You are here: Home / Archives for Cabo San Lucas Blog

New Year, Familiar Cheer: A Guide to January Events in Los Cabos

January 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment

The year may be brand new, but visitors to Los Cabos this month will find many of the upcoming regional events seem comfortingly familiar.

Two of the premier annual sporting events return this January, including the signature local golf tournament (the Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol), and what is now the area’s most anticipated windsports competition (the La Ventana Classic).

Top cultural festivals and gatherings this month, too, have well-established roots: the yearly music concert series in Todos Santos dates back, in one form or another, to 2012, making it two years older than the town’s Writer’s Workshop; and the Thursday night Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo is, of course, a staple of the winter (and spring) event calendar.

All are back, and expected to be better than ever in 2018.

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo (Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25)

The historic Distrito del Arte in San Jose del Cabo takes center stage each Thursday evening during high tourist season – November through June – when residents and visitors alike are invited to stroll its cobblestone streets and peruse the many eclectic fine arts galleries. Art Walk hours are 5 to 9 p.m, when the neighborhood comes alive with wine, cheese and guided tours, as well as colorful street artists and strolling mariachis. A chance to check out San Jose’s recent downtown makeover is another reason to make the Thursday night pilgrimage.

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos (Jan. 11 – 21)

Former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck pioneered jam culture in Todos Santos with this annual music festival, which brought in high-profile musicians for performances at the landmark Hotel California, as well as the town’s picturesque main plaza. Buck’s festival went on hiatus after he made some controversial comments about local politics at the 2016 event, but the music lives on. The freshly minted Tropic of Cancer Concert Series premiered in 2017, and returns in 2018 with an all-star lineup headlined by Joan Osborne, The Autumn Defense, The Jag, Cordovas, La Santa Cecilia, Bostich and Fussible from Nortec Collective, Julie Roberts, and La Victoria.

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament (Jan. 15 – 19)

The most notable golf tournament in a region famed for its spectacular courses returns this January, as Cabo del Sol’s Ocean and Desert Courses play host to the 10th annual Los Cabos Pro-Am. Stay and play packages for the tournament include five days and four nights of accommodation at the Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, as well as three rounds at the participating courses, plus an invitation to the opening and closing cocktail parties, and daily breakfast at one of Hacienda del Mar’s excellent onsite restaurants. Overall team prizes are another lure for amateurs.

La Ventana Classic (Jan. 17 – 21)

Baja California Sur boasts world-class conditions for many water-based activities: fishing, of course, but also surfing, sailing, diving, kayaking and, seasonally at least, windsports. Each winter, when strong El Norte winds blow down the Sea of Cortez, picturesque East Cape communities like Los Barriles and La Ventana become meccas for windsurfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts. Now that Los Barriles has ended its annual Lord of the Wind Showdown, La Ventana’s “Classic” has become the premier regional competition, with windsurfers, kiteboarders and SUP (stand up paddleboarding) enthusiasts battling the breezes to earn cash and glory in various categories. Proceeds this year are earmarked to benefit local schools.

Todos Santos Writers Workshop (Jan. 27 – Feb. 3)

Best known for its painters, the pueblo magico of Todos Santos is also known as a congenial community for writers…as evidenced by the 5th annual writers’ workshop, which returns to the atmospheric Casa Dracula on January 27th. In addition to its usual collection of seminars and speakers, publishing roundtables and other literary pursuits, the 2018 event marks the premiere of the first-ever poetry workshop. The instructor for this newly minted feature is award-winning poet, translator and journalist Christopher Merrill, who also serves as the director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo courtesy of the La Ventana Classic.

 Upcoming Event Calendar

January

Art Walk In San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Special Dinner ft. Napa Valley Chef Christopher Kostow at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 5

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Wellness Retreat w/ Cait Fraser at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 12 – 14; 26 – 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

 March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Date Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Date Not Yet Announced

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – April 5, 12, 19, 26

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Date Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 7, 14, 21, 28

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

 

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – December 30, 2017

December 30, 2017 by Leave a Comment

December 30, 2017

Christmas week we saw many more tourists arriving, the majority of these visitors were coming from climates far cooler than what we have in Southern Baja and were happily enjoying the great local climate and with all of the outdoor activities offered, There was a mix of cloud cover and still plenty of warm sunshine, up to 80 degrees, winds were far lighter this past week and ocean water temperatures ranged 74 to 77 degrees. Besides finding a variety of sport fish, there were increased sightings of whales, as well as other sea life, including, turtles, manta rays, and sea lions.

