Just north of Los Cabos, an hour up the Baja Peninsula you can find the towns of Pescadero, and Todo Santos. Leaving the more populated and active southern tip of Baja, it is here where you can discover a unique and different Mexico.
Artists of all types call the area home. Whether it’s the surfer who creates his masterpiece on the waves or the painter who creates hers on canvas the short trip can provide a lasting impression to anyone who selects Mexico for a vacation.
Your flight to Mexico arrives in Los Cabos International (SJD). Just a drive “down a (dark) desert highway” on typical afternoon and you can roll down your window and feel the “cool wind in your hair.” At this point, you are truly on your way to Hotel California.
Made famous from the Eagles album, Hotel California continues to operate in Todo Santos. And with the Mission Bell located just a block away, you start to hear more than the lyrics. At lunch the Eagle’s soundtrack delights the Cabo San Lucas cruise ship excursion passengers, but once the tourist buses leave the commercial vibe cools and becomes a perfect place for an afternoon cocktail.
Yet there is more to explore in town. From sculptors and painters at work in their studios, to countless art galleries you find no trouble passing the day. Whether browsing or purchasing that signature piece you will enjoy vivid colors and creations both inside and outside in the near perfect climate. Also, the government labeled “Pueblo Magico” contains many corner cafes to enjoy an afternoon coffee and discuss and debate a purchase.
That evening around campfire sipping Mexican wine to stay warm, I conversed with a few artists celebrating a birthday. They explained Todo Santos is like an onion; it contains many layers. Well after my first day, I agreed. The more I explored, the more I peeled, the more I uncovered.
Travel Tip: When exploring Todo Santos, wear comfortable shoes. Uneven sidewalks and unpaved (dirt) roads make navigation with Havaianas a challenge. Save the flip-flops for the beautiful Baja beaches.
Where to Dine: On the way to Rancho Pescadero you pass numerous organic farms that produce the fresh ingredients you find on the seasonal menu. In fact, when I ordered a tequila sunrise to compliment my Chilaquiles Rojo it may have taken a while, but the fresh-squeezed orange juice made the difference.
Hotels: To stay directly in Todo Santos, you can check in to Hotel California itself or for a more secluded option select Rancho Pescadero. The recently opened “different kind of dude (surfer) ranch” provides perfect setting and ambience to enjoy the true beauty of Baja.
Flights: Here are a few examples of cheap flights to Los Cabos:
San Diego flights from $303
San Francisco flights from $294
Chicago flights from $430
New York flights from $289
