photo by Keenan Shoal for Journal del Pacifico

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?

Chocolates La Laguna, behind the bookstore in Todos Santos, has just the right treat for Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s night dinner, there are delicious options available at Pura Vida, La Esquina and Garden by Rancho Pescadero.

There are also great gifts available for men and women at Nomad Chic and Étnica in Todos Santos.

Todos Santos resident, Keenan Shoal, provided our cover photo for the Winter 2018 issue well as the interior shots for the start of the Historic Home Tour article and the Camp Cecil on Isla Espíritu Santo on our La Paz Beaches page. You may remember that Keenan’s stunning Pacific Ocean view from La Poza hill was our cover for the Summer 2016 issue of Journal del Pacifico. You can see more of Keenan’s photography at Gallery Ezra Katz in Todos Santos.

Dr. Jon P. Rebman, Baja, Mexico

In this issue, Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures, interviewed Dr. Jon P. Rebman, renowned author of the Baja California Plant Field Guide, about the ‘lost plants of Baja.” It’s a fascinating look into the search for Baja California plants that have not been collected or scientifically documented for decades. He covered part of the territory near Loreto by mule with Trudi Angell of Saddling South.

Also, in this issue, Kaia Thomson of Todos Caballos shares her story and photos in The Banana Chronicles with a bunch of fun facts and fabulous pictures.

Café Santa Fé is celebrating its 28th anniversary. I remember meeting Paula and Ezio Colombo when I first came to Todos Santos in 1993 and marveling how such a small town could have a restaurant of this calibre. As Michael Mercer wrote on the occasion of their 20th anniversary:
In late 1990, when the Café Santa Fé opened, there was one restaurant in Todos Santos, a modest Mexican place called the Santa Monica. There were no art galleries (apart from Charles Stewart’s living room). Very few tourists, even fewer gringo residents.
“Our first night, we had 15 or 20 people from the trailer park,” Paula remembers. “One dish, a putanesca.” Everyone loved it, but the peso had just been devalued and no one could afford to pay. “So that night was free.”
Eight years later, they are still serving perfect pastas, pizza, salads, seafood and local meats.

Artist Carlos Diaz Castro is well known for his vivid paintings of Baja and ranchero life. You can see more of his work at his Diaz Castro Studio & Fine Art Gallery on 5 de Mayo in the historic district of La Paz.

La Misión Restaurant at Hacienda Cerritos is now open every day for lunch and dinner, from noon to 9 pm.

Carlitos Place in Pescadero has added Chinese recipes to their expanded menu– Peking duck, Mongolian beef, sweet & sour shrimp and chicken, beef broccoli and fried rice. Cooking classes are coming soon too! See our feature in the issue.

Kimberly’s Supermarket & Café on the road to Cerritos Beach has groceries, coffee and snacks from 7 am to 8 pm. And Shakas restaurant next door, will be open soon!

Sugar Shack is also now serving snacks, including birria, wings, guacamole, onion rings and more and have expanded to outdoor seating in the back.

Las Olas Recovery provides personal attention for their clients’ addiction solutions with medically assisted detox and 24-hour care. Results are their ambition. See their ad for more information.

La Curandería Health and Wellness Centre in Pescadero has lighthearted, Community Yoga Saturdays at 8 am. 100% donations are given to different area groups. Also, at La Curandería, you can enjoy Hesed Najeera’s deep, holistic massage and Ayurvedic bodywork.

Do you drive on the beaches? Do you know it isn’t legal? The Friends of the Todos Santos Dunes ask that you please show some respect for the beauty and magic of Baja and help protect the sea turtles nesting and hatching. You can read more about how the coastal dunes are an important part of the ecosystem in the article in this issue.

by Keenan Shoal for Journal del Pacifico

We hope that you enjoyed the Todos Santos’ Artist’s Studio Tour! The next fun tour will be the Todos Santos Historic Home Tour on March 4. Both give a different view of the pueblo mágico and benefit the programs of The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C.

The Baja 100 art walk/drive is another fun downtown Todos Santos event. Check out the The Baja 100 Facebook page for updates on their March events.

Don’t forget, you can see the current issue and every issue online. We will see you next with our Spring issue. Deadline is March 5.