La Paz
La Paz, "The Peace", is Baja California Sur's state capital, considered by some the prettiest setting among the 31 such state capitals in Mexico. This inviting and hospitable city lies at the southern end of the protected Bahia de la Paz, roughly 200 miles south of Loreto and just over 900 Highway 1 miles south of the boarder with the United States.
Blessed with a balmy climate, pleasant beaches, and exceptional sport fishing, La Paz has for years attracted anglers and those seeking seasonal escape from the winters father north. John Steinbeck wrote of it, and John Wayne and other Hollywood stars have enjoyed it. By many accounts, the region also offers among the very best diving, snorkeling, and kayaking experiences in all of Mexico.
We think you will enjoy both the La Paz of today and its surrounding region. Its seaside walk, the Malecon, fronts its central district, and is beautifully laid out. You may find yourself entranced by the gentle sound of small waves, warm caress of sun, and the vista of beach, water, and azure sky. The Holland American shuttle will take you directly to the Malecon from our dockside location in Pichilingue.
Within easy walking distance of the shuttle stop are shops, restaurants, and the main town square (Plaza Constitucion). On opposite sides of the Plaza you will find the city church/cathedral and the Biblioteca de Historica de las Californias (with historical paintings).
A few more blocks to the south along 5 de Mayo will bring you to the Museo Antropologia y Historia de Baja California Sur (the Museum of Anthropology and History of Baja California South). If you are interested in the early peoples that inhabited this portion of the Californias, we recommend a visit. Some of the most impressive prehistoric rock paintings in the world are found in Baja, some not far from La Paz. Samples of these are recreated at the Museum along with other exhibits exploring the interaction of the first Europeans with the native peoples.
To see more of the area, consider hiring a cab for a nominal fare. Our driver was proud to show off his city, and even offered to wait as we took a stroll through the Serpentinarium on the west side.
Be aware that while many of the outfitters are downtown, the jumping off points for many of the fishing, diving/snorkeling, and kayaking expeditions are outside the city. So be sure to check with your tour operator or outfitter in advance on where to meet.
Historically, La Paz (actually our dock area in Pichilingue) was the first place at which the Spanish landed as early as 1533. The great Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortez himself attempted to establish Baja's first settlement in the La Paz area in 1535. Cortez and his colleagues, however, were not able to find a way to sustain themselves with food and other provisions, and the effort was abandoned two years later. More than two centuries would pass before Loreto gained distinction as the first permanent European settlement established in the Californias.
In the interim, the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino established his temporary base at this site in 1596. It was he who named the area La Paz. It is possible that this name grew out of Vizcaino's experiences at the hands of pirates in the region. Beginning in 1565 the Spanish had begun the "Manila Galleon" trade route between the Philippines and Acapulco. Heavily laddened galleons on their return from the Philippines would stop in southern Baja, looking for fresh water. English and Dutch pirates, among others, moved in, to wait in ambush. Results were worthy of Hollywood. Indeed, "Pichilingue" was the name associated with the crewman of a fleet of Dutch raiders.
Several additional attempts were made to colonize what is today the La Paz area. Eventually, the hurricane which devastated Loreto in 1828 provided the impetus decreeing La Paz the capital of the Baja region in 1830.
La Paz also played host to a fierce battle in the Mexican-American war of 1846-1848, and then in 1853 provided the location for American renegade William Walker's declaration of the new Republic of Sonora. Walker and 48 armed associates from San Francisco had arrived by boat in La Paz and took control from local authorities. It may have been their intention to have the U.S. annex the territory subsequently, a tactic earlier employed by others in Texas and California. But the Mexicans and the rigors of the land eventually pushed the Walker party north of the U.S. boarder where Walker was captured and tried.
The La Paz area was the site of further conflict of note in the period of 1913-15. Local Mexicans favoring reform opposed and engaged Mexican federal troops. This was part of larger revolutionary activity in Mexico at the time, which resulted in the Constitution of 1917. Following these events, La Paz returned to the character of her name, a most comfortable, and relaxing port of call, which we hope you will enjoy.
Unless otherwise noted, all website materials © 2005 Seaquest Seminars, and Health and Environment. You may use these materials to inform others about Seaquest Seminars and to make decisions regarding participation with Seaquest.
