As the weather glides from slightly chilly to pleasantly warm, there is nothing better than spending time on the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora (Rocky Point). I can say this with confidence, conviction, and honesty as my wife and I have owned a home in the Las Conchas neighborhood in Rocky point since 1996.

We have travelled extensively on numerous trips in the Baja and other parts of Mexico. We love all of Mexico, but always return to Puerto Peñasco knowing that we indeed are invested in the very best spot in this beautiful country. It offers easy driving access near the U.S. border and a very safe, hard working, and friendly town.

Okay, so then there’s the question of where is the best spot to own in Rocky Point and, once again, I think I can narrow it down. Las Conchas is something special, an exclusive gated community with a rich tradition of American and Canadian residents. The Las Conchas Peninsula is simply the best spot to own and enjoy beachfront real estate. The Tessoro Condominium development is particularly “choice” due to its status as the only beachfront resort in Las Conchas. It offers the privacy of a true family vacation away from the fray on a pristine beach, but is only 10 minutes to town and all the restaurants, shops, and activities that are so quaint and part of the local experience.

Here’s the real attraction for me, though: Tessoro owners are a special, self-selected group. Here you will meet interesting and kind-hearted people with the most amazing life stories and diverse backgrounds. All are so friendly, jovial and inquisitive, with wonderful families. When these amazing Tessoro owners “group up” around the pool or by the seaside hot tub and begin to share life stories, I can see the bonds forming and a community coming together. That is perhaps the most enticing thing about purchasing a beachfront residence at Tessoro. It’s all about the people who love Puerto Peñasco and choose to escape the wall of condos and seek something more, something special.

I know what I am talking about. I myself have enjoyed this experience of living in Las Conchas for 15 years!!!

Please come for a visit!

Tessoro at Las Conchas is open for spring with a whole series of exciting improvements and facilities. Life on the Las Conchas Peninsula just got even better!

Tessoro opened its refined and re-tiled resort pool. With a waterfall, heated main pool and swim-up bar, it is the best place to cool off in town. The infinity-edge views from pool to blue sea are pretty spectacular. The toasty sea-side hot tub, one of the largest in any Rocky Point real estate development, is bubbling and a popular meeting point at sunset.

A new paving-stone path now leads to the full gym and ocean-front Nuevo Temazcal Spa. The gym has new equipment, allowing for cardio with a spectacular beach view. The spa is operating and offering specials for first-time visitors.

The Palapa bar and El Agave Grill are completed and set to open soon. Check in for updates.

Another exciting addition is the Desert Playground, which will offer a whole range of activities on the sandy dunes above the resort pool area. Tessoro will offer beach volley-ball, tetherball, a children’s area with jungle gym, hammocks, a fire pit and much, much more. There are footballs, volleyballs, and other toys available at the front desk.

The spring represents the start of the year for visitors in Las Conchas and Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco). Tessoro is the first Las Conchas Resort, offering a boutique feel and the finest beachfront residences in Rocky Point. Come visit the Tessoro soon, see all of the improvements, and take a tour of the amazing beachfront lifestyle offerings.

Mr. Adams hosts the Great American Golf show on Saturdays and a weekday golf and lifestyle show on the drive home from 6-7pm. Mr. Adams stayed in Jade Residence 404 and set up his mobile radio equipment by Tessoro’s Gym and Spa on Saturday morning, January 30th.

“Welcome to Great American Golf, I am your Caddy for the Show,” began Mr. Adams in his traditional intro, and then added “I am pleased to be broadcasting live from beautiful Tessoro at Las Conchas in Puerto Peñasco. Folks, if you could only see the views I am experiencing this morning overlooking the beach in Las Conchas by the Morua Estuary.” During the show, in between phone interviews with Golf celebrities, Mr. Adams discussed his fascination with our little town of Rocky Point, his love of the natural scenery and his excitement to take part in the activities he saw in the Las Conchas Eco-Map.

