Back to Cabo—honestly, I’ve lost count, but this was probably my 14th trip there with Bridger. We returned to celebrate 13 years together, and I still can’t believe how fast time has flown since we started dating in October 2011. Mexico has always felt like home to me; I grew up vacationing there with my mom, and Bridger and I took our first trip to Cabo together right after I graduated high school. Since then we’ve returned nearly every year: we got engaged and later married in Cabo, and we adore the people, the food, the weather, and the warm hospitality.
This trip was our little slice of heaven as we celebrated 13 years together. It felt so special to be back in a place tied to so many of our memories.
We were total babies in 2011—case in point: the Victoria’s Secret swimsuit I ordered straight from the catalog. It’s funny thinking about how my sister was supposed to “chaperone” that first trip; now it’s hilarious because we once found her at Mango Deck and Bridger carried her back to the hotel over his shoulder.
On our most recent trip we spent our first night at The Cape, the hotel where we got married and where Bridger proposed with a view of the Cabo Arch. It’s a place that holds so many memories for us.
LAS VENTANAS
The remainder of our stay was at Las Ventanas, one of my favorite properties in Cabo. The grounds are stunning, the food is exceptional, and the attention to detail is remarkable. If you haven’t experienced it yet, I highly recommend it. It’s a Rosewood property, and after staying there I’m eager to try other Rosewood hotels around the world.
Every corner of the resort is beautiful. This was our second time staying there, and it was extra special because my sister, brother-in-law, and niece joined us for the last three days. The hotel is very family-friendly—they had a crib, changing table with diapers and wipes, a baby robe, and a high chair all ready in the room for our niece.
My sister’s family lives in Las Vegas, so we try to see them a few times a year. Last winter we stayed with them for a couple of months and loved every minute, especially once our niece arrived.
THE POOL
We spent hours every day by the pool and on the beach. Growing up in Seattle makes me chase sunshine whenever I can, so being in the sun felt like pure paradise and a perfect break from the busy months leading up to the trip. We looked forward to the daily mango popsicles and fresh juices the staff handed out to guests.
The on-site restaurants served phenomenal food. We found ourselves ordering tacos straight to our lounge chairs many afternoons—beef and shrimp on corn tortillas, with gluten-free crackers and corn chips for dipping in guacamole and pico de gallo.
SHOP WHAT I BROUGHT
DINNER AT ARBOL
For our first family dinner at the hotel we ate at Arbol. It’s an incredible dining experience and worth a visit even if you’re not staying on property. The cocktails are excellent, and the menu spans sushi and sashimi, curries, soups, dishes from the charcoal and tandoor oven, vegetarian options, and wok-prepared plates. I recommend the Teriyaki Salmon, naan bread, Salmon Sashimi, and Yellowfin Sashimi. The kitchen was very accommodating to my gluten-free and dairy-free needs and celebrated our special occasion with genuine warmth.
The setting—with its trees, warm lighting, and elegant decor—was gorgeous. Baby Margaux and Uncle Bridge especially enjoyed the evening.
THE SURPRISE DINNER I PLANNED AT THE HOTEL
To mark our 13-year anniversary, I wanted to create a memorable night for Bridger. Las Ventanas helped me organize an intimate beach dinner in front of one of their private villas, and they surpassed every expectation. The setup felt so cinematic that now I’m determined to stay in that villa someday.
It truly felt like a private date—our butler escorted us to the villa, and we walked into a magical scene filled with candles. We had a personal server for the night (Daniel was incredible), and the meal was unforgettable. Dessert was fully gluten-free and dairy-free, and the staff remembered our preferences at every course.
Little details—like “Happy Anniversary” written in the sand and the beach sandals they provided—made the evening feel so thoughtful. It turned our trip into another cherished memory in Cabo.
WATCH MY REEL OF THE NIGHT
THE HOTEL GYM
I always try to keep my workout routine while traveling because it sets a positive tone for the day, boosts energy, and generally improves my mood. While testing workouts for my next program, GOOD // SWEAT STRENGTH 2.0, I managed to try a few sessions in the resort gym. The new guide will build on my first gym guide and include feedback I’ve received—I’m excited to release it after the holidays.
Las Ventanas’ fitness center is well-equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, a stair climber, Pelotons, dumbbells, a Smith machine, benches, and a separate yoga room. Having a great gym while traveling is such a benefit.
SHOP MY LOOK
BRIDGER’S SURPRISE DINNER ON OUR LAST NIGHT
Bridger and I usually prefer experiences over physical gifts, so our anniversary presents to each other were this trip and special dinners. Bridger planned a surprise night for the four of us at Baja Luna—an intimate event space created by our Cabo wedding planner, Bonnie from Events By Bliss. We first fell in love with the venue while wedding planning and officially invested in it in 2022. It’s a beautiful boutique space with big plans ahead.
Bonnie was the best wedding planner for our Cabo wedding, and I can’t recommend her enough—she handled everything smoothly, even when we had to postpone due to COVID.
SHOP MY LOOK
The dinner setup was charming and the food was exceptional. Bridger selected a farm-to-table menu that began with mixed greens, crispy beef tacos, and ceviche, followed by cedar plank salmon, crispy adobo chicken, and a Tomahawk for the main courses. We finished with an assortment of small desserts made gluten-free and dairy-free for me. And the cocktails were outstanding.
We enjoyed the most incredible sunset—the evening only got better as it unfolded. I’m so grateful to Bridger for planning the night and to Baja Luna for the beautiful setting and service.
A hurricane was forecasted to hit Cabo just after our planned departure, which turned out to be timely since Cabo’s hurricane season runs from August through October. We’ve been fortunate on past anniversary trips to avoid the worst of it.
I couldn’t have asked for a better week—unplugged, sunny, and full of memories.
Until next time, Cabo. xx Rachael