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Accessible side trips to make your Los Cabos sojourn complete

By Eric Hiss

Though Los Cabos brims with a seemingly endless array of activities ranging from five-star spas to adrenaline-fueled adventures, it also plays another important role — as the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the wealth of experiences available in this idyllic corner of Baja California Sur. One suggestion for a memorable day trip or fun-filled overnighter is to put the top down on the rental (guided tours and modern public buses are other options) and drive over to the twin jewels of Todos Santos and La Paz.

Todos Santos
Even if you've never been to Todos Santos, chances are the necklace of sun-soaked beaches bordering Hwy 19 to the west might look familiar. Featured several years ago in the Hollywood opus Troy, Brad Pitt and his sandal-clad costars staged battles and other scenes here during the picture's filming. Although the celebrities are gone, the miles of empty beaches and powerful surfing waves the area is known for are here to stay.

Just an hour from Los Cabos, it's hard not to feel a certain magic in the air upon arriving in Todos Santos. You wouldn't be alone — Mexican officials recognized the historic sugar mill town with the auspicious title of "Pueblo Mágico," or Magic Town, last year. Certainly part of this inviting aesthetic is created by the artist colony here. Attracted by the clear light, quiet isolation and rich palette of subject matter, including 19th-century architecture and evocative landscapes, artists such as Charles Stewart began arriving in the mid-1980s. To experience their work for yourself, be sure to check out one of the nearly 20 local galleries and the annual Todos Santos Arts Festival, held each February. This is where the work of the region's top artists, as well as that of others from mainland Mexico and the United States, is showcased.

In the historic center of town, Calle Centenario offers not just galleries, but all manner of venues to experience the many facets of Todos Santos. Restaurants such as Buena Vida Pizzería & Bar, Los Adobes and its flavorful alta cocina menu, and the legendary margaritas of Café Santa Fe offer dining to sate your palate and fire the imagination.

If the easygoing charm of the town has seduced you into staying for the night, there is no shortage of hotels suitable for every taste — including the bohemian, south-of-the-border swank of Hotel California (take it from Glenn Frey, the hotel has nothing to do with the Eagles song) and the Todos Santos Inn, a 19th-century sugar baron's hacienda that has been transformed into a serene retreat. Wine aficionados should also make it a point to visit the inn's La Copa wine bar, which is stocked with top varietals from around the world. However you choose to spend your time in Todos Santos, you're sure to feel touched by its magic.

La Paz
The setting for John Steinbeck's classic novella The Pearl, La Paz has in many ways earned its title as "The Pearl of the Sea of Cortés." With its living history, vibrant culture and coveted perch on the edge of multihued waters Jacques Cousteau dubbed "the world's aquarium," La Paz, just 130 miles from Los Cabos, is a world-class destination with a down-home feeling. Here, it's easy to feel you're part of the familia as you walk the seaside promenade — the Malecón — to take in a fiery sunset, stroll past the cathedral first erected in 1720 or visit one of the bustling mercados, where local foods and artful handicrafts celebrating the region's history and connection to the sea are plentiful.

Discovered by Hernán Cortés in 1535, the city of La Paz has today evolved into a magnet for travelers seeking a true Baja experience. Unmatched sportfishing, scuba diving and sea kayaking draw active types, while restaurants specializing in tantalizing mariscos (seafood), colorful nightlife and boutiques selling everything from silver to leather goods appeal to anyone with a taste for the good life — Baja style. Of course, you can do nothing at all but lounge on the isolated, sun-drenched beaches north of the city, such as Playa Balandra or El Tecolote.

A thriving town of 180,000 inhabitants, La Paz offers unexpected finds too, such as the Anthropology and History Museum, which explores the area's past; La Esquina del Arte art gallery, featuring a wide range of work by area artists; and myriad ecotourism adventures just outside of town. If you plan on staying overnight, hotels ranging from classics such as La Perla to new, boutique-style properties like Seven Crown, ensure a memorable stay in the Pearl by the Sea.

The best time to visit La Paz is during Carnival when the malecón really comes to life.

Check the events calendar for annual art festivals and other interesting reasons to visit.

Why is Cabo so much fun? There is so much to do! Click here for a list of dive, watersports, fishing and tour operators. You'll also find links to Cabo's world class golf courses, spas, adventure tours, horseback riding, wedding coordinators and cruises.