The Five Best Baja Peninsula Beach Towns
Dear International Living Reader,
Live in Mexico and work in the U.S.? That’s one solution many expats are trying…and with a place less than an hour’s drive from much more expensive San Diego, why not?
Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is a geographical wonder. Bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Sea of Cortez, this long, thin strip of land features some of the most spectacular oceanscapes—and some of the most incredible beaches—on the planet.
The Baja is really two states: Baja Norte and Baja Sur. Both have their distinctive charms. Much of Baja Norte, particularly the famous (and infamous) Tijuana, is drive time from the U.S., and has been popular with U.S. expats and tourists for many years. Baja Sur, and especially its famous playground, Cabo San Lucas, has a character and lifestyle all its own.
But there is much more to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula than Tijuana and Cabo. All along both sides of this incredible stretch of land are beautiful and affordable options for retirement, vacation, second homes, and rental opportunities.
That’s what this report, Baja Peninsula Beach Towns—Mexico: Dream It, Find It, Live It, is all about. We’ve chosen five locations that we feel hold themost potential for the would-be expat. Each of our picks offers you a lifestyle most people only dream about with great weather, plenty to do and see…and established expat communities to make your transition easier. read more »
Unity of the Californias Is Main Message For the 5th Binational Mayor’s Summit
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—Taking advantage of the many opportunities shared between Southern California and Baja California was the main message delivered by speakers Friday at the Fifth Binational Mayors’ Summit here.
More than 220 civic and business leaders plus mayors from 14 cities on both sides of the border attended the summit, which had as its theme “Unifying the Californias.”
The summit, at which U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin was a keynote speaker, was the largest of the five inspired two years ago by an agreement between California Gov. Schwarzenegger and Baja Gov. Osuna.
Representatives of both governors attended Friday’s summit as did the consuls of several countries.
As well as welcoming and keynote speeches, the summit included workshops on border crossings, desalination/environment, economic development, public safety, education and a mayors’ roundtable. read more »
Rosarito-Ensenada 50-Mile Fun Bike Ride Starts 31st Year With Race This Saturday
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—The Rosarito-Enesenada 50-Mile Fun Bike Ride will begin its 31st year this Saturday with the first of two yearly events.
“Five-thousand cyclists are expected to ride on April 17,” said San Diego event promoter Gary Foster. “The event had 4,000 last September and only 3,000 one year ago in April, so Baja tourism is definitely increasing.”
Participants came from throughout the world but mainly the United States and Mexico. Following a course along the coast and through rural countryside, the ride is geared both for serious competitors and those who take a more relaxed approach.
“This is one of the signature events for our region and attracts a great group of people,” said Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres. “We’re pleased to have the event, the riders, their friends and family visit us twice each year.”
Further information, entry fees and registration is available at www.rosaritoensenada.com. Participants also can register the day of the event. read more »
Major Binational Mayor’s Summit In Rosarito Seeks to Unite The Californias
SAN DIEGO—A major binational summit for mayors and other leaders from Southern and Baja California on issues ranging from the border crossing to desalination to public safety was announced today at the Mexican Consulate here.
The Fifth Binational Mayors’ Summit will be May 6 and 7 in Rosarito Beach. Universities and business groups from both sides of the border also will be represented to discuss mutual interests and actions.
The summit’s theme is “Uniting the Californias.”
“We live in a region that is closely linked by economy, environment, geography, friends and family,” said Mayor Hugo Torres of host city Rosarito Beach. “It is important that we all work together to achieve maximum benefit from those relationships.”
For the first time, the summit is being expanded to include six Southern California counties as well as the five cities of northern Baja. Southern California Mayors or their representatives from 70 cities are being invited.
May’s expanded summit is co-hosted by the cities of Rosarito Beach and Redondo Beach. The Mexico Business Center/San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Project Smart Border 2010 and Rancho Santiago Community College are among groups assisting. read more »
By Sandra Dibble, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Monday, March 15, 2010 at 12:04 a.m.
Jamie Reynolds, a 63-year-old retiree who lives in the El Pescador area, watched the sun set. Reynolds, like four out of five of the retiree-study respondents, owns his home in Mexico.
ROSARITO BEACH — Favorite activity: strolls on the beach. Biggest gripe: litter. Primary reasons for retiring in Mexico: the lower cost of living and proximity to the United States.
A newly released study on U.S. retirement trends in Mexico’s coastal communities takes an updated snapshot of Rosarito Beach, Rocky Point, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and other areas where many Americans go to retire. The study’s authors say their survey marks an important first step in meeting the needs of a group that is likely to grow in size as U.S. baby boomers reach retirement age.
“We felt it was important to understand the dynamics of what is going on,” said Richard Kiy, president and CEO of the International Community Foundation, which conducted the 88-question survey. While research has been done in San Miguel Allende and Ajijic, both well-established expatriate communities in central Mexico, coastal communities “are some of the areas that have been least studied among U.S. retirees,” Kiy said.
The International Community Foundation, based in National City, supports nonprofits and projects in Baja California and other parts of Mexico. Close to half of its donors live in Mexico full time or part time, and that was the initial impetus for conducting the study, Kiy said. read more »
President Felipe Calderon on Tuesday pledged incentives to attract more international film makers and productions to Rosarito and the rest of Mexico.
President Calderon Pledges Incentives For Film Making In Rosarito and Mexico
Speaking to an audience of about 400 people, Calderon pledged an initial $20 million to strengthen the country’s film industry plus incentives to attract productions here from around the world.
Calderon made his remarks at Baja Studios in Rosarito, which was built for the production of the James Cameron’s Titanic and where portions of other blockbusters including Master & Commander and Pearl Harbor have been filmed.
The president was received for his visit by Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres. Other dignitaries attending included Baja Gov. Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan as well as many other government officials. Noted actor Edward James Olmos also was a featured guest.
“Rosarito has become a place of great importance for the film industry, and it is precisely why here we announce this program for the promotion of film production,” Calderon said.
He stressed that the film industry has great importance in the global culture, as well being as being an excellent source for jobs, income and regional promotion.
“Rosarito has shown that it is possible to offer world-class services to the film industry,” Calderon said. “Productions here have brought international fame to the city.” read more »
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.
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Browse for Real Estate for Sale in Baja California and Real Estate in Mexico.
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
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 »
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(619)-200-7408 &
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Spectacular Views!
Spectacular views in this spacious 5 bedroom 4 bathroom ocean front home in the privacy of Las Gaviotas. This vacation rental comes fully furnished, with appliances and even cookware. Just bring your towels. Long term and daily rates available. Book this home today!
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