Todos Santos: Pueblo Magico

Todos Santos was designated as one of Mexico's 50 "magic cities" in 2006 and is the only city with such designation in all of baja. Magic Cities receive special funding from the federal government to restore and preserve cultural and architectural icons. Todos Santos is also home to a very vibrant modern art culture. Studios from both Mexican and American artists are dispersed throughout the streets and various festivals are held here throughout the year.

It's quiet and quaint, but vibrant with colors and culture. There are exceptional cafes, eateries, and shops of all kinds. Many of the beaches just West of town are surfing hotspots and we have been camping at one such beach. Our fellow campers are mostly American and Canadian and we have spent many of our nights here getting to know new friends.

We have now been here long enough to feel acquainted with some of the many jewels of this city. We can tell you where the freshest bread and produce is, where to buy fillets of fish caught just hours ago, where the best cups of coffee and fastest internet connections are, where the best mexican food in all of baja is, and where to buy a new book for your beach reading pleasure.

The feel is laid back and relaxed and the city has managed to maintain its traditional feel while at the same time being very "gringo" friendly (i.e. everyone speaks English and tourists are treated very well). Within a 60 mile radius of downtown are world class: fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, whale watching, and kite boarding.

We've chosen to occupy our time learning to surf. It hasn't been easy.

Camping friends from British Columbia

Our ocean front view at sunset

James and I at our campsite

Juliet's birthday.  Left to right: Heather, Crystal, James, and Juliet.  They bought Juliet a birthday Cheesecake

Birthday presents from Mom and Dad.  Wine, Chocolate Cake, and a night in a Casita

Words can't express how amazing this cake was.

The terrace, of course

View from the room

Crystal and James came by and brought fresh Red Snapper Fillets

Try to refrain from licking your computer screen

Juliet in the pool

This is what we imagined when we decided to learn to surf 

This is Juliet receiving a salty dose of reality

When surfboards attack

Here is an example of a nose dive. Juliet's about to find out what it feels like to be a load of laundry

It doesn't look like much, but this is the payoff after four days of salt, sand, and sunburn.  I'll take what I can get at this point