Hi guys!
We are just getting back from a fabulous vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was, without a doubt, one of the best trips I’ve ever taken or that Adam and I have taken together. We partially went to celebrate our two year anniversary, but mostly went because I found a Groupon a couple months ago for a timeshare resort called Sirena del Mar that granted us a four night, five day trip for only $200. How can you resist that? Our anniversary falling around the same time was just icing on the cake. I hadn’t been to Mexico in ten years (last time I went, I was with my best friend and our families and we went to Cozumel and Costa Maya on a cruise), and Adam had never been before. So, we found a cheap nonstop flight from San Francisco, and I couldn’t believe just how accessible Cabo is for us California folks for a quick getaway.
I had paid in advance for us to have transportation to the resort from the airport because it seemed a lot easier than dealing with a Mexican rental car. Let’s be honest—I can hardly navigate around in my own city and can’t imagine what would have happened if I’d been let loose in a foreign country.
My hot date:
Like I said, we stayed at the Sirena del Mar, which is actually a timeshare resort. When I booked the Groupon, we opted to listen to their 90 minute timeshare spiel and get another night free. Although we had no intention of buying a timeshare, I will gladly listen to anything for 90 minutes if it means I get another day of free vacation.
The resort was BREATHTAKING.
As in…..amazingly breathtaking. I don’t know if I’ve ever been anywhere so beautiful.
It sat high up on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Cortez and each room had a balcony with a complete ocean view, mini-kitchen, washer and dryer (really nice for quickly drying your bathing suit, I discovered!) and a living room.
The resort also offers two bedroom villas and penthouse suites, which we saw on the timeshare tour and were ridiculous. Picture jacuzzis on the balcony, flat screen tvs and gigantic kitchens overlooking the ocean.
During the timeshare presentation, there came a point where they actually offered to swap our room for the penthouse for our remaining trip if we bought, and I faltered for about twelve seconds…..then I just drank a margarita and went back to my already beautiful room over the ocean. Haha. Nooooo timeshares.
The first night, after exploring the resort a little bit, we headed out to a restaurant in downtown Cabo called “The Office”, which everyone said we needed to try….and my next post will be all about the food we ate during our stay! I took about three million photos, so I’ll be breaking up this series in two as to not overwhelm any of you.
While we were in Cabo, we pretty much just flopped ourselves by the pool all day and watched the cruise ships go in and out of the marina in the distance. However, we did take part in a couple activities—one of which was whale watching! Adam has wanted to do this ever since we took a trip to the Monterey Aquarium last year.
I initially wasn’t too psyched up about the excursion (why go out on a tiny boat and wear a smelly life jacket when you can clearly see whales from your balcony with a cocktail in your hand?) BUT it turned out to be pretty amazing……….
And by “amazing” I mean we got about ten feet from huge humpback whales!
Our little boat went about fifteen miles out in the Pacific and we saw at least 20 whales…some were just calves, but already about fourteen feet long.Now that’s a big baby (a little google search just told me that humpback whale calves drink about 100 pounds of their mother’s milk every day). Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
We also saw a sea lion jump on board a boat….which was also probably a once in a lifetime experience.
“What guys? I’m hungry!”
Stay tuned! I haven’t even started to tell y’all about the food….
{ 104 comments… read them below or add one }
How fun! I can’t believe how blue the water looks!! And the resort looks absolutely gorgeous! I’m so jealous!
What an AMAZING DEAL! I’m so jealous! Beautiful pictures!
It looks gorgeous there – makes me want a vacation!! I love that picture of the sea lion and the boat!
fantastic pics! and the place looks gorgeous.
FUN FUN FUN!
Oh wow, it looks amazing!!
Ah this post just made me want a vacation So so bad. Keep em coming.
Wow that is gorgeous ! Jealous!
I cant believe you have such pretty hair on a beach holiday – LUCKY girl!!!
Those wales are amazing.. such pretty photos.
Was your server at The Office named Dwight, Stanley, Phyllis, or Jim?
hahahahahahaha
Awww I love this post! I miss reading about your life.
