This is What Community Looks Like

Journal del Pacifico Spring 2020 cover by Kate TurningThe communities of Todos Santos and Pescadero have been working through these trying times, finding ways to adapt to the many changes, figuring out business options, and reaching out to help those in need. These individuals are neither heroes nor saints but are the backbone for real community that we love.

Many local restaurants have found creative ways to stay open by offering takeout and delivery options.

Chill N Grill has curbside pickup for their full menu and pizza, Monday – Friday, 4 – 8 pm, and Taco Tuesday again! Call to order, 6121450014.

Chez Laura and Poke Loco have teamed up to offer daily specials Wednesday – Saturday. You can also order Chez Laura’s delicious bread!

Gallo Azul has pizza and beer to go and offers home delivery, Tuesday – Sunday, 2:30 – 8 pm. Call to order, 6121588457.

Shut Up Frank’s has their full menu and beer available for takeout and delivery, Wednesday – Sunday, 12 – 8 pm. Call to order, 6121450707.

Todos Santos Brewing is providing people with that valuable substance – beer. You can refill your growlers Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12 – 2 pm. Checkout their Facebook page for brew master, Ted Mitchell, performing his original acoustic tunes for our listening pleasure.

Palmar in Pescadero has their full menu available for takeout, Monday – Saturday, 12 – 7 pm. Order in advance via Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.

Area grocery and specialty stores have stepped up to the “new norm” by asking customers to wear masks and limiting the number of people in the store at one time.

Pura Vida Health Food and Deli is open Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. You can shop at the store or place your order for pickup. They offer personal delivery to Pescadero on Thursdays and Las Tunas on Fridays. They are also taking orders for Costco purchases.

Que Rico has recently changed ownership but continues stock the same great local products. They are open Tuesday – Thursday, 11 am – 5 pm. They also have cloth face masks for sale made by Manos Magicas sewing team.

You can order from Mini Super Munchies online, by WhatsApp or Messenger, Monday – Friday, 12 – 4 pm and pickup at their location.

Todos Santos Private Transportation and Todos Santos Eco Adventures have been working with ACTS to distribute food to area families in need. And Mario Surf School has also been helping the group distributing pet food to families in need.

Todos Santos Private Transportation also is offering shopping service to La Paz or Cabo.

Farmacia San Benito and St. Jude’s pharmacy are open regular business hours and stocking hand sanitizer, alcohol, vitamins, and all your needs. Farmacia San Benito can special order medications as well.

St. Jude’s Medical Center is open and seeing patients.

Cuatro Vientos recently offered 5 Days of Fitness Zoom classes as a fundraiser for ACTS.

Cate Thomassen, shardArtist, donated an original mosaic table for a fundraiser raffle for the Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska. Tori Sepulveda was the proud winner.

You can still learn or improve your Spanish from home. Hablando Mexicano is offering online Spanish classes.

Mail Boxes Todos Santos continues to provide their full mail, shipping, and receiving services.

Todos Insurance would like you to know that COVID19 is covered for new and existing clients. Check out their international insurance. Contact Jack Schaub at jack@shoreline.com.mx

How you can help?

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C.‘s students are finishing the school year at home and are receiving help online, via telephone, and WhatsApp.

It is also the time of year when parents and students are working on their applications for the 2020/2021 school year. Although all Palapa students receive tuition help, this is a hard time for parents to pay their portion. Your generous donation can help keep local/ students in school. To make a donation, visit: https://palapasociety.org/donate/

ACTS, Asociacíon de Colonos de Todos Santos A.C., is taking donations to help feed local families in need. You can visit their website to get the link to make a PayPal donation at: www.actsbaja.org  The Palapa Society of Todos Santos is helping with their donations. To donate via PayPal: use the email: tickets@palapasociety.org, Enter your donation amount. Be sure to note FOOD BANK in the memo.

