Tag Archives: mexico real estate

Bonus Rains could mean a Banner Year for Mexican Wines

By Steve Dryden

Grape Vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley

Grape Vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley

The 2010 vintage is off and running with a large dose of rainfall soaking the soil and roots in vineyards across Valle de Guadalupe and other grape growing regions in Baja California, Mexico. So far we’ve received an above average level of moisture in a normally drought ridden region, thus bringing extra hope to growers and winemakers for this vintage. Most of the vines still remain in a dormant condition, but bud swelling is evident and it appears that an early bud-break may be upon us soon.

In addition, the winter weather in the valley (elevation avg. is 1,100 feet) has been mild and warmer than usual. Many vineyard managers and workers have already pruned their vines or are in the process of doing so. The only bad news is there are lots of weeds and wild grasses this year, but the surplus of water is a real blessing, making most wine industry personnel excited about 2010.

Highway construction in the valley continues to progress, but at times it seemed we went back in time about 100 years. This wet winter allowed locals and guests the opportunity to ford rivers, streams and large puddles of water as we toured the valley in search of wine, food and adventure. Now we know what it might have been like when the early settlers and the Russian Molokans hauled grain and goods to San Diego with horses and wagons. In 1925, it was a three day trip to downtown San Diego with teams of horses and wagons navigating several rivers between the valley, Tecate and Jamul. The good news is that the new road that traverses the wine country along Highway 3 should be completed by May 2010. It’s open now in some parts, but be ready for road hazards, mud, and dramatic bumps in the various (unmarked) surfaces of dirt and pavement. read more »

A Day at Palacio Del Mar

Palacio Del Mar

Palacio Del Mar

Imagine yourself swimming in an ocean front infinity pool by the Pacific Ocean. Now imagine yourself in the Jacuzzi ordering Margaritas for you and your neighbor to watch the sunset. Your day started out with a short aerobics class in the indoor lap pool, a smoothie from the Juice bar after wards. You go through your mail in the liberty, just before the group gets together to watch a movie in the Movie Theater. Imagine you can live this life everyday in Palacio Del Mar, Northern Baja’s first Luxury Condo and Spa Development, with the first 25000ft². ocean front club house on the coast. read more »

The Baja Blondes in Fox 5 Morning News

The Baja Blondes cast makes an appearance in FOX 5 Morning News with Chrissy Russo, Arthel Neville, Raoul Martinez, Shally Zomorodi – KSWB

Click to play video.


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The Baja Blondes A Lifestyle Reality Show

The Baja Blondes - A Lifestyle Realty Show

The Baja Blondes - A Lifestyle Reality Show

Written By Melinda Bates

To the eternal questions, “Why are we here?  What is the meaning of life?” and, “Do these pants make my butt look fat?” we can add the perennial, “Do blondes really have more fun?”

The answer is clear to all those privileged to be invited to last week’s screening of the pilot of The Baja Blondes, a Lifestyle Reality Show, and it is an unqualified “YES!”

Blondes was created by Susanne Stehr and Debbie Shine, permanent residents of Baja, Mexico, and directed and produced by Robin Mackenzie, a part time resident of Baja, through her company, Tatblue Productions, LLC .  These are women of a certain age who have designed a life here they could never have back in the USA. Lives of freedom, beauty, creativity and friendship.  Lives open to the positive and unexpected adventures of Mexico, a country they adopted and deeply love.  Their goal is to promote Baja to an American audience in a positive light, by showing American women living and working in their communities up and down the gorgeous coast.

The pilot introduces our three protagonists in their lives and careers in the Rosarito to Ensenada area, while making clear that in Mexico, life is NEVER all about work.  In fact, they show us the Mexican dream:  affordable luxury, easy living, accessible health care, an ancient culture, fabulous food, award-winning wine and the excitement of living in a foreign country.

The screening took place at Northern Baja’s premier community, Palacio del Mar.  Guests marveled at the elegant reception areas, lounges and gorgeous landscaping that draws the eye straight to the only indoor pool on the coast, with the infinity pool and ocean beyond.  All the outdoor surfaces are clad in simple and dramatic gray granite. The look is both Mexican and modern.  Indoors, ceilings disappear in the distance above and the sense of space conveys the height of luxury.  The private theater with its comfortable seating and huge screen was the perfect venue for this beautiful event.  Surely residents will equally enjoy hosting their own Super Bowl party there!