Local fishing fleets were concentrating on the fishing grounds from Chileno, Palmilla Point, Punta Gordo to La Fortuna. Bait options included sardinas, caballito, mackerel, sardineta, chiuhuil and slabs of squid. The schools of sardinas were now further south off of Cabo Real and with the heavier pressure you needed patience to wait and get in line for these preferred bait fish.

Most productive fishing grounds this week ranged from Palmilla, Punta Gorda and La Fortuna. Yellowfin tuna and dorado were probably the common species, though the wahoo action also rebounded this past week. Despite the winds not being as strong as the previous week, there was still a swift current running and this made it harder to try and do much bottom fishing, though for the anglers that did try drift fishing over shallower rocky reefs, they had some success for a variety of quality eating species, such as leopard grouper, yellow snapper, triggerfish, barred pargo, island jack and others.

The action for the larger grade of yellowfin tuna which had started back up last week on the Gordo Banks, again faded out in recent days and now the better bite for tuna was either off of Palmilla or at La Fortuna, with Palmilla being a hot spot one day and maybe not so good the next, also tons of black skipjack to deal with, which were mixed in with the yellowfin. There were decent sized tuna in the 15 to 40 lb. class found on La Fortuna, though the situation on these grounds were that there were a lot of aggressive and hungry sharks that were grabbing any hooked tuna that they could get a hold of, so more fish were being lost than were actually landed. Other grounds such as Iman or the Gordo Banks reported far less shark activity but more sea lions, which were also playing havoc and attacking any struggling fish they could. Many anglers also reported that besides dealing with natures predators like the sharks and sea lions, there are now numerous spearfishing operations offering chartered free diving trips right on the same local grounds where the rod and reels anglers are concentrated. This used to be only a limited sport on the local grounds, but now is a heavy factor of added pressure on the same already fragile areas. This region is filled with rod and reel anglers and now to bring in so many divers has only made for greater conflicts of interest.

Dorado were being found throughout the inshore areas, most of them caught on sardinas or caballito, sizes ranged up close to 20 lb. Please remember to help conserve this once abundant species and release all of the females as possible, these are easily identified by the different shapes of the head, the male having the squared off forehead and the female more rounded.

Wahoo action came back to life off of Punta Gorda and Palmilla. With greater pressure as well, the word now travels more quickly and these elusive gamefish can become very spooky with the added pressure and even increasingly so with so many spear fishermen swimming around on the same fishing grounds. Best bet for hooking into the wahoo was by slow trolling rigged baits such as chihuil or caballito, sizes ranged to over 40 lb.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 118 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 38 wahoo, 11 sierra, 320 yellowfin tuna, 145 dorado, 6 amberjack, 28 yellow snapper, 2 island jack, 14 barred pargo, 12 Eastern Pacific bonito, 3 dogtooth snapper, 18 white skipjack, 14 roosterfish, 26 cabrilla and 125 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

—

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

3 New Things to Look Forward to in Los Cabos in 2018

December 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment

There’s always room for improvement, even in a natural paradise like Los Cabos.
So as the New Year approaches, we thought we’d share some of the things we’re most excited about for 2018, from brand spanking new businesses to our better than ever beaches.

New Restaurants and Spas

Although luxury villa rentals (click here to see some of our current favorites) remain the best accommodation option for upscale travelers to Los Cabos, we do recommend a visit to some of the area’s premier resorts, if only to take advantage of the first-class restaurants and spas.

The list of available dining and reclining (on a massage table, that is) choices grows significantly larger this year as the recent building boom translates into anticipated hotel openings from brands like Nobu, Hard Rock, Le Blanc, Garza Blanca, Solaz, Montage, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Nobu, the hospitality brand birthed from the culinary fusions of celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa, is the most eagerly awaited property among local foodies. That resort and a Hard Rock hotel – think live music and nightlife after dinner at Nobu – are both slated to open this year at Diamante, an upscale coastal development north of Cabo San Lucas.

Mexican brand Garza Blanca, meanwhile, is promising what may be the best new spa, complete with an expansive hydrotherapy lounge featuring a 10-station vitality pool. Custom therapy suites, a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and hot and cold plunge pools headline the soothing facilities at this tourist corridor based resort.

New Golf Courses

Los Cabos is already one of the most remarkable golfing regions on earth, going from zero courses to having three of its 16 layouts ranked in the world’s top 100 in the span of just 30 years. The good news for local and destination golfers is that even more championship-level courses are in the works, and are expected to open in 2018.

Australian links legend Greg Norman, known locally for his collaboration with Jack Nicklaus at Puerto Los Cabos, is currently putting the finishing touches on Rancho San Lucas, a challenging 18-hole layout highlighted by a unique island green that will accompany the new Grand Solmar resort on the Pacific coast north of Cabo San Lucas. Norman’s newest is expected to be open this Spring. Another major champion, Fred Couples, is aiming to have his Twin Dolphin Golf Club open for play by late 2018 in the tourist corridor which connects the cape cities. It’ll be set on the scenic coast overlooking Santa Maria Bay.

Robert Trent Jones II isn’t a major champion, but he does qualify as golf royalty. His father was a noted golf course architect who designed over 500 courses around the world, and his brother Rees is a famed designer in his own right, with a portfolio that includes a recently opened Baja gem, Danzante Bay at the Islands of Loreto. But Robert Trent Jones II doesn’t take a back seat to either family member when it comes to golf course design. He’s been sculpting courses for over 50 years, and will add to his Los Cabos resume (Cabo Real, 1996) with an 18-hole layout to accompany the new Four Seasons Costa Palmas Resort, also set to open in 2018. That’s at La Ribera, on the municipality’s East Cape.

New Blue Flag Beaches

Los Cabos has worked hard over the past few years to bring its already beautiful beaches up to the very high standards for quality, service, safety and sustainability required by the Foundation for Environmental Education’s prestigious Blue Flag Program. This year, four new stretches of gorgeous golden sand (Acapulquito; Las Viudas; Playa Hacienda, a select portion of the larger Medano Beach; and El Corsario, better known to locals as Cannery Beach) earned their coveted blue flag from FEE, joining already certified beaches Chileno, Palmilla and Santa Maria.

That brings the total for Los Cabos to seven, or 20% of the 35 beaches who’ve met the stringent standards across all of Mexico. And that percentage could shoot even higher. Los Cabos officials have petitioned to have 11 more of the municipality’s beaches certified, and are expecting a final verdict in February 2018. Even if only a few of those 11 beaches get their blue flag, Los Cabos would shoot past Cancun as the country’s unquestioned leader in pristine and picturesque playas.

Sounds like 2018 is going to be another banner year!

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo of Playa Acapulquito courtesy of Cabo Surf Hotel.

Upcoming Event Calendar

December

San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June

Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

5k Run/Walk in Todos Santos – Dec. 30

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31

Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31

January

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced

 March

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced

June

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

 

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – December 24, 2017

December 24, 2017 by Leave a Comment

December 24, 2017

Again this week we saw lighter crowds, we do expect increased numbers of tourists to arrive over the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday. Weather patterns were feeling more like winter, on morning we felt a low of 53 degrees, some days the highs reached only into the low 70s, also had winds from the north on and off, hard to predict from day to day. Ocean water temperature was still in the 75 to 78 degree range and swells were minimal.

Despite the days not being ideal with really warm sunshine, as is normal for the Los Cabos area, anglers actually did very well for a variety of species. Dorado numbers were higher than they have been and often these fish were found within a half mile of shore, with many charters limiting out on these prized gamefish, average fish was weighing in the 10 to 15 lb. range, with some even larger. Best bet for these fish was using either sardinas or caballito for bait. Caballito were being netted inside the marina area, while sardinas were found schooling near Palmilla Point and south to Cabo Real, this area was hit harder by early morning wind from offshore and made it tougher for the bait netters to obtain sufficient quantities, so patience was needed to obtain these preferred baitfish.

Yellowfin tuna action rebounded on the Gordo Banks, but not every day, it was still a bit hit or miss and there were sharks to deal with as well. Though for anglers that were on these grounds at the right time, they accounted for some quality yellowfin to over 80 lb. Also tuna were found on the spots of La Fortuna to Iman Bank, but those areas had larger numbers of sharks and sea lions to shut down the action.