The Pescadero Food Bank has increased their outreach to 200 bags on a biweekly basis. Their goal is to continue to feed more families, including helping those from Grupo Madre Teresa, Pescadero rancheros, and Padrino Children’s Foundation. You can make a
donation via Paypal: paypal.me/pescaderofoodbank

There is also a group distributing pet food to families in need. You can donate via PayPal: coast-paradise@shaw.ca, or through www.raincoastdogrescue.com and click on donate. Be sure to fill in the note section that it is for Todos Santos for this option! Donations via this method are tax deductible in the US.

We at Journal del Pacifico are posting updates on changes, and keeping you informed on when and how things will be reopening. Follow us right here, on Facebook, and remember, you can read all our issues online!

Stay safe!

Fall 2018

Journal del Pacifico Fall 2018 cover by Brian McGuffey, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoWe are excited to be back for our 8th season as Journal del Pacifico! We have already received many, many compliments on the stunning Fall 2018 issue cover by one of our newer local artists, Brian McGuffey. Read more about him in “On the Cover.”

Brian was also one of the artists who contributed their work to Todos Santos’ new letter sign, located near the church on the plaza. The sign was installed this summer by the church on the plaza. The letters were painted by local artists; in letter order: Gabo, Erick Ochoa, Benito Ortega, Leif Holland, Gloria Ruenitz, Joel Cadena, Arturo Mendoza Elfeo, Maribel Nuñez, Michael Cope, Brian McGuffey, and Jill Logan.

In this issue, you can read about Saddling South’s film ride for La Recua / Dario’s Dream. The general intent of this Antigua California film is three-fold: to enlighten viewers to pre-road travel in Lower California, to espouse the history of Old California’s ranch culture still alive in the sierras of México, and to share how the present-day arrieros (herdsmen), were re-enacting an era of commerce, las recuas (traveling merchants with pack-trains), that was key to livelihood for centuries on the remote peninsula.

We are happy to welcome Ivonne Benítez of Hablando Mexicano Spanish language school who joins our team as one of our translators.

Looking to have a spooky good time on Halloween? Gallo Azul is holding their Halloween Costume Party on Saturday, October 27, starting at 8 pm. This benefit for the local Bomberos in includes live music, dancing and prizes for the best costumes.

The Oasis in Pescadero is holding a Monster Kid’s Bash on October 31, 6 pm. Prizes for the best costumes, trick or treating and more!

Dia de los Muertos, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThe 2nd annual Día de los Muertos Todos Santos will take place November 1 – 3, with fun cultural activities for the whole family. Check out their facebook page for more information!

November 2, is the 10th anniversary of Landi’s dream of opening a restaurant in Todos Santos. People from all over rave about her delicious Mexican specialties.

Internet is now available even in the most remote areas of Baja, thanks to Star Go–the new satellite internet provider that offers excellent service anywhere at all, at speeds of up to 1.5, 3, 5, 10 or 20 megabytes. Their satellite TV is included and offers a large variety of national and international channels, at lower prices than their competition. New subscribers in October will get their first month service free. For more information, call the Star Go agent for Baja California Sur, at (624) 688 7274.

The 3rd annual Women Awakening summit “Creating the Magic” will take place December 7 – 9, at Cuatro Vientos in Todos Santos. You can read more about this year’s conferences in our article this issue.

Amor D’vino is much more than a wine shop. In addition to sipping delicious wines on the patio, this season you can also enjoy tapas by area chefs, and picnic baskets to take to the beach.

Jester’s Sportfishing in Las Playitas, offers local sports fishing, surfcasting, bow fishing, and ATV adventures. Contact them for more information.

Dreaming of a wedding in Baja? Wanderlust Weddings Baja has been sharing the beauty of Baja with amazing bridal couples for 14 years now. They have had the pleasure of planning, designing and coordinating over 300 weddings that are unique, special, and full of the Baja spirit!

Cabo Premiere Investment & Real Estate has opened their new location in Pescadero, directly across the street from The Oasis Bar & Grill.

Gypsy’s Beach House Rental now Colibri Property Rental & Management Services. You can still visit them at their office at Baja Beans in Pescadero.

