October is finally here! Weather has improved and is now hovering at around a very pleasant 31/22 Celsius (88/71 F), the mosquitoes –I hope- will soon be leaving (we had a very wet summer this year) and the mornings and evenings are starting to feel clean and crisp again…ultimately this means that once again we will see the usual influx of our dear “Snow Birds” from Canada and the United States. Welcome back to Guaymas & San Carlos! We’ve missed you dearly!
The pearl has been here since 1994 but we still hear –from our visitors- that it is a bit difficult to reach our pearl farm since there are not enough road or street signs to point them on their way. So this Blog post is all about just trying to help you out to reach us in the least possible time.
One possible way is for you to simply click on this Bing Maps link so you can follow the detailed and updated instructions, or you can read the rest of this post to obtain more information. Since I will be writing for some very long hours I do hope you will be kind enough to read the rest 
.
So let us first head out of San Carlos (you are possibly already there) and towards the international (Guaymas-Hermosillo) highway. On your way there you have a couple of options: the “Scenic Route” or the “Fast Route”. Which one to take? It’s your choice but let me tell you the advantages of each.
The Scenic Route (Dolphinarium & Tinajas)
I love this route when I am relaxed from a day at the beach or desert in San Carlos and driving back with my family, specially when the sunset is coming…beautiful, stunning views of both Bacochibampo and San Francisco Bays. I specially LOVE the way the sunsets behind the “León Echado” island (Sitting Lion)…but I don’t have any great photos of this view so I would ask you to view the ones taken by Maru Ayón and Fernanda Calderón. Please do visit their page about this beautiful island for more amazing photos and a some really good information.
Other nice views include the Natural Preserve of “Estero del Soldado” and our coastline…where the Sonoran Desert meets the Gulf of California.
You take this route from the main San Carlos highway (Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones) to your right (where the ocean is) and just follow its path and avoiding all the potholes on the way (after this very rainy season we have an outlandish collection of potholes all over the area) which actually makes for a very interesting ride and helps hone your driving skills. You will see the road signs (white text on blue background) that will inform you by means of the words “Delfinario” (Dolphinarium) or “Granja de Perlas” (Pearl Farm). Eventually you will arrive at a residential area (Tinajas) that has cobblestone streets and probably one of the places where the famous Irish rock band “U2” became inspired to write their 1986 instant success song “Where the Streets have No Name”: Yes, we actually have a street officially named “Calle Sin Nombre” (No Name Street).
Anyway, just keep driving by following the path of the road and it will constrict to a narrow 2-way road and just keep going straight ahead. You will eventually arrive at an intersection with Boulevard Luis Encinas Johnson. There are a couple of signs there, one says “ITESM” (the old name of our school, were the farm is presently located), there is another one that says “Granja de Perlas” in the official white-blue system and the main sign that tell you to take the right to “Miramar”. Take to right after the stop sign.
This is what you will see once you take to the right: a wide boulevard. Notice the speed bump ahead: reduce your speed to a halt and have your car crawl on top of it and then down. Your car’s mufflers will thank you. Keep driving straight ahead.
You will see two Oxxo stores coming up (the first one to your left, on the “Las Perlas” residential area…but this is not the farm site)…and this is just an interesting note on the side: there are so many Oxxo convenience stores in Guaymas now that you can use them as road markers…or not.
Just keep driving and before you see the 2nd Oxxo (on your right) you will find another large speed-bump, just do as before.
Keep driving straight ahead, the road will curve a bit and head to the “Miramar” area. You will see an official sign on the right again. Don’t take to the right or you will head to the “Miramar” residential and beach area. Just drive ahead and you will now notice another musical landmark…The Wall.
Please do not confuse this brown, rustic brick wall as the inspiration for Pink Floyd’s successful album “The Wall”: this wall serves no purpose but to rob us of the beautiful views of the sunset, so just drive ahead until you see the main entrance to the “Hotel Playas de Cortés”.
Now, don’t drive inside the hotel unless you plan to spend a bit of time inside this beautiful Hacienda-like hotel, or go to its restaurant-bar and enjoy a drink and admire the amazing woodwork, or just stay there and watch the sun slowly melting into the horizon.
