Looking for Surf Central in San Jose del Cabo? See the Baja Waterman

May 19, 2013 By Chris Sands Leave a Comment

Looking for Surf Central in San Jose del Cabo? See the Baja Waterman

His real name is Bernardo Urrea, but in these parts he’s best known as the Baja Waterman. BW owns and operates one of the premier water-based activities companies in Los Cabos, with a superb slate of surfing, stand up paddleboard, and snorkel adventures at some of the area’s most beautiful sites. He also has the best stocked surf shop in San Jose del Cabo, with a huge selection of boards (what kinds? all kinds), apparel, and accessories. BW has his own apparel line, of course. He’s our local version of a superhero. Only instead of rescuing us from exciting, adrenaline-filled situations, he and his team take us to them.

Baja Waterman offers a great selection of surf, SUP, and snorkeling adventures.

Baja Waterman offers tours and rentals for all the top surf spots. The shop is a stone’s throw from local favorites like Acapulquito and Costa Azul, with breaks that are perfect for surfers of all skill levels. The Middle at Costa Azul is a great spot for beginners, while neighboring Zipper’s is hosting the area’s first 6-Star ASP surf tournament, Los Cabos Open of Surf, in June. Baja Waterman also maintains a small fleet of 4×4 off-road trucks for surf adventures to lesser known sites like Shipwrecks, Nine Palms, and Punta Perfecta. Want to get away from the crowds? Sign on for an East Cape Surfari, and enjoy pristine beaches and great surfbreaks along this ruggedly beautiful and sparsely populated coast.

Stand up paddleboarding is the world’s fastest growing water sport.

There’s a good reason stand up paddleboard surfing is the fastest growing water sport in the world: it’s a hybrid that combines the beauty, balance, and adrenaline rushes of surfing with the slower paced appeal of kayaking. Stand up paddleboarding (better known as SUP) is easy to learn, and one of the area’s best family friendly activities. It’s also a terrific cardiovascular workout, perfect for soothing the mind and strengthening the body. Baja Waterman offers lessons at Palmilla, popular tours to Land’s End and El Arco, the signature monument of Cabo San Lucas, as well as two-bay SUP and snorkel tours of Tourist Corridor gems Chileno and Santa Maria, both of which boast fish-rich waters and gorgeous beaches.

Looking for Los Cabos’ largest selection of surboards, stand up paddleboards, body boards, and skimboards?

Need a board? Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, there’s one waiting for you. Baja Waterman has surfboards (longboards, shortboards), stand up paddleboards, body/boogie boards, skimboards… Well, let’s just say they have the largest selection of boards in Los Cabos. Period. Rent, test ride, or buy the latest from Surftech (BW is a Surftech demo center), Bark, Laird and other top brands. Snorkel gear is also available at the surf shop, as is the latest in seaside apparel and beach accessories.

Baja Waterman is surf central in San Jose del Cabo.

Where to Go: Baja Waterman has recently moved. Formerly adjacent to Deckman’s at Havana, the company can now be found at the shopping plaza near El Zalate, flanked by Mediclinic and La Joya. The shopping plaza is situated just above Costa Azul, San Jose del Cabo’s premier surfing beach, and is accessible from the Carretera Peninsular, the highway that connects Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

What to Bring: A swimsuit and sunscreen are recommended for all activities, as well as a camera to document your adventure.

Find out about big waves in Todos Santos, and other top surfbreaks at Baja.com.

Ready for a trip to Los Cabos? Check out our new School’s Out promotion, featuring great deals for two of the area’s premier hotels, Hotel El Ganzo in San Jose del Cabo, and Bahia Hotel & Beach Club in Cabo San Lucas. Better book now, the promotion ends on July 31st.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

All photos courtesy of Baja Waterman.

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Filed Under: Play, San Jose del Cabo, Uncategorized Tagged With: Baja surfing, Cabo water sports, Los Cabos stand up paddleboarding, San Jose Del Cabo

Los Cabos Surfing At High Tide

May 13, 2013 By Chris Sands 2 Comments

Los Cabos Surfing At High Tide

Summer is a great time for surfing in Baja Sur, with excellent conditions at several sites in and around Los Cabos. The area is also hosting its first major tournament. The ASP sanctioned 6-Star Los Cabos Open of Surf is scheduled for June 17-23 at Zipper’s pointbreak off Playa Costa Azul in San Jose del Cabo. The inaugural event is expected to draw big-name surfing talent from around the globe, as well as promoting the top talent in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

“We’ve seen so many incredible performances from the underground Latinos in recent events,” said Brian Robbins, North American Tour Manager for the Association of Surfing Professionals. “The Los Cabos Open of Surf will be the perfect platform for young Latin surfers to mix it up with some big international names and establish themselves on a global level while securing big points towards their ranking.”

The Los Cabos Open of Surf is scheduled for June 17-23 at Zipper’s in San Jose del Cabo.

As it happens, the best Latin American talent at the tournament may be local. Alan Blyth hails from Acapulco, but works as a surfing instructor for High Tide Sea Expeditions, one of the premier tour companies in Los Cabos. Alan was the National Surfing Champion of Mexico in 2012, and he’s got his sights set this year on a top finish at the upcoming Open.

And since the righthand cobblestone break at Zipper’s is little more than a stone’s throw from where Alan gives lessons for High Tide – Costa Azul‘s beginner-friendly Middle break – there has never been a better time to try surfing in Los Cabos. Visitors can learn from Alan one day, and watch him compete against the world’s best competition the next.

High Tide’s Alan Blyth was the national surfing champion of Mexico in 2012.

