounds for marine species. Bahía San Jorge also hosts a resident population of the bottlenose dolphin, an endangered species. There are also endemic species not found anywhere else in the world there, like the fisherman myotis bat.

The declaration of the Bahía San Jorge’s wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance increases support for conservation and sustainable use, which helps protect its ecological integrity, and continues to maintain important ecological functions and environmental services.

Source: CedoIntercultural. Gob

The history of the oyster faros of Puerto Peñasco lies with the settlers of this city due to the Fact. That in the 1970s when it was decided to utilize the Morua Estuary for this activity, it was the site of a shipwreck of a Viking-type vessel, which was known as Barco Viejo. On weekends, townsfolk would take the family out to see it, due to the shallow water.
 

  These days the place is visited annually by thousands of tourists, both national and foreign, who appreciate the beautiful scenery, and also by those who love the succulent and flavorful oysters, taken fresh from the sea to the table. There is also cevcheof sierra and cochito fish. Prices are also very attractive.
 

  Only 7 kilometers from the city on the highway to Caborca, close to the Las Conchas cutoff, you will see the access road to the oyster farms. The road is in good condition and can accommodate all types of of vehicles, but it should be noted that if you are in a small car, take the high road as the tide can come in quite suddently.
 

  In the area there are three oyster farms, one of which is owned solely by women. A group of 16 womwn and their families, who on weekends take turns working the restaurant, serving customers typical seafood dishes
 

  If you think you would like to taste these wonderful oysters taken right from the sea, do not hesitate to visit the Oyster Farm of Puerto Peñasco.
 

The US/Mexican war ended in 1846, and a joint commission was set up to establish where the new border between the two countries would be. Negotiations continued until 1853, when a gentleman named James Gadsden, a railroad promoter from South Carolina, was authorized by US Congress to make 5 different secret offers to the Mexican Government, which would be anywhere from $15 million to $50 million. Each option would would include enough territory for the US to have a soujthern railroad route to the Pacific Ocean, and, in turn, a seaport on the Sea of Cortez. At the time, the president of Mexico, general Santa Ana (of Alamo fame), didn’t want to give up control of the territory connecting the mainland Mexico to the Baja Pennisula. In 1854, Congress agreed to the demands of Gen. Santa Ana and paid $10 million for the territory that now makes up our southern portions of New Mexico and Arizona. This land known as the Gadsden Purchase, included both Tucson and Yuma, but did not include access to the Sea of Cortez. Because of this, Arizona lost the chance to have its own beach front property.

In the 1920’s, two lone fisherman, Victor and Benjamin Bustamante, discovered giant schools of beautiful blue shrimp in the waters around the “rocky point”, which was known then as Cerro de Penasco, but changed to Puerto penasco when other fisherman began to movie into town.

In 1929, a US Mafioso named John Stone, who was known to associate with Al Capone, saw the areas potential to be a resort destination. John decided to build a hotel and drill a well for fresh water. By 1931, Stone had managed to alienate many of the local officials, and because of this, he lost his license to do business in the area. Before his unwilling departure, Stone burned his hotel and dynamited the well, leaving Rocky Point without fresh water once again. The hotel was rebuilt by the Bustamante Brothers and became the Hotel Penasco (still standing today).  

In 1936, the President of Mexico, Lazaro Cardenas, visited Rocky Point and saw that the area had such a tremendous potential. He ordered a peir to be constructed for the local fishing fleet. He was also responsible for the first railroad that connected Rocky Point with mexicali and the Border.

Finally, in 1955, the shrimp industry stared to boom! Markets in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Tucson, and Phoenix were developed, and Rocky Point was finally on the way to becoming something more than just a small fishing village.

Here are some photos we scanned from a old copy of Arizona Highways Magazine from 1964.

Let’s continue this walk in the past with some photos from the beautiful state of Sonora. I will descibe the location of each photo as we go along (3 at a time).

Lets begin with 3 photos of Hermosillo. The first phots is an overview of the beautiful city, which is the Capital City of Sonora. The second photo is the Hermosillo Museum and Library. The third photo is of a beautiful Cathedral in Hermosillo.

Next 3 photos: The first photo is the University of Sonoran in Hermosillo. The second photo is Plaza of the Constitution in Hermosillo. The third photo is the Histiric Kino Mission at Cabora.

Next 3 photos: The first photo is The Old and new Mission in Cocospera. The second photo is Sonora’s Obregon Dam. The third photo is a view from Mocuzari Dam on the Maya River.

Next 3 photos: The first photo is a Mission at Magdalen. The second photo is a view of Magdalena. The third photo is Kino Bay.

Next last 3 photos: The first photo is San Carlos. The second photo is Nogales in the mid 60’s. The third photo is Nogales Famous La Caverna Cafe.

Here is one more item for your viewing pleasure. Here is a photo of a .50 cent paper bill from 1915. The actual size is about the same size as Monopoly money. Thank you Senor Steve for sharing it with us!     ** Did you notice where the bill was made? **

Now, jumping forward 40 years to 2007, Rocky Point is the “hot spot” for endless hours of fun in the sun. You can find just about everything you will need to make your vacation absolutey unforgettable. You don’t believe me? Well, lets just list some of the wonderful things Rocky Point has to offers you and your guest.

Activities: Ultra Light Rides, Kite Surfing, Golfing, Ocean Kayaking, Jet Ski & Wave Runners, Quads, ATV’s & Golf Cart Rentals, Parasailing, Banana Boat Rides, Horse Back Rides, Fishing Charters, Cet Mar Aquaruim, Diving, Snorkeling, Pinacate Mountain Range Tours, Oyster Farms, Beach Weddings, Day Spas, Day Trips to Bird Island, and Whale Watching, which is seasonal.

Don’t forget about all the wonderful events that Rocky Point host every year.

Yearly Events: Angler of the Year Fishing Derby, Over the Line Softball Tournamant, Volleyball on the Beach, Sky Divers, Tri-Athalons, Easter and Holy Week, Cinco De Mayo, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, One Club Open Golf, Mexican Independance Day, Memorial Day, Day of the dead, and the big one in March, Spring Break. Rocky Point also has a wonderful variety of Internation Cuisine, which includes Italian, Japanese, German, American, and Mexican. For more listings, click: Restaurants

Now, the best way to really show you Rocky Point is with photos for you to enjoy. I have done just that by adding over 100 photos that will show you Rocky Point in all its splendor! I tried not to use photos we have already used on other pages, so many of these photos are new! I truly hope you like them.

I hope you have enjoyed the photos everyone. If you have any questions, or if you would like to make a reservation for Rocky Point, please contact Shea at 602-404-2982 or 1-866-785-2350. I am always happy to help.

All information was researched and provided by Shea Peil at seasideshea@gmail.com