Our 36 Hours in Baja and How You Can Recreate Them

Learning how to relax is truly an art. It’s a constant challenge, yet something that is so important for self-preservation and self-growth. Especially prior to entering what can be a busy, stressful and emotionally-taxing season like the holidays, the sanctity of self becomes paramount in order to give our best to others, leading them to do the same.

This past weekend, Darling and our travel partners at Alaska Airlines invited 20 incredible guests to Baja, Mexico with the intention of getting away from our frenzied daily routines and relax, seek new experiences and connect with inspiring women.

Our 36-hour retreat did just that. From the tranquil beaches of Los Cabos to the cultured city of Todos Santos to the remote waters of La Paz, we felt the magic of travel. It’s amazing what some extra sunshine and diving into the deep blue will do for the soul.

So! We now want to share our 36-hour getaway with you in the hopes of inspiring you to plan your own trip:

FLIGHT

Our retreat began with a 2.5 hour flight on Alaska Airlines. Flying from Los Angeles to Los Cabos was quick, easy and economical on Alaska. AKA: The perfect weekend getaway and we can’t wait to do it again soon.

Pro Tip: If you’re flying Alaska Airlines and need to contact Customer Service, reaching out via Twitter makes it super easy. And we’re speaking from experience! Julie from the Social Care team quickly answered some last minute travel questions for us about our departing flight, all via Twitter DMs. (Thanks again, Julie!)

HOTEL

The Mar Adentros Hotel is distinctive from any other resort in Cabo. The moment we found this gem, we knew it was going to provide the unique experience we were searching for. Designed to look like it’s floating on water, the architecture has an other-worldly aesthetic that’s both stunning and tranquil.

We love that every room in the hotel offers a vast view of the ocean and we highly recommend grabbing a bite at Nido — a nest-shaped restaurant fashioned out of recycled twigs in the center of the hotel’s reflecting pools. Artistically-designed and exceedingly hospitable, Mar Adentros is the perfect place to stay for a special occasion. Rooms start at $250 a night.

BEACH DAY

San Cristobal is a boutique hotel located in the cozy, artistic town of Todos Santos, just one hour north of Los Cabos (one of Liz Lambert’s Bunkhouse properties).

We were drawn to this property not only for it’s beautiful views of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains and Pacific Ocean, but also for the unique and localized experiences the hotel curates for its guests. We spent our day shopping at the local fish market, making fresh ceviche, experiencing a sunset mezcal tasting and gathering for a classic Dia de los Muertos dinner. Since all the activities were on-site, we were able to move seamlessly in and out of relaxing moments and special experiences at our leisure. Day passes are available for $25 dollars a person.

BOAT TOUR

If you want to skirt the barrage of touristy boat excursions, head two hours north to La Paz to experience the hidden beauty of the Sea of Cortez. Island Cat Baja Charters not only made this trek well worth our time, but they curated a full day of unforgettable memories.

We traveled on a beautiful catamaran through the crystal-clear turquoise bay to discover hidden beaches, snorkeled with tropical fish in coral reefs and even swam with sea lions. Along the way, a female marine biologist taught us about the local sea-life and the city’s conservation efforts while a chef prepared farm-fresh organic meals onboard the boat. Plus, transportation to and from our hotel was included, making the journey simple and seamless.

DINNER

In our search to find unique experiences in a land filled with massive resorts, we stumbled across Acre — a beautiful open-air restaurant and bar set in the middle of a 25-acre piece of farmland.

This charming and rustic restaurant was the perfect setting for our final Darling Dinner. Founder and EIC Sarah Dubbeldam led guided conversations throughout each course that encouraged everyone to step into an vulnerable, earnest and present space, ultimately leaving us feeling inspired and excited about the new friendships we made over the past few days.

This post was sponsored by Darling Partner Alaska Airlines. All thoughts and reviews remain Darling’s own.

Photography by Sarah Gerber