Weekend Getaway: Concon Chile

When we need to get outside of the city -- and fast -- we head to a tiny beach town nearby Valparaiso and Viña del Mar called Concon. We've got a spectacular apartment that we rent there, and from the 25th floor we soak up the views of the dunes, watch the waves and relax to the twinkling lights of the Valpo.

Our view from the 25th floor, looking toward Valparaiso

The city of Concon has everything you'd need to spend a great weekend -- from good restaurants to a fully stocked Jumbo (grocery store), as well as fresh seafood stands, veggie markets and bakeries. While finding a decent coffee can be a bit of a challenge, you can always bring your own.

The beach at Concon is popular with surfers

The yatch club in Concon

The beachfront at Concon is dotted with surfing schools, and Patrick enjoys renting a paddle board or surfboard for a couple of hours (including a full wetsuit to be able to brave the frigid waters), and Trip and I can spend hours building sandcastles and playing pirates. There are usually friendly kids to play with as well, which gives me some time to read a book or just enjoy the sound of the waves crashing. 

There is also a popular empanada restaurant that is right there on the beach. La Casa del Mono has more than the typical pino (meat) or cheese options, but also spinach and oysters and corn and pineapple in many different varieties, or where you can build your own. The empanadas are fried to perfection, and the sea breezes make a lunch here pretty special. 

For Patrick's 42nd birthday, our neighbors Valerio and Soraya met us in Concon and introduced us to Pica el Horizonte, which is completely understated and somewhat hard to find, but also a gem of a spot that is always packed and always serves the freshest seafood with a smile. Dishes here are big enough to share between two people, and we've fallen in love with the broiled buttered salmon and the congrio a lo pobre (fried congrio with french fries, fried eggs and sautéed onions), but most people come here for the fresh loco con mayo (conch with mayonnaise).

Patrick's favorite is a sandwich spot that serves up somewhat gourmet options, including a spectacular blue-cheese-stuffed hamburger and a sandwich with tiny french-fried potatoes that Patrick loves. Plus, the guys who make the sandwiches are so nice, they've even invited us to family barbecues. Not bad.