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NEWPORT BEACH & BAJAMAR, MX
NEWPORT BEACH & BAJAMAR, MX
April I flew out to meet 5 fabulous California girlfriends for a cultural culinary adventure. We started in Newport Beach, California and then headed south to northern Baja, Mexico.
NEWPORT BEACH
We loved the welcoming view as we entered the lobby of the Marriott Newport Coast Villas. The afternoon was spent hanging out by the pool and outdoor cafe, in glorious weather, as we waited for everyone to arrive.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/destinations/united-states/california/newport-beach.mi
That evening we went to Javier's restaurant to celebrate a birthday. It was quite a scene (when we arrived, I felt like I was at a Hollywood red carpet event with all the dressed up people and energy in the air). We enjoyed the wonderful views, delicious Mexican cuisine and toasting our dear friend.
https://www.javiers-cantina.com/newport-beach
THE BEACHCOMBER at CRYSTAL COVE
The next morning we went to Crystal Cove to have brunch at The Beachcomber Cafe. The area is wonderful with its 1920s history, beach, Pacific ocean and its widely adored and tasty restaurant. Always special.
US/MEXICO BORDER FENCE
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The US-Mexico border fence.
We entered Mexico via Tijuana. The drive down I10 was beautiful with oceanside views the entire way.
BAJA BOUND to BAJAMAR
BAJAMAR recognized by FORE magazine as the
"Pebble Beach South of the Border"
"Pebble Beach South of the Border"
One of our friends lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, but also has a home at the Bajamar Ocean Front Golf Resort. We stayed at her house for the remainder of the trip. Bajamar offers 27 holes of golf, a hotel, clubhouse, spa, pool, sporting goods store and a variety of types of housing. All of the houses in her part of the development are white stucco with terracotta roofing, but each house is custom-made. Some having domes, large bell entrance or other novelties. It is an attractive community.
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Bajamar Ocean Front Resort
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The home and interior courtyard of the three bedroom, three bath house. From the kitchen and living space you have ocean views. There are two outdoor decks, one on the second floor and the other on the roof.
Views from the rooftop deck.
Toasting our arrival with a Bajamar Tini
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We headed to the clubhouse for dinner and the fab wood fired pizza. We enjoyed watching the pizza maker flip the dough around in the air before baking the pizza in the outside fired oven.
Afterward we headed to the Bajamar pavilion overlooking the sea.
RESTAURANTE VIVA MEXICO
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We enjoyed an early dinner the next day at Restaurante Viva Mexico with its sweeping mountain views.
Ceviche! Yummy.
SPLASH BAJA RESTAURANT in Primo Tapia
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Before dining at Splash Baja we wandered around the charming village along the sea in Primo Tapia.
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The staff was welcoming and the food and drink tasty. It was very fun to watch the crashing ocean waves from our table. Magnificent!
VALLE de GUADALUPE - WINE COUNTRY
We hired a driver to take us to wineries in the Valley of Gaudalupe. He stopped at this delightful roadside store selling jams, honey, olives, bread and more. Very special find! D'Lupita Mermelada. I looked for a website hoping to order some of the deliciousness, but have not found one.
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Las Nubes Winery
Valle Guadalupe is the best region in Baja Mexico for grape growing and close to where we were staying. Las Nubes offered us some tasty wines and great views.
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The affiliated restaurant, Envero en el Valle, was recognized from Michelin in 2024, the first year they covered eateries in Mexico. Below is their description. We also got to meet the chef, Alex Torres.
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Xecue Winery
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Finca Altozano Restaurante
After the two wineries our driver took us to Finca Altozano for exquisite views, food and drink!
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On our final day in Baja we had our great driver take us a half hour south to Ensenada! First stop a tequila and honey tasting. We learned about making tequila, and that Mexicans do not do salt and lime with shots (only Americans).
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We enjoyed pizza at Cervecería Aguamala, a brewery restaurant, located in a building made from ship containers. It featured cool fish art as representation of its products.
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Clearly we all like to eat and drink. The next day we were back to California. It was a great adventure with a wonderful group of women!
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GO Newport Beach & Bajamar, MX Issue LIII
Click on pictures below for other articles!
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