Inspired by actual events. EL CAMINO REAL is the story of Elena and Miguel Hernandez, who work, love and do what they must to live the American Dream as best they can. Unexpectedly, Elena is called to her Mexican village so she might be with her dying father. This is the first time she has returned to the village in more than ten years. She makes the brief but fateful journey from her home in San Diego to the village where she was born. Being undocumented, after her fathers death, she is forced to use a coyote in order to return to her family home. Her journey is complicated and made even more dangerous by out of control wildfires along the border.