That place looks insanely amazing. Love that you went whale watching, too! I made a friend take me in Boston this past summer and we saw a ton of whales, too – coolest thing ever, minus the massive field trip group of teenagers on the boat (all of whom got sea sick…)
Miss you
xo
Oh my goodness, all of this for only $200?!??!?!? That’s a crazy good deal!! The photos look gorgeous. Can’t wait to hear all about the food and I’m glad you guys had such a great time together!
Please do a post immediately on how you got your hair to look so pretty in the last photo! Sock bun??? http://pinterest.com/pin/157344580700817234/ haha
Looks gorgeous there and I can’t wait to hear about the fooood, Mexican is my favourite cuisine… mmmm pico de gallo and guacamole – also, missed reading about your life
lol! It’s nothing special, I promise! I just wrap sections around a curling iron…I’ll wrap the pieces around the barrel without clamping them, then hold them there for about 10 seconds and release.
Beautiful pics and it looks like an amazing experience to share with Adam. Happy 2-yr anniversary — or should I say, “Felicidades!”
Oh wow! That looks like so much fun… and relaxing… and warm…
Gorgeous! Is it a good destination for solo travelers or couples?
It’s great for everyone!
Wow, sounds like an amazing trip! Mexico is so beautiful. And the food… oh gosh
glad you enjoyed it all.
Yay, how fun!! That looks like a blast! I.want.to.go! Now I’ll pay more attention to the groupon trips; I didn’t know you could find deals as great as that!
Oh how fun!!!! Such gorgeous pictures. I didn’t know there were whales so far south in the Pacific. So awesome! Looking at your pictures makes me know that we are LONG overdue for a vacation. Sigh….
Oh, and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! (or I should say…Feliz Aniversario!)
Jenna, what an awesome deal! Love your gorgeous pictures especially the whale ones. My boyfriend and i went kayaking on the San Juan Islands last summer and we hoped to see some Orcas, but were too far away to even see their tails. I was quite glad coz I wouldnt have wanted them to flip our kayak in case they became too playful. You are brave! Looking forward to food pics!
Your vacation looks amazing but we must discuss your beach hair!!! How does it look so good? Im very jealous lol My beach vacation pics always look like a nightmare (Frizz, crazy curls, we will just leave it at that! lol)
thank you! it’s probably the most time consuming “beach hair” out there because I wrap individual sections around the barrel of a curling iron (wrapping, not clamping).
my jaw dropped at the humpback whale photos!!! so lucky! what an amazing vacay and I havent’ even seen the food yet…ready to book my flight!
happy anniversary…two years?? really?? time flies!
Love this post and looking forward to reading more about your trip! We just got back from Playa Del Carmen, Mexico! LOVED IT!!! Ps – that pic of you on the balcony- BEAUTIFUL!
Wow, those are amazing pics! I can’t wait to see the rest. That sea lion is ADORABLE! I’m such an animal lover the Mr would’ve had restrain me from running up to pet it even though I know better!
That looks like so much fun! Jealous! haha. Also, I have almost the exact same picture as the first one on this post. Only mine was taken in Italy, on my boat excursion around the grottos of the Isle of Capri.
YAY! Glad you and Adam had such a fun trip. Being from Texas (Austin actually) Mexico was a pretty common vacation spot growing up and it was CHEAP. I remember in college we went on a Carnival Cruise leaving out of Galveston or 5 night for like $400….it was ridiculous. I only wish Texas was closer to Hawaii but I guess Mexico will have to do!
Can’t believe Adam had never been….we’re so close!
Ah, now that’s a vacation! I bought a Groupon trip for xmas and it was the best idea yet. http://juniperandsage.typepad.com/smallthings/2011/12/christmas-in-laguna.html
Hooray for well-spent beach vacations!!
I’ve always wanted to go to Cabo. This post just made that a million times worse! So gorgeous!
Oh I just love this! I’m dealing with jealousy, but also love.
Mostly jealousy.
Ooh…looks like an amazing trip Jenna. Go Groupon!
That looks incredible– glad you had fun! I can’t wait until summer!!
What a deal!! I love it!! It looks so beautiful. Can’t wait to go to Mexico someday!
