San Felipe's modern history dates from 1876 when the Mexican government signed a colonization contract with one Guillermo Andrade who acquired some 30,000 hectares but died before his plans were realized.

Although the first fish camp was formed in 1904, it was not until 1925 that the first sub-delegation was created and San Felipe began to develop as an organized community.  The first fishing society was founded in 1928, the first school established in 1929, and the first tourist facilities in the early 1950's.  Electricity was provided in 1963 and the first potable water in 1967.  And, it is delightful to find, there are men and women living here today who were born in San Felipe in the early 1930s.

San Felipe today is a thriving community of more than 20,000 permanent residents and an additional 7,000 visiting Americans, Canadians and Europeans-providing a variety of goods and services enjoyed by all.