Focus! You’re trying to reach the Pearl Farm…so now just kind of turn your head to the left and notice a small “Police shack”, a beautiful Jacaranda tree (usually flowering year round with fiery orange flowers) and another sign that lets you know you are on your way…
Drive straight into the road and you are now in the “Lomas de Cortés” residential area. Just drive a bit and you will have a round-about to your left, but you don’t want to go there…the ocean will be on your right side so keep to your right. You will notice another (small) sign under the tree that lets you know you should keep to your right. Right?
Drive slowly since there are always some potholes in this area and also a couple of small speed bumps (not “epic speed bumps”, like the previous ones).
There will be no more signs or indications on this part, but just keep to your right and on the main street (called Boulevard Lomas de Cortés) until you see a big square-shaped entrance in a blue-pistachio green color (I suggested they should have added a dash of “flamingo pink” to make it more appealing but they did not take to my suggestion) with a big sign that says “Universidad Tec Milenio”, but never to be overshadowed we have our own sign next to the guard post that says “Bienvenidos to Perlas del Mar de Cortez”.
Drive past the square arch and there may be a school guard at the entrance who will ask you some questions in Spanish, so a quick “No hablo Español” or a “las perlas” will do for you. There is a nice parking area and just park where you want, take a flight of steps up the main white colored building (called CECARENA) and you have arrived!
It wasn’t that hard…was it?!?!?!? I don’t know…I always drive on auto-pilot so I cannot be the better judge, so if you feel like you have a suggestion please do let me know how I can improve this tutorial and I will be more than happy to better it for you all .
Now I will continue with the detailed explanation on the route I call the “Fast Route”.
Fast Route – Main Highway Road
Unlike the “Scenic” or “Dolphinarium road” route, this one comes into Guaymas by traveling on the Nogales-Mexico City highway so you have to head out of the San Carlos-Nuevo Guaymas area and turn right onto the international road and just keep driving ahead into Guaymas.
You will see some landmarks such as “Home Depot” (on your right side) and “Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club” on your left. But before I continue I have to make a small advertisement about one of my favorite restaurants in the area: “Los Arbolitos de Cajeme”.
This is one of the places where we take our valued guests and friends out for dinner or lunch, great place for steaks but it really shines on the seafood side. The octopus…you really have to try the “Pulpo a las Brasas” if you don’t try anything else, a simple yet incredibly tasty delicacy. This restaurant is somewhat pricey, but if you feel like having a great Sonoran food experience this is the place to stop at. So, if you feel like eating here it is just across from Wal-Mart and the food at this location is far better than the one in San Carlos, where you have a much better view, so it all depends: do you enjoy your meal much more than the view??? You decide.
Anyway, just keep driving towards Guaymas. On the horizon you will see our only overhead pass and behind it the “Holiday Inn’s” tower. This is one of our most important or neuralgic area since many universities, schools, temples…and Shrines for taste buds (restaurants) are located. So keep an eye open for those! The area where we have the “Cinemex” movie theatre is a place where you can also enjoy great coffee at “Mr. John’s Coffee Shop”, ice cream at “Thrifty’s”, sushi and Asian cuisine at “Konuti Sushi” and finally all sorts of healthy foods at “City Salads”.
Another great restaurant that I and my family enjoy is “Mariscos El Rey” for both hot and cold seafood delicacies…the “Ceviche mitotero” is a great option, but the tacos, fish fillets and specialties like the “Mirrey” will be sure to please all…and the prices are a bit less pricey than the previous restaurant. This restaurant will be on your left side so it is best to visit it once you come back from the farm…you will drive on the overhead pass/bridge and just as you come to the main avenue you are there! Just find a parking spot and you are done…by the way, if it is your birthday do inform the waiter and they will treat you right!
Anyway, you must now take to your right and you will merge with the overhead pass’ traffic so be careful. There will be a 2 way stop sign ahead. Stop, wait your turn and drive.
