Holiday / Navidad 2019

Thank you for all the compliments on our Day of the Dead fall cover of Ophelia Manik by Kenny Viese. Emmanuel put on an unbelievable show in the plaza for the third annual Día de Muertos Todos Santos event. Kudos to Bésame Mucho Bazaar and the whole team of volunteers who made the event possible. La Paz photographer, Sandra Muñoz covered the concert for Journal del Pacifico.

Mark Gabriel, Galería Militar in Todos Santos and Pez Gordo in San José del Cabo, has shared “El Rey” the humpback whale for our holiday cover. Mark Gabriel is an award-winning multi-media artist who began his career in the underground comics and fanzine world. He is also one of the featured artists in The Palapa Society’s Artists of Todos Santos 2020/2021 calendar.

We have a variety of informative and fun stories for you in the issue. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures shares the success story of Cabo Pulmo and the Baja Coastal Institute. She also had the pleasure of interviewing a pig for our Life of Colette piece.

Trudi Angell of Saddling South tells the tale of Baja’s first mule pack-trains and their journey to “Alta” California.

Pamela Ambrose interviewed Cate Thomassen, shardArtist. You can see Cate’s mosaic work at her show at the Galería de Todos Santos on January 29.

Palapa Society of Todos Santos 5k run/walk, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThis holiday season enjoy the abundant activities, specials, events, workshops, and seminars. There is a whole lot going on! Start the season off with The Palapa Society’s Carrera de Todos Santos 5k walk / run on December 28.

Then, live the red-carpet experience at Colette The Pig’s world premiere of her art film at Panteón 19, which benefits the Padrino Children’s Foundation.

Photographer Pablo Marquez, Galería Logan, will be leading a four-day master class in capturing the soul of landscape photography starting January 12.

Artist Anne Hebebrand is offering classes in abstract painting, painting with neutrals, and cold wax January through March.

The Writing Ranch’s 10th annual “Writing Down the Baja” retreat takes place January 26 through February 2, at Serendipity in Todos Santos.

The Todos Santos Writers’ Workshop, now in its seventh year, takes place February 1 through 8, and have added a second week for those enrolled in the first week, February 10 through 15, for writers who want to continue their work.

Baja Blooms, a five-day pottery, creative journaling, and yoga retreat takes place March 22 through 28 at the Hotelito this season.

And you won’t want to miss the Artists of Todos Santos Open Studio Tour, February 7 to 9, a benefit for The Palapa Society of Todos Santos.

The Pelican Theater Company of La Paz is also back this season with shows January 21 through 25. See our article for more details.

La Palapa del Sabor has monthly mariachi nights with delicious Mexican specialties for dinner. See our events listings for all of these and more!

Mailboxes Todos Santos has added a third location, in Cabo in the Walmart complex, location #69.

Pura Vida Health Food Store & Deli in Todos Santos is celebrating 10 years of serving the local community.

Tortugeros Las Playitas will have hatchling releases every day at 5 pm at the Tortugueros Las Playitas greenhouse in Las Tunas. Releases are open to the public and free of charge. Reservations requested for tour and school groups, info at: Whats App 612-177-8393.

Cross2box has moved to a new location at the entrance to Todos Santos. Cross2box doesn’t have individual classes, every hour there is new session based on their clients’ needs.

You’ve probably been hearing about the new dentist in Todos Santos, Dra. Ana Cortez at Smile Up. In addition to general dentistry, she is a specialist in crowns, implants, and cosmetic dentistry.

Panterra Eco Expeditions, at the Fonatur marina in La Paz, offers land-based and cruising expeditions to Magdalena Bay and the Sea of Cortez. And right now, they’re offering special Christmas discounts!

St. Jude’s Medical Center now has a walk-in clinic in Pescadero, next door to their pharmacy.

Shut Up Franks is back with new specials and some old favorites. They also have happy hour weekdays from 3 to 6 pm.

Happy holidays! We’ll see you in February with our winter issue. Deadline is January 10.

