It’s January. You’ve done the holidays with the family, and now it’s time to actually decompress and take time for yourself. We have an idea that’ll help: wine. Or really wine plus world-class dining, spa time, and stunning vineyards that go on for days. We’re talking about a weekend getaway to Valle de Guadalupe. And like the wine it produces, this area knows how to blend all the best things.

If you’re unfamiliar with Valle de Guadalupe, it’s located 75 miles south of the border. Think of a ripe Mediterranean climate with the body of Italian-style vineyards, finished with a rich Mexican culture that shines through in its food, its landscapes, and its warm, welcoming hospitality.

"It has everything. It has the ocean. It has mountains and deserts," says Blanca Rodriguez, who has lived in the area for decades and takes visitors on tours around Bodegas de Santo Tomás, the oldest winery in Valle de Guadalupe. "I will say, in this sense, it's very rich."

Weekends here are about savoring each moment, whether that’s through wine tastings with Rodriguez (or at the 100+ other wineries in the area), horseback rides through vineyards, quick thrills on ATV tour through the backcountry, or a massage with a treatment (or two). In fact, there’s something about this place that seems to invite relaxation. You might even find yourself sighing and dropping your shoulders just driving through the region.

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"Whenever I have to travel to another Santo Tomás location, and I'm driving and see mountains and all the open space and the beautiful plants, I just find it all really calming," Rodriguez shares. "I can just quickly forget everything else, every other problem."

In this edition of The WeekEnder, we're taking you south of the border for a little R&R, because it’s finally time to put yourself first. Here's where to go for a tasting, an adventure, and an unforgettable meal in Valle de Guadalupe.

—Stacey Leasca, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide

Editor’s Note: For the latest on Covid, visit the US Embassy in Mexico COVID-19 information page.

Drink in the good life by exploring Valle de Guadalupe's vineyards and vast landscape.

Go for a tasting at Bodegas Santo Tomas

As the oldest vineyard in the region, Bodegas de Santo Tomás is the place to do a wine tasting in Valle de Guadalupe. Visits also include a tour of Cava San Antonio de las Minas, one of its three tasting rooms that sits at the town entrance. You’ll get a lesson in the winemaking process from one of its in-house producers, plus a chance to sample several delicious bottles. Call ahead or email to make a reservation.

Or visit multiple wineries in one go with a private SUV tour

Why limit yourself to just one winery? Book a private SUV tour that will take you (and any of your lucky friends) to several wineries over a full nine-hour day. Winery stops include Villa Montefiori, which specializes in Italian varietals; Lechuza Vineyard, which produces cabernet, Nebbiolo, merlot, and tempranillo; and Cavas Sol y Barro, which creates delicious blends, making each stop feel like its own mini getaway.

Rev up the weekend with an ATV Tour

When your trip starts to feel a little sleepy, toss in a good adrenaline rush to shake you awake. This ATV tour takes you through backcountry terrain you can only access on off-road vehicles. Motor through hidden vineyards and take a few photo-op pit stops to capture the stunning vistas, those blazing sunsets, and your ear-to-ear smile as you experience it all.

Or take it slower with a horseback ride

Zooming past gorgeous landscapes isn’t your speed? Get in the slow lane by hopping on horseback. At Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards and Inn, visitors can arrange a one-hour ride on its Azteca horses. On the way, riders will explore a bit of the backcountry and meander through a few vineyards the way they did a century ago. (Pretending you’re in a period movie is just a bonus.)

Lean into pampering with Mobile Spa Experience

If you’re doing this vacation thing right, you’ll be kicking back so much, you’ll end the day laying flat. And that means you’re all set for a massage. No need to leave your room to make this a reality—this mobile spa is all set to come to you, with masseuses trained in several styles ready to work out any knots and leave you blissed out.

Get a taste of the valley with every bite from sunup to sundown.

For breakfast with a view, Salvia Blanca Cocina

You can come to Salvia Blanca (located at Contemplación Hotel) any time of day for delicious food, but breakfast is when it really shines. Tasty dishes like omelets filled with red, green, and chipotle chilaquiles are on offer, as are epic views out the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Or opt to sit on their expansive patio, for 360-degrees of gorgeous desert landscapes.

For simple, local tacos, Taqueria La Principal

You're in Mexico. Get the taco. The simpler, the better. And you’ll find nothing but taco perfection at Taqueria La Principal. This unassuming taqueria serves up a full menu of taco options, but it specializes in meats like carne asada and chitterlings. And before you ask, yes the tacos are served in a corn tortilla and come with red salsa and guacamole for good measure.