Inshore, closer off of Punta Gordo was one of the best areas producing dorado, a few wahoo were also in the mix, as well as a variety of excellent eating bottom species, striking while drift fishing with chunk bait in about 60 to 80 feet of water, included were yellow snapper, barred pargo, African pompano, triggerfish, leopard grouper and amberjack.

Billfish action was more on the Pacific now, where charters found fair action for striped marlin. Though in recent days a few striped marlin were seen in the direction of the Sea of Cortex, out of San Jose del Cabo, where the first reports of mackerel and sardineta being found off the Hotel zone were being jigged up on sabiki rigs. So this should be favorable for the coming weeks, where the bait goes, so do the gamefish.

Whales continue to move into the region in greater number, the next couple of months will be the peak season for the activity of both gray and humpback whales, whom both arrive here for their winter migration from their northern summer feeding grounds.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 72 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 6 wahoo, 14 sierra, 88 yellowfin tuna, 215 dorado, 14 amberjack, 28 yellow snapper, 4 island jack, 11 barred pargo, 9 Eastern Pacific bonito, 5 dogtooth snapper, 12 white skipjack, 8 roosterfish, 4 African Pompano, 24 cabrilla and 110 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

—

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Planning the Ultimate Baja Golf Getaway

December 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment

There is no doubt, Los Cabos is not only the premier golf destination in Mexico, but in all of Latin America. Indeed, with three top 100 courses and over a dozen spectacular coastal layouts, it’s one of the most spectacular stay and play getaways anywhere in the world.

And it just keeps getting better.

New courses are on the way from Fred Couples and Greg Norman, adding to a portfolio that already includes legendary players turned course designers Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III and Tom Weiskopf. But golf is only a part of the Los Cabos lifestyle experience, which also includes gorgeous beaches, pampering spas, luxe boutiques, world-class restaurants, and of course elegantly-appointed ocean-view villa rentals – from the exclusive hillside enclave of Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas to glorious beachfront properties overlooking the Sea of Cortez – in which one can relax in style between tee times or dinner reservations.

The recent grand unveiling of Danzante Bay only adds to the possibilities. The breathtaking Rees Jones designed course at the Islands of Loreto is a short feeder flight away, opening up the potential for a truly epic Baja golf trip.

Here are a few highlights for any itinerary:

Danzante Bay Golf Club

The grand unveiling of this seaside gem on took place only two weeks ago, but its legend is already growing, thanks in large part to its iconic 17th hole. Set high above the Sea of Cortez, with stunning views of uninhabited offshore islands, the 17th is as jaw-droppingly beautiful as any golf hole in the world, even without the sight of wintering whales in offshore waters. The majestic setting offered a remarkable canvas for Jones, often called the “Open Doctor” for his work tightening up courses before they host the U.S. Open. Jones is kinder here. The 7,237-yard layout features a variety of terrains, from beach to canyon to cliff, with friendly fairways, and collection areas near cliffs to keep golfers from filling the Sea of Cortez with errant tee shots.

Ocean Course at Cabo Del Sol

Jack Nicklaus is the godfather, the guiding spirit of golf in Los Cabos, with six championship-level courses to date on his Land’s End resume. Developer Don Koll first brought the Golden Bear to Los Cabos in 1992, when Nicklaus crafted 9-hole Mountain and Arroyo courses opened at Palmilla. Nicklaus’ masterpiece, however, came two years later, when the Ocean Course debuted at Cabo del Sol. This breathtaking loop, which Nicklaus himself called “the best golf property I’ve ever seen”, has seven holes hugging the picturesque coastline near Punta Ballena, and has been rated one of the 100 best courses in the world for 15 consecutive years and counting. Former British Open champion Tom Weiskopf’s neighboring Desert Course is rather memorable in its own right, so why not play 36?

Dunes Course at Diamante

No local loop, not even Nicklaus’ vaunted Ocean Course, has ever received as much love as Davis Love III’s links style Dunes Course at Diamante. Voted top new international course in 2010, GOLF Magazine declared the Dunes Course the 52nd best course in the world in 2013, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Los Cabos golf course. It has since ascended, and now sits at 38. Greater glories are still to come for this magnificent oceanside layout, which has relegated even Tiger Woods’ well-publicized designs for Diamante – the parkland style El Cardonal and The Oasis short course – to secondary status.

