CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico — Asked recently to name his favorite restaurant in town, a crewman aboard one of the local sportfishing cruisers paused only briefly before responding, with a straight face, “KFC.”
Apparently, the Colonel’s place is quite popular among locals. So are McDonald’s, Dairy Queen and Domino’s Pizza, to name a few fairly recent arrivals.
They’re further examples of the so-called “Americanization” of this once quiet and dusty fishing village; the result of progress, which doesn’t sit well with everyone and in fact has some longing for the good old days.
La Noria Restaurant at Hotel Hacienda Beach Resort. Photo taken June 2004 by Joseph A. Tyson.
As for Mark Parr, he’ll stick with La Noria, the Mexican restaurant at Hotel Hacienda Beach Resort, which the Parr family happens to own. The food is of much higher quality (the beef is shipped in from the United States); the convenience is unsurpassed.
Meet Carlos Ungson, one of Baja’s true pioneers. Many people claim to be famous but not Carlos… however, his life story tells otherwise.
Benjamin Ungson (Carlos’ father) was just 16 years old in 1895 when he travelled across the Pacific Ocean from China to Mexico, a whole new world to him. After living in many areas of Mexico, he finally settled in Mexicali where in 1935, Carlos was born. Benjamin insisted that all his children learn to speak Spanish and their native Chinese dialect as well as English.
When he was nine, Carlos, a brother and one of his sisters were sent to boarding school in Los Angeles where Carlos thrived during his formative years. He earned an Engineer’s degree from the University of Southern California and served his first job with IWATA, an international engineering firm. In 1960, architect Alberto Triboletti received a contract to build a new hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico which lead to the question …”where?” Carlos had a feeling that his future would change dramatically.
Carlos Ungson c.1965
The developer, Bud Parr painted a fabulous picture with tales of pristine beaches, exceptional sport fishing, spectacular scenery, and unbeatable weather! The Hotel Cabo San Lucas rose at El Tule on the dirt road between San Jose Del Cabo and the small fishing village of Cabo San Lucas.
“As I flew over the site for the first time, it was pointed out to me where the hotel would be built and I remember thinking…’where am I going and what have I gotten myself into’! It turned out to be the greatest adventure that has ever happened to me or that could happen to anyone…to experience what I did as a 25-year old!”
Building materials took weeks to arrive by boat so Carlos and his team made equipment to trim lumber, make tiles and mix cement. They also built electrical stations, water reservoirs and sewage plants… remember this was 1960 with no highway or easy access by plane.
The Hotel Cabo San Lucas soon became a world-famous destination, known as a quick get-away for Hollywood’s “Rich & Famous”. People lucky enough to discover this desert oasis found themselves enjoying a cocktail with John Wayne and Frank Sinatra, teeing off with Bob Hope and marlin fishing with Ernest Hemingway.
Carlos Ungson and Bud Parr – estimated photo date: 1965-75
In 1961 when construction was finished, Carlos became General Manager of the hotel until 1976 when he moved on to projects such as the Palmilla Hotel, the Twin Dolphin Hotel and the Hacienda in Cabo. He invested wisely in real estate, much of which he still owns today, including the beautiful Casa Bella Boutique Hotel located in Cabo San Lucas Centro. It remains a family business with his lovely wife Maria Elena and his daughter Barbara there every day.
Carlos’ contributions have benefited Los Cabos for decades and his visionary commitment to the future will continue to do so for generations to come. Even now in his golden years, Carlos has three major projects on the go: Town Center / Riverwalk, Cabo San Lucas: located between Wal-Mart and the bullring arroyo sit 30 hectares (75 acres) which for the past 10 years have caused people to ask…”where do those two paved roads go, what will be built there?”. The answers will soon be revealed when construction of the Town Center / Riverwalk of Cabo San Lucas is started. It will be home to businesses, stores, restaurants, shops, boutique & luxury hotels, condominiums, medical facilities…everything a bustling community needs including a winding riverwalk just like in San Antonio. Of course, proximity to the beach and wonderful vistas are free.
The Town Center / Riverwalk will combine local culture with international flair. Investment opportunities are available as all permits are in place and financing is being finalized.
Satellite City, San Jose Del Cabo: located near the international airport are 300 hectares (750 acres) designated for “Cuidad Satellite, Los Cabos”, utilizing a new design of intermediate urbanization with considerations to the environmental, social, and educational interactions of residents. Schools, hospitals, police & fire stations, commercial & retail locales, residential homes, public facilities and green space make Satellite City one of the most anticipated developments to be brought to Baja.
Marina on the Pacific, Los Cerritos: located just south of Todos Santos, the property is 1100 hectares (2500+ acres) with 2 km of beachfront then across Highway 19 for 7 km up the side of the Sierra Laguna foothills. The oceanfront section will have a 200-slip marina, a signature-designed golf course, and private residences. The land sites across the highway will be home to 1 acre estate homes with panoramic vistas. The close proximity to both Cabo San Lucas and La Paz makes a 30-minute drive easy and quick.
Information about all three projects can be found at www.iicg.com
“Once in our lifetime, we are offered a wonderful opportunity which will change our lives forever. I was very fortunate and took mine 50 years ago. It can happen to anyone…we don’t do things for ourselves but for others. “
It has been my extreme privilege to know Carlos and his family for 14 years and I look forward to his on-going ventures in keeping Baja the magical place that we enjoy!
By: Brian Blackburn • e-mail: ask@caboguy.com
Article previously published in Ventanna Magazine 2008
https://www.ventanamagazine.com/
Cabo San Lucas • Drawing by John Ross Browne in the year 1867 or 1868 from his explorations of Lower California.
“Browne sketched the rocks of Cabo San Lucas as he saw them from the ship’s deck. Erosion over the century may have softened the contours, but artistic exaggeration is more likely.” excerpt from Exploration in Lower California by Spencer Murphy.
Exploration in Lower California 1868 by J. Ross Browne.
Exploration in Lower California 1868 by J. ROSS BROWNE – EXPLORACIONES BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR 1868
BAJA CALIFORNIA,
JOHN ROSS BROWNE, SUS DIBUJOS Y REPORTES
Por: Eliseo Santana A.
¿Quién era John Ross Browne?
Ross fue Escritor, periodista, viajero, funcionario del gobierno y agente de la compañía Lower California Company de, y es en calidad de agente como llega a Baja California.
Nació cerca de Dublín, Irlanda el 11 de febrero de 1821,a los trece años de edad emigró a Estados Unidos con sus padres; taquígrafo, dibujante , escritor de reportajes y libros (trece de carácter científico y literario) ,aventurero. Murió, en Oakland, 7 de diciembre de 1875, a la edad de 53 años. https://www.facebook.com/SumarioPoliticoBCS/posts/676345125741525
Playa Barco Varado (stranded or aground frigate or boat) or Shipwreck Beach is named after the wreck of the Inari Maru 10, a Japanese tuna boat that ran aground in 1966. Prior to approximately 2005 this old wreck was removed when he Golf Course and Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Hotel was completed.
The Inari Maru 10, was a Japanese tuna boat ran aground in 1966 at Cabo San Lucas. The photo is from 1968. This area today is known as Playa Barco Varado or Shipwreck Beach.
Two local businessmen and two others looking at the grounded ship at Playa Barco Varado. Photo by Al Tetzlaff
Photo credited to Sea of Cortez by Ray Cannon. People in the photo are identified as: Bud Parr, Luis Coppola, Felipe and Ito Okada. Photo marked as 1966. Photo by Al Tetzlaff
Old shipwreck on Playa Barco Varado on the Corridor in Cabo San Lucas. Photo taken November 1989 by Joseph A. Tyson
Old shipwreck on Playa Barco Varado on the Corridor in Cabo San Lucas. Photo taken November 1989 by Joseph A. Tyson. Today the remains of this shipwreck have been removed.
Photograph of Shipwreck Beach (Playa Barco Varado) were taken during November 1989 by Joseph A. Tyson
Photograph of Shipwreck Beach (Playa Barco Varado) were taken during November 1989 by Joseph A. Tyson
Today none of the wreck remains. This photo was taken September 2005. Families will enjoy exploring the tidal pools, and swimming is possible, too, but not recommended for small children. Access: A long drive in from the highway, enter the beach on the southwest side of the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort and Spa in Cabo del Sol at Kilometer 10.