The 9th annual Writing Ranch “Writing Down the Baja” retreat takes places January 27 – February 3, 2019 in Todos Santos. Reserve your spot by November 16. See events for more details.

This December 29th, the 10th Palapa Society 5k walk/run will take place. You can reserve your spot online, or at El Tecolote Bookstore in Todos Santos. Race day registration is also available 7 – 8:30 am. Look for our feature story in the next issue, Holiday 2018/2019.

Reserve your ad space now! The deadline for Holiday 2018/2019 is November 10.

Summer 2018

Journal del Pacifico Summer 2018 cover by Paul Van Vleck, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoWelcome to Summertime in Baja! Not even Tropical Storm Bud could keep us from distributing the Summer issue of Journal del Pacifico with our cover by Paul Van Vleck.

Todos Santos Brewing celebrated their first anniversary with fun events over the weekend of June 8th to the 10th, Cheers to one year! Did your see our JDPTv Todos Santos Brewing  and Gastrovino videos on Facebook? Check it out. You’ll be seeing more of JDPTv in the coming season.

Hacienda Sydney, Todos Santos, TheAgency, Baja, Mexico

Hacienda Sydney, Todos Santos, TheAgency

Many visitors to Baja dream of moving here, and perhaps, starting a business or boutique hotel. In this issue, we’ve selected some of the most desirable dream properties currently available: Soledad Cerritos, Gavilan Beach and The Osprey in Pescadero; Boulder Cove in La Paz; The Todos Santos Inn and Hacienda Sydney aka the ‘Taj Mahal’ in Todos Santos; and La Huerta in San Juanico. We hope that you enjoy reading more about these exciting opportunities in our current issue, and maybe, your dream will become a reality.

Newly opened in Todos Santos, Gallo Azul Lofts, are four loft-style, one-bedroom apartments with modern kitchens, dining, and living spaces. They are conveniently located next door to the Gallo Azul restaurant, just one block up from the park. They are perfect for a vacation rental, long or short-term stay.

Baja Beans, in Pescadero, has extended their hours and are now open 7 am to 6 pm all year, serving breakfast and lunch.

Escape the heat with a day at the pool at La Misión at Hacienda Cerritos. The one-day 900 pesos pass is refundable with your restaurant and bar purchases, and the pool is open from 12 to 8 pm daily.

Shaka’s Cantina and Gallery is open on the road to Cerritos with happy hour and delicious daily food specials.

Unfortunately, summer weather can mean pests. Let the people at Jal Fumigación help control these unwanted visitors in your home.

Stop into Como El Sol in Pescadero for all your solar energy needs. They can help you out with panels, inverters, controllers, batteries, refrigerators, freezers, fans, lights and more!

Going away this summer? Contact Pickle N Paws for your pet care needs.

No Straws logo, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoAlso in the Summer issue, Kaia Thomson of Todos Caballos has shared photos and stories about some of the creatures that we see moving about during the summer season. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures tells two interesting tales this issue: the story of the sea lion colonies of Los Islotes in the Sea of Cortez, and the growing movement to eliminate plastic straws and containers in Baja.

You can read the whole Summer issue online here!

Core Yoga will be back at Cuatro Vientos in October. Enjoy your summer! We’ll be back with the Fall 2018 issue in September. Deadline is September 19.

JDP Fall 2017 news

Journal del Pacifico Fall 2017 cover by Bruce Herman

Journal del Pacifico Fall 2017 cover by Bruce Herman

We at Journal del Pacifico are excited to be back for our 7th season promoting Baja Sur and informing visitors and residents about its rich history, environment, and unique qualities. We look forward to sharing area and business information, events, enlightening stories, exciting adventures, and stunning photography with you this season!

Once again, Luz Gallery has supplied us with this issue’s fabulous cover and interior photographs by Bruce Herman. Bruce was our “On the Cover” artist for the Holiday 2016/2017 issue. You will find his biography online in that issue and see more of his recent works at the Luz Gallery in Todos Santos. Luz Gallery also has more prints of vintage maps like those in Geography of Hope, Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures’ fascinating tale of Jesuits, Indians, and El Camino Real in Baja California Sur.

