Glam Surfing
at Rancho
Pescadero
By Jill Weinlein
S
itting in the raised hot tub
overlooking the stunning pool
and bar area of the elegant
boutique resort, Rancho
Pescadero, guests congregate
in the hot, bubbly water. Many are
here to surf during the day, while
their spouses take a yoga class or
sit in one of the “floating” chaise
lounges in the pool with a cool
hibiscus margarita.
You don’t have to be a surfer to
stay at this luxury boutique resort.
Guests range in their mid-40s to
-60s. No party animals allowed here.
Just well-off people, ready to relax,
eat great organic food, take long
walks along the beach and surf.
If you don’t bring your own board,
the resort has a few to borrow. One
of the staff members or guests will
happily teach you a few of the basic
skills to get started.
Rancho Pescadero is located about
90 minutes from the Los Cabo
International Airport.
Guests can either rent a car at the
airport or take a shuttle to the
property for about $200 for up to
six passengers. It’s located just
south of the charming, artist colony/
surfer town Todos Santos. Turn off
the smooth Highway 19 onto a dirt
road leading to the Pacific Ocean.
There are 15 acres of organic
gardens and sandy beach.
Rancho Pescadero has 28 unique
36
guest rooms, two pools, a bar,
Yoga studio and gourmet restaurant.
Everywhere you walk, you’ll find
beautiful views and hear the sound
of the waves crashing onto the
shore.
Staying in the spacious room
#14 for one night, I thought the
designer kitchen was prettier than
most homes. There was a grand
living and dining room that could
have entertained all the guests
in the resort.
This used to be the owner Lisa
Harper’s unit. She left her corporate
life as a CEO of children’s apparel
company, Gymboree, and moved to
Baja California with her husband,
George. They purchased the land and
soon built 12 luxurious suites. Later,
they built 16 more to keep up with
the demand of guests searching for
a boutique resort near the waves.
Most of the suites have king-size
beds, with mosquito netting creating
a romantic vibe. The bathrooms have
huge concrete soaking tubes and an
open shower with his-and-her
shower heads. Out on the palapacovered patio are two comfy lounge
chairs, a day bed and dining room
table for eating al fresco. Best of
all, there are no televisions or
telephones.
Guests receive a complimentary
welcome margarita by the friendly
bartenders. Afterwards, guests don
bathing suits and swim before
sunset. Before nightfall couples take
long walks on the beach to collect
shells and admire the driftwood,
while the sun sets into the Pacific.
The resort has an open-air Garden
Restaurant built near the organic
Rancho Pescadero
guest room