La Paz, city of spectacular sunsets
In the course of its history, this famous bay has been visited by conquerors, pirates and missionaries. The first attempt to conquer the peninsular was on May 3rd, 1535, when Hernán Cortés stepped ashore at present-day La Paz, which he named Bahía de Santa Cruz.
However, almost two centuries would pass before colonization began in 1720 when the Jesuit missionaries, with their spiritual force, brought the population to its knees and built the Mission of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz.
Nowadays, the capital of the state of Baja California Sur is an attractive destination with an excellent choice of ecotourism, marine and athletic activities, all in a lovely setting famous for its magnificent sunsets.
The City
One of the best places to see the sun go down is along the famous Álvaro Obregón boardwalk. Built in the 1920s, it has recently been remodeled; an evening stroll not only lets you enjoy the twilight colors over the bay, but gives you a chance to see the bronze sculptures that adorn this lively, modern avenue. Along the boardwalk, you will also find the tourist dock where you can board theme cruises that offer regular passenger service. Opposite the boardwalk is a three-mile-long street lined with hotels, discotheques, romantic bars and shops selling folk art, fishing and diving equipment and other items.
Eco Tourism
Velasco Garden is a favorite gathering spot for city residents. It is located in the historic downtown area and is flanked by a number of important old buildings that form a significant part of the heritage of the people of Baja California.
Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Paz
On December 3rd, 1720, a mission was founded on a site chosen by the missionaries Juan de Ugarte and Jaime Bravo, who had come here from the mission at Loreto. Faced with the hostility of the indigenous population, the missionaries abandoned the site in 1735.
The Cathedral was built in 1871. This beautiful edifice is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross and has a gable roof and two pyramid-capped towers. Inside is a lovely altar dedicated to the Virgin.
South Californian Youth Institute
This attractive building was once the Government Palace and now houses an organization that provides information and guidance for young people and promotes culture and the arts.
Anthropological Museum
This modern building has several different exhibition rooms showing archeological, anthro pological, mineral and historical items collected on the peninsula. Fossils of different species, utensils used by indigenous groups, mapsand stories of the independence and revolutionary eras all form part of the museum’s collection.
La Paz Herpetarium
This open-air facility is a great place to observe snakes, reptiles and spiders, scorpions and other arachnids at close range. Its purpose is to inform and also to stimulate ecological awareness among visitors.
“Prof. Jesús Casto Agundez” Cultural Center
The local arts scene is well presented in this modern cultural complex. It houses the City Theater, the Prof. Carlos Olachea Boucieguez Art Gallery, a chil-dren’s library, the Prof. Filemón C. Pineda Public Library, the Grey Whale Museum, green areas, a children’s playground and ample parking.
La Paz “Carnaval”
La Paz has a rich cultural heritage with colorful traditions like “Carnaval”, an event that started here a century ago and which attracts local, national and world-famous artists and a variety of large-scale performances. La Paz is ready to party the last week of February or the first week of March.
A number of events take place on the sea-side boardwalk, including the Burning of Bad Humor, the Crowning of the King of Happiness and of the Queen of Carnaval, the awarding and prizes to the Queen of Poetry of the Poet Laureate, a spectacular naval combat with fireworks and the traditional parade with allegorical floats.
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