Mexican Riviera

Fine Mexican wine? That’s right–the ideal desert/mountain/seaside climate that makes Ensenada a perfect vacation destination also makes it a great grape growing region. If you’re a connoisseur of fine wines, you’ll want to take the opportunity to sample these fruits of the soon-to-be world class Mexican vine before they are discovered.

Of course, there’s much more than wine here. The oldest community on the Baja Peninsula offers a range of activities including shopping for colorful handicrafts, dining on delectable seafood, viewing the wonderful gold coast and sipping cervezas in lively cantinas.

A more perfect introduction to Mexico is difficult to imagine.

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the U.S., ranking second only to that of New York in size. The city, which attracts thousands of tourists yearly, is noted for its parks; for many and varied museums; for its enormous Music Center and Convention Center; for the fossil-rich La Brea Tar Pits; for its ethnic communities; for its climate and beaches; and for its educational institutions, including the Univ. of Southern California and the Univ. of California at Los Angeles. The 1932 and 1984 summer Olympics were held in the city.

An exciting mixture of old and new, Mazatlán (an Aztec word meaning “place of deer”) has long been a favorite of sport fishermen, with trophy catches of sailfish and marlin possible year ’round. Those just seeking to catch some natural beauty will find plenty offered in the majestic neighboring mountain range, as well as the finest harbor on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

This sleepy fishing village became a jet-set resort after “The Night of the Iguana” was filmed here in 1964. Nestled on the 28-mile curve of Banderas Bay and bordered by a mountain range, Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by sleek, sophisticated world-class resorts, yet its downtown area has steadfastly held its character, refusing to be modernized. You’ll still find the traditional whitewashed houses with red-tile roofs and lush bougainvillea, cobblestone streets, and colorful fishing boats. A treat for the eye as well as the camera.

San Francisco one of the nation’s cultural centers. Founded by the Spanish in 1776 as Yerba Buena, it was taken and renamed by the Americans in 1846. The California gold rush of 1848 led to great growth; with the arrival of newcomers from all over the world in the late 19th century the city took on a cosmopolitan air.

A gracious, picturesque city with a mild climate, it is famous for its individuality. Notable features include its cable cars, which carry passengers on its steep hills; the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (opened 1936) and Golden Gate Bridge (opened 1937); Chinatown; Fisherman’s Wharf; Telegraph Hill; the mansions of Nob Hill; the opera house; symphony hall (1980); the Yerba Buena arts and gardens complex; and numerous institutions of learning.