NOTE:  The Dunes Course at Diamante is private, but there are ways to play it. For more information about golf reservations and villa rentals, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo courtesy of Danzante Bay Golf Club.

 Upcoming Event Calendar

December

San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June

Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

5k Run/Walk in Todos Santos – Dec. 30

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31

Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31

January

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced

 March

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced

http://www.loscabosvillas.com/los-cabos-golfing/

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – December 17, 2017

December 17, 2017 by Leave a Comment

December 17, 2017

Light crowds this week visiting the Los Cabos area, normal slack period for traveling, will pick up again over the Christmas Holiday. Cool climate has moved in, on and off winds out of the north, even some rain on Thursday, not enough to keep anglers from going out, but made conditions more uncomfortable, as high temperatures barely even reached 70 degrees. Ocean temperature has been in the 75 to 78 degree range, we expect to see this cooling trend to continue through the month. More whales are now arriving from their annual migration from the   north, as sightings are being reported now every day.

This is now late in the season for warmer water gamefish such as yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo, but there will still be opportunities for hooking into these fish as long as water stays in the 70s. The wahoo action slowed way down this past week, with only handful of these fish being caught earlier in the week, we do anticipate that these fish will become active once again, before cold water eventually sends them further south. Dorado actually showed up in more numbers, still varying from day to day, though many anglers were able to catch their two fish limit. Most of these fish were in the 5 to 15 lb., with an occasional fish to 20 lb. reported. Remember to release juvenile female dorado whenever you have the opportunity, this is beneficial for future fishery to maintain sustainable numbers.

Yellowfin tuna were one of the more common fish being caught on most days, though numbers were fewer this week compared to previous. Tuna were being found off the Arches near Cabo San Lucas, to Santa Maria, Palmilla, Punta Gorda, La Fortuna and Iman Bank. Sardinas were slightly harder to find in recent days, with Palmilla Point being the area where the schooling batfish were being netted. The sardinas were definitely needed for chances at catching the yellowfin, as very few were striking on squid strips or on trolled lures. Sizes of the tuna averaged 10 to 15 lb. though a few larger specimens in the 30 to 40 lb. range were accounted for, these larger fish were found on the Iman Bank. Mixed in with the schools of yellowfin tuna were white skipjack, a bit smaller than most of the tuna, but good eating, not like the black skipjack which are normally only used for cut bait.

Bottom action produced a variety of species off of the more shallow rock piles, wind was a factor on the grounds to the north. Leopard grouper, pompano, island jack, bonito, yellow snapper, barred pargo and triggerfish are were caught in limited numbers. Using sardinas and chunk bait produced, not much on yo-yo jigs at this time.

We continue to see some sierra coming from near shore grounds, though no big quantities yet. Also there were handful of roosterfish caught, up to about 10 lb. No billfish action being reported out of San Jose del Cabo now, best chances for striped marlin has been around the corner on the Pacific Banks.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 78 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 5 wahoo, 32 sierra, 160 yellowfin tuna, 84 dorado, 4 amberjack, 20 yellow snapper, 15 island jack, 8 barred pargo, 10 Eastern Pacific bonito, 44 white skipjack, 3 rainbow runner,5 roosterfish, 3 African Pompano, 22 cabrilla and 105 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

—

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , ,

The World Through Rosé Colored Glasses: Wine Tasting in Los Cabos

December 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos has come a long way since its early days as a tourist destination, when the primary draws were big-game fishing and Cabo San Lucas’ boisterous late-night party scene. In recent years, the area has become increasingly more sophisticated, adding pampering spas, upscale boutiques and first-class restaurants with dedicated wine programs to its portfolio of attractions.

The explosion of interest in Baja California’s wine country – northern Baja grape growing valleys like Valle de Guadalupe produce over 90% of Mexico’s table wines – has translated to vastly expanded wine lists at area restaurants, many of which now specialize in pairing regional food and wines.

Here are four local restaurants where the wines are every bit the equal of the fine cuisine.

Sunset da Mona Lisa

The views are so spectacular that the food and wine rarely get their due. Located in the tourist corridor, overlooking famed surf beach Playa Monumentos, this restaurant hugs the water’s edge, and offers magnificent views of the sun setting over the evocative granite monuments at Land’s End. So romantic are the views that the restaurant has had to hire a full-time wedding coordinator. But the Italian cuisine and fresh local seafood (the restaurant has its own fishing boats) are also superb, and the recently added Taittinger Terrace Oyster and Champagne Bar adds yet another level of seaside romance and world-class wine service.

El Farallon

This may be the one restaurant in Los Cabos that can match Sunset da Mona Lisa for romantic amenities and sheer jaw-dropping views. Set on a cliffside above crashing Pacific Ocean waves at the best resort in Cabo San Lucas, The Resort at Pedregal, El Farallon serves up market style seafood in truly remarkable surroundings. And like Sunset da Mona Lisa, it has added a Champagne Terrace in recent years to up the ante for what was already a breathtaking dining experience. Don’t worry about figuring out the proper cheese pairings. Sommeliers are there to help.

Pitahayas

When it comes to large, well-stocked wine cellars, Chef Volker Romeike is a pioneer. Of course, the chef is more famous for pioneering pan-Asian fusion cuisine at his scenically set restaurant, Pitahayas, at Sheraton’s Grand Hacienda del Mar. There, diners enjoy piquant dishes incorporating elements from countries as disparate as Mexico, the U.S., China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Oenophiles, however, will be most impressed with La Cava de Santiago, the wine cellar and dining area that is home to 400 labels from premier domestic and international producers.

Solomon’s Landing

Solomon’s excels at monthly wine pairing events. Truth be told, though, Solomon’s excels at everything. What was originally a modest taco stand some 20 plus years ago has flourished under the ownership of Brian Solomon to become one of the must-visit meal destinations on the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Seafood is the New Orleans trained chef’s specialty, but Solomon’s serves up delicious food of all kinds morning, noon and night. But the best time to experience the restaurant’s unique approach to fine dining is during the monthly wine pairing dinners, when bottles from the generously stocked, climate controlled cellar are paired with some of the chef’s signature dishes.

 For more information about wine, restaurants and local events, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal.

Upcoming Event Calendar

December

San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

5k Run/Walk in Todos Santos – Dec. 30

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31

Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31

January

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced

 March

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Happy Holidays from Los Cabos, Mexico

December 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Los Cabos Fishing Report – December 10, 2017

December 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment

December 10, 2017

With the big rush of the fall season now over, we normally expect to see less tourists arriving and that is the case now, though actually there were quite a few anglers still showing up, apparently to take advantage of the lighter crowds, warmer than normal ocean temperatures and all around great climate. Water temperatures are now ranging 78 to 80 degrees, it looks like this coming week the weather patterns will be cooler, so we will most likely see ocean temperatures drop. Air temperatures were reaching up to 85 degrees early in the week, but as north winds increased through the week, highs by the weekend were in the mid 70’s.

Bait supplies have remained sufficient, with sardinas being the bait of choice, they are now being netted along the beach stretches from Palmilla to Cabo Real. Some anglers are also still using slabs of squid, locating and catching the chihuil has been another option. We anticipate that new resources for mackerel and sardineta should start to appear as water cools off some. The most consistent fishing action is now being encountered from Santa Maria, Palmilla, Punta Gorda, La Fortuna and Iman Bank.

Anglers were finding that yellowfin tuna were the most common gamefish now being accounted for, the majority of these fish were striking on sardinas, some on strips of squid or chihuil. Most yellowfin landed were in the 10 to 20 lb. range, though a handful of tuna up in the 30 to 70 lb. class were also accounted for. Often the tuna could be seen on the surface feeding freely, but they were spooky and not eager to bite on baits with hooks in them, but they would strike in flurries, sometimes earlier in the day and then at other times not until later, a bit unpredictable, but there are definitely still a lot of yellowfin tuna on the local fishing grounds. Average daily catches would range from 3, 4 or 5 tuna, up to ten or more per charter.

Wahoo action went wide open for a couple of days early in the week, especially off of Punta Gorda, within one mile of shore, the key was having the chihuil baitfish, which were never any guarantee, only a few wahoo were taken on trolled lures, such as Rapalas or while casting yo-yo jigs. A few charters landed as many as 4 to 8 wahoo per morning trip, with sizes ranging up to over 60 lb. The word spread of the hot wahoo bite, and that area close to shore off of the point is a relatively small area and susceptible to pressure, the wahoo become finicky in a hurry. We do expect this wahoo activity to be on and off throughout this month, until water temperature become too cool for their liking.

