Pausing in La Paz

We’re enjoying our new home-base, La Paz, which is perched on the southeast corner of the Bay of La Paz, about 140 nautical miles from Cabo.  We’d heard so much about La Paz, but this is our first visit via Shindig.   La Paz means “The Peace” in Spanish, and was named this by the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, to reflect the peaceful nature of the indigenous people.  This was after the previous explorer, Hernan Cortez, explored the Sea of Cortez/La Paz area, and had a violent introduction to the area as the local tribes rebelled against the Spanish colonializing attempts. 

La Paz also has the nickname of “the Pause”, indicating that many cruising sailors get to La Paz, and don’t leave.  There are three good sized marinas here and a large protected anchorage.  Tourism is not the primary economic driver here, as it is in Cabo and Banderas Bay.  It is the capital of Southern Baja and feels like a more traditional Mexican town, with a population of over 200,000. 

La Paz is a picturesque town, with a very long promenade along the bay, called the malecon, with Mexican sculptures and other art work.  The city is in front of a very pretty mountain range, which reminds Nancy of her favorite California city, Santa Barbara. 

"Sirena con Delfin" sculpture by Octavio Gonzalez. 
The base is a pearl, representing La Paz being the Pearl of the Sea of Cortez 

La Paz Cathedral (1861), main façade in pink quarry stone

Rob with a wall of books at the Cruisers Club Cruceros
"Take a book, leave a book"

Jonathan from S/V Fluenta, with his burger from the Shack

Still standing after group lunch and afternoon at the Shack

"Baja Tranquility", a Wyland mural painted in 2005. 
One of more than 80 murals around the world known as "Whaling Walls"