The Town of San Carlos

Ostensibly, the main activity I had in mind when planning my trip to San Carlos, was writing. In particular, picking up on the story I began last November about a Coyote, with the momentary working title "Point B." And although I have only this week finally begun to revisit my Coyote Story, I have indeed been writing. This blog has been an interesting exercise. On a day when I post an entry, you can be sure I have spent no less than two hours on it, and on occasion, when there are a lot of photos, up to four hours. So I think it's safe to say I've spent at least 20 hours a week writing since leaving home exactly one month ago today. Make no mistake, I'm enjoying every minute of blogging.

So, while I may feel a bit behind schedule with Point B, over the past few weeks I have at least developed the discipline of sitting down and writing on an almost daily basis. In doing so, it has gotten the creative juices going so that Tuesday when I finally opened my Point B manuscript, it suddenly felt less daunting - evening promising - although many many months and years are aheadof me on this project.

It has occurred to me that in order to continue to have things to tell you about, I have to continue to go out and DO things, and have FUN, see new sights, take pictures, research the things I'm writing about, etc. Wow. What a tough assignment - haha. But in truth it IS time consuming. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been guilty at some point of looking at a daily newspaper columnist such as Erma Bombeck, Dave Barry and others and thought "man what an easy gig. One little column a day." Now I know better. Between the actual writing, the photos, the editing, and the going and finding things - it can be a full time stint.

That being said, now that I am in fact back to working on Point B, as well as learning the mandolin, and beginning my course study for Scuba Certification, there may be days I have to put in some filler things in this blog, since I won't necessarily have anything new to write about.

So today I thought I'd tell about the history of this town I'm staying in, San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

San Carlos is home to several thousand American and Canadian retirees and is a relatively new resort and township. It is sometimes referred to as Guaymas Nuevo (New Guaymas) as it's history is tied to the seaport town of Guaymas about seven miles away.

In the Mid 1950's, Rafael T. Caballero purchased three large ranches and began planning and development of San Carlos. The idea of a low density, environmentally friendly resort and retirement community has been proven to be successful. He contracted the services of City planners who designed the first stages of a gradual and carefully planned tourist development that in time would become one of the first and most important tourist and recreational communities in the State.


By 1963 a "Master Plan" was in place and the infrastructure development underway. In these days of "Mega Resort" developments, San Carlos still retains a "small town" feeling with "5 star" services and amenities in a safe and secure "magical" setting. For thousands of years the energy and beauty of the mountains, desert and sea have captured the hearts and minds of all who visit here. It was at this time that it officially become a "commissarait" of Guaymas in September 1963.

In the 1960's, San Carlos caught the eye of the motion picture industry from California - going 'Hollywood' as the location site of many movies, including 'Catch 22' -starring Alan Arkin, "Lucky Lady" with Liza Minelli, and in 1998 the Antonio Banderas version of "The Mask of Zorro." In fact, the film makers for The Mask of Zorro approached the Berryhills about using their colonial style home as part of the set. It was tempting, but they gave it a pass. Visions of mass destruction of their home with sword fights and swinging from the chandelier made declining seem the wise choice. I know anyone in theatre thinks twice before loaning a personal item as a prop piece for a play. Things happen. Theatre and movie making are not necessarily gentle or kind to their surroundings.

The history of San Carlos - where the desert meets the sea - goes hand in hand with that of the Guaymas port, when the Sea of Cortez became popular for the excellent sports fishing during the 50's. The flow of visitors from the north increased considerably and there was a big demand for better tourist services and accommodations.

Since then, the area has attracted other investors and businessmen who chose San Carlos to build the first marina in Mexico , and later develop an 18-hole golf course, hotels, tourist complexes, condominiums and more.


San Carlos has unique geological and geographic conformation that seem to combine every type of Sonoran landscape in one place.


With plenty of fertile land, bays for sheltering boats and excellent underwater spots for scuba diving, San Carlos gradually became the favorite place for boat owners and for tourists with a preference for water sports and marine activities.

In some ways, the development of San Carlos reminds me a bit of what my Uncle George has done over the years at the Lake outside of Winnipeg, building marinas, cabins and developing the frozen midwest into a summer escape for Manitobans.



The lifestyle here is colorful, full of Mexican flavor with modern conveniences. The largest part of the population is American or Canadian, so the style contrasts greatly with the neighboring town and the rest of the state. There is a notable preference for colonial architecture, lush gardens, bright flowers in large clay pots, carved wood and leather furniture, ceramic vases and Mexican paintings.

Historic documents ascribe the name of San Carlos to a Spanish vessel, which found shelter in the bay during the time of the Conquistodores.

San Carlos is historically tied to the town of Guaymas, with tales of conquering, war, Indigenious inhabitants, Poncho Villa, pirates and much more. Very recently the port has been dredged to accommodate cruise ships. Would it be hypocritical of me to express dismay about something that would bring in more tourists?

I hope to visit Guaymas while here. I understand there is much to see there. Funny how I can feel the weeks here slipping away. Time goes so fast. But I'll get there. I mean - I have to! For the Blog! For the Blog! Yeah!