Day 3 Monday 12/12 Beach Day

We found a great bakery owned by an American from Costa Mesa and got some pastries. Then we set out around 10:30 for La Paz beaches, which are located about 25-35 minute drive outside the city. The drive is spectacular – along a mountainous road with beautiful sea views. We passed the ferry terminal. Ferries from there go to Mazatlan (about 13 hours) and take passengers, cars and big trucks. After that, the beaches start. The best beaches are the two furthest – Balandra and Tecolote. Balandra is a beautiful crescent beach with very shallow turquoise waters and a well known mushroom rock. It’s great for the kids because it’s very calm and shallow. About 40 acres of knee deep water. There are no services there, but they have free palapas. We were surprised that there were quite a few people there, including a whole bunch of Americans, Germans and others. We met a couple from Ventura who came in their own yacht and were raving about the area. After a few hours there, we moved to Tecolote beach a couple of miles up the road. First we had lunch in a small shack called Marlin and it was the best fish we’ve had so far (fish ceviche, and fish and shrimp tacos that tasted like they were just caught). Then Al and Lucy went swimming. This beach is much better for swimming because the water is deeper. The views are also different with the Island of Spiritu Santo in front of the beach. We also tried to get information about tours to the island and we are considering doing this day (4-5) hour boat tour. In the evening we went to Malecon (where else?) and stumbled upon a Christmas concert by la Banda de Gobierno del Estado. Unfortunately, they mostly played American carols (Rudolf – 3 times!). For dinner we went to a posh restaurant called Tres Virgenes, which had lovely ambiance, but the food was disappointing.