Many prominent members of Tijuana and Rosarito’s business and social communities attended, including Raul Aragon, Director of Tourism for Playas de Rosarito, Laura Wong, editor of the Baja Times, Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, one of the area’s top plastic surgeons, Melinda Bates, speaker and author of White House Story, a Democratic Memoir, and Michael and Nancy Rosenberg, who together owned and operated “MARCO Entertainment” for 25 Years, managing the careers of over 100 Olympic and world champion athletes and international stars including Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Lee, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Tai & Randy, David Brenner, Quincy Jones, and Oksana Baiul.

Sponsors for the evening’s cocktail party and screening included one of the area’s largest real estate brokerages:The Baja Real Estate Group, Click-On, an internet café and mail service for American residents of Baja, The William Hitt Center of Tijuana, offering specialized diagnosis and treatment medical services, Serena Senior Care, providing a wide variety of services, from nursing care to plumbing, for the American community along the coast, and the Rosarito Inn, generous hosts of the production crew for the Baja Blondes.  Their amazing hospitality convinced everyone to return to Baja every chance they get!

The Baja Blondes reality show will travel to Cabo San Lucas, Tijuana, the Valle de Guadalupe Wine Country, Loreto, San Felipe, and all over the Baja peninsula, all the while highlighting American women who live and work in this part of heaven, where their creativity can flourish in a safe and welcoming place.

In addition to producing further episodes, The Baja Blondes plan to establish a retail store and advisory travel arm to assist women traveling in Baja.

*The Baja Blondes is a non-profit Mexican corporation solely owned by Susanne Stehr, Debbie Shine and Robin Mackenzie.

Browse for Real Estate for Sale in Baja California and Real Estate in Mexico.

Fast Response Leads to Vehicle Recovery Before Owner Even Knows It Was Stolen

Ford F350

Ford F350

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—An alert security guard and fast police response led to the vehicle of a San Diego County tourist being recovered before its owner even knew it was stolen.

“It was amazing,” said Gary Pimentel of Vista, California, whose Ford F350 was stolen from the dirt road leading to the popular Popotla fishing village just south of downtown Rosarito.

The suspected thief was arrested within minutes after a very brief police pursuit and Pimentel got his vehicle back the next day.

Pimentel, who also has a home in Baja, had gone to the area of shops and restaurants to buy some shrimp on the afternoon of Jan. 9. He parked on the dirt road past the landmark white arch to the popular tourist attraction. read more »

2010 Top Picks: Best Bargains in Travel

Although I saw some awesomely great travel deals in 2009, I’m expecting to see some even better deals this year.  Why? Well, the economy still sucks if you haven’t heard, and globally everyone is feeling the financial pain.  However, this is great news for those of us who love to travel! So, dust off your passport (or friggin’ get one already!), and let’s go travel!

Mexico

Horse Riding in Mexico

Horse Riding in Mexico

I went to Mexico about 5 or 6 times last year, and it remains to be one of the best bargain destinations in my opinion.  There still remains some hesitation for travelers due to past Swine Flu outbreaks and ongoing drug wars, but I can attest that I, along with many other travelers have returned happy, healthy, and nicely tanned.

One of my favorite spots in Baja Mexico is Las Gaviotas.  It is about a 45-minute drive from the border just past Rosarito, when coming in from San Diego, California. Note: Get the Mexican Auto Insurance before driving your vehicle into the country.  Las Gaviotas is a gated community, which offers a secure environment with a pool, Jacuzzi, a private beach, and a bitchin’ right surfbreak.  There are many amazing homes for rent, ranging from $100-$200 USD per night for a two-bedroom house, or $225 USD per night for a six-bedroom house accommodating up to 12 people.   read more »

Construction Begins At San Diego Border Crossing

By ELLIOT SPAGAT, AP

December 17, 2009

SAN DIEGO — The federal government has begun replacing the nation’s busiest border crossing, promising shorter waits into California for tens of thousands of people who enter daily from Tijuana, Mexico.