The High Tide surf team has taught people ages 5-65, as well as people with disabilities, and everybody learns to surf. Alan and surf amigo Jason can have any beginner up on their board surfing in no time, riding waves at one of San Jose del Cabo’s most beautiful beaches. Learn proper techniques for paddling out, getting up, riding, and even falling off your board (as with snowboarding, knowing how to fall is an important skill). There is no better place to learn to surf in Los Cabos, and no better instructors from whom to learn the ups and downs of this perennially popular seaside sport.

Lessons at Costa Azul include surfboards, wetsuits, an umbrella shaded camp, bottled water and snacks, and instruction from a surfing champion.

There is also no better time. But although surfing conditions are optimal in the summer, they’re favorable year round, and High Tide also offers lessons at Cerritos, on the Pacific Coast north of Cabo San Lucas, as well as excursions to pristine spots like Nine Palms and Shipwrecks. The company also offers a full-roster of Baja Sur-based adventures, including kayak trips to Land’s End, hikes, city tours, and jeep explorations of picturesque towns like Cabo Pulmo, Santiago, and Todos Santos.

So what are you waiting for? Surf’s up…

What are you waiting for? Your Los Cabos surfing adventure awaits…

General Information

Cost: Surfing lessons are $85 U.S. per person, plus $45 for friends (non-surfers). The lessons are three hours in duration, and start at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Where to Go: High Tide provides round trip transportation from your hotel to the surfing sites.

What to Bring: Sandals and beach towels are recommended. Wet suits and surf boards are provided, as are bottled water and snacks. An umbrella-shaded camp is set up for snack breaks.

HOW TO BOOK: Call BAJA.COM toll-free from US and Canada at 855-225-2411 or from Mexico at (612) 157-5470.

Where is your favorite surf spot? Let us know at Baja.com.

LOS CABOS OPEN OF SURF from Boardwalk Productions on Vimeo.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

Photos courtesy The Association of Surfing Professionals and High Tide Sea Expeditions.

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Filed Under: Events, Play, San Jose del Cabo, Uncategorized Tagged With: Baja events, Los Cabos Open of Surf, San Jose del Cabo Activities, surfing Los Cabos, Zipper's Beach

Hotel El Ganzo Is the Hippest Place in Los Cabos: New Lodging Fuses Artistic Sensibility With Boutique Amenities

April 22, 2013 By Chris Sands 4 Comments

Hotel El Ganzo is the hippest hotel in Los Cabos, and may be one of the most idiosyncratic lodgings in all of Mexico. The hotel’s name is a portmanteau word combining el ganso – Spanish for goose – and gonzo – the outlandish journalism style pioneered by the late Hunter S. Thompson. El Ganzo’s logo is a silhouetted goose, so that part of the name is easy to understand. Gonzo is a bit more of a philosophical influence, and reflects the hotel’s commitment to art, as well as a certain type of boutique bohemian attitude: edginess tempered by easygoing creature comforts.

Hotel El Ganzo fuses luxurious creature comforts with a creative, boutique sensibility.

El Ganzo is a recent arrival to Los Cabos, and opened in December of 2012 at the upscale Puerto Los Cabos development just outside of San Jose del Cabo. The hotel benefits from a privileged site near La Playita – a lovely golden sand beach – overlooking both the Marina and the multi-hued blues of the Sea of Cortez. Like El Ganzo, Puerto Los Cabos showcases an artistic sensibility. Bronze sculptures by famed Mexican surrealist Leonora Carrington adorn the Marina’s Malecon, and an enormous embellished cross by contemporary artist Gabriel Macotela towers on a nearby hillside, symbolically blessing Puerto Los Cabos’ residences, restaurant, hotel, marina, world-class cactus garden, and championship-level golf course.

Original artwork and eclectic furnishings highlight Hotel El Ganzo’s lobby lounge.

Macotela has also contributed a painting to El Ganzo’s lobby, one of many artistic touches that set the hotel apart. El Ganzo has a residency program for artists, writers, and musicians, and these creative types have carte blanche to leave their marks on the hotel. Whether it is abstract paintings in conference rooms, murals that stretch through guest rooms, or rainbowesque patterns that seem to cascade like waterfalls from random windows, the hotel itself is a work in progress. Who knows what El Ganzo will look like in 20 years? That’s the beauty of the concept. It’s an aesthetic evolution, an ever-changing style and sense of space.

Hotel El Ganzo showcases a unique visual style.

El Ganzo is a boutique hotel with only 72 suites. All suites feature king-sized beds and ocean views – an architectural triumph – as well as luxurious Italian linens and impressively opulent bath fixtures. But El Ganzo is never just a typical luxury hotel. The decor an eclectic mix of old and new, distressed antiques and futuristic furnishings often sit side by side. Artists in residence have free reign to decorate individual suites, and some feature remarkable murals and paintings by some of the world’s top contemporary artists. All the suites are spacious, and feature terraces or balconies overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

Musicians are frequently in residence at Hotel El Ganzo, which boasts an underground recording studio.

El Ganzo is located a scant distance from a fresh fish market, a wonderful resource of which the hotel wisely takes full advantage. There are three restaurants at El Ganzo, and seafood is definitely a specialty. The terrace sushi bar, called Gachoo, features a full range of Japanese-style offerings, as well as some delicious Peruvian ceviches. Visitors to the Beach Club, meanwhile, can sample the comfort food favorites at Ganzo del Playa, like the terrific Baja-style fish tacos. The restaurant located just off the lobby, known simply as Downstairs, features traditional Mexican recipes, and shares the bounty from El Ganzo’s well-stocked wine cellar. Did I mention the lobby lounge or the rooftop Vodka bar? One recommendation: try the hotel’s signature rum-based cocktail, the Papa Double.

How about a dip in an enormous 2000 square foot infinity pool? It’s one of two onsite pools at Hotel El Ganzo.

