A birthday trip south of the border! First stop: Todos Santos, Mexico
Just a two hour flight from LA to Cabo, an hour drive north up the Baja Peninsula and we arrived in the artist's community of Todos Santos, Mexico. Authentic and charming and happily, extremely uncrowded, this little town was a perfect spot to kick off my birthday trip! There's not much to the town -- several galleries, a smattering of shops and some stand out international restaurants, so it was perfect for a one day welcome to Mexico.
We arrived in time for lunch on the rooftop terrace of our charming and quaint hotel, the Guaycara Hotel. The views of the countryside and Pacific Ocean made our fish tacos and mango margaritas taste even better. And the guacamole was an absolute stand out.
Wandering the town after our late lunch, we found most places already closed so it was time for a siesta before dinner. Dinner at Tre Galline was exceptional. The chef and owner Angelo, is the most charming man from Lake Garda, Italy whose Italian dishes are even more divine thanks to the exceptionally fresh local produce and fish. Literally the tomatoes were some of the best tomatoes ever tasted. His trio of raviolis -- squash, arugula and eggplant were a sumptuous introduction to simply and deliciously grilled fish. And my birthday creme brulee and passion fruit ice cream, I was clearly, demonstrated by the pic above, overjoyed by....
The next morning, we walked up our "street" for cafe con leches and donuts (they are authentic!) at Caffe Todos Santos. Finding the galleries and shops now open we ducked into a few. The ones worth mentioning.... Michael Cope's gallery, which turns into a delectable restaurant by night, and Heartsease, a shop selling all natural soaps, skin care essential oils and bath products. There was also a very cute bookstore a few doors down from Heartsease with a little juice/coffee bar in the back. I know, that was it! Not a shopping mecca, but we were happy with an awesome painting of monkeys we found at Micheal's, and some patchouli soaps from Heartsease and set out for the beach at Rancho Pescadero....