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Iron Discipline Meet Golden Views in the Los Cabos 70.3

August 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment

For most of us, it sounds like a sure way to ruin a perfect day in paradise: start with a strenuous 1.2 mile swim, take a not so leisurely bike ride for 56 miles, then run like your life depended on it for 13.1 more miles. And, if you’re lucky, thousands of people will be chasing you.

For those hale and hearty souls with a more rugged disposition, an iron constitution if you will, it sounds exactly like the perfect day in paradise.

 It, of course, is the Ironman Los Cabos 70.3, the numerical aspect of which refers to the total amount of miles covered. That total, incidentally, is only half of what is required for a traditional triathlon.

The Ironman (or Ironwoman as the case may be) lifestyle began under the tropic Hawaiian sun in the late 1970s, when a debate started between members of regional swim and running clubs about which sport produced fitter athletes. A U.S. Navy officer threw a monkey wrench into the dispute by noting it was a cyclist who had the highest recorded “oxygen uptake”, and…well, you can see where this is going.

Hawaii birthed the idea and the first race, held in Oahu in 1978. The 50th and final U.S. state remains an important stop for Ironman, hosting the annual world championship in Kailua-Kona. The difference today is that it is just one of many locations around the globe. Over three dozen Ironman triathlons were held in 2018, on six different continents. The 70.3 races have proved even more popular. At last count, there were more than 80 taking place annually (including the one in Los Cabos), although in a break from the 140.6 triathlon tradition, the 70.3 world championship is held in a different international location each year.

When the first Ironman race was run in Los Cabos in 2013, it was as a traditional (140.6 mile) triathlon under the sponsorship of the Ford Motor Company. With that inaugural race in March 2013, Los Cabos became the second location in Mexico–after Cancun–to host the Ironman series, unveiling a rigorous course that included a swim leg in the protected waters off Punta Palmilla, a bicycle leg that featured several back-and-forth trips between cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, and a full-length marathon that concluded in front of City Hall in San Jose del Cabo.

As the managing director of the Ironman race operations, Steve Meckfessel, noted at the time: “This is truly a spectacular addition to the Ironman circuit. The vitality of Los Cabos’ natural beauty combined with the challenging course that our team has laid out really sets Ironman Los Cabos apart.”

He was right on many counts. The race course was rich in natural beauty and spectacular views, and it proved popular immediately…with both locals and visitors. However, as one might imagine with a race of such epic size and scope, logistics can and have been an issue. Traffic problems accompanied the first few races, but after a seasonal move from spring to autumn, and a slimmed down 70.3 version with a faster, flatter course layout, Ironman finally seems to have hit its stride in Los Cabos.

This year’s Ironman Los Cabos 70.3 is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2018. In addition to pride and $50,000 in prize money, the half-triathlon offers 30 coveted qualifying spots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Messenia, Greece.

Registration is still open, but time is running out for those who want to raise their fitness from “very good” to “potential race finisher” or “potential winner” in the grueling Ironman series event.

by Chris Sands

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.

 Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

 Photo courtesy of Ironman Los Cabos 70.3.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

 December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

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10 Things You May Not Know About Los Cabos and Baja California Sur

August 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos has many levels. Most visitors see only the surface level: a land of year-round sunshine, with gorgeous golden sand beaches, luxurious tropical accommodations, boisterous nightlife, and destination amenities like big-game sportfishing, pampering spas, and championship-level golf courses.

But beyond this surface Los Cabos are many deeper levels, full of fascinating hidden histories and replete with remarkable lore.

With that in mind, here are 1o things you may not know about Los Cabos – the municipality that’s home to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo – and the state of Baja California Sur.

Fishing was big in Los Cabos long before the age of tourism…

The first inhabitants of Los Cabos were the Pericu, a tribe of hunter gatherers whose territory extended beyond the boundaries of the present day Los Cabos municipality, and included offshore islands like Espiritu Santo, Cerralvo and San Jose.

Much of the culture and language of the Pericues has been lost to history, but thanks to descriptions from European sailors and missionaries, we know something of their way of life; including their prodigious talents as fishermen. Captain Woodes Rogers, an English privateer who later became Governor of the Bahamas, described their methods glowingly in his 1712 book, A Cruising Voyage Round the World.

“They subsisted chiefly on fish while we were here…We saw no nets or hooks, but wooden instruments with which they strike the fish very dexterously, and dive to admiration. Some of our sailors told me they saw one of them dive with his instrument, and while he was underwater put up his striker with a fish on the point of it, which was taken off by another that watched him on a bark log. The reader may believe of this what he pleases, but I give it the more credit because I myself threw some rusty knives overboard on purpose to try those divers, who seldom missed catching a knife before it could sink three or four fathoms; which I took to be an extraordinary proof of their agility.”

The Arch at Land’s End is old…really, really, really old…

Geological estimates for the oldest granitic monuments at Land’s End suggest a mind blowing antiquity. According to The Atlas of Coastal Ecosystems in the Western Gulf of California, the Cretaceous Period granite that forms El Arco is equivalent in age to that found at subsurface volcanic sites at Las Tres Virgenes in the municipality of Mulege:  approximately 84 million years old.

