Retaurant promotion / Lighthouse Restaurant

A magical night begins with great food, soft music, and a spectaular sunset like the ones you can only find in Rocky Point. All of this waits for you up at the top of the hill when you visit The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Perched high near the town’s working lighthouse, The Light House Restaurant feels as if it is suspended over the sea and the city lights below. And what a view! A panorama of the entire town spreads out below as the sun melts slowly into the ocean. ‘Click’. Dinner usually comes to a stop here as everyone grabs their camera or cell phone, some discussing wheather there really is a green flash, and will we see one tonight?

The perfect time for relaxing, a live band on the patio sets the mood. Owner Armando Noriega, after a long career in Mexico City’s professional music scene, leads the group and plays seductive saxophone sounds. Suddenly the lights are dimmed. Someone has ordered flaming coffee! A waiter lights the alcohol floating on top of the coffee, then with great skill pours the burning liquid from cup to cup. Sugar sprinkled on the flames ignites, making a mini fire works show. And show it is. Weather your table ordered it or not, everyone in the house enjoys the dramatic little ritual of Mexican Coffee.

Lights up, and here comes your food. You have chosen the Mixed Fajita Platter. Good choice! Chicken, beef, and mushrooms served on a sizzling platter with homemade tortillas on the side. Really tasty stuff. The Chicken Cordon Blu, stuffed with white cheese and ham, and the Mango Shrimp are also popular and good choices. Steak Tampequino stands out as well. Normally made from strips of flank steak, the Lighthouse uses filet along with the rice, beans, and avocado of this traditional Mexican dish.

After dinner, head upstairs to The Lighthouse Lounge. Formerly known as the Crows Nest, the Lounge has the feel of your own personal hide away, and is a cool alternative to the bigger party places in town. Lots of personality and occasional live music on weekends.

*Located on Whale hill, turn off of Benito Juarez at the sign across from the harbor

*Open 7 days from 3:00pm to 10:00pm

*for reservations call 638 383 2389

As resort towns and vacation destinations become bigger, or at least more established and mature, the range of experiences and mix of services changes. Originally all about going fishing and hitting the dunes for some off-road action, Rocky Point is seeing more and more of the activities and offerings you would expect to find in long established beach get aways like Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

This includes more personalized service. Rocky Point is an easy place to get around, and find all that you need in order to have a fun time. Especially the more you come here. But even then, having help putting together a special event, or finding just what you want to make your stay closer to your idea of perfection, sometimes goes better with a little help. Getting things to be just so is the specialty of Lidia Sandoval, who is bringing concierge service to those reserving a place to stay through Seaside Reservations Mexico.

Rocaportense (Rocky Point native) Lidia knows the people and places of her home town well, but her skills as a concierge were honed south of here, in one of the most well established tourist destinations on earth, Puerto Vallarta. ¨Where I worked before, each floor of the Resort had it´s own concierge! In Rocky Point, I will help all of the guests who reserve through Seaside Mexico, no matter if it is at one of our resorts or a private residence in Las Conchas” says Lidia.

What can a concierge do for you? “We have 347 check-ins this weekend. To all of them I have sent an email to welcome them, and let them know we are here, and what we can do just for them” Lidia tells me. “We start with the little things – turning on the AC in their condo an hour before they arrive, stocking the kitchen with groceries if they want. With the places that Seaside offers being so nice, many visitors want to spend a lot of their time in Rocky Point  just enjoying being ‘home’ in their condominium. A private dinner party prepared by a personal chef, accompanied by saxophone and song from a live musician, makes for an unforgettable occasion. Of course we can arrange sunset cruises and fishing trips too, everything that you could want.”

