Fall 2015

Journal del Pacifico Fall 2015 cover by Kaia ThomsonIt was a long, hot summer with lots of changes, but Journal del Pacifico, your ultimate guide to Baja California arts, culture and adventure, is back and ready for an exciting new season!

Once again, in our Fall 2015 issue, Bryan Jáugerui of Todos Santos Eco-Adventures has written a fascinating article on the importance of mangroves to our fragile coastal ecosystem and how they are threatened by developments. Bryan and her husband, Sergio, will also be speakers at this season’s Todos Santos Writers Workshop in January 2016, “Earth Needs Writers!” See our article in this issue for more information.

The multi-talented Kaia Thomson provided many of the photos for species living amongst the mangroves, this issue’s dramatic cover shot, plus a little fun with area rock formations. She also took the stunning lunar eclipse photos from September 2015 for “El Cielo.”

Mangrove Collage by Tori Sepulveda and Students

Mangrove Collage by Tori Sepulveda and Students

We’d also like to thank the art class of Tori Sepulveda for their lovely collage of the mangrove lifecycle, which was created just for this article. The artists who created this collage were: Tori Sepulveda, Monica Devine, Carol Bailey, Susan Willison, Joanne Spinoza, Christina Douglas and William Dubroraw.

Michael Cope of Galería de Todos Santos shares his experience over the past 20+ years painting and running a gallery in Southern Baja in this issue’s Art Talk.

Also in this issue, Bruce Bennett of Allende Books in La Paz reviewed the bilingual photographic book Tendiendo Redes / Tending Nets by La Paz photographer Alejandro
Rivas Sánchez.

We’d like to welcome Snell Real Estate to Todos Santos. You can find their offices on the newly repaved calle Juárez in Galería La Poza.

Rancho Pescadero is excited to announce their Guest Chef Weekends, a series featuring top culinary talents offering cooking classes, special dinners and more. The series starts November 12-15, with Renee Erickson, author of A Boat, a Whale and A Walrus and Chef/Owner of The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins, and Barnacle in Seattle, plus three new projects opening this fall. In March 2016, Jessica Koslow of the Los Angeles restaurant Sqirl and the soon-to-open Sqirl Away, will be the Guest Chef. Following Knowles, in April will be Executive Chef/Partners Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow of Ne Timeas Restaurant Group in San Francisco (flour + water, Central Kitchen, Aatxe, Café du Nord, salumeria). In May, the resort will host Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton of OX Restaurant in Portland; the couple will be releasing their first cookbook Around the Fire in March 2016.

This November, Pescadero Surf Camp presents Desert Moon—a new hotel right on the Cerritos beach surf break—the perfect location for relaxation and sports activities.
Each of their large rooms with kitchenettes has an ocean view.

Just up the road, FreeSouls offers an amazing culinary experience at Cerritos beach, featuring wood-fired pizzas, fish, lamb, steaks and homemade desserts. Not to mention
the rooftop, ocean view Mediterranean bar and heated swimming pool.

Need a ride? Todos Santos Private Transportation provides professional airport transportation, private car service, transportation for wedding parties, and shopping
services to La Paz or Cabo at daily and hourly rates.

Shut Up Frank’s, Todos Santos’ first sports bar, is under new management. John Brown, with over 40 years bar and restaurant experience, has partnered with Frank Henley. In
addition to the locals’ favorite menu items, John has added his family recipe for Southern fried chicken, homemade meatloaf, world-famous chili, chili dogs and chili cheese
fries—as well as many new specials to come during the season.

Start your NFL Sundays with 2×1 Bloody Marys at Chill N Grill. They’ve also added tasty grilled French bread pizzas topped with pepperoni, veggies and cheese to their menu. Check their facebook page for upcoming live music events. Like their Halloween Party, Friday, October 30th.

Hosting a party or celebrating an upcoming event? Baja Pastry Girl makes custom desserts, cakes, ice cream and pastry with locally sourced and organic ingredients. Her
specialties include pumpkin pie, apple pie, three-berry pie, key lime pie, cheesecake, ginger rum Bundt cake, pumpkin cream pie, fudge, holiday cookies, macaroons, red velvet
cake and fruit tortes. Baja Pastry Girl needs three day notice for an order—call or email now!

