Join Toby Salk and Gail Friedlander for Mah Jongg
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Mah Jongg Retreat
with Toby Salk and Gail Friedlander
at  Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort & Spa

Tecate, Baja California, Mexico

January 25 – February 1, 2025, 2025 (Saturday to Saturday)
January 25 – January 29, 2025 (Saturday to Wednesday)


Toby & Gail are delighted to invite you to join them for a week of Mah Jongg.


Gail Friedlander
has been a serious mah jongg player since 1975. In 2005 she moved to a rural river valley in southwest Washington state, where no one had ever even heard of the game – and so began her post-retirement career as a mah jongg teacher. She now has a thriving community of players, male and female, and has even inspired a few to begin collecting some of the gorgeous vintage sets that are out there awaiting new homes. She has been teaching alongside Toby Salk at Rancho La Puerta since 2016, and has a gift for transforming even the most mundane rules and procedures into moments of laughter and insight. She looks forward to enfolding all of you into the world of mah jongg because she knows how much joy the game will bring you, as well as the lifelong bonds of friendship that will form and deepen with your fellow players.

Born and raised in New York City, Toby Salk first heard the clicking and clacking of the Mah Jong tiles in the womb. Crazy popular in the 1950’s, Toby’s grandmother, mother and aunts all played Mah Jongg. Of course, not wanting to mirror her family, Toby finally learned the game in San Francisco in 1975 with her highschool friend, Gail Friedlander.

After a long career with the Sharper Image, Toby decided to teach Mah Jongg. Not having ever played with anyone except her private little group of friends, she ventured out to a tournament. She won! Fourteen years later, Toby teaches at private ladies clubs, private homes and Rancho La Puerta! She has been flown to Los Angeles, Hawaii and Arizona to teach Mah Jongg classes. She begins every class with the promise that “Mah Jongg will change your life.”

Toby is also the co-author of the wildly popular “how to” book, American Mah Jongg for Everyone.

Retreat Details

The Ranch’s goal is to provide you with the most attentive and personalized service possible. Please take the time to review and complete the information under the Arrival/Departure Tab and the Book Spa Services tabs below. 

We hope you’ll join us on this amazing experience!
Details

Rancho La Puerta is a recipient of the top travel & destination awards from Travel & Leisure
Each guest receives $150 resort credit

Dates:
Saturday, January 25 to Saturday, February 1
Saturday, January 25 to Wednesday, January 29

Cost:
$3170-$6924 per person.

Includes accommodations, meals & snacks (including accommodations for numerous food preferences), hikes, classes. concerts, roundtrip transportation from San Diego Airport AND $150 resort credit.

Location:
Rancho La Puerta is located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, 3.5 miles south of the U.S. Mexico border. Guests must have a valid U.S. passport.

Transportation:
Airport transportation for pick up on Saturday, January 25 is at 8am, 10am, 12:15pm & 2:45pm at San Diego Airport. Specific details will be shared prior to your visit. Wednesday return transportation to San Diego Airport is also included.

Saturday return to San Diego. Allow 3 hours travel time due to the varying time it can take to cross the border back to the U.S., plus additional time for check-in at the airport. Buses depart Rancho La Puerta for the airport at 7:30am, 10am, 12:15pm & 2:30pm. For guests departing on Wednesday, January 29, transportation to San Diego Airport will depart from Rancho La Puerta at 7:30am and 11am.

Return flights should not be scheduled before 11:30 a.m. 

To register or submit questions, contact Donna Sher at 858-449-3672 or dsher52@hotmail.com.

Deadline to register is December 25, 2024. Accommodations are limited. 

Cancellation policy

Rates & Rooms

Rates include Roundtrip Transportation from the San Diego Airport to Rancho La Puerta for both Saturday to Saturday AND Saturday to Wednesday visits. Passport is required.

Junior Villa

A casita featuring a large sitting area with a fireplace, an alcove with bed(s) – two double or one king – and a large private patio.

Junior Villa Single:
$6924/ person (Saturday to Saturday)
$4144/person (Saturday to Wednesday)
Junior Villa Double:
$5748/person (Saturday to Saturday)
$3640/ person (Saturday to Wednesday)

Villa Studio

A large studio featuring a living area, fireplace and writing desk along with private outdoor patio capable of accommodating up to three guests.

Villa Studio Double:
$5983/person (Saturday to Saturday)
$3774/person (Saturday to Wednesday)
Villa Studio Triple:
$4924/person (Saturday to Saturday)
$3170/person (Saturday to Wednesday)

Villa Suite

These feature two separate bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a living room, wet bar, dining area and fireplace. These are our most spacious villas, and are truly comparable to a small vacation home. They comfortably welcome up to four people.

2BR/2BA Villa Suite:
$5266/person (Saturday to Saturday)
$3371/person (Saturday to Wednesday)

A $500 deposit per person is due at time of booking to guarantee registration. Full balance is due within 60 days of registration or within 60 days of start of Retreat, whichever comes first.