It was a great honor to have Mr. Adams as a guest at the resort and to have him broadcast to the Phoenix metropolitan area from Tessoro. Tessoro is expected to attract athletes and celebrities given its unique privacy and security features and its exclusive location away from the fray on the Las Conchas Peninsula just 10 minutes from the town.

Be sure to catch Ray Adams on The Fan 1060 and take a look at his bio at www.thefan1060.com/showdj.asp?DJID=38870.

Radio Broadcast, Ray Adams
Uploaded by Tessoro. – Explore in Tessoro, Puerto Peñasco and Lifestyle.

The Christmas season in Mexico is filled with so much tradition, including the annual series of “Posadas” (Christmas shelters where celebrations are held). Around the 15th of December, my neighbors here in Puerto Peñasco all start with the Posadas every night. They go from house to house asking for permission to come in. Finally at the last home they are granted permission and the party begins. After having food, the tequila is broken out and the children begin the quest to break the piñata. I look forward to this every year.

The city hall in Puerto Peñasco went all out with decorating. They had a stable with baby goats, donkeys etc. The large ficus trees had been topped with white cotton and decorated with many lights. They even formed a cone shaped dome one for the top of one of the trees. I looked forward to going home every evening after work just to see all the lights and the children gathering.

Many of our owners were here for the holidays as well as several guests and renters – the beachfront condos were full! The community of people got together every afternoon for drinks by the pool and a chance to socialize. One evening the Johnson family had Carlos the “Cantinero” (bartender), his daughter, Karla (Tessoro’s Front Desk Concierge), and his friends play music in their condo. They were kind enough to invite my husband Bill and I for the party. Lanae made fabulous chicken enchiladas and her mom offered home made fudge. Wine and tequila flowed. Karla is our HOA liaison and has a voice like a song bird. We have known Carlos for many, many years here in Puerto Peñasco and it was nice to have him entertain at Tessoro.

It was great to see everyone come out to watch the sunsets every night despite the winter evening chill. The emergence of this community on the Las Conchas Peninsula is what I will remember best as I reflect back on this holiday season.

By Beverly Arrowood

Lanae Johnson’s parents Harry and Kay Elletson and Bill and Beverly Arrowood celebrate the holidays at Tessoro.

Now I am back in Rocky Point focusing on Tessoro’s lovely real estate offerings for sale. The skies today are clear but on the far horizon you can see many shrimp boats heading in as we are about to get the same weather that Phoenix and Southern California are seeing. We get very little rain here in Puerto Peñasco, so when we do it is great. Because of the moon’s cycle we are having some dramatic high tide/ low tide swings. We love when we see such tides and a little wind at these times as the Sea of Cortez is really awesome. It brings a bounty of shells to our beach and as I look out the window, one of owners and her son are out collecting shells – that is why they call this beach “Las Conchas.” Yesterday Lanae Johnson’s son was learning how to skim board in the tidal pools by the mouth of the estuary. He was really having a great time and was being coached by some friendly Mexican teenagers who were doing the same thing. There is just so much for everyone to do here.

By Beverly Arrowood

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]]> http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2010/01/update-from-the-las-conchas-peninsula/feed/ 0 http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/11/interview-with-lanae-johnson/ http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/11/interview-with-lanae-johnson/#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:15:20 +0000 Tessoro at Las Conchas http://www.tessoro.com.mx/?p=2342 From JOIN US, December Edition 2009
Lanae was raised in Tucson and grew up visiting Las Conchas with her family. She is now a happy mother of three and is moving into a Diamond Residence at Tessoro with her husband, Darry.

Q: So when did you first visit Rocky Point?

Over thirty years ago, our family started taking vacations to the beach at Las Conchas. We rented different beach houses and always enjoyed spending time at the estuary. The beautiful wide-open spaces offered something for everyone in our family. We enjoyed body surfing, walking the beach, collecting shells, fishing, exploring the coral reefs, building sand castles, frisbee, picnics, bonfires, and cruising the sand dunes.