Hip amenities abound at El Ganzo, from an underground recording studio to a transparent hot tub, and an enormous 2,000 square foot infinity pool that fringes the rooftop terrace. The onsite spa showcases an array of pampering massages, treatments, and beauty services, and a state-of-the-art gym is also available to guests. Events are held nightly, and are generally open not only to hotel residents, but the community at large. These include live music – from jazz to hip hop – as well as film club screenings, and cocktail parties. Seasonal farmers’ markets are hosted during the fall and winter.

Suites at Hotel El Ganzo feature a mixture of new and old, from antique furniture to chic contemporary appointments.

Looking for outdoor activities? Take a panga – the hotel has a formal water taxi dock – over to the Beach Club for a little fun in the sun. Stand up paddle boards are available, and El Ganzo also has a small fleet of bicycles for scenic rides around the Marina. Guests also have easy access to the Puerto Los Cabos Golf Course, a unique collaborative design between major champions Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. The “Great White Shark” laid out the front nine, while the Golden Bear designed the finishing nine. Eventually, each of these nines will be expanded and comprise separate courses, but for now visitors can still experience the contrasting design styles of these links legends.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

All photos courtesy of Hotel El Ganzo.

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Filed Under: Discover, San Jose del Cabo, Stay Tagged With: boutique hotels, El Ganzo, Los Cabos art, Puerto Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo Hotels

Have a Baja Moment! with Organic Field Kitchen Restaurant at Flora Farms

April 15, 2013 By Chris Sands 1 Comment

Have a Baja Moment! With Organic Field Kitchen Restaurant at Flora Farms

It’s easy to Have a Baja Moment! with Flora Farms organic offerings.

Although best known as one of San Jose del Cabo‘s most popular dinner stops, the Field Kitchen restaurant at Flora Farms is also open for breakfast and lunch, as is the onsite Flora Farms Grocery, filled with all of their freshly hand-picked organic produce, and Flora-raised poultry and pork. The breakfast menu varies from day to day – the kitchen uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients available from the adjoining 10-acre organic field, after all – but always includes freshly baked, impossibly aromatic breads from the restaurant’s wood-fired oven, cured meats and eggs from the nearby ranch, as well as freshly harvested fruits and vegetables.

Have a Baja Moment! with Flora Farms, where all ingredients are harvested from the restaurant-adjacent field.

Have a Baja Moment! with Organic Field Kitchen restaurant at Flora Farms, where all ingredients are harvested from the restaurant-adjacent fields.

Vegetarians can choose from a variety of offerings that range from yogurt and granola to hearty frittatas with seasonal veggies and sweet potato hash browns. Meat lovers, meanwhile, will want to try a farm egg sandwich with housemade bacon, arugula, and aioli on homemade wheat toast, or creamy polenta topped with bacon and chives. Wash down your morning meal with fruit and vegetable juices, or a little “Hair of the Dog,” the Field Kitchen’s version of the Bloody Mary. The freshness of the ingredients is incredible, and if you’re staying (or better yet, living) nearby, you can also stop by the grocery for organic produce, meats, eggs, breads, sweets, pickled goods, sauces, dressings, and the best preserves you’ve ever tasted.

Lunch – or on Sundays, brunch – is just as enticing, albeit with an emphasis on salads, sandwiches, and pastas. Start with a smoked chicken salad on a bed of fresh greens with apple, cranberry, roasted pecans, carmelized shallot, parmesan and a creamy sherry vinagrette. Then progress to more filling fare like the grilled zucchini and eggplant flatbread sandwich with camelized onions, goat cheese, aioli and arugula radish salad, or the rich pasta pomodoro. The farm may be the perfect place for a picnic, but if the beach is calling (and this is a persistent issue in Baja Sur), pack a chicken paillard sandwich or a delicious Cobb salad, and take your treasures with you.

Some of many freshly picked organic offerings at the Flora Farm Grocery, open all day and night.

For those that have fallen in love with the Field Kitchen’s delicious foods – I’m guessing this is everyone who has ever visited – and want to bring the same farm-fresh ethos and downhome techniques to their own kitchen, cooking classes are offered every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Class participants walk the field, gathering their own ingredients, and are taught by Field Kitchen instructors how to prepare fresh breads, handmade pastas, seasonal dishes and traditional Mexican fare. Lunch and margaritas from the Farm Bar are included.

Don’t want to leave? I can’t say I blame you. The good news is you don’t have to. In addition to the Field Kitchen restaurant, Flora Farms is also home to additional businesses, such as the private owners-only community of Culinary Cottages, which encompass 2/3 of the property. The Culinary Cottages are an offering of 10 rustic farmhouse-style homes. All feature high ceilings and mullioned windows, and fringe the adjacent fields. Several are still available, either as permanent residences or as fractional real estate.

Calling the 2,000 sq. ft. homes “cottages” is a bit of an understatement. The Culinary Cottages have a comfortable, easygoing country charm, and their owners, full and fractional alike, roam the fields at their leisure, freely harvesting from over 80 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The sunset views of the surrounding Sierra de la Laguna mountain range are gorgeous, and owners have exclusive access to the Culinary Cottages’ spa, with amenities that include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, yoga and Pilates studio, and a private juice bar, plus additional access to Flora Farm’s future private Beach Club and Bunkhouses.

Flora Farms and the Flora Farms Field Kitchen and Grocery are open for breakfast, lunch, and shopping Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, and for brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 3p.m. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant and grocery are closed on Mondays. For reservations, email reservations@flora-farms.com. For information about cooking classes, contact Marty Haigney at marty@flora-farms.com. Tours of the culinary cottages are by appointment only. For more information, contact Derrick Grahn at derrick@flora-farms.com. For all other information, visit www.flora-farms.com, or call (624) 355-4564.