A member of the Pacific Coast Concierge Association of Mexico, Lidia Sandoval brings her enthusiasm and experience to Seaside, and to her home town. “I’m excited to be the one bringing something special to the place that I love.” Concierge service is offered to all guests reserving with Seaside Reservations. Lidia can be contacted at 383 0200 or 602 218 5320 seasideconcierge@seasidemexico.com

by Richard Scott

Singer/songwriter Yahir Duran made an appearance in Rocky Point this past weekend to share his music and written word creations. A teacher in Tijuana, Yahir’s music shows his roots in the church. His original works often have a classical feel. Yahir supports his singing with piano, and guitar, and the evening’s music flowed from one to the other. Looping his guitar and vocals on some songs gave the feel of a large ensemble to his performance.

The Civic Auditorium was the location for Saturday Nights show, organized by local musician/teacher Luis Lugo, who joined Yahir for one song. The music easily can be called ‘Trova’, a style much like American folk music from the 1960’s in it’s sound. Yahir Duran expands his music not only by the use of loops, but with the inclusion of rap and accapela singing.

Sunday evening brought the attention to Yahirs writing. A free presentation at Puerto Viejo Cafe included readings and conversation based on his book. Puerto Viejo regularly has art and cultural evenings on it’s patio, and events like the ones with Yahir Duran show that interest is growing and more is happening in Penasco.

by Richard Scott

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Don’t leave me at home! Check out these pet friendly places to stay when you are in Rocky Point.

Founded 87 years ago, Rocky Point has become a very different place then it was even 10 years ago. The development of the tourist industry can be seen everywhere. Even so, the town and it’s residents still retain a lot of the original qualities and attitudes of a town built around the fishing industry.

For an 87 year old, the town is livelier than ever. The Malecon has always been the place for the people of Puerto Peñasco to come together. This Saturday, July 19th, local artists throw a kind of birthday party with ‘Por Ti Puerto Peñasco’. Photographers, Painters, and more will show their work along with he sounds of live music.

*Tijuana’s Cumbia Columbia will play

*Featured artists are photographers Jimmy Maldonado and Cesar House, sculptor Roberto Ledesma, and painter Izrael Rios.

*Por Ti Puerto Peñasco is free

*This Saturday, July 19th from 7:00pm

*The event is a colaboration of the 21st Ayuntamiento of Puerto Penasco and Accion Civica y Cultural

Plan ahead now for one of Rocky Points’ best loved annual events. The Rocky Point Rally is coming this November 6th through 9th. Last year there were around 5000 registered, but many non-riders come to enjoy the over the top party atmosphere that descends on the city. Mardi-Gras and Spring Break rolled into one, the Rally brings bikers from as far away as Canada.

And it really is a non-stop show. The fun starts before even arriving in town with the Across the Border Poker Run. Last year, riders went out to tour the Pinacate Biosphere Reseve, and this time it will be offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday Night will see the band Mogollon take the stage, as they have for the past few years. The Malecon sees lots of action all weekend. The street is perfect for cruising your bike past the crowd. The bars and restaurants over flow with revellers, and burn out contests rule the day.

Bikes flow back and forth between the Malecon and Calle13, which see just as much action. Here is where the Toy Parade starts as well, where bikers give out toys and toss candy to super happy local kids. Charity is a large part of the Rocky Point Rally. Last year more that $9000 dollars was raised for local organizations like La Montana School (helping children with special needs), The Red Cross, as well as for the the firefighters. No trip to Rocky Point would be complete without a sunset cruise, and there is one just for registered bikers on Saturday Night.

Just a few years old, the Rocky Point Rally is starting to gain some real notice throughout the world of cyclists. People are invariable blown away by the sights and sound of a Rally by the sea, and efforts to promote the event are getting tthe word out to more and more bike afficionados. Some of this years sponsors who are making the Rall a success include Sea Side Reservations, Playa Bonita Resort, Mexpro Insurance, and Law Tigers, Motorcycle Lawyers.

*The 2014 Rocky Point Rally will begin Thursday, November 6th, and run through Sunday, November 9th.

*To find out more about scheduled events, where to stay, and to keep up with the latest Rally news, check out RockyPointRally.com