Spring 2019

Journal del Pacifico Spring 2019, "Wise Woman" by Kate Turning, Baja, Mexico

Spring 2019, “Wise Woman” by Kate Turning

Thank you for all the compliments on the Winter 2019 issue with the El Triunfo cover by Kenny Viese. Both long-term residents and newcomers enjoyed the trip down memory lane with tales of local history and personalities. We are sure that you will enjoy this issue with our annual cover by the multi-talented Kate Turning and her team.

 

 

 

 

 

Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival ad in Journal del Pacifico, Baja, MexicoKate Turning also provided the stunning images for this year’s GastroVino Baja Food & Wine Festival feature. This popular festival (not to be missed) is now in its eighth year. Check out our stories to find out what’s new this May.

In a strong bid to conserve local Todos Santos ecosystems and biodiversity, Dr. Roberto Carmona and his colleagues Gerardo Marrón, Adriana Hernández Alvarez, Abigail Rivas, and Gustavo D. Danemann documented the wildlife and vegetation at the lagoon at La Poza during dozens of visits from 2014 to 2016. While the Todos Santos community helped, Dr. Carmona and his colleagues’ was largely self-funded and resulted in a report submitted to the Mexican government to have the lagoon declared an Area Critica. The lagoon at La Poza is a prime habitat for the critically endangered endemic bird species, the Belding’s yellowthroat. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures tells the tale in this issue. Local photographers Claude Vogel, Alvaro Colindres, and Kaia Thomson share some of their healthy and unhealthy lagoon photos in the story.

Amor d’vino has moved to a new location on calle Militar in Todos Santos. You will find it just around the corner from Todos Santos Brewing and across the street from Bodega Lizzaraga and Que Rico. Stop in and see their great wine selection.

Rancho LaVenta is a jewel located between San Antonio and San Bartolo at km 144.5. Cozy casitas include gourmet breakfast, cooking facilities, and a unique pool and sauna. Taste estate wines or buy a bottle and enjoy it poolside. Check out the art studio and tour the working ranch. Other activities include hiking, birding and horse riding.
www.rancholaventa.com or Facebook/bajabirding/.

Besame Mucho 2nd Anniversary, Baja, MexicoBesamé Mucho Bazaar and The Baja 100 teamed up for a fun-filled 2nd anniversary party for Besamé Mucho on the plaza in Todos Santos this past March. Stop by the store and explore its treasures from around the world.

Gallo Azul Pizza Art Bar is celebrating their 5th anniversary in Todos Santos, read the interview with owner Alan Becerril in this issue.

And April 20th, Shaka’s Cantina on the road to Cerritos Beach will celebrate their one-year anniversary with an all-day party. Celebrate with drink and food specials, and live music with ‘Los Leones.’

April 26th, The First Festival de Mole will take place in the Todos Santos Plaza Publica. It’s a great opportunity to sample moles from 15 different chefs.

The Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. understands the importance that education makes in a child’s life and future opportunities. Read the article in this issue to find out how you can make a difference.

Since December 2017, Over the Edge Baja (OTE) bike shop has been the soul center of destination mountain biking in Todos Santos. OTE stores are experts in providing professional, technical service for your bicycle and they stock high performance dream bikes that you can rent or buy. Over The Edge is all about connecting people to places and building trails along the way.

Have you tried ionized water to look and feel your best? It’s available locally at Pura Vida Health Foods in Todos Santos, or visit www.ionwaterbaja.com

Check Bleu Mediterranean restaurant’s Facebook page for their dinner schedule and special events like paella nights.

Shut Up Frank’s, where the locals hang out, is open six days a week with happy hour 4 to 6 pm on weekdays. We’ve heard that their blue cheese burger is to die for. Stop in and find out!

We’ll see you again with our last issue of the season, Summer 2019. Deadline is May 10.

Holiday 2018/2019 issue

Fall 2018 Journal del Pacifico cover by Brian McGuffey, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThank you for all the compliments on our Fall/Otoño 2018 issue of Journal del Pacifico with the stunning cover by Brian McGuffey. It was a great start to our seventh season!

 

 

 

 

Fiesta Dia de Muertos Todos SantosCongratulations to Rouss Ramirez, Amamos Nuestro Pueblo A.C., Bésame Mucho Bazaar, and many others who organized the third annual Fiesta de Día de Muertos Todos Santos. There were altars, catrinas, parades, and many fun events for the entire pueblo, and ended with a special concert by La Sonora Santanera in the plaza. We look forward to next year’s event!