Many locals walked the Las Conchas beaches peddling fresh shrimp, jewelry, paintings, blankets, etc. Friendly locals! We would frequently get stuck on the sandy Las Conchas road. Young men who were working on homes under construction would run over and push our car out of the sand. We would offer to pay them but they refused.

Q: That sounds like some good memories.

Yes. All these years later, the five of us kids and our parents still enjoy reminiscing about the fun times we had as a family and with friends. Back when we were playing on the dunes, I certainly never imagined that I would have a home there someday.

Q. How did it happen exactly, deciding to own a home?

Two years ago, I brought my family down to Las Conchas for the first time. We were excited to spend time at the estuary since I have so many fond memories there.  I was surprised (and initially disappointed) to discover the early stages of a building project in what had always been a gorgeous, undeveloped area. Curious as to what was happening at “our” beach, we checked out what was the first Tessoro model. The architecture, design, attention to detail, and overall vision of Tessoro was, to say the least, breathtaking.  If that land had to be developed, we are so glad it is being done so well.
Hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Q. I understand that when you came down to take delivery at Tessoro in October, your father came with you and reconnected with an old favorite.

Yes, in early October Harry (my father) told Beverly Arrowood, a sales associate at Tessoro and long-time Puerto Peñasco resident, about the great little bakery we used to visit from about 1979 until the late 80’s. A former Las Conchas homeowner, Jack Ward, had told us about the place. Years ago when we visited this bakery we would bring the elderly gentleman who (we think) owned it a can of beer nuts. Don’t know if he liked them but he sure smiled when he accepted them!

On our recent trips to Las Conchas, we were unable to find this special bakery. My dad was obsessed with finding the bakery every time we went down there!  Trust me, we ALL wanted him to find the bakery so he wouldn’t keep talking about it! Plus we remember the really good rolls our mom would fried in butter. Sometimes with spun honey on top…yummy.

Beverly knew where it was and graciously drove us to the great little bakery with the beehive oven heated with wood. The very same bakery!  Needless to say, we will be visiting there in the near future.

Q. Your’s is such a nice story. Your father brought you here and now you are making Las Conchas and Tessoro a part of your family’s lifestyle.

We are thrilled to now own at Tessoro and make Las Conchas a part of our children’s life experience. We look forward to making more memories and feel blessed to be able to share this special place with the people we love.  Taking breaks from our hectic schedules and busy lives to relax here is simply good for one’s soul…..

Chuck is Vice President of the Las Conchas HOA and the director of Océano Luxury Vacation Rentals and Real Estate. Charlie is Chuck’s father and one of the original Las Conchas homeowners who played a key leadership role in the neighborhood’s development.

Q.  Tell us about Las Conchas in 2009?

Chuck: It’s been an exciting year. Lot’s of new houses were built, Tessoro opened, there is a new administration in the state and local governments that we think will be great for infrastructure and tourism development. The HOA is strong and active. CEDO is getting ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary. We are really looking forward to 2010.

Q.  You have watched it change a lot. Tell us a little bit about Las Conchas’ history?

Charlie: Las Conchas was Rocky Point’s original planned community and started in the late 1960s. John Chesney was the developer and established a contract with Cortez family, who owned most of the land in and around Las Conchas, to develop a master plan for a residential neighborhood. Mr. Chesney started selling lots and began building the large structure that is now the CEDO Institute as his sales center and clubhouse.

We purchased our lot in 1972 and built our house in ’75. I remember we headed out the dirt road from town east towards Las Conchas. Even the roads in the center of town were unpaved at that time. Roger Walen, the sales agent, took us out at high tide and got confused about what parcel he was selling us. He just said “your lot is somewhere around here.” [Charlie laughs]. In the middle and late 70’s there was a recession and that knocked out Chesney as the developer. There was so much left to do that me and the neighbors took over. In 1980 we formed the HOA and incorporated two years later.

