"loreto is a small fishing town on the sea of cortez that i've been lucky to visit every year with my husband's family for more than a decade. it's technically a resort town, though it has never grown to the size of cabo or other well-known spots in baja, and it's just a two hour plane ride from los angeles! we've spent thanksgivings and easter sundays in loreto, had the best birthday trips with college friends and even made it through a hurricane leaving us stranded in loreto for an extra week!
we can't wait to go this spring with our toddler son and new baby to this place that is so special to us," shares joanna, minnow's graphic designer.
where to stay :
- la mision : newly constructed just a few years ago, la mision is situated right on the malecon facing the sea of cortez. the hotel has several different dining options on site - traditional mexican, wood fired pizza, a poolside bar and more. it's a short walk into the main part of town as well as the harbor, so it's a great option for a resort-like feel without venturing outside the city.
- posada de las flores : a very sweet, old-world looking pink hotel in the heart of loreto. the interior is beautiful, with light filtering down through the gridded glass floor of the rooftop pool. the location is perfect for accessing all of the restaurants and shops in town, and there's a small salon if you want to treat yourself to a mani/pedi while you're there.
- villa del palmar : though a bit of a drive outside of town, this resort is incredibly beautiful, with a giant circular pool and jacuzzi and a large array of onsite amenities. it's definitely the most luxury/all-inclusive hotel in the area, and ideal if you're looking to stick around the resort rather than venture out all day every day of your trip to loreto. if you're not staying here, you can still visit and purchase day passes to the pool area.
where to eat :
breakfast
loreto islas :
this is the best place in town for breakfast, though there is always incredible fresh local catch on the menu for dinner. order the huevos rancheros in the morning (and a bloody mary if you're feeling it - they are ten times better than anywhere in the U.S.!)
lunch
el rey del taco :
the best fish tacos in all of baja, no question. the hours are funny, 9AM -2PM, just a couple days a week - so plan out which day you plan to go ahead of time.
dinner
la picazon :
you have to take a dirt road about half an hour outside of town to get to this seaside spot and, like all good things, the food takes awhile. order a pina colada and relax in a hammock or hunt for shells by the water while you wait for your food. don't miss out on the freshly caught local clams in garlic butter sauce.
to see + do
a day trip to isla coronado is a must-do, and if you're lucky, you might find yourself surrounded by racing and leaping dolphins on the boat ride over. the beautiful white sand beaches are stunning and perfectly secluded, and the crystal clear (and incredibly warm) water is ideal for snorkeling.
hire a panga boat in the harbor to take you over, and pack an extra couple of sandwiches in your picnic basket for the driver. if you have time, make the trek around the backside of the island to spot sea lions basking in the sun.
lucha libre tour -
if there's a lucha libre tour coming through town, definitely go - bring some cash for a couple modelos and snacks, and get there early enough for the kiddie matches - too cute to miss!
stroll around town -
late morning is a great time to stroll around town down the cobbled streets, popping in to the silver jewelry and shops. stop inside the la mision de nuestra senora de loreto as well, and if the weather is hot, get a freshly pressed juice from a nearby fruit stand to sip as you walk around.
sport fishing -
sport fishing is big in the area, and there is an abundance of dorado, seabass and yellowtail in the local waters, as well as huge calamari. many restaurants in the area will happily prepare whatever fish you've caught!
to shop
conchita's curios -
conchita's curios is a favorite spot for shopping, with the best selection of local goods (plus conchita herself is very sweet!)