Speaking of events, the Palapa Society of Todos Santos has two popular ones coming up soon. December 29 is the Carrera de Todos Santos 5k walk/run and February 8-10, 2019 is the Artists Open Studio Tour. Read about both these events in our Holiday 2018/2019 issue.

One of the newest studios to participate in the Open Studio Tour, Taller de Terreno, will be holding their grand opening during the tour weekend. Taller de Terreno is an artists’ retreat and case study of sustainable architecture. They also offer workshops at their sustainable ranch setting, where participants exchange ideas, practice wellness, and work toward assimilating the built environment into the natural one.

 

 

 

 

Holiday 2018/2019 cover of Journal del PacificoWe hope that you enjoy our Holiday 2018/2019 issue of Journal del Pacifico, this entire issue is packed full of great articles and photos. The front cover photo and feature story tells the story of local surfer Lucas’ quest to represent Mexico in the World Surf League.

Once again, Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures has written a fascinating piece on sharks off the Baja coast and in the Sea of Cortez. Kaia Thomson, marine biologist Jay Gittens, and The Cortez Club has shared some of their photos of this misunderstood predator.

Miguel’s Restaurant is now open for breakfast again! They have also added some delicious new seafood dishes to their menu.

Zack’s Gym on the otro lado of Todos Santos opens Monday, January 1st. It will feature the revolutionary “Zack-Attack” small group training (think Tabata meets spinning). Each session combines spin, TRX and weights to optimize calorie burning for up to 72 hours and build muscle. Also available will be open gym hours, personal training, physical therapy, and free meal planning service for the entire community!

The reviews speak for themselves: Carlito’s Place Restaurant is the place to stop at when in the Pescadero/Todos Santos. It’s absolutely worth the drive out from Cabo or La Paz to experience their delicious food, hospitality and al fresco dining in a lovely setting.

The Baja Bliss Wellness Spa has a beautiful new location in Pescadero on the road to Rancho Pescdero. They offer a menu of unique relaxation services such as flotation therapy, Thai yoga massage with salt stone, Reiki with crystals, BreathWave, and reflexology. They have partnered with The Balm natural store and Poroto restaurant to form “El Colectivo de Bienestar, Pescadero.” Stop by El Colectivo for relaxation, healthy eats, and natural products!

MiniSuper Munchies is in their fifth season and keeps getting better! They now have a bar license and are serving some mixed drinks, craft beers, and Kombucha on tap.

Villa Rocas is a luxury rental villa in south Pescadero beach. Villa Rocas, with four suites–all with beachfront terrazas, can host up to 15 guests comfortably.

Dos Marias Spa, also in Pescadero, offers the ultimate in pampering with a variety of facials, body scrubs, massage treatments, and a Temazcal sweat lodge. Treat yourself for the holidays!

Hesed Najera provides deep, holistic massage, body and energy work at your location or his. Visit his website for details: hesednajera.com

Las Olas Recovery can help you with personalized addiction treatment. They provide medically assisted detox, holistic healing, and comprehensive care. Contact them today for more information.

Villas de Cerritos Beach is a beach community of vacation rentals on the road to Cerritos Beach. Visit their website for more information and reservation.

The Baja Blooms Retreat, a five-day pottery, yoga, and art journaling retreat with Stephanie Friedman, Emelie Eldridge, and Zoë Dearborn, takes place in February 2019. They also have special day rates for locals. Check out their ad and our events listing for more details.

Two great writing retreats also take place soon and you can read all about them in the Holiday 2018/2019 issue. The Writing Ranch presents its ninth annual “Writing Down the Baja” retreat January 27 to February 3 at Serendipity in Todos Santos.

The Todos Santos Writers Workshop (TSWW) will be held February 3 to 9 at Casa Dracula on the otro lado.

Quinta Lupita in La Paz is the place for handmade Saltillo and Talavera tile, sinks, ceramics, accessories, and fixtures. See their ad for details and our La Paz map for their location.

Happy Holidays! We will see you again in February with our Winter 2019 issue. The deadline is January 10, 2019.

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.