Last weekend in April

Singer/Songwriter Sara Bernassi at La Encantada

Singer/Songwriter Sara Bernassi

Looking for something to do?

Friday night is Ladies Nights at La Encantada in La Paz with Karoke and a billard tournament on Friday, April 26 and Jello shot and Pink Fluzies specials.

Shut Up Frank’s in Todos Santos is holding their 1st Annual Spring BBQ & Brew Bash Party in the front yard on Saturday, April 27. Big Jesse will be the guest grill master serving pulled pork, ribs, and tri-tip starting at 1 pm. There will be live music all day and a D.J. too! At 7 pm you can watch the UFC Megafight John “Bones” Jones vs. Chael Sonnen live.

Saturday afternoon from 4 to 7 pm, there will be a Benefit for the Joven Ecologistas de Pescadero (Young Ecologists of Pescadero) at the Mariscos Restaurant, Hwy. 19 in Pescadero. The event features presentations by the children, great food, live music and a chance to meet local students and their parents. Sponsored by Amigos de El Pescadero nonprofit. A 50 pesos donation is requested; any amount appreciated. If you want to donate, but cannot attend, stop by the Pescadero Life booth at the Sunday Farmer’s Market at Baja Beans, or email: sharon@aztecbaja.com

Saturday night, starting at 8 pm, join Tim Lang and the Post Surf Crew for their The Speakeasy show at Hotel Casa Tota in Todos Santos. Limited tickets are available.

Also Saturday, starting at 9 pm, the Acoustic Rock Duet of Raul Alejandro Mendoza on guitar and Luis Enrique Leon on vocals and bajo will be at La Encantada in La Paz. No cover and sopa and tapas available.

Sunday morning, enjoy your breakfast with great music by singer/songwriter Sara Benassi at Hotel Casa Tota from 11 am to 1 pm. Sara sang with Ken Stringfellow and The Posies at this year’s Todos Santos Music Festival. She will perform a great mix of original songs plus a good choice of tasty covers in English, Italian and Spanish.

For more information on these events and more, click on “Events” in the menu. To be included in our listing, email your Baja Event information to info@journaldelpacifico.com

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Festival 2013

Carnaval La Paz, photo by Fernando Sanchez Bernal, La Paz, Baja, Mexico

Reina Calafia 2009: Fhannya Urbina from Carnaval La Paz, photo by Fernando Sanchez Bernal, La Paz, Baja, Mexico

February and March are a festive time in Baja California Sur with Carnaval La Paz, the Todos Santos Art Festival with the Artist’s Studio Tour, and the Festival de Cine de Todos Santos.

There is still plenty of music going on and two theater plays—one in Todos Santos, “To Salsa with Love,” and another in Los Barriles, “Aloha, A Hawaiian Night’s Dream.” “To Salsa with Love” has a special Valentine’s showing with dinner starting at 6 pm.

You can also enjoy a Valentine’s Dinner in one of the most romantics places in Baja at Hotel Guaycura.  The three course dinner menu, specially prepared by Chef Jean Pequignot, is 480 pesos.

See “Events” for more information.

 

BOA kayak on the Sea of Cortes, La Paz, Baja, Mexico

BOA kayak on the Sea of Cortes, La Paz, Baja, Mexico

Baja Outdoor Activities (BOA), the local sea-kayak outfitters based in La Paz, are thrilled by the rebound of interest in sea-kayaking expeditions in Baja. Owner, Ben Gillam, testifies that part of the growth is due to an increased awareness of just how amazing the Baja wilderness is, “sea-kayaking offers a unique and unobtrusive way to explore some of the most spectacular wilderness areas that we have right on our doorstep, well, just outside the back door.”  These days it’s a common occurrence to paddle-board alongside a 25’+ whale shark or to be sea-kayaking in amongst a pod of dolphins or a passing sea-turtle. You just have to get outside to enjoy it firsthand! For the rest of this season (until mid-May) BOA is enticing locals to join them by offering a 20% discount on various sea-kayaking expeditions. Contact office manager Beatriz Loubet soon at Beatriz@kayactivities.com or (01-612) 125-5636. To join the BOA community send a friend request to http://www.facebook.com/baja.outdoor.activities or peruse their Baja adventures on www.kayakinbaja.com

Phil and Flute, Sierra de la Laguna, Baja, Mexico

Phil and Flute, Sierra de la Laguna, Baja, Mexico

After you kayak around the islands in the Sea of Cortés, take a trip to the sierras and see the magnificent island in the sky. It’s easy to arrange a day hike or multiple day trip with Todos Santos Eco Adventures.

Chocolates La Laguna serves up a variety of locally made luxury chocolates from their shop behind the bookstore in Todos Santos.

You’ve probably sampled some delicious treats from Mayra’s Kitchen at an art opening, wedding or party. See her ad to arrange catering for your next event—large or small.

Robin Austin, the Phairy Godmother, is an expert in cuts, color and hair styling. She specializes in weddings and formal hair. You can find her salon behind the Pura Vida Health Food Store in Todos Santos.

Whether you’re planning your whole vacation in the old town of San José del Cabo, or just spending the night, Hotel Posada Sr. Mañana’s is the traveler’s place on the edge of town—conveniently located to both the historic district and outdoor activities. They can help you with your surf, bike, or kayak adventure and offer wifi, music, books and hammocks for chilling.

Todos Santos Music Festival Plaza Concert, photo: Vivian Johnson, Todos Santos, Baja

Todos Santos Music Festival Plaza Concert, photo: Vivian Johnson

The Todos Santos Music Festival was a huge success again this year, raising money for the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. and children’s education. This year, over 31 musicians, including two bands from Mexico City, entertained crowds at the Hotel California and with two not to be forgotten concerts in the town plaza. Journal del Pacifico is proud to be a sponsor and organizer of this event. The musicians all had a great time exploring Baja California Sur and entertaining visitors and locals—both at the main shows and at more intimate venues around town—including two trips to meet the kids at the new Palapa Society. Photographer Vivian Johnson shared a few of her photos in this issue of Journal del Pacifico. You can see more on the Todos Santos Music Festival Facebook site.

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!