For dialing up the romance, Finca Altozano

Looking for a can’t-fail date night? Finca Altozano has the formula down. First, there isn’t a bad table in the place; Every single one shows off cinematic views of wine country. Then there’s the food: Dig into locally sourced oysters and seafood tostadas to start, alongside artisan tortillas made onsite. Follow it up with mains like shrimp zarandeado with grilled corn on the cob, zucchini with jocoque, cilantro, and Mexican rice, or oak-grilled local quail with portobello and chard with Vaquero-style beans with hominy on the side. Fun fact: There are special seating areas balanced atop massive wine barrels, if you want dinner with a slightly elevated view.

For a perfect pairing, Conchas de Piedra

If you’re the type to study all the pages of the wine list before you even crack open a dinner menu, Conchas will be a fast fave. As a collaboration between the Casa de Piedra winery and Deckman's (another local dining institution), Conchas puts both food and wine on equal footing. Local and seasonal shellfish, including oysters and sea urchin bruschetta, are mainstays along with a full menu that changes daily. And wine elevates every course, especially the sparkling wine pairings that bring on a celebratory mood with every sip.

For one of the best restaurants in the world, Fauna Restaurante en Bruma

Get bragging rights for life by sitting down to a meal at Fauna. In 2022, the restaurant was named one of the top 50 restaurants in Latin America (ranking at number 16, if you’re curious). That said, this spot remains rather down to earth, even after its stellar shoutout. Think shared plates around massive communal dining tables—all the better to pass around locally sourced scallops, grilled octopus chicharron, and duck sopes.

Wine-, nature-, and spa-centric spots to unplug.

For a futuristic getaway, Campera Hotel Burbuja

First things first, Campera’s bubble-like rooms aren’t for everyone. Each one looks like a space-age pod that’s crash landed in the desert. But travelers willing to put up with a little quirkiness will be rewarded with a stay that’s truly original. Each pod includes a private bath, cozy queen bed, and clear ceilings that allow guests to stargaze long into the night. The hotel also offers guests plenty of luxurious amenities too, including optional breakfast in bed, dinners in the vineyard, and lunch by your bubble suite's jacuzzi.

For a throwback stay, El Cielo Winery and Resort

Dreaming of that wine-country resort experience with a mountain backdrop, whitewashed casitas, and tiled rooftops? Oh and vineyards just out the door? El Cielo fits the bill. Positioned in the middle of the famed wine route of Ensenada, this Tuscan-style resort could be the backdrop for countless holiday rom-coms. All of its 80 rooms are decked out in plush furnishings—leather headboard stretching to the ceiling, velvet chairs, iron lanterns—all in earth tones echoing the environment outside. But you may spend most of your time in the adjoining winery, where you can get tastings recommended by an expert sommelier.

For a tiny spot that packs a punch, Bruma

Tiny in size but big on luxury, that’s the approach at Bruma. With just 15 villas (and eight rooms in its B&B-style "Home" accommodations), Bruma keeps the guest list short. But that just means every visitor gets even more personalized service and more of the drop-dead gorgeous hotel to themselves. Rock walls and thatch roofs contrast the streamlined architecture and modern furnishings. And the styling surroundings mirrors the rich desert colors flowing from the outdoors in. Close out the day with a dip in Bruma’s biodynamic pond or a soak in its infinity pool. Or just drink in the Technicolor sunsets along with the property’s organic wines.

For a glamorous-as-all-getout stay, Encuentro

“Buzzy” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Encuentro has topped every media outlet’s “must-stay” list for this area. While Tripadvisor reviews are a bit mixed on service, there’s no denying the sheer glamor of these rooms, outfitted with rich dark wood accents, roaring mid-century fireplaces lit up for colder evenings, and deep soaking tubs. But Encuentro adds something special by offering guests several experiences. The choices include wine tastings across nearby vineyards, ritzy cheese pairings, and a "romantic moment" experience—dinner for two inside its cavernous wine room.

For a one-and-done experience, La Villa de Valle

Trekking from one place to the next to chase after wine and spa experiences can be the opposite of relaxing. Why not set up a home base at La Villa de Valle and surround yourself with everything you need for maximum pampering. This retreat is a small luxury inn sitting on 70 massive acres of land, providing panoramic views from every angle. Relax by the pool, stroll past cacti and palm trees, indulge in a (free) wine tasting, or book a spa service—including traditional Swedish massages using house-made lavender products—that comes straight to your room, so you never even have to leave the grounds.

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