As the beach curves toward the south, it increasingly faces the open ocean. Playa Marinero begins about 100 yards from the “Marineros,” the east-side rocky outcroppings in front of the landmark Hotel Santa Fe. The rocks’ jutting forms are supposed to resemble visages of grizzled old sailors. Here the waves can be rough.
Swimmers beware: Appearances can be deceiving. Intermediate surfers practice here, as do daring boogie boarders and bodysurfers.
Turn around and gaze inland at the giant Mexican flag, waving in the breeze on the hill above the east-side beach. At dawn every rainless day soldiers of the 54th infantry battalion raise the colossal banner, which measures about 82 by 59 feet (18 by 25 meters) and is so heavy that it takes a dozen of them to raise it.