In most of the western world Santa arrives in a sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer. In the Southwest he is said to appear in a pick-up truck. Here in the Gulf of California he arrived by kayak.

What better way to spend Christmas Day than in Half Moon Bay, a broad white crescent beach embracing a picturebook turquoise cove? Add a barbeque on the beach on Isla San Francisco, Christmas carols around a campfire, family and friends and that special day had a perfect end.