Chuck: Electric arrived in 1986 – my father had to go door-to-door to collect the money from each of the neighbors to bring in the power lines. We built water tanks and added pumps. Then, to make sure all the neighbors had reliable land rights, we created a master trust in 1987. With the infrastructure and trust, Las Conchas really boomed. My father and I opened Océano 13 years ago and the neighborhood continues to be a big part of our lives.

Q.  Las Conchas has come a long way.  How do you feel about seeing the first beachfront condo resort in the neighborhood?

Chuck: It blows me away. We used to ride our bikes down there when there was nothing but sand. I have a lot of memories growing up by that Estuary. My Father always said that was the prettiest land in Puerto Peñasco.

Charlie: Chuck had a boat he used to play with down by the Estuary. We knew that area on the Peninsula was too compelling and would bring a bigger resort or hotel one day. We are glad that it was something as beautifully built and community-minded as Tessoro.

Tessoro is now open as a resort with a limited number of high-end rental offerings. I understand Océano will be acting as rental manager for the resort?

Chuck & Charlie: That’s right. We wanted to be involved. The success of Tessoro is important for the neighborhood and we have cared for this neighborhood for a long time. My father taught me and I taught Chuck that it is important to be involved in your community, to lead, to help.

When we saw that Tessoro and CEDO had cooperated on the Las Conchas eco-map, we knew we had a real neighbor, a new partner. We are all in this together. Tessoro is part of the neighborhood.

I can see us building on this cooperation. CEDO has always taken responsibility for looking after the environment in Las Conchas, which has been so pristine for so long. That’s their mission. Our mission has been to keep the neighborhood strong and organized. With Tessoro and Océano, we are going to do some good things to invest in and promote Las Conchas.

Q. What do people say when they rent in Las Conchas for the first time?  Although it is the town’s most storied neighborhood, some newer visitors only know the row of condo towers on Sandy Beach.

Chuck: They usually say they didn’t realize how beautiful the area was. How different it is to be right on the beach and walk out, see your children play. How safe it feels deep inside a quiet, gated community – no noise, no vendors, familiar faces. They are impressed with how clean and clear the water is here. Most of all, new visitors always love the low-density neighborhood feel. It is so different than being lost in a wall of condos.

What are the top 3 things to do in Las Conchas that most people never see?

1. Snorkeling on the beach in front of the houses or Peninsula – you can do that in Las Conchs and it is like an aquarium.
2. Go to the beaches on the Estuary side and watch the tides change. The sand there is remarkable and the dunes are a whole different world. Look out across the water at the Pinacate volcano.
3. Participate in the neighborhood’s charities and community events. Just ask one of your neighbors for more information. There are periodic barbecues, informal get togethers and great events around the time of the Homeowner meetings. Tessoro is always throwing nice events now too and invites the neighbors in Las Conchas. Even if you are not staying here, take the time to stop by and see for yourself.

The Mar de Cortes International Airport was formally opened on November 5 in Puerto Peñasco. Dignitaries from all over Mexico flew in for the event and Mexican President Felipe Calderón presided over the ceremony. Sonoran Governor Guillermo Padres and Puerto Peñasco Mayor Alejandro Zepeda watched proudly as their beach destination became national and international news.

Private and charter flights opened last week and a commercial schedule is expected in early 2010. Interjet and Aeromexico are expected to be the first carriers to service the airport. These and several American airlines are in negotiations with the airport operators.

It has been an exciting fall for Puerto Peñasco, with the coastal highway to California, the Pinacate Biosphere visitor center and now the international airport opening. With infrastructure expanding, Rocky Point is expected to receive an increase in visitors over the coming year and broaden its market. While flight service will develop over time, everyone in the Puerto Peñasco community, American, Canadian and Mexican, will remember where they were on this day.

Tessoro at Las Conchas has been delivered at the perfect time and has captured the imagination of the Rocky Point real estate community. Soon you should be able to fly, as well as drive, to join us on the Las Conchas Peninsula at Puerto Peñasco’s finest beachfront condo resort.

For any questions about the International Airport, please email sales@tessoro.com.mx or call (602) 476-2396.