Existing Tijuana - San Ysidro Border Crossing

Existing Tijuana - San Ysidro Border Crossing

The $577 million blueprint unveiled Thursday calls for increasing the number of lanes into San Diego to 30 from 24 and equipping each lane with two inspection booths instead of one. Six existing lanes into Tijuana will be moved slightly to the west.

Construction is scheduled to finish in September 2015, though the date hinges on money. Congress has funded about half – $293 million – none of it from the federal stimulus package.

Waiting times for the 50,000 vehicles that enter San Diego daily often reach two hours, clogging Tijuana roads. And as the Mexican government has beefed up inspections for guns and cash this year, motorists can wait more than an hour on California Interstates 5 and 805 to enter Tijuana.

Waits for California-bound motorists will drop significantly, but it’s too early to say by how much, said Oscar Preciado, the program manager for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. read more »

Baja Mexico News from Rob Cromwell

Monday Morning – 9:20 AM
December 14, 2009

Dear Friends,

A view of Calafia

A view of Calafia in Rosarito

In today’s LA Times Newspaper ‘Online’ – there was a brief article about U.S. Americans living in Baja-Mexico by Richard Marosi.  A ‘fair & balanced’ article about what some U.S. Americans think is the ‘truth’ about living in Baja.

Highlighted were several Americans – including my neighbors, Bob & Carol Dawson of Las Gaviotas.

(links below)

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-baja14-2009dec14,0,4471195.story?page=1&track=rss

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-baja14-2009dec14,0,4471195.story?page=2

What is ‘really terrific’ is the short 6 minute video clip – which you find ‘online’ showing more in-depth – the surrounding views with audio clips from several U.S. Americans now living in Baja. read more »

One man’s war zone is another’s paradise

Originally Posted on the L.A. Times.

By Richard Marosi
December 14, 2009

From the insulated safety of Baja’s luxurious seaside gated communities, American expatriates say reports of kidnappings and violent drug cartels seem a world away.

Beach in Rosarito

Beach in Rosarito

Reporting from Rosarito Beach, Mexico – Bob and Carol Dawson love living in Baja California, but the region’s violent reputation has put them on the defensive. They have been called delusional and reckless — all because they choose to live in an oceanfront gated community about 30 or 40 miles and a world away from the U.S. border.

Americans living in this part of Mexico are often grilled, half-jokingly, about their sanity. They get asked whether they’ve seen decapitated heads rolling down the street. Friends wonder whether they wear bulletproof vests or drive around in armored cars.

When the Dawsons moved here in 1999 to retire, they were enticed by the area’s charm and peacefulness. They bought an expansive home with ocean views for $175,000. “Live like a millionaire without a million bucks” is the local real estate mantra.

In recent years, the tranquility has been eclipsed by the mayhem of battles between the Mexican government and organized crime. Military trucks brimming with heavily armed soldiers have rumbled through the manicured grounds of luxury developments; gunmen pepper local police stations with automatic-weapon fire; and Baja California’s most notorious crime boss once eluded authorities by running through a beach popular among American retirees. read more »

Cuba Gooding Sr. Named Goodwill Ambassador, Receives Rosarito Key

Cuba Gooding Sr. Named Goodwill Ambassador, Receives Rosarito Key

Cuba Gooding Sr. Named Goodwill Ambassador, Receives Rosarito Key - Photo by Laura Wong.

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—Noted singer Cuba Gooding Sr., was presented a key to Rosarito and named a goodwill ambassador for the city by Mayor Hugo Torres at a weekend concert here.

“I am humbled by this, it means a lot to me,” said Gooding, who is best known for his 1972 super hit “Everybody Plays The Fool” as lead singer of the Main Ingredient. He also is the father of well-known actor Cuba Gooding Jr.

Mr. Gooding, who has a vacation home in Rosarito, said he is troubled because some in the U.S. have gotten the impression that Rosarito is unsafe because of the government’s crackdown on drug cartels and wanted to help correct that impression. read more »