House Geckos by Kaia Thomson, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThis time of year with the heat and rains, the desert is alive and green, and our resident lizards can be seen scurrying about. This issue, Kaia Thomson of Todos Caballos, gives us a glimpse into their lives and their survival adaptations, sharing with us her marvelous photographs and knowledge.

The first annual Fiesta Día de Muertos Todos Santos takes place in the historic district, November 1st through 4th, with a parade of Catrinas, Day of the Dead altars, live music, gastronomic fair, a fashion show, a photography contest, and a special performance by Tania Libertad. For more information visit: https://fiestatodossantos.com/ or Facebook: Fiesta.TodosSantos

This November, The Palapa of Todos Santos celebrates the grand opening of The Palapa Learning Center and Elena Poniatowska Community Library. You can read how after three years, this dream became a reality in our article this issue. You can also help the dream continue by donating to their scholarship fund for local children.

You can now see artist Brian McGuffey’s light-hearted and thought-provoking works at Bésame Mucho Bazaar in Todos Santos and Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo.

The successful Women Awakening conference is back at Cuatro Vientos this December 1st to 3rd. This year’s theme is Reclaiming Your Power. See our article for more information.

The 5th annual Todos Santos Writers’ Workshop (TSWW) will take place January 27 through February 3, 2018 at Casa Dracula on the otro lado of Todos Santos. This year, they’ve added a poetry workshop. Christopher Merrill, director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, will be returning to TSWW as its inaugural instructor. Chris’s latest book, Self-Portrait with Dogwood, is being widely well received. You can read more about the workshop and one of Christopher’s poems in this issue.

Attention Foodies: the Garden Restaurant at Rancho Pescadero is now open to the public Sunday afternoons with a full menu and their Sunday specials—Mole de Rancho and Barbacoa. Thursday through Sunday, you can also enjoy sunset cocktails with farm fresh tapas on their patio. For reservations, email: Rancho1@ranchopescadero.com

La Bohemia Hotel Pequeño, in downtown Todos Santos, has daily a happy hour, a local market, and lots of fun events this November and December. See events for more details. Ask about their pool pass!

Ana Delora’s Hair Salon is now located at the Whitesands Spa in Todos Santos. With over 18 years’ experience, Ana is bilingual and provides men’s and women’s haircuts,  dyeing, shaves, and pedicures.

Mini Super Munchies, well known for its famous ice cream sandwiches, micro brews, and Tuesday night Open Mic music jams has a new exciting addition to the shop this season, DoTerra Essential Oils—therapeutic-grade essential oils, natural skin care products, and supplements. They will be offering free classes to learn how to use essential oils in your everyday life. Check the Facebook page: Mini Super Munchies for events and Baja Essential Oils class schedules.

Slow Down Pescadero is a community effort looking to save lives through the placement of speed limit signs, education, and enforcement. For more information, visit their Facebook page: Slow Down Pescadero

Want to get away for a few days? The four-room bed and breakfast Casa Kootenay in La Paz is only a few steps from the Sea of Cortez. Enjoy the waters with a standup paddleboard or kayak that come as part of the package and turn your vacation into an adventure!

MaxiHome Nursing Services are now available in our area. They provide long- or short-term homecare, help with the elderly, IVs, injections, and more. See their ad for contact information.

Baja Blooms: The Gardens of Los Colibris Casitas front coverYou won’t want to miss Dr. Esmé F. Hennessy’s talk at the Centro Cultural in Todos Santos on December 1st. Her paintings of Baja plants serve as the centerpiece and chapter headings for Todos Santos Eco Adventures latest book, Baja Blooms: The Gardens of Los Colibris Casitas, which also features the extraordinary photos of Kaia Thomson and book design and production of this latest book by Janice Kinne of Journal del Pacifico.

We’ll see you with our next issue, Holiday 2017/2018 with more of everything you love! Deadline is November 10th.