San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are not the original names of the cape cities…

 Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo were not always referred to thusly. The Pericues referred to the former as Yenekamu, the latter as Añuiti. Until Francisco de Bolaños named Cabo San Lucas on October 18, 1541, it was listed on Spanish maps as “Ballenas” (Whales).

In 1602, when Sebastian Vizcaino undertook an exploratory voyage of the California coast on behalf of King Felipe III of Spain, he stopped in San Jose on June 11, dubbing in San Bernabe in accordance with the Catholic calendar. San Bernabe it would remain for over 100 years, until a Jesuit mission was founded there in 1730.

According to historian Pablo L. Martinez, who grew up in nearby Santa Anita: “The name of San Jose was given after Jose de la Puente, benefactor of colonization (the Marques de Villapuente, to give his official title, funded a large percentage of the Jesuit missions in Baja); and that of del Cabo was added to distinguish it from Comondu, which was also San Jose.”

Baja California Sur is the youngest state in Mexico…

Mexico has 31 states and a federal district. Baja California Sur was, along with Quintana Roo, the last to achieve statehood, being elevated from territory status on October 8, 1974. Baja California, by contrast, was officially given statehood in 1952.

Baja California Sur has more coastline than any Mexican state…

Mexico has approximately 9,330 kilometers of coastline, and a rather staggering percentage of it surrounds the Baja California peninsula. Baja California Sur owns 2,131 kilometers, Baja California 1,493 kilometers. Together, they account for 38% of the nation’s coastline. That adds up to a lot of beautiful beaches.

 The Sea of Cortez is the world’s youngest sea…

What we now call Baja California was born amid cooling magma in the distant mists of the Mesozoic Era, between 135 and 225 million years ago. For millions of years afterward, plate tectonics, continental drift, subduction and other forces acted upon the coastline, finally resulting in a peninsular break from the Mexican mainland.

This fracture occurred from the top down–at the terminus of the Colorado River–beginning about 12 million years ago. As recently as five million years ago, present day Los Cabos was still connected to the continental massif, at what is now the state of Jalisco.

The mouth of the Gulf of California, or Sea of Cortez, finally opened three million years ago; and approximately 1.8 million years ago, in the early stages of the Pleistocene Epoch, the peninsula achieved what we consider its present position…although it continues to move away from the mainland at a stately pace of about six centimeters per year.

La Paz is the oldest community on the peninsula…

Each year on May 3, La Paz honors its foundation, remembering the day conquistador Hernan Cortes came ashore in 1535. This year, Baja California Sur’s capital city marked its 483rd birthday, and as always, celebrated with a Foundation Festival featuring food, drink, live entertainment, and of course a traditional reenactment of the landing of the Spaniards.

Loreto was the first capital of the Californias…

From 1697, when the Jesuits founded the first permanent peninsular community at Loreto (the indigenous inhabitants were hunter gatherers), Loreto was the capital of California. Loreto didn’t give up this privilege until 1777, when the capital was moved to Monterey in Alta California. Loreto remained the capital of Baja until 1829, when a particularly damaging hurricane caused the seat of government to briefly be moved to San Antonio. La Paz became the peninsular capital in 1830, and has remained so for Baja California Sur until the present day.

San Antonio is the longest continually occupied secular community in the Californias…

The Jesuits, Franciscans and Dominicans founded many missions in Las Californias, but the oldest continually occupied secular community is at San Antonio, a small town near El Triunfo, about 40 miles south of La Paz. San Antonio was founded in 1756 by Simon Rodriguez, as a community for mine workers at the newly formed Santa Gertrudis mine.

The final skirmish of the Mexican-American War took place near Todos Santos…

Although omitted almost entirely from books on the subject, Baja California was a hotbed of resistance during the Mexican-American War, and several pitched battles and sieges occurred on the peninsula. The war effectively ended when General Winfield Scott and his troops captured Mexico City in September 1847; but Bajacalifornio patriots under Capt. Manuel Pineda and wartime jefe politico Mauricio Castro continued to fight for their country. The final skirmish took place just north of Todos Santos on March 30, 1848, three weeks after the U.S. Congress had ratified the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

 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 Shane Smith.

Upcoming Event Calendar

July

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

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 15, 22, 27 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

 March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

 

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Adidas Golf Invitational Tees It Up in Los Cabos This November

August 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment

If you’re a golfer, or indeed a sports enthusiast of any kind, you know the name Adidas. The Germany based shoe and clothing company is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe̶ –indeed, one of the largest in the world–with an athlete sponsorship roster that includes golf professionals like Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Paula Creamer.

Of course, in addition to sponsoring athletes, Adidas also sponsors sporting events. Like the Adidas Golf Invitational, for example, which tees it up in Los Cabos this November.

If you’re a Los Cabos based golfer, or indeed anyone who visits the area regularly, you probably know about this tournament. Just not by this name.

Formerly the TaylorMade Invitational, and more recently the Jim Flick Invitational–when it was named in honor of Jim Flick, a PGA professional and golf instructor who during a half-century long career taught golf in 23 countries and worked with pros like Tom Lehman and Jack Nicklaus–this annual competition is actually one of the longest running and most prestigious golf tournaments in Los Cabos.