One of just 10 Culinary Cottages at Flora Farm. Viewings of these stunning handcrafted private homes are available by appointment only.

Photos courtesy of Flora Farms.

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Filed Under: Discover, Food, San Jose del Cabo, Taste, Uncategorized Tagged With: cooking classes, farm fresh, Los Cabos, organic food, restaurants, San Jose Del Cabo

Falling in Love with Flora Farms: Have a Baja Moment! at this Bucolic San Jose del Cabo Property

April 9, 2013 By Chris Sands Leave a Comment

It’s easy for fall in love with Flora Farms: This bucolic property is a great place to Have a Baja Moment!

Falling in love with Flora Farms is a fresh experience.

It’s easy to fall in love with Flora Farms. The 10-acre organic farm is located in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, and is something of a world unto itself. Set against a gorgeous backdrop of sun, sky, palm trees, and rolling hills, the property includes farm fields, as well as a restaurant, grocery, shops, and some newly constructed culinary cottages. Although not far from San Jose del Cabo, Flora Farms somehow feels very far from the sounds of city streets, from strident car horns and bustling marketplaces. It’s the sort of place where time seems to stand still, and the cares and worries of modern life fade and fall away.

All the produce found at the restaurant and grocery comes from the adjoining fields, and meats are sourced from a nearby 150-acre ranch, where animals are raised humanely without the use of hormones or antibiotics. Every morning at first light, the parade begins, as chefs, bakers, butchers, and farmhands begin the day’s duties. Despite its artsy, boutique charm, this is a working farm, and has been for over a decade. You can feel the elemental pull of the earth, and inhale the intoxicating scent of woodsmoke and wildflowers.

Farm-to-table has never taken less time than at Flora Farms, where the restaurant adjoins the surrounding fields.

Flora’s Field Kitchen has become so popular at this point, reservations aren’t just recommended, they’re mandatory. During the dinner hour, the lightly traveled road that leads to the farm becomes markedly busier as discerning locals arrive for their fix of fresh farm air and earthy dining pleasures. The restaurant’s menu depends on the crops, of course, which diners may admire at close range. Very close range. The dining area is so close to the fields you can almost reach out and pick your own vegetables. Wine lovers often talk about terroir, the microclimate and soil characteristics that give wines such individual tastes and textures. In an age when so many are removed from the actual source of the foods they eat, Flora Farms provides and easy-going intimacy with the things that nourish us, and the family style dining adds an additional layer of warmth and companionship.

Near the kitchen is a small grocery stocked with fresh produce, meats, eggs, breads, sweets, pickled goods, sauces, dressings, and preserves. All fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers are picked daily, and are heartbreakingly fresh and fragrant. Speaking of fragrant, did I mention the freshly baked bread from the wood-burning oven? Pick up a baguette or sample one of the delicious sandwiches. There is a wonderful selection of prepared salads, sandwiches, and pastas, including a picnic-perfect Chicken Paillard Salad consisting of lightly grilled chicken served under a lemon-dressed arugula salad with shaved parmesan. In addition to the produce and prepared foods, local artisanal crafts are also offered, including lead-free clay bean pots and mood-setting candles.

Flora Farms is a community unto itself, and shops include an art gallery and onsite grocery

The Farm Bar also looks out over the fields, and features liquid treasures ranging from fruit and vegetable-based juices and specialty cocktails to beer, wine, and farm-fresh twists on traditional favorites. The Farmarita, a margarita made with heirloom carrots, is perhaps the most popular cocktail, but the Farm Julep with watermelon water, basil, mint, and light Bacardi rum also has its adherents. Cocktail standards like martinis and old-fashioneds also get a farm-style makeover, and regional beers and wines are certainly not neglected. Aficionados of the suds will want to try the hoppy IPA served with muddled oranges, cilantro, and a splash of Campari, while wine connoisseurs will find several superb selections – Alois Lageder, anyone? – all of which seem to pair well with the gourmet wood-fired pizzas (hint: try the one with house-cured piloncillo bacon and cherry tomatoes).

At this point, you might not want to leave, and who could blame you? The good news is that you don’t have to. Culinary cottages ring the field, beautiful farmhouse style homes with high-ceilings, rustic furnishings, and vintage appliances. Several of the cottages are still for sale, either as permanent residences or as fractional ownership opportunities. All the field’s bounty is available to owners, as well as access to the onsite pool, restaurant, grocery, and shops. A private entrance and ample parking are additional perks. It’s a unique opportunity for a lifelong bucolic idyll in one of the world’s most beautiful regions. Walk out into the field and pick garnish for your salad, a fresh lime for your margarita, or simply sit outside and have a Baja moment as the sun descends behind the Sierra de la Laguna.

Tours of the culinary cottages are by appointment only. Email derrick@flora-farms.com to make arrangements. For reservations at Flora Farms Field Kitchen, email reservations@flora-farms.com. For all other inquiries, from culinary classes to art gallery information, visit www.flora-farms.com, or call (624) 355-4564.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

Photos courtesy of Flora Farms and Chris Sands.

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Filed Under: San Jose del Cabo, Stay, Taste Tagged With: activities, Cottages, Farm Kitchen, Flora Farms, Flora Farms Field Kitchen, San Jose Del Cabo Accommodations, San Jose del Cabo restaurant, Sierra de la Laguna

Baja Fusion at Don Sanchez in San Jose del Cabo

March 19, 2013 By Chris Sands 9 Comments

Baja Fusion at Don Sanchez in San Jose del Cabo; Baja Cool at Retro Burger.

by Chris Sands

Since moving to Los Cabos fourteen years ago, chef and restaurateur Tadd Chapman has been one of key figures in San Jose del Cabo’s ever-evolving dining scene, responsible for signature fine dining spots like Habanero’s Gastro Grill and Tequila Bar, and Don Sanchez Restaurante. Renovated and re-opened in November 2012, Don Sanchez presents an eclectic Baja Fusion culinary experience like no other at its wine bar, tapas lounge, outdoor grill and palapa-shaded courtyard dining area. There is also a stage and dance floor for live entertainment.

The new-look Don Sanchez offers a sensory pleasure palace that conjures the halcyon days of supper clubs and cafe society, when an evening out wasn’t just about a meal, but an experience. From a sweeping spiral staircase, perfect for dramatic courtyard entrances, to stone Cantera-tiled floors that hearken back to Mexico’s colonial past, the harmonized, detail-oriented design elements provide the restaurant with a classic, yet thoroughly contemporary atmosphere.

Don Sanchez features Baja Fusion and Baja Contemporary cuisine.

Chapman specializes in Baja Fusion and Baja Contemporary cuisine, therefore it is not at all surprising that the restaurant features not only a superb selection of steaks and local seafood delicacies – all accented with traditional Mexican ingredients – but a small-plate tapas lounge situated above the courtyard dining area. Dinner is, of course, the main focus at Don Sanchez…but this atmospheric and wine-friendly eatery is also perfectly conducive to extended lunching.

don sanchezfood2

A devoted wine lover, Chapman is committed to providing a magnificently stocked state-of-the-art wine bar and exposed cellar area with more than 300 international wine labels represented. Modest corkage fees and affordable prices encourage patrons to enjoy the finest wine experience and a sommelier is on hand to assist guests with wine selections. If you fall in love with your dinner wine, or want some Champagne to share back at the suite, carry-out sales are permissible until 11 p.m. Premium tequila selections are also available.

Don Sanchez features more than 300 international wines.

But Tadd Chapman is about more than Baja Contemporary and Baja Fusion…he is also all about retro, as in Retro Burger, the upstairs sports bar and comfort-food restaurant. Retro boasts a design and decor evoking the popular culture of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, complete with vintage arcade games like Pac-Man. Retro is a great place to enjoy burgers and beers, and the perfect spot to catch up on all the latest American, Canadian, and Mexican sporting events. With amazing burgers, salads, appetizers (Buffalo Wings, anyone?) and desserts, this cool dive is the place to jive in San Jose del Cabo.

Retro Burger offers comfort-food and fun.

For visitors to San Jose del Cabo, Don Sanchez is located on Boulevard Mijares, a short walk from City Hall and the town square. For information and updates on upcoming events, visit the restaurant’s website, their Facebook page, or call (624) 142-2444.

What is your favorite Baja Fusion dish at Don Sanchez? Retro Burger? Let us know: info@Baja.com.

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Filed Under: Food, San Jose del Cabo, Taste Tagged With: Baja Contemporary cuisine, Boulevard Mijares, Cantina, dinning, Don Sanchez, Don Sanchez Cantina Restaurant, Los Cabos, Retro Burger, Tadd Chapman, Wine

Cuadra San Francisco Brings the Equestrian Arts to Los Cabos

March 4, 2013 By Chris Sands 2 Comments

Fit for Kings, Queens and Cowboys, Cuadra San Francisco Brings the Equestrian Arts to Los Cabos

by Chris Sands

Los Cabos’ Top Equestrian Center Provides Plenty of Memorable Moments

Golf and fishing might be the most popular activities in Los Cabos, but there truly is something for everyone here, from water sports and high speed off-road racing to slower paced, traditional virtues like archery and falconry. And then there is horsemanship, the equestrian arts, practiced by kings, queen and cowboys throughout history and even today. Located amidst glorious stretches of flowering bougainvillea next to the Cabo Real Golf Course, along the Tourist Corridor that serves as a sort of connective tissue between sister cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Cuadra San Francisco stables close to 50 horses that are available for dressage, riding lessons, polo lessons, trail rides, romantic walks along the beach, and special events like marriage ceremonies and movie shoots.

Master Horseman Francisco J. Barrena brought Cuadra San Francisco to Los Cabos in 1994.

Cuadra San Francisco is the third equestrian center opened by Master Horseman Francisco Barrena – the first two were in Mexico City and Tijuana, respectively – and he chose Los Cabos not only for its spectacular scenery, but it’s growing popularity as a resort destination. He wanted to reach more people, and in 1994, when he and his family built their training center here, it seemed the perfect spot. And for 18 years and counting, it has been. Sr. Barrena & Co. have trained horses for movies (the sword and sandal epic Troy, most notably) and fashion shoots, as well as bringing the community a much needed resource — namely, the traditional virtues of dressage, passed along from the earliest days of civilization, as well as the magnificent lineage of Mexican horsemanship, which has influenced so much of North American history up to and including the American cowboy.

Valente Barrena runs the School of Equitation at Cuadra San Francisco.

Sr. Barrena is a man who has learned much. He trained under one who was considered perhaps the 20th century’s greatest horseman, Portuguese Master Nuno Oliveira, and boasts more than 50 years of experience — and he has much to share about the equestrian arts. Francisco and his son Valente run the equestrian center and teach riding skills to both locals and visitors, adults and children. The stables (cuadra is Spanish for stable) have a family feel. Not only are there half a hundred horses, but dogs and chickens roam the grounds, and the place seems to have a magnetic effect on local wildlife, perhaps fleeing from the wayward tee shots of duffers at Cabo Real. Cuadra San Francisco even rescues birds occasionally, and it’s not unusual to see Valente practicing a bit of falconry.

Private tours options include romantic sunset rides along the beach at Cabo Real.

Private trail rides – for individuals, couples, or groups — are perhaps the most popular draw, and a great family activity. The horses are all perfectly trained, and the guides all speak excellent English. Best of all, each ride is customized, with a choice of terrains, and to a requested tour duration. Visitors may take one- or two-hour rides through the desert, traversing hillsides, viewing the Great Thorn Forest, or ambling along gorgeous white sand beaches that look out over the glittering blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. The local landscape is a study in contrasts – the meeting of desert, mountain, and ocean topographies is one of the reasons Los Cabos is so special – and there are many natural wonders, from arroyos and canyons to unique rock formations and seaside splendor. In the hills and canyons, it is almost as if you have a part in a Western movie. By the beach, it is pure romance.

Need a carriage to get you to and from the marriage ceremony?

Did I mention romance? Cuadra San Francisco’s traditional carriages are among the most charming transportation options you’ll find anywhere in the world. They’re perfect for weddings, and particularly for getting the bride and groom to and from the chapel. By the way, Cuadra San Francisco has eight of them, all perfectly maintained, so you can transport the entire wedding party, if so desired. The riders, of course, are outfitted in traditional Mexican costume, and they will whisk you away to your appointed destiny with all the necessary pomp and gallantry. Not ready to tie the knot? The carriages are still apropos for romantic evenings out and about, for chic arrivals at the area’s fancier restaurants, or moonlight rides through San Jose’s art district.

‘Dancing Horses’ offer an elegant touch to private parties or other special occasions.

For special events, private parties and other occasions, Cuadra San Francisco specializes in ‘dancing horses’ that add a unique and elegant touch — and that will definitely result in a memorable experience for all.

Sr. Barrena and friend show off the Spanish Walk technique by the Sea of Cortez.

The School of Equitation accepts riders of all skill levels, and excels in the fundamentals of classical dressage, a French term that encompasses the highest expression of horsemanship. Francisco and Valente Barrena are well-versed in Alta Escuela (‘High School’ in English), which includes the famed “airs above the ground,” age-old techniques like the majestic Spanish Walk (where the horse lifts each foreleg off the ground in exaggerated movements).

Francisco Barrena and his mount Fuego show off a reining stop maneuver in a demo of the equestrian arts.

Western riding is also a specialty. Mexico has produced and continues to produce some of the world’s best horsemen, with a lineage that includes the feats and exploits of 19th century charros and chinacos. Whether Americans know it or not, both cowboys and rodeos originated south of the border, and the Barrena’s are part of the living legacy of this proud tradition. Students at Cuadra San Francisco can learn the rudiments of the Mexican style, from the impressive reining stop to rejoneo, the art of fighting a bull from horseback.

King, queens and cowboys…and kids! Cuadra San Francisco has special pony club size horses for children ages 6 and up.

As befits the family atmosphere, children are more than welcome at Cuadra San Francisco. The equestrian center maintains polo club size ponies and saddles for children ages 6 and up, and the staff is happy to teach youngsters the foundational skills needed for a lifetime of riding.

Archery and polo lessons are among Cuadra San Francisco’s many offerings.

Speaking of ponies, polo lessons are also offered at Cuadra San Francisco. You’ll have to bring teams with you to play, but there are facilities and equipment available to learn or improve your knowledge of the sport of kings. Children and adults may also try their hand at a bit of Robin Hood style archery. In fact, there are many traditional disciplines here, the kinds that never go out of style.

Exploring the wonders of Los Cabos landscape with the area’s most accomplished guide.

Tempted to make a visit? You should. Not only is this Cabo’s best kept secret, but everyone is ennobled on horseback. There is something about the unique vantage gained astride these magnificent creatures – not just additional altitude, but enhanced perspective - that speaks to the aspirational natures of men and women, and has throughout thousands of years of human history. Perhaps it is honor or virtue, or simply the sense of wonder as you canter across the Los Cabos landscape.

General Information

How to Book: For reservations, visit the website at www.loscaboshorses.com, call (624) 144-0160, or email cuadrasf@prodigy.net.mx. Cuadra San Francisco is open Monday – Saturday, with trail rides and lessons available from 9 a.m. to noon, and 4 p.m. to sundown.

Where to Go: Cuadra San Francisco is located at marker Km 19.5 on the Tourist Corridor that connects Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. They are located next to Cabo Real Golf Course, across from the Hotel Casa del Mar. A sign is visible on the west side of the highway above to a glorious stretch of bougainvillea.

What to Bring: Long pants, a hat, and a water bottle are highly recommended, as is protective sunscreen. The scenery on trail rides is often quite spectacular, so you may want to bring a camera as well.

Cost: Cuadra San Francisco takes pride in its competitive rates. Contact the office for specific details.

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All photos courtesy of Cuadra San Francisco.

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Filed Under: Play, San Jose del Cabo Tagged With: Archery, Cabo San Lucas, Chris Sands, Cowboy, Cuadra San Francisco, Equestrian, Golf, Horsemanship, Horses, King, Los Cabos, Queen, San Jose Del Cabo

Valentine’s Day and Romantic Get-Aways at Cabo’s Luxury Resorts

January 18, 2013 By Chris Sands 4 Comments

Valentine’s Day and Romantic Get-Aways at Cabo’s Luxury Resorts

by Chris Sands

With its golden sands, sultry sea breezes, and lavishly appointed luxury resorts, Cabo San Lucas is one of the world’s most popular destinations for weddings, honeymoons, renewal of vows ceremonies, and romantic getaways. But although romance is a year-round calling in Los Cabos, as Valentine’s Day approaches, several of the area’s premier properties are distinguishing themselves by offering some rather spectacular accommodation and amenities packages tailored for visiting couples.

