The Complete Cabo Lifestyle Experience: Stars & Stripes Tournament Offers Golf, Fishing, Music, Beach Life and More

There are many reasons people choose to vacation in Los Cabos. There’s the gorgeous year-round weather, the beautiful beaches, the luxurious resorts and cliffside villas, the world-class golf courses and spectacular sportfishing.

Or one could simply want to attend the Stars & Stripes Tournament, which offers all of the above plus much, much more. Golf and fishing provide the competitive tournament aspect, but there are also beach days, spa visits, nightly dinners, and music from some of the world’s most recognizable performers.

The 22nd edition of what amounts to the complete Cabo lifestyle experience is scheduled to return June 28 – July 1, 2018.

Of all its attractions, fishing has proved to be most enduringly popular part of Stars & Stripes. No surprise, really, given that the tourism industries for cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo were built on big-game sportfishing. The tournament launches from beautiful Chileno Bay, with participating anglers vying to bag the biggest tuna, dorado, wahoo, sailfish, and blue, black and striped marlin. This year, start times have been pushed back to allow a more vacation-like approach.

Golf, too, is a major draw. Participants this year have the choice of nine or 18-hole tournament outings at Puerto Los Cabos, which currently boasts 27 spectacular holes from champion golfers Jack “The Golden Bear” Nicklaus and Greg “The Great White Shark” Norman. Nine of the holes at Puerto Los Cabos are brand new, so tournament entrants will be among the first to play them. The traditional holes also have their highlights. Norman designed one of the best holes in Baja California for the original Mission Course, a 213 yard par-3 that demands precise placement from a tee shot off the equivalent of a 10-story building. Although the green looks like a peculiarly shaped postage stamp from the elevated tee box, players are generally not as concerned with the difficult iron shot as they are awed by the incredible view: 10 miles of gorgeous coastline bordered by the Sea of Cortez and the mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna.

 Although sporting competitions provide the tournament’s primary raison d’etre, many other pleasures (of the non-sporting type) are in store for attendees. “Play at La Playa” promises a sun-soaked day at a private beachfront estate, complete with lunch, cocktails and sandy fun. Host resort Hilton’s Eforea Spa is likewise on hand for soothing relaxation. All Stars & Stripes guests are eligible for one of the spa’s many pampering treatments and therapies.

Nightly musical entertainment is also a distinguishing feature of Stars & Stripes. In past years, rock stars like Sammy Hagar, The Doobie Brothers, Three Dog Night, and Kenny Loggins have played their biggest hits. This year the headliner is Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, and a co-writer of the iconic song Hotel California. Plenty of other acts are also on tap, including The Downtown Band, and the festivities will once again be hosted by Shawn Parr, AKA “The Ambassador of Country Music” and “The Voice of the Golden Globes.”

For all its features and attractions, the Stars & Stripes ultimate purpose is to raise money for worthy causes. Since 1997, the tournament has raised over $26 million dollars for youth-oriented charities, hosting live and silent auctions.

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 courtesy of the Stars & Stripes Tournament.

Upcoming Event Calendar

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – March 10

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19

El Ganzo Music Presents: Jenny & The Mexicats – March 24

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25

2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

 August

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

 September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

 November

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Spring Break for Adults: A Guide to March Events in Los Cabos

It’s easy to tell when March has arrived in Los Cabos. Playa El Medano, the longest and most popular beach in Cabo San Lucas, is awash in bikini and board shorts clad college students, many of whom are packed into Mango Deck for bawdy entertainment (banana eating and sex position contests, anyone?) and beverage service from Big Johnson, a mustachioed Pancho Villa look-alike whose holsters are packed not with pistols, but bottles of tequila.

For those whose idea of a good time no longer includes copious amounts of tequila shots – which is to say, more mature adults – the cape cities still have plenty to offer in March. In fact, March is one of the best months to experience traditional regional festivals, culture-oriented events that celebrate art, film, drama, and music…with plenty of regional food thrown in for good measure.

Here are five of our March favorites…

Todos Santos Film Festival (March 7 – 11)

This annual showcase for Mexican and Latin American films was founded in 1994, 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 15th edition 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.

Baja Shakespeare Festival (March 9 – 11, 14 – 17)

For nearly 20 years, Baja Sur’s beautiful East Cape has welcomed visitors for fun-filled theater twists on cultural classics…often but not always Shakespeare. This year’s selection, The Baja Shake Up!, shows what happens when star-crossed lovers (from Romeo and Juliet) meet gangsters and gun molls (inspired by Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway). The highly anticipated Camilla Ford directed theater production will be held during consecutive weeks at Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort.

Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar (March 10)

Want to know how locally made cheeses and wines from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe stack up against the fancy competition from France and elsewhere? Then we recommend attending the 6th annual Queso & Vino Festival on March 10th at Sheraton Grand’s scenic and stylishly appointed Hacienda del Mar property. Each year, the resort packs its Salon Hacienda ballroom with wines and cheeses from around the world, adds live music for a more festive atmosphere, and later donates the proceeds to local charities for children.

El Triunfo Arts Festival  (March 11)                        

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.

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo (March 14 – 19)

During the Spanish colonial period, many towns in Baja California and elsewhere in Mexico 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 Anuiti, 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 in 1730. The city’s fiestas tradicionales, or fiestas patronales (as the patron saint festivals are typically known in Spanish), encompass nearly 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.

NOTE:  Mexico has its own traditional Spring Break period, which coincides with Semana Santa (the Catholic Holy Week that concludes with Easter Sunday). Outside of Christmas, this is the busiest holiday period in the country, as students and families flock to coastal beach resorts for some well-earned rest and recreation. What this means for U.S. and Canadian tourists is an increased competition for hotel rooms. Thus, while we always recommend villa rentals as a more luxurious, memorable, and surprisingly affordable alternative to the resort experience, there is no better time to find out just how true this is than during Semana Santa.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-548, or visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com .

Photo courtesy of Michael Kull.

Upcoming Event Calendar

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Historic Homes Tour – March 4

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – March 10

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19

El Ganzo Music Presents: Jenny & The Mexicats – March 24

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25

2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

 November

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

A Taste of Cabo: A Guide to 2018 Food & Wine Festivals in Los Cabos

Over the last decade, the dining scenes in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have grown increasingly more cosmopolitan, as more international cuisines are represented in area restaurants, and local chefs continue to experiment with new and unique fusions.

This newfound sophistication is reflected in the region’s increasingly packed calendar of food and wine related events, which showcase the creativity of Los Cabos’ top chefs, but also celebrate traditional local specialties like freshly sourced seafood, and organically grown fruits and vegetables.

With that in mind, here’s our guide to some of the signature food and wine fêtes on tap for 2018 (including to-dos in Todos Santos, which although technically not part of the Los Cabos municipality, is less than an hour drive from Cabo San Lucas)…

Want to know how locally made cheeses and wines from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe stack up against the fancy competition from France and elsewhere? Then we recommend attending the 6th annual Queso & Vino Festival on March 10th at Sheraton Grand’s scenic and stylishly appointed Hacienda del Mar property. Each year, the resort packs its Salon Hacienda ballroom with wines and cheeses from around the world, adds live music for a more festive atmosphere, and later donates the proceeds to local charities for children.

Todos Santos’ premier food and wine festival, Gastrovino, is organized by the owners of a 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. This year’s extravaganza is scheduled for April 19 – 20.

Cosmopolitan cuisine is all well and good, but sometimes nothing beats a good taco. Even the best local chefs concede that fact, which is why they’re converging at the luxurious beachfront Casa Dorada Resort & Spa on Saturday, April 28, for the 2nd annual Los Cabos Taco Fest. As the chefs compete to produce the most delicious tortilla wrapped treats, the winners are guaranteed to be the guests, who get to sample both traditional and contemporary/creative taco entries from these very talented culinary craftsmen. As with all local food festivals, live music is also featured.

Each July, when the pitahaya ripens, the residents of the small organic farming community Miraflores (in English, “Behold the Flowers”) invite visitors to share in their 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. The festival isn’t announced until shortly before the fruit is completely ripe, but traditionally this occurs during the second week of July. Highlights of the Feria de la Pitahaya include the crowning of a festival queen, a pitahaya gathering contest, and a vast array of food and drink, much of which features the region’s signature fruit.

Since its inception in 2007, the Todos Santos Mango Festival has been a local favorite. Families flock to celebrate the most representative and ubiquitous of regional fruits:  mangoes! If you think you know a thing or two about this delicious foodstuff, think again. A visit to the festival will heighten your appreciation for what can be done in the name of the golden Baja Sur staple. See if you agree with who dishes out the best Mangate, a dessert typical of the region. Dates have yet to be announced for the 2018 festival, but it typically takes place in late July or early August.

The region’s biggest culinary festival, called Sabor a Cabo, is held each year in December, and 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 Mana, and elemental R&B superstars Earth, Wind & Fire). The main event – which takes place at 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 13th edition will be announced later 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 fine restaurant in Los Cabos.

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 courtesy of Sabor a Cabo.

Upcoming Event Calendar

February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Art Festival in Todos Santos – Feb. 1 – 5

Traditional Fiestas in San Blas – Feb. 2 – 4

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 16 – 17

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Vidanta Los Cabos Grand Opening Featuring Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – Feb. 23 – 25

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – March 10

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19

El Ganzo Music Presents: Jenny & The Mexicats – March 24

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25

2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28

May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

November

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

Art, Music, Dance & Romance: A Guide to February Events in Los Cabos

February is the month for romance, as countries around the world celebrate courtship and love on St. Valentine’s Day (known in Mexico as El Dia de San Valentin, or, more commonly, El Dia del Amor y la Amistad). In Los Cabos, the competition to offer the most romantic Valentine’s Day activities and amenities often translates to special accommodations packages (for both resorts and villa rentals), as well as special multi-course meals and live entertainment at the area’s best restaurants.

Visitors to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo this month will also discover abundant opportunities to immerse themselves in local art and culture, from Art Walk and Jazz Weekend in San Jose del Cabo to the annual Art Festival and Open Studios Tour in Todos Santos.

Carnaval, too, takes place in February. The yearly festival, which ends with “Fat Tuesday,” precedes the 4o days of Lent before Easter on the Catholic calendar. La Paz, capital city of Baja California Sur, is famed for the parades and live musical performances on its seaside malecón during this six-day bacchanal.

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo (Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22)

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. A chance to check out San Jose’s recent downtown makeover is another reason to make the Thursday night pilgrimage.

Carnaval La Paz (Feb. 8 – 13)

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 malecón, 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 Tierra de Encanto y Fantasía (Land of Charm and Fantasy).

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour (Feb. 10 – 11)

Ever since painter Charles Stewart and his wife Mary Lou moved to Todos Santos in 1985, the town has been famed for its thriving artists’ colony. The best introduction to the region’s abundance of talented artists is the yearly Open Studios Tour, the 9th edition of which is scheduled for Feb. 10 – 11, 2018. Approximately 40 local artists will participate this year, including painters, sculptors, photographers, muralists, plein air painters, encaustic artists, jewelers, printmakers, collage artists, potters, and wood turners. The Palapa Learning Center will offer a special stop on the tour, and will showcase a sampling of 20 selected tour artists’ work for sale. Additionally, the Palapa Society’s child artists will also be working in their “studio” with work on display.

Valentine’s Day at Sunset da Mona Lisa (Feb. 14)

The jaw-dropping views of the 30-million-year-old granitic monuments at Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas, plus the Taittinger Champagne Terrace and superb seafood and Italian fare, are among the many reasons this place is a mecca for visiting couples, and wedding proposals are an almost daily occurrence. There are two seatings for the special amor focused Valentine’s Day dinner this year, which includes a welcoming cocktail, a six-course meal, live music, and of course the unforgettable sight of the sun exploding in a burst of color over the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend (Feb. 16 – 17)

2018 marks the 6th edition of San José 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. 16 – 17.

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

Photo courtesy of Sunset da Mona Lisa.

Upcoming Event Calendar

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Art Festival in Todos Santos – Feb. 1 – 5

Traditional Fiestas in San Blas – Feb. 2 – 4

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 16 – 17

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Vidanta Los Cabos Grand Opening Featuring Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – Feb. 23 – 25

 March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

September

El Dia de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

 November

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

 

Date Set for the 13th Annual Paws ‘n Claws Golf Tournament in Los Cabos

One of the most anticipated local golf tournaments, Paws ‘n Claws, returns for its 13th edition on Sunday, April 8, and as always is sponsored by the Los Cabos Humane Society, with proceeds benefiting local spay and neuter programs, adoption efforts, and other animal focused initiatives.

Golfers certainly get their money’s worth for the $350 ticket, with a continental breakfast, entry for an 18-hole tournament on Palmilla Golf Club’s gorgeous, Jack Nicklaus designed Ocean and Mountain courses, admittance to an afternoon BBQ catered by Acre, one of San Jose del Cabo’s finest restaurants, and, as an added bonus, 50% percent off a future round at Palmilla.

Palmilla designer Jack Nicklaus is the godfather of golf in Los Cabos, with six superb courses to date on his Land’s End resume. Developer Don Koll first brought the Golden Bear to Los Cabos in the early 1990s, a move that first paid dividends in 1992, when Nicklaus crafted 9-hole Mountain and Arroyo courses opened at Palmilla. Those 18-holes were the first in Latin America for the legendary champion, but hardly the last.

Last week, when Golf Digest revealed its biennial rankings of the 100 Best Courses in the World, five were from Mexico, and three of those five were designed by Nicklaus (Cabo del Sol and Quivira in Los Cabos, and Four Seasons Punta Mita near Puerto Vallarta). Palmilla didn’t make that list this year, but it remains one of the finest courses in the country (Golf Digest ranked it 13th out of 220 courses in Mexico), with a unique 27-hole layout comprised of three separate 9-hole courses (Mountain, Arroyo and Ocean, the latter of which was added in 1997).

According to Nicklaus Design, the Ocean and Mountains nines used for this year’s Paws ‘n Claws both have plenty of challenges in store for participating golfers: “The Ocean nine drops 600 feet in elevation during the first six holes with the third green perched on the beach. Although away from the shore, two fabulous par 3s are memorable. The sixth rests below beautiful casitas cut from the mountainside. The climb back up from the shore brings demanding golf at the short par-4 eighth and dramatic par-5 ninth.

“The club’s ‘Amen Corner’ comes at holes 4-6 on the Mountain nine. Water lurks off the tee and near the green of the par-5 fourth, creating the best risk-reward scenario on the course. The most daunting shot comes off the fifth tee, where a ribbon of a fairway is bound by canyons on either side. The approach leaps the canyon to a green below. Water runs up the left side of the par-3 sixth.”

Palmilla Golf Club has a rich history as a tournament site, beyond serving as the usual site of Paws ‘n Claws. The Senior Slam for the 1997 Senior PGA Tour was contested at Palmilla, with Nicklaus narrowly losing on his own course to Hale Irwin. Palmilla also hosted the biggest amateur event in the world, the Audi World Cup Finals, in 2007.

The post-tournament meal this year, as last year, is an afternoon BBQ hosted by Acre at the Outdoor Event Center in La Playita, just outside San Jose del Cabo. Acre is one of the leading lights (along with Flora Farm and Huerta Los Tamarindos) of the local farm-to-table movement. The 25-acre Acre farm is acclaimed for its fresh produce and onsite restaurant and cocktail bar, and now the site of the area’s only treehouse accommodations. The BBQ is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m., and as always will be accompanied by live entertainment and a silent auction. Local rock band Pura Vida performs this year, and BBQ only tickets are available for $100.

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 courtesy of Nicklaus Design.

Upcoming Event Calendar

January

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 16 – 17

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Vidanta Los Cabos Grand Opening Featuring Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – Feb. 23 – 25

 March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

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

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

 October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

 November

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

 

Four Los Cabos Courses Voted to Golf Digest’s “World’s 100 Best” List

Golf Digest recently released its third biennial ranking of the World’s 100 Best Golf Courses, and Los Cabos has made yet another strong showing, with four its 16 operating courses – a staggering 25% – making the elite cut. Newcomer Quivira joins the Diamante Dunes Course, the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, and Querencia in the rankings.

Diamante G.C. (Dunes) moved up five spots and now sits at No. 47 on Golf Digest’s exclusive roster. “Mexico’s first true links (was) fashioned by Davis Love III and his design team…from a fantastic set of white sand dunes along the Pacific Ocean, huge portions of which are without vegetation and seem like enormous snow drifts,” the magazine’s digital edition reported. “Holes hug the flowing terrain with little artificiality. Two holes on the back nine once played around a long lagoon, but have been replaced by (the) new 12th and 13th holes on the beach. Now all of the second nine is adjacent to the ocean, amidst the tallest dunes.” Perhaps most significantly, “No other links in the world sports cactus.”

Cabo del Sol (Ocean), the course credited with establishing Los Cabos as a world-class golf destination, retains its position at No. 70 on the list.  “When Jack Nicklaus first saw this Baja Peninsula site, what can best be described as Scottsdale-meets-the-Sea of Cortez, his thought was: ‘This is my chance to design a Pebble Beach,’ the report stated. “He took full advantage of that chance, developing an exciting routing that plays from highlands of desert cacti over dry washes and down to the sea on both nines.” When the layout opened in 1994, Nicklaus said it had the three finest finishing holes in golf. “That might still be true 24 years later, given that the greens at 16, 17 and 18 are all perched atop rocks above the crashing surf of Whale Bay.”

New to the list and debuting at No. 93 is Quivira G.C., the epic Land’s End layout grafted by Jack Nicklaus onto a jaw-dropping site marked by huge dunes, sheer cliffs and rolling foothills. “To see photos of Quivira’s cliffhanging fifth and sixth greens, one would expect this to be a mountainous golf course,” Golf Digest said of Quivira, which opened in 2014. “But a majority of its holes are on Pacific coastline sand dunes close to sea level or along the flank of a high desert plateau dotted with torote and cardon trees. Still, what earns the attention here is the par-4 fifth, its tee at 278 feet above sea level and its green at the far end of a ribbon fairway 107 feet below. Designer Jack Nicklaus calls this location, ‘one of the great pieces of property in the world,’ and he can be forgiven for requiring long cart rides between several holes. Such is the price to link together 18 truly sterling golf holes.”

Moving up a notch to No. 97 on Golf Digest’s “World 100 Greatest Golf Courses” roster is Querencia C.C., a brilliant Tom Fazio design opened in 2000 and set within a private 1,800-acre golf community. “The routing wanders the rugged high desert plateau on the outward nine, toward the Sea of Cortez, hopscotching a dramatic canyon on the par-3 eighth,” the magazine stated. “After reaching the far point on the par-5 ninth, the course turns for home over similar terrain, via two more outstanding par 3s, the 11th and 14th. Other holes have humpbacked fairways and greens tucked beneath huge rock outcroppings.”

In addition to the World 100 Greatest feature, Golf Digest also produced “The Best Courses in 206 Countries” as part of its Planet Golf report. Not surprisingly, Los Cabos dominates the Mexico entry. Ten of the courses on the 16-course list, including five of the top six venues, are located in Los Cabos, the hemisphere’s most celebrated golf getaway. Diamante (Dunes) and Cabo del Sol (Ocean) command the top two slots, followed by Quivira (No. 4), Querencia (No. 5) and El Dorado (No. 6). Also included on the Best in Mexico roster are Chileno Bay, Diamante (El Cardonal), Cabo del Sol (Desert), Palmilla, and Cabo Real.

 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 courtesy of Quivira Golf Club.

 Upcoming Event Calendar

January

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 16 – 17

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Vidanta Los Cabos Grand Opening Featuring Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – Feb. 23 – 25

 March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

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

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

 October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

 November

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

 

 

Big-Name DJs Coming to Los Cabos for Grand Opening of New Entertainment Complex

Three of the world’s most famous DJs are coming to Los Cabos, an unprecedented display of imported talent that points out one of the most underrated aspects of the region’s recent building boom. It’s not just about big-name brands moving in, or an increase in available hotel rooms. It’s also a paradigm shifter in terms of the drinking, dining and entertainment options that are now going to be available to both visitors and local residents.

Yes, new resorts are changing the complexion of the region’s coastline, from the Pacific Coast of Cabo San Lucas to the East Cape area that extends northeast from San Jose del Cabo. But new rooms and suites, no matter how posh, are nothing new to a region with an established track record of luxury accommodations. What’s really changing is the increasingly easy access to world-class talent, from celebrity chefs to high-profile artists.

Savvy travelers may still opt for ocean view luxury villa rentals – often at competitive rates with upscale resorts – but they also have a wealth of new resort centered activities and attractions to enjoy during idle hours. Golf and fishing may still be the big draws, but a whole new menu of choices has suddenly become available.

Nightclub habitués and hip scene makers need no introduction to Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris, and Zedd. The three have become famous and fabulously rich spinning records in the world’s most fashionable clubs. As of next month, that roster will include Omnia Dayclub, part of the brand spanking new entertainment complex at Vidanta Los Cabos, which will celebrate its grand opening on Feb. 23 – 25.

In April 2016, Vidanta signed a partnership with worldwide hospitality brand Hakkasan, who agreed to invest $150 million dollars into Vidanta’s collection of Mexican resort properties. The goal was to create new concept beach clubs, restaurants and nightlife venues. Next month’s grand opening at Vidanta Los Cabos – a resort in San Jose’s beachfront Hotel Zone located across from the Vidanta managed golf course at Punta Sur – will thus represent the first major return on this investment: an ambitious new beachfront entertainment complex that includes no less than four signature venues.

The beachfront Omnia Dayclub is arranged around a central pool with an array of VIP areas including private cabanas and a pair of two-story VIP bungalows with private plunge pools. With a talent line-up of world-class DJs – including the three slated to spin at next month’s grand opening – OMNIA Dayclub will set a new standard of service and entertainment within Mexico.

This is the first international opening for the “Fish Meats Field” culinary concept of Herringbone, which has been reimagined as an airy Mexican beach house with views over the resort’s pools to the ocean. The restaurant offers coastal cuisine with an emphasis on line-caught seafood and high-quality meats, and features some of Herringbone’s signature design elements such as living trees, lush vegetation and maritime artwork and fixtures.

Casa Calavera is a new culinary concept developed by Hakkasan Group with an authentic Dia de los Muertos theme at its core. Adjoining OMNIA Dayclub, Casa Calavera will share the ambiance, sounds and energy of the dayclub while offering a menu of popular Mexican dishes and drinks in a beachside setting.

Sitting under a striking, curved thatch roof and overlooking one of the resort’s main pools, SHOREbar is a casual, open-air venue offering hand-crafted cocktails with pool and ocean views. A vintage VW bus parked within the place will offer a small menu of light bites and dishes to share.

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 courtesy of Vidanta Los Cabos.

Upcoming Event Calendar

January

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Wellness Retreat w/ Cait Fraser at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 12 – 14; 26 – 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 16 – 17

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Vidanta Los Cabos Grand Opening Featuring Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – Feb. 23 – 25

March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

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

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

October

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

November

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

 

Romance Unlimited: A Guide to Valentine’s Day Dinners in Los Cabos

Like New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day in Los Cabos requires a little prior planning…at least for those who’d like to dine at one of the area’s most famously romantic restaurants, where first-class food and wine are complemented by spectacular views and a host of amor focused amenities.

El Farallon

It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic entrance than that offered by The Resort at Pedregal, widely acclaimed as the finest resort in Cabo San Lucas since its opening in 2009. Guests enter through the longest private tunnel in Mexico – chandelier lit, of course – before emerging to gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean from the outdoor lobby. The views are outstanding from every corner of the property, but reach their zenith at El Farallon, a restaurant set cliffside above crashing Pacific waves. Here, couples may start with pre-prandial sippers on the Champagne Terrace before being seated for dinner, and progressing through a parade of fresh and delicious local seafood.

Sunset da Mona Lisa

Perched virtually atop the Sea of Cortez at Sunset Point, Mona Lisa’s tables look across the famed Monuments surf break to the evocatively shaped granite monuments at Land’s End, the terminus of the nearly 800-mile Baja California peninsula. Every evening, those with the forethought to acquire a reservation for the sunset seating are treated to elegant Italian style cuisine, as well as explosive and unforgettable burst of color as the sun sinks beyond Cabo’s fabled Arch and the distant Pacific Ocean horizon. Even more forethought than usual will be required for Valentine’s Day reservations, when the restaurant traditionally rolls out a special four or five course menu.

Pitahayas                                                                                                                            

Imagine being seated beneath an enormous palapa, looking out beyond palm trees wrapped in colorful lights and ornaments to see moonlight glittering on the surface of the Sea of Cortez. That’s the gorgeous setting at Pitahayas – a fine dining fixture at Sheraton Grand’s luxe Hacienda del Mar – where Chef Volker Romeike has created one of the most diverse local fusion cuisines, a Pacific Rim medley that blends disparate influences from México and Hawaii to Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. Private dinners may also be arranged in Cava de Santiago, one of the region’s most abundantly stocked wine cellars.                                                                                                                          

Caborey 

There’s something about being on a boat that ups the romance factor almost exponentially. Caborey certainly proves that point with its signature dinner cruises, following chateaubriand and lobster with a Las Vegas style floorshow featuring Latin American singing and dancing. Tango anyone? The 144’ luxury catamaran sails nightly from the main dock on the Cabo San Lucas Marina, treating guests to live music on the top deck, as well as up-close views of Land’s End monuments like Pelican Rock, The Window to the Pacific, and of course El Arco.

Additional Options                                                                                                                

Looking for something a little more creative? Plan a picnic at Playa del Amor, AKA Lover’s Beach. You’ll need to make arrangements with a caterer, and of course a water taxi driver for transportation to and from this gorgeous stretch of golden sand, which offers spectacular views across the bay, taking in a wide swath of coast from Cabo San Lucas to Punta Ballena.

Whichever romantic dinner option you choose, you’ll naturally want to return afterwards to your luxury villa rental with infinity pool views of seemingly infinite ocean. After all, there’s romance, and then there’s Romance, Los Cabos Style.

For more information about events 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 courtesy of Caborey.

 

Upcoming Event Calendar

January

Art Walk In San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Special Dinner ft. Napa Valley Chef Christopher Kostow at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 5

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Wellness Retreat w/ Cait Fraser at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 12 – 14; 26 – 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

 March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Date Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

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

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Date Not Yet Announced

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Date Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

 

New Year, Familiar Cheer: A Guide to January Events in Los Cabos

The year may be brand new, but visitors to Los Cabos this month will find many of the upcoming regional events seem comfortingly familiar.

Two of the premier annual sporting events return this January, including the signature local golf tournament (the Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol), and what is now the area’s most anticipated windsports competition (the La Ventana Classic).

Top cultural festivals and gatherings this month, too, have well-established roots: the yearly music concert series in Todos Santos dates back, in one form or another, to 2012, making it two years older than the town’s Writer’s Workshop; and the Thursday night Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo is, of course, a staple of the winter (and spring) event calendar.

All are back, and expected to be better than ever in 2018.

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo (Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25)

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. A chance to check out San Jose’s recent downtown makeover is another reason to make the Thursday night pilgrimage.

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos (Jan. 11 – 21)

Former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck pioneered jam culture in Todos Santos with this annual music festival, which brought in high-profile musicians for performances at the landmark Hotel California, as well as the town’s picturesque main plaza. Buck’s festival went on hiatus after he made some controversial comments about local politics at the 2016 event, but the music lives on. The freshly minted Tropic of Cancer Concert Series premiered in 2017, and returns in 2018 with an all-star lineup headlined by Joan Osborne, The Autumn Defense, The Jag, Cordovas, La Santa Cecilia, Bostich and Fussible from Nortec Collective, Julie Roberts, and La Victoria.

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament (Jan. 15 – 19)

The most notable golf tournament in a region famed for its spectacular courses returns this January, as Cabo del Sol’s Ocean and Desert Courses play host to the 10th annual Los Cabos Pro-Am. Stay and play packages for the tournament include five days and four nights of accommodation at the Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, as well as three rounds at the participating courses, plus an invitation to the opening and closing cocktail parties, and daily breakfast at one of Hacienda del Mar’s excellent onsite restaurants. Overall team prizes are another lure for amateurs.

La Ventana Classic (Jan. 17 – 21)

Baja California Sur boasts world-class conditions for many water-based activities: fishing, of course, but also surfing, sailing, diving, kayaking and, seasonally at least, windsports. Each winter, when strong El Norte winds blow down the Sea of Cortez, picturesque East Cape communities like Los Barriles and La Ventana become meccas for windsurfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts. Now that Los Barriles has ended its annual Lord of the Wind Showdown, La Ventana’s “Classic” has become the premier regional competition, with windsurfers, kiteboarders and SUP (stand up paddleboarding) enthusiasts battling the breezes to earn cash and glory in various categories. Proceeds this year are earmarked to benefit local schools.

Todos Santos Writers Workshop (Jan. 27 – Feb. 3)

Best known for its painters, the pueblo magico of Todos Santos is also known as a congenial community for writers…as evidenced by the 5th annual writers’ workshop, which returns to the atmospheric Casa Dracula on January 27th. In addition to its usual collection of seminars and speakers, publishing roundtables and other literary pursuits, the 2018 event marks the premiere of the first-ever poetry workshop. The instructor for this newly minted feature is award-winning poet, translator and journalist Christopher Merrill, who also serves as the director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

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 courtesy of the La Ventana Classic.

 Upcoming Event Calendar

January

Art Walk In San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Special Dinner ft. Napa Valley Chef Christopher Kostow at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 5

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Wellness Retreat w/ Cait Fraser at One&Only Palmilla – Jan. 12 – 14; 26 – 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

 March

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Date Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

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

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Date Not Yet Announced

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Date Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Date Not Yet Announced

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

 

 

3 New Things to Look Forward to in Los Cabos in 2018

There’s always room for improvement, even in a natural paradise like Los Cabos.
So as the New Year approaches, we thought we’d share some of the things we’re most excited about for 2018, from brand spanking new businesses to our better than ever beaches.

New Restaurants and Spas

Although luxury villa rentals (click here to see some of our current favorites) remain the best accommodation option for upscale travelers to Los Cabos, we do recommend a visit to some of the area’s premier resorts, if only to take advantage of the first-class restaurants and spas.

The list of available dining and reclining (on a massage table, that is) choices grows significantly larger this year as the recent building boom translates into anticipated hotel openings from brands like Nobu, Hard Rock, Le Blanc, Garza Blanca, Solaz, Montage, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Nobu, the hospitality brand birthed from the culinary fusions of celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa, is the most eagerly awaited property among local foodies. That resort and a Hard Rock hotel – think live music and nightlife after dinner at Nobu – are both slated to open this year at Diamante, an upscale coastal development north of Cabo San Lucas.

Mexican brand Garza Blanca, meanwhile, is promising what may be the best new spa, complete with an expansive hydrotherapy lounge featuring a 10-station vitality pool. Custom therapy suites, a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and hot and cold plunge pools headline the soothing facilities at this tourist corridor based resort.

New Golf Courses

Los Cabos is already one of the most remarkable golfing regions on earth, going from zero courses to having three of its 16 layouts ranked in the world’s top 100 in the span of just 30 years. The good news for local and destination golfers is that even more championship-level courses are in the works, and are expected to open in 2018.

Australian links legend Greg Norman, known locally for his collaboration with Jack Nicklaus at Puerto Los Cabos, is currently putting the finishing touches on Rancho San Lucas, a challenging 18-hole layout highlighted by a unique island green that will accompany the new Grand Solmar resort on the Pacific coast north of Cabo San Lucas. Norman’s newest is expected to be open this Spring. Another major champion, Fred Couples, is aiming to have his Twin Dolphin Golf Club open for play by late 2018 in the tourist corridor which connects the cape cities. It’ll be set on the scenic coast overlooking Santa Maria Bay.

Robert Trent Jones II isn’t a major champion, but he does qualify as golf royalty. His father was a noted golf course architect who designed over 500 courses around the world, and his brother Rees is a famed designer in his own right, with a portfolio that includes a recently opened Baja gem, Danzante Bay at the Islands of Loreto. But Robert Trent Jones II doesn’t take a back seat to either family member when it comes to golf course design. He’s been sculpting courses for over 50 years, and will add to his Los Cabos resume (Cabo Real, 1996) with an 18-hole layout to accompany the new Four Seasons Costa Palmas Resort, also set to open in 2018. That’s at La Ribera, on the municipality’s East Cape.

New Blue Flag Beaches

Los Cabos has worked hard over the past few years to bring its already beautiful beaches up to the very high standards for quality, service, safety and sustainability required by the Foundation for Environmental Education’s prestigious Blue Flag Program. This year, four new stretches of gorgeous golden sand (Acapulquito; Las Viudas; Playa Hacienda, a select portion of the larger Medano Beach; and El Corsario, better known to locals as Cannery Beach) earned their coveted blue flag from FEE, joining already certified beaches Chileno, Palmilla and Santa Maria.

That brings the total for Los Cabos to seven, or 20% of the 35 beaches who’ve met the stringent standards across all of Mexico. And that percentage could shoot even higher. Los Cabos officials have petitioned to have 11 more of the municipality’s beaches certified, and are expecting a final verdict in February 2018. Even if only a few of those 11 beaches get their blue flag, Los Cabos would shoot past Cancun as the country’s unquestioned leader in pristine and picturesque playas.

Sounds like 2018 is going to be another banner year!

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 of Playa Acapulquito courtesy of Cabo Surf Hotel.

Upcoming Event Calendar

December

San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June

Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

5k Run/Walk in Todos Santos – Dec. 30

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31

Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31

January

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6

International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19

Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3

 February

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced

 March

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

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

Semana Santa – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced

 May

482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced

June

Cabo Comedy Festival – Dates Note Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Sport Fishing – Dates Not Yet Announced

Grand Velas Los Cabos Grand Chefs Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1