And just to be clear: Adidas has been on board from the very beginning. The company acquired TaylorMade in 1997, just before the initial tournament in Los Cabos. This is just the first year Adidas has put their name in the title.

Despite the multiple name changes over the years, the tournament format has remained fairly consistent: a prom-am setup with the pros competing over 72-holes of stroke play ($100,000 is on the line in 2018), and foursomes (featuring one professional and three amateurs) battling in handicap-adjusted best ball play for prizes and glory.

Cabo del Sol’s Ocean and Desert Courses once again provide the backdrop, and a spectacular one at that. The Jack Nicklaus’ designed Ocean Course has been showered with accolades since it opened in 1994. Ranked in the top 100 in the world for 15 years running by GOLF Magazine, the Ocean Course hugs the coastline, offering stunning mountain, desert and Sea of Cortez views before concluding with what Nicklaus himself has called “the three finest finishing holes in golf.”

Although lacking the same accolades as its Ocean neighbor, Tom Weiskopf’s Desert loop also offers an unforgettable golfing experience, and is certainly worthy of sharing the Cabo del Sol imprimatur.  The scenically sculpted layout is currently rated as the 6th best course in Mexico, and was included among Golf Week’s 50 top courses in Mexico and the Caribbean for 2017.

Given the world-class conditions, it’s easy to see why Adidas refers to the tournament week as “the best week of the year.”

The 2018 Adidas Golf Invitational is scheduled for November 6 – 11, and will build on the momentum of recent outings with a new Tuesday Shoot-Out, an alternate shot competition featuring an additional $7,500 purse for the pros.

For those handicapping the event, the 2016 Jim Flick Invitational was won by Michael Block; and in the team category by the foursome of Jason Marciniec, Alan Marthinsen, Chris Raftis and Bill Sarris. Kramer Hickok triumphed in 2o17, with a 20 under par score that included a blazing 66 in the final round. He bested the defending champion, Block, by five strokes, and another former champion, Bob Sowards, by six. Block redeemed himself, however, with a share of the team title, assisted by Adam Hopp, Rich Rutherford and Robert Jackson.

Jack Nicklaus was honored with the first ever Jim Flick Trophy in 2016, an appropriate selection given the relationship between Nicklaus and Flick–they founded the Nicklaus-Flick Golf Schools together–as well as Nicklaus’ unrivaled status as 18-time major champion, and his contributions to Los Cabos golf.

Nicklaus effectively put Los Cabos on the golfing map in the early 1990s with spectacular layouts at Palmilla, Eldorado and Cabo del Sol; and has since built upon this legacy with the magnificent Quivira, challenging Campestre, and a newly completed 18-hole course at Puerto Los Cabos. His son Jackie accepted the trophy on his behalf.

91-year-old Bob Toski, a long-time golf pro and instructor, received the Jim Flick Trophy in 2017. There’s no word as yet on the honoree for 2018, but the tournament will continue its relationship with the Military Warriors Support Foundation, again helping to raise money to provide a combat wounded veteran a mortgage free home.

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 Jim Flick Invitational.

Upcoming Event Calendar

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

 

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Bisbee’s 2018 Tournament Season Off to a Record Breaking Start

August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Bisbee’s seems to be breaking records with each new event. 

The 2017 East Cape Offshore–the first of Bisbee’s annual trio of Los Cabos based fishing tournaments–was an unprecedented success, with 136 billfish boated in the 3-day event, and a record spread of teams (11 of 64) claiming a share of over half a million dollars in prize money.

The 2018 tournament, which wrapped up last weekend, once again set records: this time for the largest amount of prize money…a whopping $657,125. Over 360 anglers on 62 teams competed in the three-day event, and qualifying catches were brought in on all three days, the first time that’s happened in tournament history. Fifty-five black and blue marlin were caught, and a record tying 11 teams shared in the prize money, with Booze Brothers’ prize check for $166,064 taking top honors.

The success of this year’s ECO is bittersweet, given the passing of tournament founder Bob Bisbee on June 14th. But one can only imagine that man who started it all in 1981–when a modest six teams competed in the first Black & Blue for $10,000 in money–is smiling at the way new records are being shattered at each succeeding tournament event.

And the best is yet to come.

The East Cape Offshore, for all its glory, is merely a prelude to Bisbee’s marquee annual events:  the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue marlin fishing tournaments, held each October in Cabo San Lucas.

The Black & Blue gets star billing, of course. Not only is it the oldest of Bisbee’s trio of tournaments in the Los Cabos municipality, it is also the most lucrative, living up to its hype as “the world’s richest fishing tournament” and “the Super Bowl of sportfishing.” The 2006 payout of $4,165,960 remains the largest in sport fishing history, and no one complained about last year’s kitty of $3.255,750.

Cabo San Lucas in October is the place and time where skilled anglers can become millionaires overnight. In 2016, Julio Fernandez’s team aboard Quiteña pocketed a cool $2,183,000 for bagging a bruising 534 lb. black marlin. In 2017, the largest number of qualifying fish in the history of the tournament were bagged, with over 11,000 pounds of fish donated to Hope for Los Cabos, generating an estimated 33,747 meals for locals in need. Ten Brothers team led the way in terms of prize money, taking home $961,518 and some change.

This year’s Black & Blue is slated to take place October 23rd to 27th, with registration on the first day, an awards ceremony on the last, and three days of fishing in between. Those visiting the Land’s End city during the event can watch daily drama as fish are weighed on the marina boardwalk in front of Puerto Paraiso. The drama is a little more intense, however, if you happen to be the one who caught the fish! Registration remains $5,000 per team, or $71,500 across the board for all jackpots and challenges.

The Los Cabos Offshore serves as a warm-up–it is affectionately known as “Little Bisbee’s,” to differentiate it from the Black & Blue, or “Big Bisbee’s”–and kicks off the biggest nine days of the year on the Cabo San Lucas sporting calendar. Scheduled for October 18th to 21st, the LCO is thought of as a friendlier, more charity focused tournament than the high-dollar main event that follows.

Based on the way things have been going, expect a record amount of money to be paid out to both anglers and deserving charities.

Bisbee’s is on a hot streak, and that bodes well for everyone….everyone except the fish, that is.

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 Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournaments.

Upcoming Event Calendar

July

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

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 15, 22, 27 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

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

Hot Time in the Cape Cities: August Events in Los Cabos

July 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

August is one of the slowest months of the year for events in Los Cabos, surpassed only by September, when the only events of note are related to Independence Day celebrations across Mexico. But even as cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo enter into the dog days of summer, there are still plenty of things to do.

In an area famed for its world-class water-based activities, August offers optimal conditions a number of signature pastimes. Snorkelers and divers, for example, will find nearly optimal conditions, thanks to warm water temperatures and excellent visibility. Surfers can take advantage of great seasonal conditions off beaches on the Sea of Cortez side of the municipality. And visiting anglers will find plenty of big-game action to get their hooks into, from tuna, wahoo and dorado to black, blue and striped marlin.

Fishing provides the bulk of the event focused action in August, with two major competitions on the calendar: Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, the traditional kick-off to Bisbee’s seasonal trio of big-money, big-game fishing tournaments in Los Cabos; and the East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot, one of two local tournaments to give away to a brand new vehicle to its grand prize winner.

But professional tennis also makes an appearance, as the Los Cabos Open returns for its 3rd annual tournament.

Mifel Los Cabos Open of Tennis  (Jul. 30 to Aug. 4)

There are two ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) sponsored events held annually in Mexico:  the Mexican Open in Acapulco and the Los Cabos Open, which premiered in August 2016 at specially constructed facilities at Delmar International School, just outside of Cabo San Lucas.

The first tournament featured 13 of the world’s 50 best players, and was won by hard serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who defeated Spanish star Feliciano Lopez in the final. The match had historic dimensions, as it featured the oldest finalists in an ATP event since 1977. Last year, American Sam Querrey accomplished the rare Mexican Double, winning both the country’s professional tournaments.

In 2018, the Mifel and Cinemex sponsored event again welcomes 28 world-class singles players and 16 doubles specialists, competing for nearly $800,000 in prize money. Argentine player Juan Martin del Potro, currently ranked no. 4 in the world, and Lopez, a former French Open doubles champion who has also made a record 66 consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances, are the headline attractions.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore  (Jul. 31 to Aug.4)

The East Cape Offshore is the first of three Bisbee’s fishing tournaments that take place in Baja California Sur each year. The ECO is always first, and kicks off Bisbee’s 2018 series starting July 31st.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories, with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista.

Base entry for the event is $1500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots. Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers.

Tequila Tasting at Casa Calavera  (Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)

Looking for a refreshing antidote to the late summer heat? Try tequila, or at least tequila tasting, courtesy of a new weekly series from standout San Jose del Cabo eatery Casa Calavera.

Casa Calavera, for the uninitiated, is a Day of the Dead themed restaurant that’s part of the new $150 million dollar entertainment district which premiered in February at Grand Mayan at Vidanta Los Cabos.

Casa Calavera’s tequila tastings take place every Wednesday from 12 to 9 p.m., and are described to guests by Casa Calavera’s in-house Maestro Tequilero,. They’re also paired with a rotating small plates menu.

There are four tasting options to choose from: Herradura (white, rested, aged) for $700 pesos, Fortaleza (white, rested, aged) for $850 pesos, Casa amigos (white, rested, aged) for $950 pesos, and the Premium Tequila Tasting for $1,300 pesos, which features the rare Clase Azul Plata, Don Julio 1942, Avion 44, and Reserva de la Familia.

 East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament  (Aug. 25)

The rules are simple: the largest wahoo caught on Saturday, Aug. 25, will earn one lucky fisherman a new Volkswagen Golf and approximately $15,000 in cash.

Overall, there will be over $100,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, including great raffle prizes, return trips, fishing, and much more. The entry fee is only $500 per team and includes dinner at the awards ceremony. Terrific prizes will be awarded for the top three teams that catch the largest wahoo.