I hope you made it to Flora Farm! The atmosphere is awesome, the owners are very nice, and the food is all fresh from their organic farm. Cynthia’s is also a great little organic restaurant there. My husband is Mexican and we met in Cabo. I’ve spent half the year there for the past 6 years or so. I just love it there!
I live in OC and we vacation to Mexico often. It’s such a convenient and fabulous place to go for a quick vacation or for a cruise.
When I saw your first picture, taken at the airport…I recognized it right away without reading the text first because I took a picture in the same spot before. Red wall in front of the cactus, lol!
Breathtaking is the right word. Awesome pictures, can’t wait to read more!
Oh wow! $200?! That is completely nuts. And it looks like a beautiful resort!
Too funny, I am reading your blog from Cabo right now! I love the Office, but we are staying down the road closer to San Juan Del Cabo, and we were too lazy to drive all the way into town. Sadly, today is my last day here, I am soaking in all the sun I can!
Wow, it looks like you had such an amazing trip! I’ve never been to Mexico or any really tropical destinations, so I can only imagine what it’s like to have that kind of experience. And great job on getting such an amazing deal!
Jenna this post just made my day. Thank you for sharing all the gorgeous pics and thrilled that you two had such an amazing trip! And that it was such a steal$$ and how easy it was to get from San Fran to Cabo…sweet! Love it when the stars align and everything works out and happy anniversary to you two!
Looks like a you had a lovely time! The pictures are beautiful! I would love to be able to take a vacation right now! Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Glad you had a wonderful time, and happy 2 year anniversary!
I’ve met my sister in Cabo a couple of times. We stayed at the Palmillo. I love it there; could never get tired of it.
Vacations rock. I am so glad you had some well-deserved time for some precious R & R (that’s Rest and Relaxation and not Rock ‘n Roll!). Whales are so magical.
Anddd now I need a vacation!
Oh Oh I hope you found, The Crazy Lobster for breakfast, Salvatores for the best lasagna you’ll ever eat in a lifetime and Cabo wouldn’t be Cabo without Mexican from Ole Ole
If not…. YOU have to hit up these local spots next time! Gorgeous pics….so jealous.
how fun jenna!! glad you had so much fun!
Your vacation looks like a dream.
Cabo is my favorite spot in Mexico!!! My husband and I went whale watching last time we were there too. Can’t wait to go back and can’t wait to see more pictures!
We’re in Cabo right now! It’s beautiful! We got married here last year…it’s our favorite vacation spot
Love this! I can’t wait to see the rest!
How fun! I am a little jealous though:)
Those pictures are beautiful! Us Californians are very lucky to live so close to Mexico, as you’re right, it’s a great quick getaway and can be very affordable. I will have to note your resort though because it looks way better than the one I stayed at in Puerto Vallartas back last September.
Fuuuuuunn!! My husband and I went to Cabo on our honeymoon and just loved how relatively untouched the town was compared to the mega Mexican spring break destinations like Cancun. Amazing memories of the gorgeous beach, deep blue water and laid back lifestyle – and yes, those crazy/(overly)friendly sea lions!
We were just in Cabo a week ago-it was awesome. We stayed at the Hilton-totally loved Cabo.
Glad you had a good time!
Oh, how fun!! Beautiful photos! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the details
Glad you got some R&R!
Oh, that was a fun read! I can’t wait for part two.
Sounds like you guys had the time of your life! That’s great groupon deal too!
looks like you both had a blast. Awesome pictures too. I can’t believe how close to the whales you were.
Amazing photos! It’s inbelievable how blue the ocean can be. So pretty. Can’t wait to hear about the food
Awesome! Looks gorgeous!
$200? Are you kidding me? I need to scour groupon a little bit more. I need a vacation ASAP! Looks beautiful!
Isn’t Coca-Cola in Mexico so much better than in the U.S.???
That looks GORGEOUS! And $200- freakin’ awesome!
I went to Cabo 2 summers ago with my fiance. It was HOT in August but so wonderful and definitely one of my favorite vacations ever! Glad you had a great trip. The sea lions there definitely have a good life.
Amazing trip!! Great pictures!
Aww i absolutely adore cabo! My brother proposed during our family vacation on lover’s beach, which is only a beach every few years…. And we definitely went to The Office and dined in the sand right by the water complete with merriache bands! Can’t wait for the food recap!