Now, this is yet another good food option! This is “Mariscos El Mazateño” where you can enjoy a hot or fresh seafood meal in a palapa setting (meaning: no AC). This restaurant’s main hit are its tacos…unlike any other tacos in the region I may add: they do have the traditional “fish tacos” that everyone has but they also marinate their seafood with spicy hot sauces and then add cheddar cheese on top and…man! They are really good! The octopus, the “Perrón” and the “Mazateño” are my personal favs. By the way, their prices are a bit lower so you can eat more and spend less.
That was my last “foodie” suggestion, now I have to concentrate on getting you to the farm! Focus!
Ok, just drive ahead and you will have a Gym on your right side (just after seeing a building called “Titanic” that is kind of shaped like a big boat) and you will notice a big speed bump. Come to an almost –better yet, a full- stop and “climb” this speed bump. Continue driving.
This is what you will see ahead of you: a wide boulevard. Notice the speed bump ahead so reduce your speed to a halt and have your car crawl on top of it and then down. Your car’s mufflers will thank you. Keep driving straight ahead.
You will see two Oxxo stores coming up (the first one to your left, on the “Las Perlas” residential area…but this is not the farm site)…and this is just an interesting note on the side: there are so many Oxxo convenience stores in Guaymas now that you can use them as road markers…or not.
Just keep driving and before you see the 2nd Oxxo (on your right) you will find another large speed-bump, just do as before.
Keep driving straight ahead, the road will curve a bit and head to the “Miramar” area. You will see an official sign on the right again. Don’t take to the right or you will head to the “Miramar” residential and beach area. Just drive ahead and you will now notice another musical landmark…The Wall.
Please do not confuse this brown, rustic brick wall as the inspiration for Pink Floyd’s successful album “The Wall”: this wall serves no purpose but to rob us of the beautiful views of the sunset, so just drive ahead until you see the main entrance to the “Hotel Playas de Cortés”.
Now, don’t drive inside the hotel unless you plan to spend a bit of time inside this beautiful Hacienda-like hotel, or go to its restaurant-bar and enjoy a drink and admire the amazing woodwork, or just stay there and watch the sun slowly melting into the horizon.
Focus! You’re trying to reach the Pearl Farm…so now just kind of turn your head to the left and notice a small “Police shack”, a beautiful Jacaranda tree (usually flowering year round with fiery orange flowers) and another sign that lets you know you are on your way…
Drive straight into the road and you are now in the “Lomas de Cortés” residential area. Just drive a bit and you will have a round-about to your left, but you don’t want to go there…the ocean will be on your right side so keep to your right. You will notice another (small) sign under the tree that lets you know you should keep to your right. Right?
Drive slowly since there are always some potholes in this area and also a couple of small speed bumps (not “epic speed bumps”, like the previous ones).
There will be no more signs or indications on this part, but just keep to your right and on the main street (called Boulevard Lomas de Cortés) until you see a big square-shaped entrance in a blue-pistachio green color (I suggested they should have added a dash of “flamingo pink” to make it more appealing but they did not take to my suggestion) with a big sign that says “Universidad Tec Milenio”, but never to be overshadowed we have our own sign next to the guard post that says “Bienvenidos to Perlas del Mar de Cortez”.
Drive past the square arch and there may be a school guard at the entrance who will ask you some questions in Spanish, so a quick “No hablo Español” or “a las perlas” will do for you. There is a nice parking area and just park where you want, take a flight of steps up the main white colored building (called CECARENA) and you have arrived!
It wasn’t that hard…was it?!?!?!? I don’t know…I always drive on auto-pilot so I cannot be the better judge, so if you feel like you have a suggestion please do let me know how I can improve this tutorial and I will be more than happy to better it for you all .
Closing Remarks
So, how did you like this “Pearl Farm Road Map”??? Does it provide you with useful information? Did it help you reach the farm more easily? Did you like the food?
In any case, I would love to hear from you and make improvements required to help you –our valued friends and customers-reach our Pearl farm with ease, safety…and a full stomach 
Have a great trip to Guaymas-San Carlos and enjoy your stay here with us. Thank you!
