For a close-by beach retreat with foreign flair, West Coasters have only to jet a couple of hours south to Baja California. I’m not talking about Los Cabos, but the far less discovered La Paz.

Intrepid correspondent Lisa TE Sonne explored La Paz for Luxury Travel. She found the five best reasons to visit La Paz now, before the tourist hordes arrive.

La Paz attracts adventurers like Lisa and like Robin Stout, editor of Living Aboard magazine. Robin grew up in a sailing family, and she and her husband have lived aboard their Aleutian 51′ sailboat, Mermaid, for a decade. In-between voyages off Mexico and around the South Pacific, Mermaid.is now esconced in La Paz.

“La Paz is an amazing destination for cruisers,” Robin told Lisa. “The waters are clear and beautiful, with many islands close by, and spectacular migrating whales. The people of La Paz are warm, friendly, and gracious. We ended up in Marina CostaBaja and love it. The sunsets from our dock take our breath away.”

• Its name means “the peace.” Could you find serenity in luscious, low-key La Paz? Read what Lisa deems the top five reasons luxury travelers are talking about La Paz in Baja California, Mexico >>

Photos: Top: Robin Stout’s home is a 51′ sailboat moored in La Paz, Mexico. © Robin Stout. Right: Our Lady of La Paz, a beloved sculpture on La Paz’s Malecón promenade. © Lisa TE Sonne.