There will also be prizes for the largest dorado and tuna, plus great drawing prizes of tackle, lures, rods, tackle boxes, gift certificates, and return trips to Van Wormer Resorts.

The awards dinner will be held at Hotel Palmas De Cortez in Los Barriles on the same Saturday, August 25th, at 7 p.m.

 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 Van Wormer Resorts.

Upcoming Event Calendar

July

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

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 15, 22, 27 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

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

Los Cabos Fishing Report – July 22, 2018

July 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

July 22, 2018

We saw a slight increase in visiting anglers this past week. Weather patterns were increasingly more tropical, with more cloud cover, but only some very minimal rainfall was felt, more humidity than anything else. No new storms brewing to the south at this time, mild surf conditions and very little wind. All this made for great ocean conditions for anglers, with water temperatures up in the 80 to 83 degree range through most of the region and even warmer currents lurking further offshore. Lot of baitfish now on the fishing grounds.

Anglers found sufficient supplies of bait near the marina area, mainly sardinas, caballito and mullet. Most of the fishing action has now been centered from the Gordo Banks to Iman, San Luis and north to Vinorama. Cleaner currents have improved the all-around action in recent days. Though the yellowfin tuna that are schooling near and Iman and San Luis Banks continue to be very finicky from day to day, though the tuna that are being hooked into are averaging in the 40 to 60 lb. class and there were at least a couple of larger tuna up to 120 lb. accounted for this past week. Some small football sized yellowfin tuna have also shown up, we have not seen those yet until now, perfect bait size for trolling after at a big black or blue marlin. We have heard the reports of black and blue marlin taken out of the East Cape and especially out of La Paz. On our grounds a couple of blue marlin in the 200 to 300 lb. class were reported. Some sailfish and striped marlin were also found on the same grounds,

The wahoo and dorado also became more active this week, dorado were found on the same tuna grounds, most of these on various baitfish, though they would strike lures as well. Sizes ranged up to 20 lb., though the majority were under ten pounds, please remember to release the smaller fish, especially the females, which are easily identified by there more rounded off forehead. Wahoo were striking trolled Rapalas near Iman, San Luis and Vinorama, no huge numbers, but at least we are seeing some of these elusive and highly sought after gamefish, sizes were respectable, averaging 30 to 40 lb.

Bottomfish was mainly jigging for red snapper and bonito off of Iman and San Luis, some days better than others, late in the season now for these fish. Hoping to see more amberjack and possibly dogtooth snapper show up. Only a handful of leopard grouper or broom tail grouper found.

Inshore action for roosterfish was becoming a bit more scattered, but some epic action for quality sized roosterfish to 70 lb. was found, particularly on the beach stretches towards Vinorama, but also off the local hotel zones as well. Mixed in were some hog sized jack crevalle and even a few out of season sierra. Best bait for roosters was live mullet

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 74 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of:  2 blue marlin, 5 sailfish, 7 striped marlin, 92 dorado, 132 yellowfin tuna, 9 wahoo,142 bonito, 12 yellow snapper, 75 red snapper, 19 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 2 amberjack, 68 roosterfish, 19 jack crevalle, 8 barred pargo, 5 surgeon fish, 8 sierra and 38 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: , , , , , , ,

Swing Time – When and Where to Find the Best Golf Tournaments in Los Cabos

July 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos is famous for its big-game fishing tournaments, many of which feature enormous payouts and cash-rich jackpots. Golf can’t really compete, at least in terms of lucrative prize money, but Los Cabos does feature an impressive collection of tournaments that show off the region’s many seaside golfing glories.

And to be fair, the prize money at some of these events is enticing. Most of it, however, is earmarked for the professionals. The big lure for amateurs and flat-out duffers is the opportunity to play and compete on some of the most spectacular courses in the world. Golf Digest’s most recent ranking of the World’s 100 Greatest Courses, for example, included four from Los Cabos, including two – Querencia and Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course – that play host to annual tournaments.

Here are the top local golf tournaments to keep in mind when making plans for your next trip to Los Cabos.

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol

Now on its third name, the 2018 version of this tournament is scheduled for November 6 – 11 at Cabo del Sol’s picturesque Ocean and Desert Courses in the Los Cabos tourist corridor. Originally called the TaylorMade Invitational, the tournament was renamed in 2016 in honor of the late Jim Flick, a PGA Professional and golf instructor for more than 50 years. Flick taught golf in 23 countries and worked with pros like Tom Lehman and Jack Nicklaus, with whom he founded the Nicklaus-Flick Golf Schools. The now Adidas sponsored tournament retains the pro-am format, with professionals competing for $100,000 over 72-holes of stroke play, and foursomes (featuring one professional and three amateurs) battling in handicap-adjusted best ball contests. Participants are hosted by the luxurious Grand Fiesta Americana, and the tournament helps to raise money for American military veterans.

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament

Cabo del Sol’s acclaimed Jack Nicklaus designed Ocean and Tom Weiskopf sculpted Desert Courses also play host to the 11th annual Los Cabos Pro-Am, yet another of the region’s signature golf competitions. 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. The 2019 event will take place January 14 – 18.