Romantic get-aways at Capella Pedregal

Las Ventanas Al Paraiso

For couples seeking the perfect location for a Valentine’s Day getaway, the luxurious Tourist Corridor resort Las Ventanas Al Paraiso is currently offering a Pure Romance accommodation and activities package. Available through December 18th, the plan includes a four night stay, round-trip airport transportation in a Mercedes G500, champagne and roses upon arrival, plus an assortment of sexy amenities like chocolates and strawberries, couples massages, and other beach, bath, and spa services.

If the Pure Romance package isn’t enough temptation, consider that the resort also maintains an onsite Department of Romance, with specially trained woo-proficient staff on hand to help you make all of your romance-related dreams a reality. Choose from an activities menu that includes everything from skywriters and secluded seaside dining to harp players and horse-drawn carriage rides, or create and plan your own enticing interludes with the assistance of the DOR team.

One & Only Palmilla

One & Only Palmilla is famed for their wedding services. The seaside resort even has its own onsite chapel. But whether you marry onsite or fly in afterwards, the benchmark property’s signature celebration offering is the Honeymoon package, which includes an astonishing array of pampering amenities, from champagne and fresh flowers upon arrival to Aztec aroma rituals and Las Brisas del Mar private cove experiences.

Not to be outdone by Las Ventanas’ fleet of Mercedes sport limos, One & Only Palmilla picks up honeymoon couples in chauffeured H2 Hummers, before whisking them away for a week of opulent accommodations, sensual spa treatments, and culinary extravaganzas that include breakfast and lunch daily, as well as at least one dinner at world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten‘s Market Restaurant. A private candlelit dinner on the beach overlooking the Sea of Cortez is also provided, of course, as are private butlers. You’re not animals, after all.

Seaside wedding services are easily arranged, and most hotels offer honeymoon accommodation packages.

Capella Pedregal

Generally regarded as the finest hotel in all of Cabo San Lucas, Capella Pedregal boasts an exclusive Pedregal location and stunning Pacific Ocean vistas, as well as a superb collection of romantic packages. One of Capella’s most popular Valentine’s Day offerings is the Romance Under the Stars plan, with a four night stay, Champagne and canapes, breakfast for two daily as Don Manuel’s, a private dinner at the beach, and unforgettable cliffside dining at El Farallon, among other indulgences.

Capella also offers wedding and honeymoon options, with the former accomplished in elegant, traditional Mexican fashion, and the latter showcasing seven nights in an ocean view room or suite, welcoming Margaritas, Champagne and chocolates, five-star dinners in diverse settings, cooking classes, two full body masses at Auriga Spa (voted the best hotel spa in the world), and complimentary bottles of tequila delivered daily.

Isn’t it all enough to make one want to propose immediately, or at the very least have some preliminary talks with a Baja.com travel agent? Sigh.

Photos courtesy of Capella Pedregal.

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Filed Under: Play, San Jose del Cabo Tagged With: Cabo San Lucas, Capella Pedregal, Chris Sands, Love, One and Only Palmilla, Romance, Romantic Get-Away, Rose Petals, San Jose Del Cabo, Valentine's Day

Ironman Triathlon Los Cabos 2013: Are You Tough Enough?

January 4, 2013 By Chris Sands 1 Comment

Ironman Triathlon Los Cabos 2013 brings on the power.

by Chris Sands

Cabo San Lucas residents are a hardy lot. We brave the year round sunshine, gallantly bronzing ourselves on golden sand beaches, and valiantly striving to finish every last drop of our colorful umbrella-garnished cocktails. But even the sturdiest specimens in our seaside paradise are blanching at the prospect of competing in the first Ironman Los Cabos, scheduled for Sunday, March 17.

Ironman Triathlon Los Cabos 2013

The rigorous multidiscipline event – which requires a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, as well as a marathon run of 26.2 miles – is expected to draw participants from over 50 countries, competing for prizes totaling $75,000, and of course the satisfaction that comes from completing a race that would bring hardened special forces operatives to tears. There is only one restriction for entrance: space. Up to 1500 masochists, ahem…athletes, will take part in the inaugural competition, including any Los Cabos locals willing to trade in their fishing poles for dolphin shorts and a pair of sneakers.

The race is part of the larger Ford Ironman Series, and not only is money on the the line, but eligibility for October’s Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, with 50 coveted age group slots available to top performers. Qualifying competitions for the world championship are held all over the world, and Los Cabos joins Cozumel as the second Mexican site chosen to host an event.

“This is truly a spectacular addition to the Ironman circuit,” said Steve Meckfessel, Managing Director of Global Race Operations at Ironman. “The vitality of Los Cabos’ natural beauty combined with the challenging course that our team has laid out will really set Ironman Los Cabos apart.”

Golf at the One & Only Palmilla is only a passing vision for Ironman Triathlon Los Cabos competitors.

As Meckfessel suggests, the race course is configured to show off Los Cabos, from mountain and desert vistas to spectacular Sea of Cortez views. Participants will get an up-close-and-personal look at the sea during the swim portion of the competition, which will take place off Palmilla Beach, near the luxurious and exclusive One & Only Palmilla resort. The protected cove has been chosen for both its beauty and its tranquil conditions, and a rectangular course will be laid out so that one lap equals 2.4 miles, with reference buoys located every 100 meters. Water temperature is expected to be a cool 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

From the beach parking lot, racers will jump on their bikes and tool down the Tourist Corridor that connects the Cape cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. This twenty mile stretch will be extended along the toll road to the airport and linked back, creating a lap that will have to be completed twice in order to meet the regulation 112 mile length. The ride along the corridor will give participants plenty of opportunities to look out over the area’s many pampering resorts and championship level golf courses, and perhaps ponder some of the choices they have made.

Ironman Triathlon Los Cabos will culminate in the civic area of San Jose del Cabo.