I need a vacation. This looks absolutely wonderful. Someday, I’ll have a vacation again!
Great post! Happy Anniversary to you guys
I love your food/recipe posts… but man, I really love your travel posts!
PS: I love your hair
I can’t believe you got the whole trip for only 200! What a deal!!! So jealous! Cabo is so much fun and it looks like you two had a wonderful time. Happy Anniversary!
Looks like you and Adam had such an amazing time! You are getting me so excited for my honeymoon this summer with the excursions and crystal blue water- can’t wait to read about the food!
Beautiful pics! I’ve never been to that side of Mexico, but I definitely want to see those rocks in Cabo sometime. I’ve been to Cozumel and the Riviera Maya.
I look forward to hearing about the food!
I think y’all get MUCH better Groupons in Cali…the best I’ve seen is a no-chip mani/pedi and belly dancing lessons. wah wah
Jenna! How amazing! I am going there next month! What a coincidence!!! So I have a question: I am pregnant and everyone is freaking me out about drinking the water, ice, fruit etc. for fear that I am going to get so sick and have a baby in Mexico or worse. People get really nervous about Mexico. Do you have any feedback about drinking the water or eating foods that have been washed? Sounds like you were okay?
Thanks!
Aww the pictures look great!
Beautiful pictures! Can’t wait to read about all the good details!
The Office was so amazing-we ate there twice on our vacay!!!! Their margaritas are out of this world and so was the view!
It all looks gorgeous. I wish I wasn’t such a coward about going to Mexico, now. But there have just been too many Canadians and Americans dying over there recently for me to get up the courage and go.
Congrats! Happy for you two.
I loved this post. Have to admit that I miss reading more detailed “life” posts. Glad you guys had a blast.
ooooooooh this looks like a DREAM!!! note to self: pay attention to those groupon vacations!!!
OMG! We don’t have a Groupon, but we booked a room at this resort for our babymoon, and we leave in two weeks! Your photos and comments only make me MORE excited to go! Can’t wait to see your restaurant recs. We’ve been to Cabo once before but know we’ve barely scratched the surface. Thanks so much for sharing your trip!
Your trip sounds amazing already. I’m totally jealous since Sean can’t take any time off since he’s in school right now. Then he’ll be in summer school and then starting up in the fall again so it looks like a LONG time before we can take a vacation together. I’ve also never been to Mexico. I’m really looking forward to the food post!
wow! that looks amazing. I’ve always wondered about the groupon vacation deals but seeing how well yours turned out I think perhaps I’ll look more carefully
OH MY! The colors! Looks like such an amazingly beautiful trip!
My husband says he knows that sea lion! Apparently that is a daily routine of his
So fun! I could use a tropical vacation right now!
oh my gosh.. i am so jealous.
Oh my goodness Jenna!!! It is absolutely breathtaking!! Glad you had a great time, and I can’t wait to read about the food!!
A M A Z I N G !!! This looks absolutely wonderful! My dream!
Five day trip for only $200 – I can’t belive and I’m jealous
Happy Anniversary!
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I am so jealous!
how cool..we just got back from Cozumel on thursday. Had a blast. Love the sun and Mexico.
What a steal! Sounds like an amazing vacation!!
Where is your Jean jacket from? LOVE!
It’s from Madewell! Thank you!
Great post Jenna! Would love to see more fashion posts:) glad u guys had a great trip away!
Your first picture of the rock arch takes my breath away – my family trip to Cabo two years ago was amazing, and you brought back all those amazing memories. Thank you!
I absolutely love Mexico but I hate how unsafe it has become! Cabo and a few other places are some of the very few that haven’t been completely overrun by the drug cartel. It’s such a beautiful country with an amazing culture and even more amazing people— I just wish it wasn’t so bad there right now!
totally agree!
OMG dying at these photos!! Love it; so happy for you.
Love Cabo! Whale watching looks AMAZING!!
What amazing pictures, and great blog. Happened across it as we were searching for blog site set up types we liked. We’re in the health niche too and great site. User friendly and the posts are natural. I’ll be returning… Love the pictures of the whales.
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