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia

This is the one local event with restrictions, as entry is reserved for collegian golfers. The Cabo Collegiate was established in 201o as a three-day invitational tournament, and each year since it has welcomed a dozen or more NCAA Division I teams to compete at Tom Fazio’s masterful and muy exclusivo Querencia Golf Club. Next year’s competition at the beautiful and challenging private layout – currently ranked #97 of the World’s 100 Greatest Courses by Golf Digest – is slated for March 3 – 5, 2019. Oklahoma State University is the two-time defending champion.

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament

The biggest annual fundraiser for the Los Cabos Humane Society traditionally features a golf competition at one of Los Cabos’ many world-class courses, before concluding with a fundraising dinner at a premier local restaurant The gorgeous Jack Nicklaus’ designed Palmilla Golf Club has played host for the last two competitions, with 18-holes chosen from among its three 9-hole layouts (Ocean, Mountain and Arroyo courses). Also notable during the last two years: Acre Restaurant, one of the leaders of the local farm-to-table movement, has fired up the BBQ fixings to accompany the usual fundraising silent auction. No dates, course or dinner destination have been announced as yet for the 2019 event, but the Paws n’ Claws Tournament typically takes place in March or April.

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament

Stars and Stripes is more than just a golf and fishing tournament….it’s a complete lifestyle experience. Participants stay at the luxurious Hilton Los Cabos; play golf at some of the world’s best golf courses; go big-game sportfishing for dorado, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, swordfish, and black, blue and striped marlin; and enjoy beach days and spectacular live entertainment nightly (Sammy Hagar headlined in 2015). Youth focused charities are the big winners, though. In its 20+ years of existence, the tournament has raised over 26 million dollars for kids. Dates are yet to be determined for 2019, but keep some time free in late June, early July.

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 Querencia Cabo Collegiate.

Upcoming Event Calendar

July

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

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 15, 22, 27 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

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

Cabo Rocks! The Best Music Festivals and Fiestas in Los Cabos

July 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment

In Mexico there is always music. You hear it everywhere….not just at bars or nightclubs, but in shops and restaurants,
and in the streets from wandering mariachis.

Music is so much a part of the fabric of the Mexican experience that virtually all events can be characterized, to a greater or lesser extent, as “music festivals.”

That’s particularly true in Los Cabos. For instance….

Bisbee’s Black & Blue, the world’s richest fishing tournament, kept anglers reeling long after the final weigh-in last year thanks to a concert from David Pack’s Legends Live, a collection of musicians from some of the biggest rock bands of the 1070s and 80s.

Sabor a Cabo, the Los Cabos region’s biggest food festival, has boasted appearances from top chefs and from Mexican supergroup Mana and soul/funk legends Earth, Wind & Fire, among others.

The Stars & Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament, similarly, pairs its daytime attractions with some nighttime music from headline-grabbing rock stars like Sammy Hagar and Don Felder of The Eagles. Wherever one turns, in other words – whether to food and wine events, sporting competitions or cultural to-dos – music is there, too.

But while it’s true that every big event in Los Cabos comes complete with music, there are only a dozen or so where music is the unquestioned focus, the centerpiece attraction. Most are rooted in classic rock n’ roll, but a select few showcase other musical styles.

With that in mind, here are five of our favorites:

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina

Every year since 1990, loyal “Redheads” from around the world have flocked to Cabo San Lucas for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina. In 2018, the former Van Halen and Montrose celebrates his 71st year on the planet with an all-star cast of visiting musicians – including The Circle members Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson. Shows are scheduled for October 9, 11 and 13. General admission tickets are available to winners of a random drawing, but those who aren’t selected will still have an opportunity to attend, as some dinner show tickets are always made available in early October on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series

Okay, this one isn’t actually in Los Cabos….but the peninsula’s original pueblo magico, Todos Santos, is only a one-hour drive from Cabo San Lucas, and this event has some serious rock star pedigree….so we’re breaking our own rules.

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 for a third outing in 2019, with the now usual all-star lineup appearing January 10th through the 20th.

Jazz Weekend in San Jose del Cabo

This year saw the 6th edition of San José del Cabo Jazz Weekend, a festival dedicated to the freewheeling American musical style held yearly at the popular Plaza del Pescador, an outdoor mall across from San Jose del Cabo’s scenic, resort-lined Playa Hotelera. Plaza del Pescador has only been around for a few years, but has quickly established a reputation for itself as a music venue, thanks to tenants such as Jazz Tapas Café and Rock&Brews, the restaurant chain started by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Admission is always free for this two-day music fest in February, which features a talented array of jazz musicians. Latin jazz, as might be expected, is particularly well represented.