The concluding marathon run will weave through the heart of downtown San Jose del Cabo, and finish near the historic City Hall. Participants will have 17 hours to complete all three phases, and forever after to utter the competition’s official slogan: ”Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life.” In addition to bragging rights, brave entrants will also receive a race bag, swim cap, bike water bottle, and a pasta dinner at the Club Campestre golf course. They will also have, suffice it to say, the respect and admiration of those like me, who don’t swim unless their boat sinks, and only run when being chased.

In conjunction with the race, a two-day expo will be held in the convention center of the Hola Grand Faro in San Jose del Cabo, showcasing triathlon related products, event souvenirs, bike mechanic service, CO2 cartridges, and spare tires. The post-race awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, March 18 at Puerto Paraiso Mallin Cabo San Lucas, where $75,000 will be distributed to the top eight male and female finishers. For additional information about Ironman, or to register for the triathlon in Los Cabos, email lgc@ironmanloscabos.com or visit their website.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve ever done? Why not think about it at a Los Cabos bar? Let us know at Baja.com.

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Filed Under: Attend, San Jose del Cabo Tagged With: Cabo San Lucas, Competition, Cozumel, Ford, Golf, Hawaii, Hotel Grand Faro, Ironman, Ironman Triathlon, Marathon, One & Only Palmilla, San Jose Del Cabo, Swim

San Jose del Cabo: A Family Friendly Organic Market

December 12, 2012 By Yesica Pineda 1 Comment

San Jose del Cabo’s Organic Farmers Market is family friendly and much more than just an organic market!

“Nieves (ice cream), pizza, wheat grass, coffee, water, the music, and all of the artisans, cooks, jugglers, and growers. You have created a very lugar tranquilo especial (special quiet place). Whenever we come to Cabo, we will be coming back to this market. We want to see this same caring for the environment and each other spread around the world. Thank you for understanding this and putting it into reality.” Greg & Robin from Olympia, Washington.

San Jose del Cabo’s Organic Farmer’s Market is a family friendly organic market and more!

Organic food and produce, music, art, fun, workshops: San Jose del Cabo’s organic market is a special place on earth.

San Jose del Cabo is, in itself, a natural retreat in Baja California Sur’s ‘lands end’. It is a place that keeps cultivating its beauty and reputation as a small artsy/surfing/world-class culinary Mexican town by the Sea of Cortez. It is also guaranteed that you will find some very unusual people here, particularly in the word of food and cuisine. To give you an example, there is Mexican Chef Pia Quintana (whose new book “Mexico Sano” (“Healthy Mexico”) has just been awarded The Gourmand Best in the World Health and Nutrition Book in Mexico and will compete in February on the World Stage of The Paris Cook book Fair). She is recognized as a pioneer in the effort to offer organic products in our town — the kinds of products that are rapidly becoming part of a lifestyle here. As a testimony to this you can find a fabulous organic farmer’s market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at “La Huerta Maria” near downtown San Jose Del Cabo, (located directly in front of the Jockey Club on the road to Las Animas). The organic market actually is seasonal, and runs from November 3rd through May 25th 2013.

The produce and products of the market include jewelry, clothes, Mexican-flavored dips, leather goods, crafted cards, Huichol arts, furniture, paintings, indigenous lotions and potions and botanicals, pottery, books and maps, stones, basketry, and so much more. Besides the obvious fact that there is organic produce in abundance, food items include organic breakfast cereals (notably Casa Dahlia’s), casseroles, ceviches, fresh baked bread and artesanal bakery items, coffee, curries, ice cream, gourmet handmade Mexican candy, escabeche, middle eastern cuisine and the list goes on.

Produce is abundant at the San Jose del Cabo Organic Farmer’s Market

There are also services offered, from healing massage and therapies to animal care, rolfing, Spanish lessons, tarot reading, and so forth…and so forth! San Jose del Cabo: A family friendly organic farmer’s market that inspires soul evolution for young, old and inbetween.

Kids play with each other while their parents sit to hear the live music, take a yoga session, enjoy a massage or even participate in a workshop. Everyone has a chance to eat, or simply talk with the vendors about their art. Vendors, many of whom are parents themselves, make this their way of life and nurture the ‘family’ approach: An environment where children experience natural joy, education in the arts and friendly social skills. What’s best is that a practice of healthy eating becomes not a parental ruling but a fun way to understand and celebrate the way to life.

The San Jose del Cabo Organic Farmer’s Market is a family friendly experience.

The music is always different: One weekend you can find a Mexican group with marimbas, another you’ll enjoy pop, rock, jazz, guitar duets, tangos, new age. People remark that it is a beautiful experience, even if you end up not buying something. But it is important to buy because 10 percent of the contribution from market-day sales goes toward the costs associated with market operations such as rent, personnel, promotions, fees. So, buy! Remember that each vendor’s contribution makes it possible to operate and maintain the market..and so does yours.

San Jose del Cabo’s Organic Farmer’s Market strives to create a place where local products and art can be available to and supplied by a multicultural community. Besides promoting local organic agriculture, arts and crafts, music and educational resources, this organic market promotes and emphasizes the importance of low impact ecological/sustainable packaging, recycling, and producer-buyer awareness, all of which not only educate but improve the quality of life for everyone in the community.

See you there! For more information about the San Jose del Cabo Organic Farmer’s Market, visit their website!

Looking for a vacation rental with a kitchen, where you can cook up some fabulous Baja Sur cuisine with your organic products?

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Filed Under: Attend, Connect, Events, Play, San Jose del Cabo Tagged With: Chef Pia Quintana, Farmer's Market, Jockey Club, Lands End, Los Cabos, Organic, Organic Market, Produce, San Jose Del Cabo

San Jose del Cabo