Your Passage to the Sea of Cortez...
It
is known that man inhabited California as early as 10,000 B.C. These
earliest inhabitants of which very few traces are left were a nomadic
people comprised of Þshermen and gatherers who lived collecting seeds
and roots, protecting themselves from the elements under trees and in
caves. Vestiges of these cultures are found in the cave paintings, now
protected and considered as the Heritage of Humanity. Several of these
paintings are located only a short distance from the city of La Paz.
It was in the XVI century, on May 3rd, 1535, that Hernan
Cortés Þrst arrived at what is now La Paz, naming it Villa de
la Santa Cruz. Cortés mounted the Þrst of many attempts to conquer
the Peninsula, but after several years of effort the expeditions failed
due to lack of food and water as well as the occasional ferocious attacks
by the natives. California always resisted being conquered by force.
Only the missionaries were successful by means of their spiritual force
to tame this land, as well as those who came to work it. The surrounding
waters of La Paz were Þrst named the Berméjo Sea, due to their
many moods Þlled with intense colors ranging from azure blue to blood
red. La Paz received its modern name from Sebastian Vizcaino, who established
his base in La Paz in 1596 while circumnavigating the peninsula on exploratory
expeditions. It was during these daring adventures that Vizcaino realized
the economical importance of California's lands and seas.
La Paz is a warm and emerging city, a tranquil destination
rich in natural gifts. A casual atmosphere pervades the city, providing
a place where lovers can enjoy a romantic stroll along the seaside boardwalk
amidst Þery sunsets. Throughout town, mornings are Þlled with joggers,
bicyclists and locals enjoying a fresh breakfast in one of the numerous
restaurants in the commercial area or on the seaside "malecon".
Choices are diverse, ranging from the traditional Mexican buffet to
French gourmet dishes, all including a cup of rich, hot coffee, salad
and fresh fruit.
Shopping is a thrill with boutiques and department stores
offering bargains from clothing a la mode to brand name perfumes and
shoes. But nothing compares to the original works of local artisans
who create unique pieces of art from regional materials including traditional
wood furniture, textiles with marine motifs, jewelry, scented candles,
handmade pottery, carved wood statues in the form of marlins or dolphins
and the inspired works in furniture and souvenirs designed by the people
of Paisajes de Sudcalifornia.
Interested in Baja's visual art? Then step into the
La Esquina del Arte (Art's corner) Gallery, the Þrst Þne art gallery
on the Baja peninsula that displays outstanding original works from
plastic to photography, engraving and sculpture.
The downtown area offers an interesting stroll from the main square
cathedral to a park with a "kiosko" where people play Bingo
and families enjoy delicious homemade ice cream. You can visit the Youth
Institute, a museum that holds the story of southern Baja or the "mercados",
where you will Þnd fresh Þsh, pork and Þne meats, fresh vegetables and
fruits as well as traditional toys.
For sun lovers, you can lay on the white sand of many
quiet beaches on the south side of the city. Visit Playa Balandra and
see the "Balandra Stone", an icon of La Paz. If you're
looking for more adventure, take a spin out to Pichilingue or El Tecolote
Beach and swim, dine on fresh seafood or enjoy a "banana"
ride. For snorkelers, take a day trip to Los Islotes, a small island
off the northern tip of Espiritu Santo Island, where you can swim with
the friendly sea lions. If you'd rather go on a guided tour, there
are many local tour operators that are happy to help you customize any
activity to suit your individual tastes. Other interesting attractions
include the museums, the mission the aquarium and the "serpentario"
where you can view the reptile collection.
For
the more intrepid traveler, La Paz and the surrounding area offers an
extraordinary variety of adventure trips to please any taste. Some of
the most popular activities include guided eco-tours to the islands
and mountains, multi-day kayak excursions, mountain biking, hiking and
ATV tours, scuba diving with hammerhead sharks and giant mantas, whale
watching (January thru March) and legendary sportÞshing for marlin,
dorado, wahoo, tuna and yellowtail.
The surrounding desert is an intriguing, unique and extremely
beautiful ecosystem full of endless surprises. Over centuries, its flora
and fauna evolved endemic characteristics due to their relative isolation.
Strange looking valleys of sentinel-like cardon, primitive cirios, elephant
trees and thorny chollas make for some of the 4,000 different plants
that form the spiny green carpet on the sandy earth. Many resident birds
and migratory species are found here as they winter and pass by on their
migration to southern locations. Hawks, wrens, woodpeckers, the great
roadrunner, the Xantus Hummingbird and the Gray Thrasher are common
sights. Desert Bighorn, foxes, coyotes, pumas, desert mice and squirrels
are abundant.
The powerful tides in the Sea of Cortés, generated
by Þerce ocean currents, continually mix with the rich nutrient supply
from the Colorado River a thousand miles north. Intense turbulence and
water renewal all work together to activate the food chain. As a result,
it comes as no surprise to Þnd extraordinary biological abundance and
diversity, so much that the richness found in the Sea of Cortés
is unequaled in other seas of similar size. The southernmost region
belongs to the municipality of La Paz and contains Þve major islands.
From north to south, the islands of San Jose, Las Animas, San Francisco,
Espiritu Santo and Cerralvo are bathed in the mist rising from the warm
waters of the Sea of Cortés.
Throughout its history, La Paz has endured numerous conquerors,
pirates, missionaries and entrepreneurs, creating a flowery past full
of risk, daring and lore. Today, La Paz is an eco-tourists delight,
offering modern facilities and unlimited outdoor adventures amidst a
backdrop of warm and friendly people. The Sea of Cortés, a magniÞcent
body of water aptly named for its historical signiÞcance, surrounds
the "City of Peace", where unparalleled charm and magical
sunsets can be enjoyed day after day.
--Enrique Vargas
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