For Spanish 
Go Back (to archives)Of course it's hot. The temperatures are in the 90's and 100's, but that's not what we mean. Puerto Peñasco is a place where things are happening, even during the sultry weather of a Sonoran summer.
As we drove around town last weekend, we saw building and remodeling going on everywhere. The Hotel Playa Peñasco next to Ranas Ranas is new, and across the street from it Pueblo Bonito, a building housing 24 condos, is going up. We were interested to note that a new condo on the beach nearby was using tridipanel construction.
On the east side of the city, a new church is being constructed. Even though it is still unfinished, it was full of worshippers on a Sunday morning when we drove past. It has two high brick domes, which give a sense of soaring spirituality to the interior. Light filtering through the still-unfinished walls provides a reverent atmosphere for the religious devotions of the faithful. The architect is Fausto Soto.
As we drove by Keno's convenience and fast food store on Calle 13, we noted that the restaurant on the upper story was now open. We went up to look around and found it very attractive. The room is elegantly decorated in peach and dark green, and the tablecloths alternate between these two colors. The bar has a ceramic tile mosaic with a pattern of waves. From the balcony there are views of the harbor and the beaches. Eduardo Aguirre, the manager, told us that the restaurant has been in operation two months. It is open every day and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had already eaten, so we didn't try the menu, but if it is in keeping with the ambience, it should be wonderful food.
Down the street, at what used to be Las Palmas restaurant, we found JR Emrick working on the renovation for what will be opening by Labor Day as JR's Bar and Restaurant. He and his wife Vicki have chosen a country-western theme and have decorated the main dining room with cattle brands, old advertisements, copper implements, and other items that spell Old West. But the chief attraction will be JR's famous barbecued meats. So far most of the renovation has taken place on the inside, but the outside will be changing soon. Vicki told us it will be painted bright barn-red and will have an overhanging porch at the entrance like an old country store.
In the harbor we saw what looks like a big cruise ship that is undergoing renovation. It looks like this is almost finished and the vessel will soon be ready to be painted. At the marina where Dale Donaldson of Santiago's Ocean Services launches parasailing, we were pleased to see a number of large, new-looking pleasure craft tied up.
In front of the Marina Peñasco condos, we saw a vehicle labeled Rocky Point Trolley. We couldn't find anyone to ask about it, but it looks like something to provide tours for visitors. It was a very good replica of an old-style trolley bus.
On Blvd. Juarez, south of the airport, we saw a pile of concrete blocks. It looks as if someone may be planning to build a storage building. A little farther in toward town we saw a model put up by IDEA Homes. The company uses panels of foam sandwiched between plywood called ThermaSave. They are energy-efficient and fit together, making construction easy. The model home was about 1500 square feet and had three bedrooms, 2 baths, and a large living area. It wasn't yet finished when we saw it, but they were getting ready to put in the plumbing. According to the site representatives, these homes will be very reasonable in price.
On the hill to the left of the road as it goes into the Old Port is a new restaurant and bar called Latitude 31·. Yes, we were told, that is the latitude of Puerto Peñasco. The new restaurant is being built by the former owners of Las Palmas, who outgrew their space and wanted something bigger. They got it. The large building will house the restaurant and a long bar on its upper floor. From the windows behind the bar and the balcony there is a magnificent view of the harbor and Sandy Beach beyond. The decor is tastefully done; tiled floors feature an occasional inlaid mosaic lizard for a touch of local color. Lights, stairways, railings, and walls accent the building's dramatic use of space. The architect is Job Camacho, who was also the architect for Keno's.
In the Old Port, we noticed a brightly painted facade and realized that someone had bought the old theater and begun to renovate it. We'll have to wait and see what it will be in the future. At Pompano's landing we could see that the restaurant Pompano is building next door is progressing nicely.
Anyone who needs storage for a recreational vehicle or a boat will be happy to know that there's a new storage facility called Whale Hill just a block away from the Mendez tire shop on Avenida Campeche, also owned by Ruben Mendez. We drove up the hill to see it and were impressed with all the room available. The wall, which is painted white and snakes around the hillside in back, looks very secure. When we looked inside, there was the Rocky Point Trolley.
In the Mirador Beach area, the new Baja Cantina is under construction. It's being built by the one of the owners of J.J.'s Cantina, along with several others. We stopped in to see it and found its size truly impressive. The building must be about 10,000 square feet in area. It has 4 bars downstairs and 2 upstairs, for a total of about 400 feet of bar space. The cantina will have 26 TVs, with 9 different channels playing at the same time. Each bar will feature a different sport. Downstairs there's also a pool room and a restaurant. According to Gary Sanchez, the manager, the upstairs deck will have tables with umbrellas where those who don't want to watch TV can sit and look out at the ocean. Gary comes from Mexico City originally, but has been a bartender at J.J.'s for 10 years, so he is very experienced.
We heard that a new subdivision called Princesa de Peñasco is going up on Sandy Beach, but we didn't get out to see it. We did note, however, that the new Cholla Bay Road has trenches for 20" water lines in place, and water from these lines is now available to many residents of nearby Colonia Nueva who didn't have access to it before.
We don't know who it belongs to, but on a side street we noticed a small house being built that impressed us with its design. It had a living room with a high, domed ceiling, finished with the inlaid Moroccan bricks that many large houses in Las Conchas have. There was a bedroom and bath on one side of this room, a kitchen on the other, and a small porch in front. It was interesting to see how design elements from much larger residences could be successfully integrated into such a small home.
When we say Puerto Peñasco is hot in August, we mean it's growing and developing. There will be more attractions and facilities than ever by the time the tourist season starts again in September.
For Spanish
Go Back (to archives)