Dorado continued to be scarcer than tuna or wahoo, though on some days we are seeing some of these fish from the same fishing grounds, with an occasional fish weighing over ten pounds. No billfish to speak of out of San Jose del Cabo and even the good bite on the Pacific slacked up over the recent full moon.

Action off the bottom produced better action than previous period, though later in the week the wind but this action on hold. A handful of quality leopard grouper, yellow snapper, amberjack and monster sized triggerfish were accounted for. Also everyday a few sierra are being brought in. Mixed in with the yellowfin tuna have been white and black skipjacks, some days in higher percentages than the yellowfin.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 83 charters for the week, with anglers reporting a fish count of: 44 wahoo, 22 sierra, 365 yellowfin tuna, 37 dorado, 8 amberjack, 18 yellow snapper, 5 island jack, 12 barred pargo, 12 Eastern Pacific bonito, 125 white skipjack, 1 African Pompano, 4 barred pargo, 15 cabrilla and 105 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

—

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

New Year Heralds Return of Annual Cultural Festivals in Todos Santos

December 6, 2017 by Leave a Comment

The lion’s share of the notable annual events in Todos Santos – a charming pueblo magico about 45-miles north of Cabo San Lucas – occur during the first three months of each New Year, when in rapid succession the Pacific Coast community hosts highly-anticipated cultural festivals celebrating music, literature, art and film.

Here’s a look at what’s on tap in 2018 for these signature regional events.

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series – January 11 – 21, 2018

Former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck pioneered jam culture in Todos Santos with this annual music festival, which brought in high-profile musicians for performances at the landmark Hotel California, as well as the town’s picturesque main plaza. Buck’s festival went on hiatus after he made some controversial comments about local politics at the 2016 event, but the music lives on. The freshly minted Tropic of Cancer Concert Series premiered in 2017, and returns again in 2018 with an all-star lineup headlined by Joan Osborne, The Autumn Defense, The Jag, Cordovas, La Santa Cecilia, Bostich and Fussible from Nortec Collective, Julie Roberts, and La Victoria.

Todos Santos Writers’ Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3, 2018

Best known for its painters, Todos Santos has also been a congenial community for writers. The 5th annual writers’ workshop returns to the atmospheric Casa Dracula, and in addition to its usual seminars and speakers, publishing roundtables and other literary pursuits, will for the first time in 2018 feature a poetry workshop. The instructor for the first-ever poetry workshop is award-winning poet, translator and journalist Christopher Merrill, who also serves as the director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

Todos Santos Art Festival/Open Studios Tour – Feb 10 – 11, 2018

Ever since painter Charles Stewart and his wife Mary Lou moved to Todos Santos in 1985, the town has been famed for its thriving artists’ colony. The best introduction to the region’s abundance of talented artists is the yearly Open Studios Tour, the 9th edition of which is scheduled for Feb. 10 – 11, 2018. Approximately 40 local artists will participate this year, including painters, sculptors, photographers, muralists, plein air painters, encaustic artists, jewelers, printmakers, collage artists, potters, and wood turners. The Palapa Learning Center will offer a special stop on the tour, and will showcase a sampling of 20 selected tour artists’ work for sale. Additionally, the Palapa Society’s child artists will also be working in their “studio” with work on display.

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11, 2018

This annual showcase for Mexican and Latin American films was founded in 1994, and is based each year at the historic Teatro-Cine Manuel Marquez de Leon, a landmark 70+ year old movie theater that overlooks the town square in Todos Santos. The 15th edition of the coastal pueblo magico‘s acclaimed festival de cine is set for March 7 – 11, 2018, and will include full-length films, as well as shorts, documentaries, and projects from the local Youth in Video program. Additional screenings will take place in nearby Pescadero, and Baja California Sur’s capital city, La Paz.

 For more information about local events, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo courtesy of the Tropic of Cancer Concert Series.

 Upcoming Event Calendar

December

San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June

LigaMAC Christmas Party – Dec. 5

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 8

Sabor a Cabo International Food and Wine Festival –  Dec. 9

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

5k Run or Walk in Todos Santos – Dec. 30

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31

Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31

January

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – February 14

Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced

 March

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »