La Paz and outdoors enthusiasts to benefit from expanded Alaska Airlines service

Alaska Airlines today has begun providing expanded service to La Paz, reports Jonathan Roldan, who owns Tailhunter International, which specializes in fishing trips to the capital of Baja California Sur.

"This is great news, especially for the 2009 fishing season," Roldan exclaimed in an e-mail sent to past clients.

Alaska had previously flown to and from La Paz, with flights originating from or passing through Los Angeles International, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. It has added Thursdays and Sundays.

The expansion does make travel more convenient for outdoors enthusiasts of all types, to a sprawling city that has retained its vibrancy and Mexican charm, unlike Americanized Cabo San Lucas at the tip of the Baja California peninsula.

I've visited La Paz numerous times as an outdoors reporter for the Los Angeles Times, and have shared stories about fishing, whale-watching and the incredible diving beyond La Paz Bay in the Sea of Cortez.

In fact, I'm the one closest to the giant Pacific manta in the accompanying photo, diving with Rocio Lozano near the small islet of La Reina. We also swam with whale sharks and, during a different trip, with voracious and mysterious Humboldt squid.

Those adventures seemed so long ago; another is definitely in the future.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Rocio Lozano and Pete Thomas share quality time with a docile giant Pacific manta off La Paz. Credit: Jim Knowlton/Ocean Futures

Comments

[Andy Eppink]

Gorgeous photo of you guys with the ray. Man, he's gigantic. What hydrodynamics. God's wonders.