All accommodations are limited.


The Ranch Program

The Ranch Program
Spend a week at Rancho La Puerta, one of the world’s top destination spas—set on thousands of acres of wildlands and landscaped gardens in sunshiny Baja California. Customize an ideal routine to energize your body, calm your mind and lift your spirits. You’ll enjoy:

  • Guided hikes on 40 miles of mountain trails.
  • More than 50 daily fitness classes, including Pilates, Barre, TRX, circuit training, Hydro-Fit, yoga, Zumba and exclusive daily Alkalign classes for Alkalign retreat guests..
  • Three farm-to-table meals, sourced from our organic garden and other local farms.
  • Eleven gyms, four pools, a running track, as well as tennis, Pickleball, basketball and volleyball courts.
  • Three full-service spas offering massage, facials, wraps, scrubs and other holistic therapies.
  • Meditation, Feldenkrais, sound healing and other mind-body activities.
  • Painting, sculpting, jewelry making and various art classes.
  • Presentations on culture, history, health, science and psychology.
  • Nature activities including bird walks, garden tours and farm hikes.
  • Live concerts, talks by special guests and other evening entertainment.
Getting To The Ranch
Transportation To and From Rancho La Puerta

Transportation To and From Rancho La Puerta

Arrival and Departure plans must be submitted no later than two weeks in advance prior to your arrival. Any additions or changes beyond this date are subject to availability.

Arriving at Rancho La Puerta...

We provide scheduled, complimentary ground transportation for your Saturday arrival and departure to and from San Diego International Airport.
Our shuttles depart promptly at the time noted and cannot be held for those who arrive late.
Wednesday pick up at the SD Airport? Which shuttle would you like to take?
If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head over to our Terminal 1 meeting point. We are located directly in front of Pacific Breeze Café, to the right, just before the escalators. If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head over to our Terminal 1 meeting point.
If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head over to the Courtesy Shuttle Island in Terminal 1. Our representative will be waiting for you there. Please note that the shuttle cannot remain parked in this area for an extended period of time. If you arrived on time and do not see the shuttle, rest assured it will return shortly. The shuttle will depart promptly at the specified departure times (9:30 am and 1:00 pm). Feel free to call us if you need assistance – 858-925-1214.
Our shuttles depart promptly at the time noted and cannot be held for those who arrive late.

Please call us when you reach Campo Road (858-925-1214) and plan to meet the shuttle driver promptly in front of the Baja Duty Free store on the U.S. side of the border.  The Baja Duty Free store is not associated with Rancho La Puerta.

Note: If you are parking at the Tecate border, please arrive 30-minutes prior to the shuttle departure time and remember to bring $10-25 cash per day for parking fees. If you are being dropped off arrive 15-minutes prior to shuttle departure time.

(Due to high tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border.  Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)

PLEASE NOTE: We recommend Mexican Auto Insurance when driving in Mexico. Please discuss this with your current insurance provider, as you may have coverage for a short distance across the border (we're only 3.3 miles in). Another option would be AAA or, just before you cross the border, there is a place that provides insurance, though it might be ideal to arrange for insurance in advance.

Departing from Rancho La Puerta...

Please check in with the concierge while on property for luggage tags and to confirm travel times.
We provide scheduled, complimentary ground transportation for your Saturday arrival and departure to and from San Diego International Airport.
Please allow 3 hours for transportation time to the airport plus additional time for checking in at the airport.
Pick a Wednesday departure shuttle time *
Please allow 3 hours for transportation time to the airport plus additional time for checking in at the airport.
Please have your luggage ready and waiting inside of your room at 6:30 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building as you board the bus.
Please have your luggage ready and waiting inside of your room at 8:30 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building as you board the bus.
Check out time is 11 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage at this time, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building. You are welcome to stay for lunch, take advantage of a class or two, have a massage, or just relax. You can use the showers in the Health Center to change for your trip home.
Check out time is 11 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage at this time, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building. You are welcome to stay for lunch, take advantage of a class or two, have a massage, or just relax. You can use the showers in the Health Center to change for your trip home.
(Due to high tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border.  Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)

PLEASE NOTE: Please check-in with the concierge for the driving directions and map to the Tecate border.

Traveling with friends...

Spa Booking

Book Your Spa Treatments

To select your spa treatments fill out the required information below. Once you have selected your booking type another selection will appear to choose your spa treatments.

Spa Treatments

Visit our Spa Booking page

Book Spa Treatmentss

24 hours advance notice is required if you must cancel or change an appointment. Missed scheduled treatment times will be charged at full rate plus tax

  • Some restrictions apply.
  • Prices can change without notice.
  • Additional Mexican tax is not included in these prices.

To add over 14 Spa Treatments please list your additional desired services in the area below. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

If you have any questions, please email appointments@rancholapuerta.com or call us directly at 858-925-1214


Contact Us

To register or submit questions, contact Donna Sher at 858-449-3672 or dsher52@hotmail.com.

Or submit the form below: