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Give Yourself a Gift:  4 Reasons to Spend Christmas in Los Cabos This Year

November 24, 2020 by Leave a Comment

2020 has been an unusual year, and a very difficult one in many ways. Most of us will be quite happy to see the end of it. But despite the challenges and trials of 2020, it’s still possible to end the year on a high note. In fact, that should be the goal.

And we have a recommendation: Christmas in Los Cabos.

It’s never a bad idea to take a vacation in Los Cabos, and there’s never really a bad time to do it. But Christmas 2020 is a particularly good time to visit, and for a variety of reasons.

Here are four of our favorites:

Winter Weather that Feels Like Summer Weather

This one is almost too obvious to mention…but we’ll do it anyway.

The average daily temperature in Los Cabos during December is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sun shines every day. Contrast that with frigid temperatures across much of the U.S., and the idea of a vacation seems better and better. Right?

Why slog through snow, after all, when you could be lounging on the beach with a cocktail or cerveza in hand? Why start the day de-icing your car or shoveling your driveway when you could be snorkeling in warm tropical waters? Why dress in layers of clothing when all you really need is swimsuit?

Well, you get the point.

A Culture of Celebration

Christmas is a popular celebration in countries around the globe, but few nations have embraced the spirit of the holiday quite like Mexico. Long-time visitors will perhaps be familiar with the phrase “Maraton Guadalupe-Reyes”, which refers to the nearly month-long period from the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 to the day of the three wise men (Los Tres Reyes Magos in Mexico, Epiphany in the U.S.) on Jan. 6. This annual stretch is filled (hence the “marathon” analogy) with a seemingly unending string of fiestas, a seasonal party spirit embraced strongly in nightlife meccas like Cabo San Lucas.

But of course spending the holidays in Los Cabos also offer so much more. The Christmas season offers a glimpse into the Catholic core of Mexican culture, from public nacimientos (nativity scenes) to myriad other decorations and observances.

This is a wonderful time to visit historic local churches, as well as a great opportunity to sample traditional holiday food and drink favorites like buñuelos (a fried dough dessert covered in cinnamon sugar), rompope (rum based eggnog), and ponche navideño (Christmas punch).

Christmas shopping opportunities abound as well, from upscale clothing and jewelry at Luxury Avenue to regional arts and crafts.

Larger Than Life Adventures

Snowbirds aren’t the only ones who flock to Los Cabos each winter. So too do upwards of 5,000 whales, who migrate from arctic summer feeding ground to warm water winter breeding grounds around Baja California Sur.

These are the longest migrations on Earth, as well as arguably the most spectacular. Watch a 60,000-pound humpback lift nearly his entire body out of the water in a breach before an awe-inspiring splashdown and it’s hard to argue.

Nearly every activities and adventure company in the area offers whale watching tours from mid-December to mid-April, the best of which typically utilize high-speed Zodiac inflatables to get as close as legally allowed to these leviathans. A few even offer hydrophones to hear their haunting songs.

But you don’t need to take a tour to see the biggest show on the planet, as transiting whales can often be sighted from the shoreline.

Affordable Luxury

The dollar remains strong against the peso, which means a paradisiacal destination that has always offered luxury at a value compared to the U.S., is even more affordable than ever.

Luxuries you might normally deny yourself can thus be enjoyed guilt-free, whether that means renting a yacht for a day, enjoying multi-course meals with wine pairings at top local restaurants, or taking advantage of the region’s superb collection of villas and vacation rentals.

The latter are really the ultimate affordable luxury in Los Cabos, since not only do they typically offer breathtaking ocean views and upscale amenities like infinity pools and hot tubs; but villas and vacation rentals also offer an ability to totally customize your vacation.

Is there a beach you love taking the family to? A restaurant you always visit with your significant other? A view that never fails to fill you with awe? Then find a luxury villa or vacation rental close by; or, better yet, let a professional find it for you.

That’s a pretty good gift to give yourself and your loved ones this Christmas.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit  www.LosCabosVillas.com, www.TheCaboRealEstate.com or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Sandos Hotels & Resorts

Upcoming Events Calendar

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27

Los Cabos Film Festival (online only) – Nov. 11 – 19

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

Thanksgiving – Nov. 26

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25

Festival del Mole in Todos Santos – Dec. 5

Sabor a Cabo Rural 2020 – Dec. 11

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26

 

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Giving Thanks for Great Meals: Delicious Thanksgiving Dinners in Los Cabos in 2020

November 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Even in the most difficult and challenging year – we’re looking at you 2020! – there are always plenty of things to be thankful for; especially if you’re fortunate enough to spend the traditional harvest holiday in a warm weather paradise like Los Cabos.

In Mexico, Thanksgiving is referred to as El Dia de Accion de Gracias, but no, it’s not a national celebration. There weren’t any pilgrims here in the 17th century. However, there are plenty of resorts and restaurants nowadays – in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, at least – that cater to the traditional expectations of visiting Americans, offering filling Thanksgiving dinners and other holiday-appropriate experiences (football anyone?).

So trust us: there’s no need to worry about getting enough turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie in Los Cabos this year. Many of the local restaurant popular with tourists will be whipping up multi-course menus with all the familiar favorites. The difference is, unlike dinner at grandma’s house, there may be a mixologist, sommelier or master tequilier on hand to offer pairing suggestions.

With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite Thanksgiving dinner options in Los Cabos for 2020:

Thanksgiving Dinner at Solomon’s Landing

Solomon’s Landing is a long-time fixture on the Cabo San Lucas marina boardwalk, thanks to the congenial waterfront atmosphere and New Orleans trained chef Brian Solomon’s facility with the fresh and abundant local seafood. But popular as this restaurant is, rarely is it busier than Thanksgiving evening, when crowds spill out in front of the restaurant waiting for a table to open up. This year, Solomon’s is serving up a four-course Thanksgiving menu priced at $29.50 for adults, $15.50 for children aged 11 and under. The main course is juicy turkey and gravy, with stuffing, sautéed green beans with slivers of almond, cranberry sauce and homemade candied yams. Preceding the feast are soup (clam chowder in a bread bowl) and garlic bread; following is a choice of pumpkin pie or apple pie a la mode.

Reservations are highly recommended. Call (624) 219-3228 or hit the reservation button on their website at www.solomonslanding.com.mx.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Salvatore G’s

During its 16-year history in Cabo San Lucas, Salvatore G’s (formerly known as Salvatore’s) has become famous for three things:  great Italian food, huge portions, and terrific service. All accept the Italian food will be featured in their annual Thanksgiving feast, which clocks in at a muy afordable $28 per person, a nice price given their trademark enormous portion sizes. They don’t mind if couples share a single entrée either. The holiday menu this year includes turkey (white and dark meat), stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, as well as a starter of their popular Mista salad (mixed greens, Roma tomatoes and red onions topped with parmigiano cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette), plus bread and olive oil/balsamic vinegar, of course.

Reserve ahead of time for either dine-in or takeout; call or WhatsApp (624) 105-1044, visit their website at salvatoregs.com, or message them on Facebook @salvatorescabo. Seatings are at 6 and 8 p.m.

For a drink before dinner, stop across the street at Fenway Bar, a unique sports bar concept whose décor and accents all pay tribute to the history of the Boston Red Sox. NFL games are always shown as well, though, so this is a great pit stop to check up on all the Thanksgiving day games.

Thanksgiving Dinner with a Master Chef

Okay, so this one isn’t all that traditional. But Auberge brand resorts Esperanza and Chileno Bay in the Los Cabos tourist corridor will both be hosting dinners from a renowned chef over Thanksgiving weekend. That would be Chef Mads Refslund, a cofounder of Noma in Copenhagen, the two-star Michelin rated restaurant which has four times in the last decade been ranked as the best restaurant in the world.

The Danish culinary master will show off his skills November 27 in the outdoor exhibition kitchen at Esperanza’s gorgeous seaside eatery Cocina del Mar, then will move to Chileno Bay the following day, cooking up a four-course meal over a beachfront fire.

No word on whether turkey or mashed potatoes will be on either menu, but the dining experiences are sure to be memorable ones, regardless of the bill of fare. To find out more, hit the “inquire” button at aubergeresorts.com/esperanza/experiences/dine-with-a-michelin-starred-danish-chef/.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit   www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Salvatore G’s

Upcoming Events Calendar

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27

Los Cabos Film Festival (online only) – Nov. 11 – 19

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

Thanksgiving – Nov. 26

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25

Festival del Mole in Todos Santos – Dec. 5

Sabor a Cabo Rural 2020 – Dec. 11

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26

 

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Iconic Celebrations of Art and Culture Return in Los Cabos

October 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Downtown San Jose del Cabo is never livelier nor more beautiful than during Art Walk, the weekly celebration of local art and culture that takes place every Thursday evening between 5 and 9 p.m. during high tourist season (November through June).

Perhaps this is because Art Walk is, at heart, a celebration of San Jose del Cabo itself. The city comes alive in a new way on Thursdays during Art Walk season, with wandering musicians and mariachi bands among those walking the cobblestone streets of the historic Distrito del Arte, and the downtown area decorated in a festive whirl of lights.

So it’s good news that both Art Walk and Viva La Plaza, an art and cultural celebration held every Friday at Plaza Amelia Wilkes in Cabo San Lucas, are both returning this month. There will be some changes, of course. This is 2020, the year of Coronavirus, so anticipate street artists, food vendors and musicians operating at safe distances from one another, with plenty of hand sanitizer and masks on hand.

But return they will. Art Walk makes its return on Thursday (naturally), October 29 in San Jose del Cabo; Viva La Plaza the following Friday evening in Cabo San Lucas, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The two events are similar in that both showcase regional art, culture and music. The difference is largely in scope. In Cabo San Lucas, Viva La Plaza takes place in Plaza Amelia Wilkes. This is not a bad thing, by any means. This is the town’s main plaza and renovations in recent years have ensured that it has never looked better. Fresh gardens have been planted, the central gazebo painted, views of the sun setting over the cliff-hugging villas of Pedregal as magical as always.

In San Jose del Cabo, however, one plaza is not enough. Even one district is not enough. The Distrito del Arte, home to dozens of art galleries, is the traditional home of Art Walk, and remains the central focus, as gallery owners and artists stay open late to interact with visitors.

But the entire downtown area of the city comes alive. Plaza Mijares becomes an outdoor gallery for street artists and crafts people, with their wares laid out for all to see. The magnificent old Catholic church, Parroquia San Jose, is open for those who want to visit a more traditional altar than the Day of the Dead ofrendas that begin appearing towards the end of October. City Hall, with its colorful courtyard murals depicting great moments in local and national history, also beckons those on an informal walking tour of the heart of the city.

For this reason and others, Art Walk is among the most popular romantic activities for visiting couples, blending art and music, fine food and wine. This is an evening for walking and holding hands, for sharing new sights and sounds, each unique and each singularly emblematic of the magic of San Jose del Cabo.

Naturally, the Art District and city center are also home to some of the finest bars and restaurants in Los Cabos. The region’s first microbrewery, Baja Brewing Company, maintains its original location in the heart of the Art District. It’s next door to La Lupita, the city’s most famous taquería and mezcal tasting destination. Both are busy on Thursday nights as visitors take a break from gallery visits to refresh themselves and relive their most interesting experiences.

These are only two of the most popular stops, of course. There are many more, just as there are a wide array of galleries, arts and crafts boutiques and jewelry stores; from those showcasing traditional Mata Ortiz pottery and Huichol animal figures to paintings and sculptures from some of the best contemporary artists.

There is a lot of great art here, as well as arts and crafts, and custom jewelry. But mostly, there’s just a lot of life; which is why it’s always exciting to see these cultural celebrations return.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit                                                                                                                 www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Los Cabos Tourism Board

Upcoming Events Calendar

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Top Chef Los Cabos 2020 – Oct. 17

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

Restaurant Week San Jose del Cabo – Oct. 23 – 30

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Oct. 29

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 30

Day of the Dead Festival (“Secrets of La Catrina”) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27

Los Cabos Film Festival (online only) – Nov. 11 – 19

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

 

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A Taste of Cabo:  The Foodie’s Guide to Culinary Festivals in Los Cabos

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos gets credit for being world-class in a number of areas, but food is rarely mentioned as one of them. That needs to change. Twenty years ago the destination may have been about tacos and tequila and little else, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. Not only can foodies find international options galore, the influx of boutique resorts in recent year has been accompanied by some truly exciting new dining concepts helmed by celebrity chefs.

The new Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, for example, features cuisine from acclaimed Chef Nobu Matsuhia. French master Jean-Georges Vongerichten has taken steakhouse dining to a new level with SEARED at One&Only Palmilla. The Cape: A Thompson Hotel is home to Manta, a restaurant from Chef Enrique Olvera, whose Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in New York City are rated among the best in the world; and Spanish chef Martin Berasategui, earner of 12 Michelin stars so far, has opened Gastro Bar at Paradisus Los Cabos in the tourist corridor which connects cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

But it’s not just the celebrity chefs who are transforming the local dining scene. A new generation of regional chefs is redefining Baja Sur cuisine, and a burgeoning locavore movement continues to showcase the abundance of local seafood and organic produce in new and interesting ways.

It’s an exciting time to visit Los Cabos and an exciting time to enjoy its many flavors. Nowhere is this more evident than at the culinary fests that dot the local calendar. Yes, Covid-19 has put a damper on some and caused new safety and social distancing protocols for all, but that hasn’t stopped local chefs from cooking up incredible food for visitors to sample.

With that in mind, here’s a look at what visiting foodies can expect in the coming months in terms of food-focused events.

Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival

Aside from the annual Sabor a Cabo shindig in Los Cabos, Gastrovino is the biggest food and wine festival in Baja California Sur. Normally held each April or May in the state’s only pueblo magico, Todos Santos, Gastrovino is organized by the owners of a local wine and olive oil shop called La Bodega de Todos Santos, and features a weekend chockablock with tantalizing tasting opportunities. The pairing dinner at legendary Hotel California is one of many recurring highlights, but the “Big Cheese,” so to speak, is the Sunday main event on the town square. There, dozens of wineries from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe share their palate-pleasing wares, as do many of the region’s best restaurants. Live music is also a staple, as is a silent auction to benefit local programs for children. This year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival has been moved from spring to autumn, and will now take place November 13th to 15th, with new safety measures in place. The best part of the move, the organizers point out, is that guests can now count themselves among the first to taste the new vintage of Baja wines.

Sabor a Cabo International Food & Wine Festival

The region’s biggest culinary festival, called Sabor a Cabo, is held each year in early December, and typically draws over 3,000 guests to an outdoor site in Los Cabos to sample food and wine, and enjoy live musical performances (past performers include Grammy winner Lila Downs, legendary Mexican rock band Maná, and elemental R&B superstars Earth, Wind & Fire). The main event–which rotates to various local venues–is always preceded by smaller auxiliary events, including a country food and wine tasting that shows off the area’s incredible organically grown produce and fresh local seafood. Dates for the upcoming edition generally aren’t finalized until late October or early November, and because of current restrictions regarding large gatherings, the event may take a vastly different form this year. In the meantime, you can sample the wares from the festival’s 50 to 60 participating chefs by having dinner at virtually any notable local restaurant.

Sabores de Baja Festival in Miraflores

The small town of Miraflores is notable for several reasons, including the unusual longevity of its residents and its annual summer harvest festival celebrating pitahayas, the favorite fruit of the area’s indigenous inhabitants. Mainly, though, it is known as the foremost organic farming community in the Los Cabos municipality, the place the region’s best restaurants go to source their produce. It’s the perfect place, in other words, to host an organic food festival that focuses on the traditional cuisine and culture of Los Cabos. Sabores de Baja (saborestranslates as tastes or flavors) is expected to return for its 5th annual edition in April 2021.

Summer Harvest Festivals

Each July, when the pitahaya ripens, the residents of the small organic farming community Miraflores (in English, “Behold the Flowers”) celebrate with a lively weekend harvest festival. Pitahayas are a fruit derived from the organ pipe cactus, and are extraordinarily rich in antioxidants, which may account for the legendary longevity of Miraflores residents.

Pitahayas were the favorite food of the region’s indigenous inhabitants, the Pericues, and thus also have a strong cultural and historical component. The annual “feria” always boasts a variety of traditional activities, including the crowning of a festival queen, a pitahaya gathering contest, and a vast array of food and drink, much of it featuring the region’s signature fruit.

Pitahayas may be the most emblematic fruit in Baja California Sur, but the most ubiquitous are mangoes. You can reach up and take them off the trees at many area resorts and restaurants, and during summer months, freshly squeezed mango juice becomes a delicious daily treat for residents and visitors alike.

A trip to the annual Todos Santos Mango Festival–traditionally held in late July or early August–inevitably heightens one’s appreciation for what can be done in the name of this luscious tropical fruit; mangate, for example, a dessert typical of the region, always offers a memorable tasting experience.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Festival Sabores de Baja

Upcoming Events Calendar

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival (online only) – Nov. 11 – 19

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

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The 2020 Blue Flag Summer Beach Guide to Los Cabos

July 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

If there’s one thing Los Cabos has no shortage of, it’s beautiful beaches. If you visited a new one every day for a year, you’d still have plenty of sandy new vistas left to discover for sunning, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and other summertime pleasures.

But since most visitors stay for only a week or two, we’ll make it easy with a guide to the best of the best of local beaches for your summer vacation, using blue flag certification status as a measure of quality.

What is a Blue Flag Beach?

It’s a beach recognized by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for meeting and maintaining high standards of cleanliness, water quality, safety, services (like restrooms and showers), and sustainability. The non-profit organization started in Europe in the 1980s and its certification program has now spread to more than 60 member countries around the globe.

We mentioned Los Cabos has a lot of beaches? It also has a lot of blue flag beaches, from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo and beyond. In fact, Los Cabos has more blue flag beaches than any other destination in Mexico, and it’s not even really close.

For some context, Mexico as a country boasts 63 blue flag beaches, 10 of which were only recently announced in June 2020. It’s an impressive number, 63, and one that puts Mexico in 13th place worldwide (first in the Americas).

These 63 beaches span the country, from Cancun and the Riviera Maya to Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. But no beachfront resort destination has been honored so much as Los Cabos.

Baja California Sur has more blue flag beaches than any other single state with 23, an astounding 22 of which are in Los Cabos. That means Los Cabos alone accounts for 35% of the blue flag beaches in Mexico.

Blue Flag Beaches in Los Cabos

Los Cabos’ blue flag supremacy is a rather new phenomenon. As recently as 2016, the municipality had only three beaches that had earned FEE’s blue flag stamp of approval: Playas Chileno, Santa Maria and Palmilla. The stunning growth of the program since then is a credit to the community at large, which has recognized how important beaches are to the tourism industry and has made a commitment to keep the local sands both beautiful and sustainable.

Now, in 2020, blue flag beaches can be found in virtually every corner of Los Cabos, from popular city based locales to lesser known gems like La Ribera, an East Cape playa where a new Four Seasons resort has recently opened.

In fact, two of the three new blue flag beaches announced for Los Cabos are, like La Ribera, on the East Cape of Los Cabos. There is La Gaviota, the picturesque new blue flag beach in Buenavista, a locale perhaps best known for hosting Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore fishing tournament; and El Surgidero, a golden oasis found not far from Playa La Ribera.

The other blue flag beach, Playa Monumentos (or Monuments Beach), has already been famous for decades thanks to its world-class surfing conditions and magnificent views of the half-mile Land’s End headland that extends to the southernmost point of the Baja California peninsula in Cabo San Lucas.

Monumentos’ tricky left-hand surf break is not for beginners, but you don’t have to surf to enjoy this gorgeous bit of Sea of Cortez facing coastline. Like many of Los Cabos’ blue flag beaches, it’s also a dream spot for photographers (yes, selfies count!).

So if you’re going to be in paradise for a few weeks this summer, why not visit them all? We’ll include a checklist below, so you can track your progress.

Acapulquito

El Chileno

El Corsario

El Surgidero

La Gaviota

La Ribera

Las Viudas

Medano Breathless

Medano Casa Dorada

Medano Club Cascadas de Baja

Medano Hacienda

Medano ME Cabo

Medano Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos

Medano Pueblo Bonito Rose

Medano Riu Palace Los Cabos

Medano Riu Santa Fe

Medano Villa Del Palmar

Medano Villa El Arco

Medano Villa La Estancia

Monumentos

Palmilla

Santa Maria

Just don’t forget to bring sunscreen!

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Safety, Privacy, Luxury: Why Villas and Vacation Rentals are the Best Option for Los Cabos Getaways in 2020

July 7, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Villas and vacation rentals in Los Cabos have always been a popular choice with discerning travelers thanks to their spectacular views and one-of-a-kind amenities.

But villas and vacation rentals in Los Cabos also offer two other key features that are very much in the forefront of everyone’s thoughts in 2020: safety and privacy.

 

Safety

The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we look at the world, and has certainly changed the way we view travel. To that end, Los Cabos has instituted sweeping new safety and sanitation protocols to ensure visitors can continue to enjoy worry-free getaways and vacations to the Land’s End destination.

From the moment visitors arrive at the international airport, thermal imaging, temperature checks, mandatory masks for employees, frequent sanitizing of all areas, and other new protocols reassure that every possible step is being taken to protect their safety.

Similarly stringent and thorough procedures are also in place for airport shuttles and other transportation services, and in every area resort. This strategy to make the destination safer on every level–in every category of business, and in every public space–is why Los Cabos recently became the first Pacific oriented destination to receive the Travel Safety Stamp granted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

What is the Travel Safety Stamp? It’s a distinction designed to provide visitors with confidence that the highest available measures in hygiene and sanitation are being taken by businesses across the board, and that the health of travelers is the foremost focus of the destination as a whole.

Privacy

Los Cabos is home to many fine beachfront resorts, boutique hotels and other luxury properties. And as we mentioned above, these properties are going to great lengths to ensure the safety of their guests.

But there is another accommodation option that is not only safer, but also more private, and is every bit a luxurious as the best five-star hotel or resort.  That would be luxury villas, gorgeous examples of which hug the hills and cliffs above Cabo San Lucas, and trace the coastline that extends for over 100 miles in Los Cabos.

Privacy has always been a selling point for luxury villas, as well as other upscale rental homes in the area. But that’s particularly true in 2020, because no matter how safe and clean resorts make themselves, there is still the worry factor associated with being around other guests. People that you don’t know. You don’t know where they’ve been (for instance, high density urban areas with increased exposure, or states with recent upticks in reported cases) and you don’t whether they take safety protocols as seriously as you do.

So why take that chance? Luxury villas and upscale rental homes totally remove this worry. You, your friends and family are the only ones in residence; and the entire property is comprehensively sanitized between visits.

One tends to think of these scenically situated properties as perfect for romantic getaways, and of course they are. But they have so much space and so many amenities that you can easily turn these villas and beachfront homes into vacation hideaways for either small or large groups of friends and family.  The largest Los Cabos villas, for example, can accommodate up to 40 guests or more.

Luxury

Safety and privacy are the most important concerns, of course, when it comes to those closest to you. But luxury has its place, as well.

Trust us: Los Cabos villas are swimming in it. Virtually all the things you would expect from a first-class resort are available in these spectacular properties, from lavishly comfortable accommodations to sprawling infinity edge swimming pools, palm-shaded hammocks, beach access, bottomless margaritas, and on-call concierge service.

And the few that aren’t can easily be arranged. Ready for a poolside massage or a dinner party? Mobile spas and private chefs–all masked and vetted, of course–are only a phone call away, and perfectly willing to tailor their offerings to your personal preferences.

Plus, of course, there are the luxurious residential amenities found in any coastal manse, from state-of-the-art kitchens and palapa-topped bbq stations to home theaters and fully equipped business and fitness centers.

It’s the perfect Los Cabos accommodation option for 2020, and if you’ve never experienced this perfect combination of safety, privacy and luxury before, it may totally change the way you think about vacation travel in the future.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Villa La Roca

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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Classic Rock Rules: Live Music Events in Los Cabos in 2020

March 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Jazz has become a popular staple in Los Cabos in recent years, with two major festivals celebrating this free-flowing musical genre. The San Jose Jazz Weekend has already happened, serenading multitudes over Valentine’s Day weekend. But Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival is still to come, and is one of the most highly anticipated events on the calendar for this April.

But make no mistake. Classic rock still rules in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. This year alone, legendary acts like the Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Cheap Trick and Sammy Hagar are all scheduled to perform.

With that in mind, here’s a schedule to the biggest concerts and music festivals on tap for 2020. These are all destination events, intended as centerpiece experiences for vacations in Los Cabos.

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 to May 3

The Los Cabos Jazz Festival is the brainchild of noted jazz saxophonist and festival organizer Warren Hill. Originally from Toronto, Hill has charted several smooth jazz hits over the years. Nowadays, however, he is probably best known for Music Getaways, an event company he started that specializes in destination based music festivals. It was Hill and Music Getaways that started the now iconic Cancun Jazz Festival, a success that’s now been replicated in Los Cabos. The first festival took place last year as a sort of inauguration event for the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos. The second edition returns to the Hard Rock in 2020 with an all-star lineup that includes War, Boney James, Tommy Davidson, Sheila E, Kem, and many other notable artists.

The Eagles and The Doobie Brothers Perform on Memorial Day Weekend – May 23, 24

These concerts are a very big deal, and if you don’t understand why consider the fact that the Eagles alone have sold over 150 million albums worldwide. This is a once-in-a-lifetime destination musical getaway opportunity, with the two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted bands partnering with local luxury resorts to offer two nights of unforgettable performances to select crowds in an intimate beachfront setting.

Here are the scheduled dates and lineups:

Saturday May 23

An evening with The Doobie Brothers – Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee.

Sunday May 24

EAGLES – Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, with Deacon Frey and Vince Gill – performing their greatest hits.

24th Annual Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament Featuring Cheap Trick – June 24 to 28

During the 20+ years of its existence, the annual Stars and Stripes’ golf and fishing tournament has raised over 36 million dollars for youth focused charities. But it’s not simply a tournament or a charity benefit…more like a complete lifestyle experience. Participants go big-game sportfishing for dorado, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, swordfish, and black, blue and striped marlin; play golf at some of the world’s best golf courses; and enjoy spectacular live entertainment nightly. This year’s headliner is Cheap Trick, which has sold over 20 million records worldwide since its debut album in 1977. Recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, Cheap Trick brings its catalogue of hits to Cabo on Saturday, June 27th.

Sammy Hagar’s 73rd Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Every year since 1990, loyal “Redheads” from around the world have flocked to Cabo San Lucas for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina. In 2020, the former Van Halen and Montrose celebrates his 73rd year on the planet with an all-star cast of visiting musicians, including The Circle members Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson. Shows aren’t officially scheduled as yet, but traditionally take place on October 9, 11 and 13, the finale of which falls on Hagar’s actual birthday. If past form holds, general admission tickets will be available to winners of a random drawing this summer, but those who aren’t selected will still have an opportunity to attend, as some dinner show tickets will be made available in early October on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 14 – 15

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26

Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

May

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

485th Foundation Festival in La Paz – May 3 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 7, 14, 21, 28

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 4, 11, 18, 25

7th Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 11 – 13

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica in San Jose del Cabo – June 20

24th Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 24 – 28

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament in Los Barriles – July 23 – 27

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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Spring Break Madness and March Events in Los Cabos

February 26, 2020 by Leave a Comment

March is the month when many North American college students head south to warm weather vacation destinations to participate in that seasonal rite of passage known as Spring Break.

Baja California Sur’s southernmost resort city, Cabo San Lucas, is a prime beneficiary of this mass migration, welcoming hordes of bikini and board shorts clad collegians annually for mid-semester fun in the sun.

Those of a more mature age (or at least disposition) will find it no trouble to avoid the Spring Break madness, however. In fact, March is one of the busiest months of the year for the region in terms of cultural festivals and events.

San Jose del Cabo Art Walk – March 5, 12, 19 26

The historic Distrito del Arte in San Jose del Cabo takes center stage each Thursday evening during high tourist season–November through June–when residents and visitors alike are invited to stroll its cobblestone streets and peruse the many eclectic fine arts galleries. Art Walk hours are 5 to 9 p.m., when the neighborhood comes alive with wine, cheese and guided tours, as well as colorful street artists and strolling mariachis.

Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14

For nearly 20 years, the small East Cape fishing town of Buenavista has welcomed visitors for fun-filled theater twists on cultural classics…often but not always Shakespeare. Last year’s selection, The Sea Princesa and the Frijole, was based on the classic Broadway hit, Once Upon a Mattress; the show that launched comedienne Carole Burnett’s career back in 1959. This year’s presentation is A Baja Chorus, a takeoff on the long-running Broadway musical, A Chorus Line. The highly anticipated production will be held during consecutive weeks at Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort (March 6th to 8th and 11th to 14th). Tickets are $20 each, or $400 pesos.

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

The small town of Miraflores is notable for several reasons, including the unusual longevity of its residents and its annual summer harvest festival celebrating pitahayas, the favorite fruit of the area’s indigenous inhabitants. Mainly, though, it is known as the foremost organic farming community in the Los Cabos municipality, the place the region’s best restaurants go to source their produce. It’s the perfect place, in other words, to host an organic food festival that focuses on the traditional cuisine and culture of Los Cabos. The 4th annual Sabores de Baja (sabores translates as tastes or flavors) will be hosted by Doña Pame Restaurante from noon to 5 p.m. on March 8th, and will feature live music from local performers.

Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19

During the Spanish colonial period, many towns in Baja California and elsewhere in México and Latin America were named according to the Catholic calendar. San Jose del Cabo’s first Spanish name, for instance, was San Bernabe, so named by Sebastian Vizcaino when he landed there on June 11, 1602, during the traditional Catholic feast day for Saint Barnabas. San Bernabe replaced Añuiti, the name given to the place by the indigenous Pericues, and was itself later replaced by San Jose del Cabo, the name of the Jesuit mission that opened there in 1730. The city’s fiestas patronales (as the patron saint festivals are known in Spanish) encompass a week of celebrations, and include parades, live music, regional food and drinks (the ceviche preparation contest is an annual highlight), plus the coronation of an event king and queen. The festivities culminate on March 19, the official feast day of Saint Joseph.

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Baja Sur’s beautiful East Cape stretches some 7o miles in a belly-shaped arc from San José del Cabo to the Bay of Palms. The coastal region is best known for its pristine beaches, abundant marine life and off-the-grid communities, but is also home to a number of talented artists and crafts makers. The primary showcase for this community creativity has, since 1994, been the annual East Cape Arts Festival, the 2020 edition of which takes place March 15th at the Hotel Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles.  Food, drinks, live music and dance groups will also be spotlighted.

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

El Triunfo and San Antonio, two mountain hamlets about 35 and 40 miles south of La Paz, respectively, are the two oldest secular communities in the Californias (yes, that includes the U.S. state of California). Both were built on gold and silver mining, and in fact during the latter part of the 19th century El Triunfo was the wealthiest community in Baja California, with reportedly the highest concentration of pianos per capita in México. It was the first Baja town to boast luxuries like electricity and telephones, and its largest smokestack, dubbed Ramona, was built by none other than Gustave Eiffel. Today, the populations of El Triunfo and San Antonio number in the hundreds, but both retain their old-fashioned charm and offer abundant historical artifacts and attractions. The best time to visit the former is during its annual Festival Artesanal, when vendors line the streets hawking traditional food, art and clothing, and colorfully costumed men and women waltz around the town square.

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 26 – 29

This annual showcase for Mexican and Latin American films was founded in 2004, and is based each year at the historic Teatro-Cine Manuel Marquez de Leon, a landmark 70+ year old movie theater that overlooks the town square in Todos Santos. The 17th edition of the coastal pueblo magico‘s acclaimed festival de cine is set for March 26 – 29, and will include full-length films, as well as shorts, documentaries, and projects from the local Youth in Video program. Additional screenings will take place in nearby Pescadero, and Baja California Sur’s capital city, La Paz.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Camilla Fuchs

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 14 – 15

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26

Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

May

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

485th Foundation Festival in La Paz – May 3 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 7, 14, 21, 28

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 4, 11, 18, 25

7th Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 11 – 13

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica in San Jose del Cabo – June 20

24th Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 24 – 28

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament in Los Barriles – July 23 – 27

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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The Legacy of Baja’s Off-Road Past Lives on in the NORRA Mexican 1000

February 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos has been consciously rebranded as a luxury destination in recent years, welcoming iconic luxury brands like Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Nobu, and increasingly spotlighting its wealth of pampering spas, championship golf courses and world-class cuisine.

That’s the Los Cabos of today, a place of both beautiful beaches and exclusive high-end amenities.

But as anyone who is a long-time visitor to the area can attest, it wasn’t always this way.

During the 1960s and 1970s, when cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo were developing as tourist destinations, there were very few resorts in the region and a limited array of amenities. The peninsular highway connecting Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas wasn’t completed until 1973; the Cabo San Lucas Marina wasn’t finished until the early 1980s; and the first 18-hole golf courses didn’t appear until Jack Nicklaus arrived on the scene in the early 1990s.

It was still a spectacular destination, mind you, but one marked by a more rugged beauty and a more rugged disposition. Back then, people typically came to Los Cabos (a name that wasn’t even invented until 1981) for one of two reasons: to fish or to race.

Well, there was actually a third. Hollywood stars like John Wayne and Bing Crosby used to fly into nearby Santiago to go white-winged dove hunting. But mainly there was fishing and there was off-road racing. People came to the region to bag a marlin or to test their nerves in one of the most challenging races on the planet. The latter would be the famed Baja 1000, which for over 50 years now has been the standard bearer for its sport.

The roots of this legendary race are important because there are now two 1000 mile races that take place each year in Baja, the second being the NORRA Mexican 1000. It’s held every April while the SCORE Baja 1000 is always run in November.

NORRA and SCORE. Those are the two signature off-road sanctioning bodies in Baja and their history is a fascinating one, because at varying times both have been associated with the Baja 1000.

Here’s how it happened:

When Baja’s off-road endurance challenge premiered in 1967–as a race from Tijuana to La Paz–it was under the auspices of the National Off-Road Racing Association, formed the year before by a group of racing enthusiasts led by Ed Pearlman and Don Francisco. It was Francisco, a veteran of the Carrera Panamericana, that flew all around Baja to chart a viable course for the first race, Pearlman who handled press and promotion. This was the beginning of the Baja 1000.

NORRA backed out of the race following the OPEC Oil Crisis in 1973, and there was no race at all in 1974. In 1975, eager to continue the tradition, Baja California governor Milton Castellanos convinced promoter Mickey Thompson and his SCORE (Southern California Off-Road Enterprises) organization to take over the race, which they did in 1975. The Baja 1000 has been run under the SCORE banner ever since.

But it was the first few years under NORRA that set the standard for modern off-road racing, and drew celebrity contestants like Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones, as well as Hollywood movie stars like James Garner and Steve McQueen.

In order to honor that heritage, NORRA restarted the Mexican 1000 in 2010 as a fun, vintage-style rally race. Dubbed “The Happiest Race on Earth,” the current version of the Mexican 1000 features a mix of restored motorcycles, cars and trucks from the glory era of the Baja 1000, as well as modern desert rally cars. Classes are divided by eras to keep it fun and competitive for all, with high-speed off-road stages linked by controlled-speed highway portions.

There are eight technology eras or classes for this year’s race, for instance, including Pioneer (1967 – 1975), Legend (1976 – 1982), Challenger (1983 – 1988), Vintage (1989 – 1997), Historic (older than 1997) and Evolution (modern vehicles), as well as motorcycles/ATVs and modified stock vehicles.

The 11th edition of the NORRA Mexican 1000 will take place April 17th to the 24th, with a traditional race course that starts in Ensenada and then winds down the peninsula through San Felipe, Guerrero Negro, Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto, and La Paz before concluding with a finish line fiesta and awards ceremony in San Jose del Cabo.

But don’t let that 11 fool you. NORRA has been a force in Baja off-road racing for well over 50 years.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  NORRA Mexican 1000

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 14 – 15

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26

Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

Gala de Danza at Viceroy Los Cabos – Dates Not Yet Announced

May

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

485th Foundation Festival in La Paz – May 3 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 7, 14, 21, 28

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 4, 11, 18, 25

7th Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 11 – 13

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica in San Jose del Cabo – Date Not Yet Announced

24th Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 24 – 28

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 4 – 8

 

 

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Culture & Tradition: February Events in Los Cabos

January 29, 2020 by Leave a Comment

February is an exciting month for events in Los Cabos, but not the sort of events like food festivals and fishing tournaments that visitors typically associate with the region. Rather, the focus in February is on culture and tradition.

Art lovers, for instance, will have multiple opportunities in February to get acquainted with some of Baja California Sur’s finest painters and sculptors, from the weekly Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo to the Open Studios Tour and Art Festival in Todos Santos. The latter is only an hour by car from Cabo San Lucas and will also be showing off its sensitive side at the 7th annual Writers Workshop.

Sensitivity is not something typically associated with bikers, but aficionados of two-wheeled vehicles do value tradition; and it’s a tradition of Biker Week Los Cabos for local riders to host guests from around the country (and in some cases, the world). The month’s biggest event, however, is undoubtedly Carnaval in La Paz. Think of it as Mardi Gras, Baja style. No beads but plenty of great music.

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – February 1st to 8th

Best known for its painters, Todos Santos has also proved a congenial community for writers. The 7th annual writers’ workshop returns to the atmospheric Casa Dracula–an historic 19th century hacienda–where creative writers are encouraged with seminars and speakers, publishing roundtables, and a variety of craft workshops that focus on fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry and other literary genres. Applicants to the weeklong event are chosen based on writing samples and phone interviews, and in addition to personal mentoring, enjoy courtyard readings from faculty and guest speakers. An optional second week from February 10th to 15th is available to those who’d like to take advantage of the facilities, teaching and creative spirit for a more in-depth experience.

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – February 6, 13, 20, 27

The historic Distrito del Arte in San Jose del Cabo takes center stage each Thursday evening during high tourist season–November through June–when residents and visitors alike are invited to stroll its cobblestone streets and peruse the many eclectic fine arts galleries. Art Walk hours are 5 to 9 p.m., when the neighborhood comes alive with wine, cheese and guided tours, as well as colorful street artists and strolling mariachis.

Biker Week Los Cabos – February 13th to 17th

This annual Harley Davidson motorcycle rally features separate road trips from Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos and La Paz, with pit stops along the way for gas or for parties and other activities. Riders from the mainland will be arriving with their motorcycles by means of the ferry at Pichilingue, La Paz, where they’ll be met by local riders and escorted back to Cabo San Lucas. The festivities kick off with a welcome cruise on Wednesday, Feb. 13. To see the full schedule of events, visit www.bikerweekloscabos.com.

San Jose Jazz Weekend – February 14, 15

2020 marks the 8th edition of San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend, a festival dedicated to the freewheeling American musical style held yearly at the popular Plaza del Pescador, an outdoor mall across from the city’s resort-lined Playa Hotelera. Plaza del Pescador has only been around for a few years, but has quickly established a reputation for itself as a music venue, thanks to tenants such as Jazz Tapas Café and Rock&Brews, the restaurant chain started by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Admission is free to the two-day music fest, which takes place from 5 to 11 p.m. on Feb. 14 – 15. To check out the year’s line-up for this year’s Jazz Weekend, visit www.sanjosejazzweekend. com.

Carnaval in La Paz – February 20th to 25th

There are two cities that host notable Carnaval celebrations on the Baja California peninsula:  Ensenada and La Paz. Carnaval, for the uninitiated, is the Catholic pre-Lenten celebration that captivates Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans each year, although in the latter city it is better known as Mardi Gras. In La Paz, the uninhibited six-day farewell to debauchery is centered on the capital city’s malecon, and includes voluminous food and drink, colorful parades and costumes, plenty of live music from high-profile performers, and the coronation of a festival king and queen. This year’s theme is La Fiesta de los Dioses (“The Party of the Gods”).

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com  ,  or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  San Jose Jazz Weekend

Upcoming Events Calendar

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 12 – 16

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 15 – 19

La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20

Whale Watching Season – January through April 15th

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 7 – 9

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 14 – 15

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26

Baja Shakespeare Festival – Mar. 6 – 8, 11 – 14

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

Gala de Danza at Viceroy Los Cabos – Dates Not Yet Announced

May

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – April 30 – May 3

485th Foundation Festival in La Paz – May 3 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 7, 14, 21, 28

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 4, 11, 18, 25

7th Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 11 – 13

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica in San Jose del Cabo – Date Not Yet Announced

24th Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 24

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