Fiesta de la Musica

In 1981 a French director of music and culture, inspired by a statistic that claimed half the country’s children played a musical instrument, began dreaming of a way to engage this musical spirit en masse. Soon after, in 1982, the first Fete de la Musique was held in Paris, where it was scheduled to coincide with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Flash forward 36 years, and the Fete de la Musique is no longer solely a French celebration, but a worldwide phenomenon that takes place annually in over 450 cities in 12o countries around the globe. For the past 10 years, that list of cities has included San Jose del Cabo, the oldest and most populous of the two cape cities (Cabo San Lucas is the other) that comprise the modern-day municipality of Los Cabos. In San Jose, however, the celebration is known by its Spanish name, La Fiesta de la Musica.

Over the past decade, the Fiesta de la Musica has become so important and so beloved by the local community that it’s now considered the premier music festival in Los Cabos. Certainly, it’s the most robustly attended, drawing over 25,000 people annually. The 2018 edition featured more than 100 bands and musical acts performing throughout the city’s historic downtown area. Expect the number to rise in June 2019.

International Concert Music Festival in La Paz

Okay, this isn’t technically in Los Cabos either. But if you love classical music, this yearly festival in Baja California Sur’s capital city is definitely worth the two-hour road trip.

Classically trained musicians from countries around the world come together each autumn in beautiful La Paz to provide five nights of memorable music at the elegant Sala de Conciertos, a performance venue in the downtown heart of the city. Featured composers in years past – this year marks the ninth edition – have included Beethoven and Debussy.

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 Cabo Wabo Cantina.

Keywords:  music in Cabo, Cabo Wabo Cantina, Sammy Hagar, events in Cabo, concerts in Cabo, events in Baja, live music in Cabo, Los Cabos events, music in Los Cabos, concerts in Los Cabos, live music in Los Cabos, jazz in Cabo,

 

Upcoming Event Calendar

July

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

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 15, 22, 27 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

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

The Cabo Culinary Calendar – A Guide to Food Festivals in Los Cabos

July 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos’ ever evolving dining scene is shown off to its best advantage in the region’s increasingly packed calendar of food and wine related events, which spotlight the creativity of Los Cabos’ top chefs, but also celebrate traditional local specialties like freshly sourced seafood and organically grown fruits and vegetables.

For those seeking a true taste of Los Cabos – from food festivals in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo to fairs and fiestas in Todos Santos and beyond – here’s a basic guide to the biggest events on the local culinary calendar:

Summer Harvest Festivals

Each July, when the pitahaya ripens, the residents of the small organic farming community Miraflores (in English, “Behold the Flowers”) celebrate with a lively weekend harvest festival. Pitahayas are a fruit derived from the organ pipe cactus, and are extraordinarily rich in antioxidants, which may account for the legendary longevity of Miraflores residents.

Pitahayas were the favorite food of the region’s indigenous inhabitants, the Pericues, and thus also have a strong cultural and historical component. This year’s “feria” is coming up soon – July 13 to 15 – and will include the crowning of a festival queen, a pitahaya gathering contest, and a vast array of food and drink, much of it featuring the region’s signature fruit.

Pitahayas may be the most emblematic fruit in Baja California Sur, but the  most ubiquitous are mangoes. You can reach up and take them off the trees at many area resorts and restaurants, and during summer months, freshly squeezed mango juice becomes a delicious daily treat for residents and visitors alike.

A trip to the annual Todos Santos Mango Festival will heighten your appreciation for what can be done in the name of this luscious tropical fruit. See if you agree with who dishes out the best Mangate, a dessert typical of the region. The 2018 edition – hosted in the state’s only pueblo magico, one hour north of Cabo San Lucas by car – takes place later this month: July 28 – 31.

Sabor a Cabo International Food & Wine Festival

The region’s biggest culinary festival, called Sabor a Cabo, is held each year in early December, and draws over 3,000 guests to an outdoor site in Los Cabos to sample food and wine, and enjoy live musical performances (past performers include Grammy winner Lila Downs, legendary Mexican rock band Mana, and elemental R&B superstars Earth, Wind & Fire). The main event – which rotates to various local venues – is always preceded by smaller auxiliary events, including a country food and wine tasting that shows off the area’s incredible organically grown produce and fresh local seafood. Dates for the 13th edition will be announced later this year. In the meantime, you can sample the wares from the festival’s 50 to 60 participating chefs by having dinner at virtually any fine restaurant in Los Cabos.

Cheese & Wine Festival and Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar

Each year – typically in March – Sheraton Grand’s luxurious Hacienda del Mar resort transforms its Salon Hacienda ballroom for a mammoth tasting celebration of cheese and wine. Live music accompanies the enormous selection of internationally representative quesos y vinos, with all ticket proceeds going to benefit the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.

Sabores de Baja Festival in Miraflores

The small town of Miraflores is notable for several reasons, including the unusual longevity of its residents and its annual summer harvest festival celebrating pitahayas, the favorite fruit of the area’s indigenous inhabitants. Mainly, though, it is known as the foremost organic farming community in the Los Cabos municipality, the place the region’s best restaurants go to source their produce. It’s the perfect place, in other words, to host an organic food festival that focuses on the traditional cuisine and culture of Los Cabos. Sabores de Baja (sabores translates as tastes or flavors) is expected to return for its 3rd annual edition in April 2019.

Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival

Aside from the annual Sabor a Cabo shindig in Los Cabos, Gastrovino is the biggest food and wine festival in Baja California Sur. Held each April or May in the state’s only pueblo magico, Todos Santos, Gastrovino is organized by the owners of a local wine and olive oil shop called La Bodega de Todos Santos, and features a weekend chockablock with tantalizing tasting opportunities. The pairing dinner at legendary Hotel California is one of many recurring highlights, but the “Big Cheese,” so to speak, is the Sunday main event on the town square. There, dozens of wineries from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe share their palate-pleasing wares, as do many of the region’s best restaurants. Live music is also a staple, as is a silent auction to benefit local programs for children.

Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada

Los Cabos’ top chefs converge on the luxurious beachfront Casa Dorada resort each April, where they compete to produce the most delicious variation of Mexico’s signature comfort food: the taco. The winners are traditionally the guests, who get to sample creative taco entries from some of the area’s most talented culinary craftsmen. Live music is also featured

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 Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa.

Upcoming Event Calendar

July

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

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 28 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

 August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

 September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

 November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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

A Legend Passes but His Legacy Lives On – East Cape Offshore Kicks Off Bisbee’s 2018 Tournament Schedule

June 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It all started back in 1981, when the owner of a fuel dock and tack business on Balboa Island, Newport Harbor, organized the first Black & Blue marlin tournament in Cabo San Lucas.

His name was Bob Bisbee, and at that first tournament six teams competed for the princely sum of about 10,000 dollars.

Fast forward 25 years into the future, to 2006, and the cash payout had grown to a staggering $4,165,960, then and now the largest in sportfishing history. Over the course of two and a half decades, this once small event had grown to become the most famous in the sport, gathering nicknames along the way like “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament” and “The Super Bowl of Sportfishing.”

Flash forward 12 more years to 2018 and Bisbee’s Black & Blue remains the marquee fishing event in Cabo San Lucas (and beyond), but it’s no longer the only major tournament on the calendar. It’s not even the only major tournament on the calendar for Bisbee’s.

Over the course of its history in the Los Cabos municipality – which not only includes cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, but also the less developed East Cape area – Bisbee’s has steadily built its brand, increasing its prestige through bigger payouts and an extended range of tournament offerings. An East Cape Offshore was added in 2000, a Los Cabos Offshore in 2002.

That trio has comprised Bisbee’s Los Cabos fishing triumvirate ever since.

Each has its own place on the calendar, and each has its own unique personality. The Black & Blue remains very much “The Big Daddy,” while the Los Cabos Offshore has become a more fun-filled, charity-focused alternative.

The East Cape Offshore, meanwhile, is known as the most laid-back of the three events, and as a tone setter, since it’s the first event to take place each year. It kicks off, in effect, the yearly calendar.

In 2018, the ECO is scheduled for Jul. 31 to Aug. 4; the LCO follows, Oct. 18 to 21; with  the B&B headlining Oct. 23 to 27.

July 31st is thus the day Bisbee’s returns to Los Cabos, the day all eyes turn to the municipality’s gorgeous East Cape, a 70-mile coastal arc that stretches from the outskirts of San Jose del Cabo to Los Barriles and the Bay of Palms beyond.

The East Cape has long been known for its dirt roads, secluded beaches and off-the-grid communities, but the recent Los Cabos building boom has reached as far as the East Cape’s La Ribera, site of the soon-to-be-open Four Seasons Costa Palmas Resort.

A few miles northwest of La Ribera are Los Barriles and its neighbor Buenavista, the traditional fishing capitals of the East Cape. The two small but picturesque tourist towns host the majority of the region’s tournaments. Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort in Buenavista, for example, is the long-time headquarters for Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, and the site of the post-tournament awards ceremony. This heritage is celebrated by the leaping marlin sculpture which greets guests at the resort’s entrance.

Last year, 64 teams vied for over $590,000 in prize money at the East Cape Offshore. A record 11 of the 64 teams shared in those payouts, following an exciting tournament that saw 136 billfish – including 71 blue marlin and 55 striped marlin – caught in only three days. By contrast, only three dorado and 16 tuna were boated during the same time period.

Capt. Andrew Hughes and his Mi Corazon team finished first overall, receiving over $258,000 for their efforts….not a bad return for a few days spent fishing in paradise. Their winning catch was an impressive 437 lb. black marlin, one of only three black marlin caught during the tournament.

Base entry for this year’s ECO remains $1,500 per team, with $17,000 across the board for entry in all daily jackpots. The base entries are pooled and disbursed at the conclusion of the event, with the majority going to billfish winners, and the remainder earmarked for trophy gamefish like tuna and dorado.

Sadly, Bob Bisbee will not be there to watch it. The man who started it all, the godfather of tournament fishing in Los Cabos, passed away peacefully in his Dallas area home last Thursday, June 14th, at the age of 85.

He will be missed. But his legacy continues, his name forever synonymous with trophy-sized catches and boisterous good times.

For information about this and other events, as well as 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 Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore.

Upcoming Event Calendar

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

King of the Beach Volleyball Tournament at SUR Beach House – June 30

July

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

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

 August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

 September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

 November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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