New this season, The Todos Santos Speaker Series. This series features six different speakers covering Baja California natural science subjects. Author Graham
Mackintosh, starts the series on December 4, at the Centro Cultural “Prof. Nestor.” Upcoming speakers include: Dr. Jon Rebman, author of the 3rd edition of Baja California
Plant Field Guide; Stephanie Rousso of ProFaunaBaja; and “Indigenous Rock Art of The Baja Cape Region” with Anibal Lopez. Advanced tickets are available at El Tecolote
Bookstore.

ATV Adventures in Las Playitas (north of Todos Santos) provides ATV rentals, fishing and horseback riding. Call their cell (612) 156-4213 for more information.

January 2016, Peter Buck and friends will be back for the 5th Annual Todos Santos Music Festival in partnership with The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. featuring
the strongest musical lineup to date. See our exclusive stories next issue, Holiday 2015/2016. For more information and VI P tickets visit: http://todossantosmusicfestival.com/

We were saddened by the sudden passing of local graphic artist, Jan Piere on October 5. Jan was a frequent Journal del Pacifico advertiser, creative, strong willed and a
memorable person in our pueblo.

Fall / Otoño 2013

We’ve received a lot of great feedback on the Summer issue White Sand Massage and Day Spa feature story. I’m glad that our readers enjoyed learning about facials as much as I enjoyed getting one. This issue I sat down over a couple of beers with local artist “Indian” Dennis to talk about his popular painted cow skulls.

Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach filming biologist Stephanie Rousso, Baja, Mexico, Sea Turtles

Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach filming biologist Stephanie Rousso

This fall I also had the opportunity to spend a night at “sea turtle camp” with Todos Santos Eco Adventures and their wildlife biologist Stephanie Rousso, who wrote “Moon Dance of a Sea Turtle” (JDP Summer 2013 issue). Reading Rainbow producer Kyle Rohrbach was along filming the night patrol for an upcoming episode. We had a lot of fun, learned a lot and saved four Olive Ridley turtle nests.
I hope to share more of my adventures with our readers in upcoming issues.
In this edition, look for our feature story on water—an important issue for all of us living in Baja California Sur. Local artist Nanette Hayles’ “Sea un Avatar” posters benefit the groups working against mining in the Sierra de la Laguna mountains (the source of our water) and are available at Galería NE Hayles and La Esquina in Todos Santos.

We’ve also included a sampling of fun restaurants in Todos Santos. For the complete series of reviews, visit Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ blog.

H2O Water Professionals sell and install state of the art water purification and conditioning systems for homes and businesses. Visit their showroom on Calle Madero in La Paz, or contact their Todos Santos / Pescadero representative.

Rancho la Venta is one of the oldest ranch sites in Southern Baja, located in a greenbelt between San Bartolo and San Antonio. You can enjoy horseback riding, hiking and bird watching on hundreds of acres of mountain trails, swim in their spring-fed granite pool, and lunch on authentic ranch fare including organic veggies from the garden. Touring the wine cellar, vineyard and art studio makes a great day trip, or stay overnight in one of their cozy casitas if you’d like to experience it all.

Many of Journal del Pacifico’s contributors have books coming out soon. Photographer Claude Vogel’s new collection of stunning photographs from the Hotel California is due out in November. Also in November look for Pamela Cobb’s Tales from Tiny Town, a compilation of her experiences since retiring to Todos Santos and illustrated by local artists.

Birding in Baja book by Kaia Thomson, Baja, MexicoPhotographer Kaia Thomson has shared some photos from her 12 years of birding in Baja California Sur on this issue’s cover and in our feature “Birding in Baja.” Her book Birding in Baja California Sur, published by Todos Santos Eco Adventures and produced by Journal del Pacifico, will be out soon!

You’ll be able to find all the above books at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz. El Tecolote also serves up the best espresso in town at their Juice/Espresso Bar. Enjoy a latte, mocha, or Americano coffee or have a delicious juice or smoothie made to order from their large selection of local fruits and veggies! Mmm…

Just behind El Tecolote Bookstore you can find the best handmade chocolates in Todos Santos at Chocolates La Laguna. This year they will also have full-size chocolate bars, including dark chocolate/peppermint, dark chocolate/orange and 66% Mexico Origin dark chocolate.

Jackie Scherer and Keith Van Cleve have published the 4th edition of Some Birds of Baja / Algunas Aves de Baja California (see article in JDP Spring 2012 #4 issue). This book is for sale at the San José Organic Farmer’s Market and at Liga MAC bookstore in San Jose del Cabo.

The improvement project in the “pueblo nuevo” part of Todos Santos has been completed and all the newly paved streets are one way streets now. We’ve highlighted all the one ways in yellow on our Todos Santos map with arrows showing the correct driving direction.

Rancho Pescadero is open again after their summer remodeling. November 14 through 17, they are hosting “The Best of Baja Culinary Weekend.” A “mix + mingle” with Baja’s top chefs and renowned winemaker, Phil Gregory of Vena Cava. Activities include cocktails and cooking classes, demonstrations, wine and tequila tastings and, of course, gourmet dinners.

Hotel Guaycura was also busy remodeling this fall. Their beautiful boutique hotel, restaurant, pool and sky bar are open again in the historic district of Todos Santos. All that is missing is you!

Insurance agent Gaby Trujillo Coronado has opened a new office on the “otro lado” of Todos Santos, called Coronado & Fernandez. They can help you with your auto, home, health and life insurance needs. AF Design & Construction will be sharing the new office space.

Baja Zen yoga studio is now open near Los Cerritos beach. They have morning and evening yoga classes and many interesting workshops scheduled for the upcoming season. Visit their facebook page for details and a map to their location.

Brody’s Pizza, on the road to Cerritos beach, will be serving breakfast in addition to their tasty pizzas this season. Look for them to re-open in November.

Baja Retreats is a new retreat center in Pescadero. Yoga, art, surf, meditation, skim board, nature… Vacation with Inspiration! Call or visit their website for information.

The third Todos Santos Music Festival will take place at the Hotel California January 16 through 25, 2014. For more information, see our blog post and be sure to check out our great feature in the next issue of the JDP about the bands and festival.

If you’ve missed any of the articles or issues mentioned above, you can find them all online, read our blog and find our publishing schedule at: journaldelpacifico.com

Spring 2013 issue–online and on the streets!

We’re already getting rave reviews for the beautiful cover shot of La Balandra Bay by Claude Vogel. This issue we have a great feature on conservation that focuses on two beautiful areas on each side of the peninsula, La Balandra Bay and Cabo Pulmo. This article is written by Sergio and Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures with photos courtesy of Claude Vogel and Patricia Baum. Claude’s photo books of Baja are available at El Tecolote bookstore and Hotel California in Todos Santos and Allende Books in La Paz.

Spanish translations, in this issue, were provided by Elena Ascencio of Todo Ambiente, property management and vacation rentals.

Tiny Town is back after a brief hiatus. This issue’s adventure tells of a trip to Copper Canyon with Guillermo Bueron. Guillermo’s next trip to Copper Canyon will be in late April.

Toyota Los Cabos and Toyota La Paz make maintenance of your Toyota truck or car easy—they service cars and trucks purchased here AND from the United States and Canada. They speak English and their special service unit can come to you—in Loreto, Santa Rosalia, Ciudad Constitución, Insurgentes, Los Barriles, El Triunfo, Pescadero, San Pedrito, Todos Santos… wow. You can also buy Toyota parts and accessories.

GastroVino Festival in Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThe second annual GastroVino Festival will take place in Todos Santos on May 5—Cinco de Mayo. This year there is also a pre-celebration at La Bodega de Todos Santos on calle Hidalgo on May 4. See our article for more information or visit their website at: www.gastrovino.mx

White Sand Massage and Day Spa has developed a 35-step sterilized steam vapor, high frequency laser treatment that treats sagging skin, wrinkles, blackheads, acne, thinning hair, and dark circles under eyes. You can see results in just one session–now available exclusively at White Sand Massage located on calle Militar, in downtown Todos Santos. You can view more photos and information at www.whitesandmassage.com/facials.htm  Drop-in or call for an appointment (612) 145-0571. Their highly skilled trained technicians are available 7 days a week from 10 am to 6 pm.

The weather is heating up and thoughts are turning to a refreshing dip in the pool. Torres Architecture can design and build your saline or chlorine pool.

After a day at the beach, enjoy an Italian style pizza fresh from the wood oven at Brody’s Pizza on the road to Los Cerritos in Pescadero.

Las Palmas Restaurant, next to Baja Bean in Pescadero, is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm.

The non-profit Tortugueros Las Playitas Sea Turtle Conservation Project ranked #1 of 15 attractions in Todos Santos on Trip Advisor. They released 265 Leatherback and over 5,000 Olive Ridley hatchlings this season. For more information, visit: www.todostortugueros.org

Enjoy the experience of horseback riding on the beach at Playitas Horse Rental, just 6 miles north of Todos Santos on the “otro lado.”

Hurricane season is around the corner. Protect your windows, doors and home interior with Baja Hurricane Screens. The angled installation provides an air buffer to protect glass from flying debris and prevents 80% of driven rain from striking the glass. The stainless steel anchors and fittings provide maintenance-free, long term anchoring in a coastal marine air environment. They also come with a 10 year non-prorated warranty.

It’s sport fishing season too! CaboMagic Fishing provides first class and affordable sports fishing adventures in Cabo. Visit their website at: www.cabomagic.com

Spring 2013 Issue of Journal del Pacifico
Download Spring 2013 in PDF format

The new Fall issue

Journal del Pacifico Fall 2012 cover, Baja, MexicoWelcome back to all of you who escaped the summer heat. This past summer has been one of our rainiest in years and the desert is in bloom! We’re already getting lots of positive comments on our night cover shot of one of the beaches at Rancho Las Cruces by Kamal Schramm Rodriguez.

Pescadero Properties has moved to a new location in the heart of downtown Todos Santos—Plaza Antigua, upstairs in Local #9. You can still reach Roc at the same email and phone numbers. Raquel and Frimar accounting have also moved to Galeria “A” at calles Centenario and Hidalgo.

Coming soon in Todos Santos—The Distillery offering artisan spirits, beer, wine, food tours, tastings and takeout. The Distillery is located next door to La Bodega de Todos Santos on calle Hidalgo.

Tortugueros Las Playitas sea turtle hatchling release program will begin November 15 in Las Tunas. The new incubation greenhouse is located on the beach between Calle Los Mangos and Camino Internacional. There will be daily releases, open to the public and free of charge, at sunset through January.

Hotel Casa Tota and Restaurant La Santeña celebrate their one year anniversary on November 17. ¡Felicidades!

PHairy Godmother Hair Designs by Robin Austin will be at Pura Vida Health Food Store & Deli in November offering haircuts, color, and styling. For over 20 years, Robin Austin has done 100’s of professional weddings and formal hair and is well known for her excellence, precision, and customer 100 percent satisfaction guarantee approach. email: PHairyGodMother@aol.com  tel. (612) 145-0471.

Shut Up Frank’s, the local hangout in Todos Santos for 20 years, has four HD TV’s showing all NFL and NHL games along with UFC and boxing. On Monday nights watch the game and enjoy “all you can eat” spaghetti. Their menu includes the best burger in Baja along with wings, specialty salads, fish and chips and more. Check with Steve for their live music and karaoke schedules.

Rancho Pescadero and Chef Bueno will welcome Chefs Kelly Liken and Tim Goodell for a weekend of food, wine, and much more November 29 – December 2. See Workshop and or call Rancho Pescadero for more information.

Visit the Cerritos Beach Brewing Company in Pescadero for good times, great beer and live music. They also serve up homemade root beer and hearty sandwiches and salads. Stop in for a cold beer, game of pool or play board games.

Como El Sol is now located in El Pescadero at the Plaza San Antonio, local #6, at the south side of the entrance to Pescadero. Adam is happy to help you with all your solar energy needs.

This winter, take part in cooking classes that are both interesting and informative. Buen Provecho will introduce a new series of cooking classes in La Paz, with Se Habla… La Paz Spanish Language School. Se Habla owner Juli Goff says “it’s about the cuisines of Mexico, but so much more. It brings in history, archaeology, linguistics, and the role of the ingredients in the daily lives of people, it’s fascinating!” Buen Provecho partners Denise Elliott, a professional chef/instructor and Renée Lagloire, a social anthropologist, have all the ingredients to keep you engaged in Mexican culture and cuisine. The afternoon classes will be starting in December/January. Be sure to check  for additional information about course content, fees, and a calendar of classes. Registration and payment for classes will be through www.SeHablaLaPaz.com

Todos Santos Music Festival 2013 poster, Baja, MexicoMark your calendar, the Hotel California will present the second Todos Santos Music Festival January 10 through 26, 2013 benefiting the Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has hand-picked this year’s lineup of artists. Visit TodosSantosMusicFestival.com to reserve your ticket today!

The La Paz Reggae Fest takes place December 1 at San Pedrito Beach. Doors open at 10 am for a full day of music, with camping available too! La Paz band Riddim Forz welcomes reggae musicians from Jamaica, England, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Baja California Sur. Also, special guests Wheatbread Johnson and Terry Townson. See ‘Events’ for more information.

November 1st is the deadline for our big Holiday issue with exclusive Todos Santos Music Festival interviews, Whale watching adventures and more!