It being October when you read this, the “season” in the title lasts from now through June. That’s the very best time to be in Peñasco, in my opinion, with April and May being the crown jewels of our year.
Since this column is written a month in advance to allow for the publishing and printing gnomes, the Old Gringo is still up in the cool pines of the mountains of central Arizona (57 degrees this morning, and dry!), I still try to keep my finger ‘on the pulse’ of Peñasco. Through both neighbors who brave the humidity out on the playas to Mexican friends who work there, I get the information I need to write this little article.
I hear that the Labor Day weekend was a crusher, people-wise, in town as well as an increase in the rentals out on the playas. It is amazing to me how much people will allow, weather-wise, to enjoy our beaches. The bars and shops love it, as do the hotels, condominium owners and property renters.
Speaking of traveling outside of Peñasco, if you are an owner, or long-term renter, here in our little slice of Paradise, you really ought to go a bit further afield in beautiful Mexico for a long weekend. Once you’ve had your fill of Margaritas with salt or Tajin on the rim, steaks and seafood, sun and sand, why not do a three-day trip and visit Valle de Guadalupe (Mexican wine country) to see what that is all about. It is located in Baja California Norte. If you go there, you are only 12 miles from Enseñada on the Pacific Coast, so there’s that to consider as well.
If you go the Valle de Guadalupe, here are some vineyards worth checking out: Hacienda Las Animas (some of the finest wines to be had anywhere), El Cieli, with great reds, (as opposed to El Ceilo (which is a little bit of “California” right there in Valle de Guadalupe, and I don’t mean that in a good way), Bruma (appointments preferred, also a bit upscale for my plebian tastes…but good wines), Monte Xanic (fabulous whites, appointment necessary), Le Chuza (means ‘the OWL’) which has some wonderful reds, Domecq (also a bit of the “California” vibe) great selections of both reds and whites, L.A. Cetto (the premier vintners in Valle de Guadalupe). If you are a true wine aficionado, don’t miss the wine museum. It offers a fascinating history of winemaking around the world, as well as an art gallery.
Of course, if you go to Enseñada, you’ll want to see “La Bufadora”. It’s a “blow hole” like the one on Kauai. The real treat is running the ‘gauntlet’ of vendors from the entrance to where La Bufadora is (“almost free!!” ring a bell?). In addition to many trinkets and proffered specialty drink samples, there are several really good restaurants along the way.
It’s only a five-to-six-hour trip to Valle de Guadalupe, so it is easily ‘doable’ as a three-day excursion. You will get a good idea of what traveling throughout Mexico is like (military checkpoints at all state borders…and sometimes in between too). Just one more thing to do while you are vacationing in our little corner of the world.
If you are only here for a few days, then a trip as detailed above is not for you, but take your shoes off, relax with a cold drink, put on some suntan lotion (SPF 50 or more please) and just enjoy the sun. sand and surf. It just doesn’t get much better!