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]]> http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/11/international-airport-grand-opening-puerto-penasco-sonora-rocky-point-november-5-2009/feed/ 1 http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/09/cool-features-at-hot-tessoro-introducing-new-features-to-the-rocky-point-real-estate-market/ http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/09/cool-features-at-hot-tessoro-introducing-new-features-to-the-rocky-point-real-estate-market/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:14:48 +0000 Tessoro at Las Conchas http://www.tessoro.com.mx/?p=1740 What is the concrete pool decking at your favorite resort was by some magic made to never get hot? You would never have to dance across the hot expanse in search of water or your flip flops. You would never say “ouch,” “ouch,” “ouch” upon returning barefoot from the sandy beach to the pool area. It sounds like something we daydream . . . wouldn’t that be nice.

Tessoro at Las Conchas actually offers a state-of-the-art pool decking that remains cool under the hot sun. It is one of many remarkable features that Tessoro’s sophisticated team of architects and developers have brought to Puerto Peñasco. The powder white, textured decking that stretches around the main infinity pool and the children’s pool is not your usual concrete. It is actually made by mixing crushed marble with special advanced materials – the resulting decking does not trap heat and remains blissfully comfortable.

What else will you notice Tessoro’s resort pool area? The outdoor shower area, secluded in a circular nook of marble, is home to a towering cylinder of smooth Onyx. This onyx contains the multiple shower heads, quite a surprise. In the evenings, the Onyx shower is back lit and glows, casting a unique light over the pool area. The use of marble-cut onyx is a signature of the Tessoro developers.

Finally, Tessoro’s pool area is graced with rich wooden decking. This wood is from a cousin of the Teak tree and is both comfortable to the bare foot and sturdy (used in ship building). The use of natural materials is another signature of the developers and visitors should look at what a difference natural wood can make.

There is much to see out at your favorite new resort on the Las Conchas Peninsula. Tessoro has broken new ground among beachfront developments in Rocky Point and elevated the entire real estate market. Come take a look and tell us what feature made the biggest impression on you?

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]]> http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/09/cool-features-at-hot-tessoro-introducing-new-features-to-the-rocky-point-real-estate-market/feed/ 0 http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/09/musings-from-the-las-conchas-peninsula/ http://www.tessoro.com.mx/2009/09/musings-from-the-las-conchas-peninsula/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:26:57 +0000 Tessoro at Las Conchas http://www.tessoro.com.mx/?p=1733 This Beach if for the Birds

I returned recently to Puerto Penasco from a month in Salt Lake City Utah, looking forward to the perfect fall weather. I am anxious to see all the owners of Tessoro who have moved into their condos and are making new friends and new buyers as they go.

In the past week, I have been working early mornings and late afternoons doing some landscaping at my own home in Las Conchas. Something I always pay attention to is the beautiful surrounding and the multitude of nature that is on my back doorstep in Rocky Point. I could not help notice a distinguished visitor.

One of the intriguing creatures I’ve encountered over the past 18 years of frequenting Puerto Peñasco, traveling the beaches of Sonora and taking several trips into the Baja is the majestic Frigatebird. It is actually called the “magnificent Frigatebird”(Fregata magnificens). These birds have a wingspan that is over 7 feet long. Although they are quite common in the Baja and the southern coastlines of Sonora, in Puerto Penasco they are more of a rare visitor. They hover in groups of two or three (sometimes more) using updrafts to soar and play in the wind. They live on remote nests on islands or areas that are difficult to get to, and they feed on fish. They are really fun to watch, in both their majesty and mischievousness. It happens they are masters at theft, stealing fish in air from other birds.

Just this past week, in Rocky Point and in Las Conchas, there have been several Frigatebirds or groups of them soaring high above the beaches, seemingly just having fun. They are an amazing bird and one to look for when you visit Tessoro. You may well see them if you hurry down but, again, they are not that abundant in our area. That is why my personal landscaping project is not moving forward as quickly as it should – - I’ve been watching the birds . . .

By Scott Spackeen