Cabo Fishing Report – June 17, 2018

June 17, 2018

Last week we witnessed the season’s first hurricane develop, named Aletta, gaining category 4 strength, this system moved far to the west and never impacted the Los Cabos Region. Quickly forming Hurricane Bud directly followed Aletta, this storm also reaching category four status as it followed a path directly for land fall at Cabo San Lucas. Fortunately there was strong sheer and cooler currents that contributed to weakening rapidly to a moderate Tropical Storm. Starting Wednesday night and all day through Thursday, TS Bud did pack a powerful punch, as there was a deluge of rainfall dumped, up to six inches or more in isolated areas throughout the Southern Baja. Wind gust to over 60 mph were experienced and quite a bit of flooding occurred in the lower plateau arroyo areas. Some areas lost electricity and water services, but these were mostly restored within 24 hours. There will be some drying out from this storm, but overall we felt fortunate and did enjoy the much needed rainfall, look for the scorched desert mountainous landscape to turn lush green within days.

This turned out to be a shortened week for sportfishing, moderate crowds of anglers were in town, but we were only able to launch Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, before Red Flag conditions closed all Port Operations. There were scores of world class surfers in San Jose Del Cabo for the International Pro Event annually held at Costa Azul and even this contest had to be postponed due to heavy storm swell conditions of up to fifteen to twenty feet.

This week started out much the same for anglers, with the striped marlin action being the most consistent bite being found, this was near the Iman and Desteladera Banks where large schools of batfish congregated on these same grounds, mainly sardineta, with a small percentage of mackerel mixed in. This frenzy had kept the billfish on these grounds for a couple of weeks now. Fleets were arriving in big numbers from all directions to get in on the action. Sizes of the striped marlin ranged from 60 lb. to 150 lb. These fish were striking best on bait, either while slow trolling or drifting. Though by Tuesday the bait schools seemed to all but vanish and it proved much harder to find the stripers, though many were hooked into, they appeared to be spreading out in search of their food supply. We also heard more stories of sea lion and shark factors.

We saw no yellowfin tuna, dorado or wahoo action to speak much about. A handful of small football sized tuna were found while open water trolling, there were also scattered reports of tuna being encountered with moving porpoise further offshore  of Cabo San Lucas, mainly smaller fish and proving to be hit or miss. Before the storm arrived there was a flurry of missed wahoo strikes on trolled lures reported, some lost right near gaff. Dorado were absent as well. Maybe this new storm surge has pushed in a new group of gamefish, with weather now settling we will find out this coming week, could take some days for water temperatures to warm back up.

The week started off with sporadic shallow water bottom catches, increasing swells and currents made this option more difficult, though a few quality specimens were accounted for, including one 60 lb. Broomtail grouper, as well as barred pargo to a 15 lb. and leopard grouper to over 20 lb. A mix of yellow snapper, pompano and surgeonfish rounded out the structure bite. Inshore there were limited number of roosterfish found, changing daily, maybe we will see a later than normal season on these gamefish. Early this week though we did have charters that released roosterfish that were in the 75 lb. range. These were found near el Cardon. Some nice sized amberjack were seen close to shore on these same grounds, only to have hook ups lost to the rocks. We look for the next few weeks to bring big opportunities for roosterfish, dogtooth snapper and amberjack.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 28 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 22 striped marlin, 3 yellowfin tuna, 13 yellow snapper, 7 surgeon fish, 18 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 2 amberjack, 11 roosterfish, 1 broomtail grouper, 12 barred pargo, 8 pompano,18 jack crevalle, 5 sierra and 25 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

“Red” Alert! Dates Set for Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina

Some things get better with age. Some people do, too.

That’s certainly the case with Sammy Hagar. “The Red Rocker” has been going strong for over 70 years now, and will celebrate year 71 on the planet with a series of birthday bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina on Oct. 9, 11 and 13.

The “birthday bashes” are a perennial highlight of the autumn event calendar. Hagar has been hosting them at Cabo Wabo since the year benchmark Cabo San Lucas nightspot opened, and over the past few decades there have been guest appearances and cameos from a virtual who’s who of rock n’ roll.

But getting tickets has never been easy. Random drawings for ticket eligibility are par for the course, with luckless “Redheads” camping out in front of Cabo Wabo when select first come, first serve dinner show tickets are released in early October.

Little wonder that the competition is fierce. Hagar is rock n’ roll royalty, after all, and has been a star since he first joined Montrose in 1973. He eventually went solo, charting hits like There’s Only One Way to Rock and I Can’t Drive 55 before cycling through a series of supergroups, from Van Halen to Chickenfoot.

Hagar is also Los Cabos royalty, the celebrity figure most associated with life at Land’s End.

That wasn’t always true, however. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was the first rock star to put Cabo San Lucas on the map, garnering publicity for the area when he married supermodel Patti Hansen at Hotel Finisterra in 1983. Bandmate Mick Jagger, even more famous than Richards, was best man.

That property, since rebranded as Sandos Finisterra, has memorialized the legendary nuptials by preserving the palapa beneath which the couple were married, and opening an onsite nightclub and Brit themed lounge called The Stones Club.

Hagar first heard of Los Cabos when he was reading about Richards’ marriage in a music magazine, and he began making plans for his own club soon after his initial visit. He opened Cabo Wabo Cantina with his then Van Halen bandmates in 1990, famously premiering the new Land’s End bar and restaurant with a massive promotional assist from MTV. The Van Halen partnership eventually dissolved – both musically and in Cabo Wabo – even as Hagar steered the venture toward enormous success.

In 1996, Cabo Wabo spun off its own house brand of tequila, likewise known as Cabo Wabo. A scant 11 years later, Hagar was able to sell 80% of his stake in the spirit to the Campari Group, cashing out with a cool $80 million.

The cantina has also proved popular, so much so that additional locations have been opened in Las Vegas, Hollywood and Lake Tahoe. The upshot of this continued success is that Hagar is now as much a business magnate as famous musician, recently adding rum and branded beach bars to his ever growing portfolio.

But Cabo Wabo Cantina is the place that started it all, and it’s where Hagar has celebrated his birthday for 27 of the past 28 years (Hurricane Odile in 2014 resulted in the shows being moved to Las Vegas).

Luckily for seasonal visitors, it’s not too late to sign up for the ticket drawing. Registration for the random drawing is currently underway, with the deadline coming this Friday, June 15, at 1 p.m. EST. To enter, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1hAKjGfat7OJCjff2RzzetGLPCCuhZMxTDE3FCrACMjv1Ag/viewform.

Winners will be selected randomly and informed via email on Monday, June 18th. Those chosen will be emailed ticket links to complete the purchase. Don’t abandon hope, however, if you’re not among the lucky few. As is customary, a limited number of first come, first serve dinner show tickets will be made available in October.

This year’s ticket price? $71 dollars, of course.

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 Cabo Wabo Cantina.

Upcoming Event Calendar

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

King of the Beach Volleyball Tournament at SUR Beach House – June 30

July

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

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

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

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

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

September

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

October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

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

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

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

November

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

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

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

Los Cabos Fishing Report – June 10, 2018

June 10, 2018

Tropical storm season has arrived this week with the formation of Hurricane Aletta, which presently is tracking some three hundred miles off to the west of Manzanillo and forecast to continue on a more north westerly path. This is a major storm, predicted to reach category four strength before encountered cooler ocean conditions where it will quickly weaken. This first storm of the season is not threatening the Los Cabos region by making any land fall, but we are feeling higher humidity and most notably seeing larger ocean swells build to over ten feet throughout the weekend. We are more preoccupied now watching closely the formation of a second system right behind Aletta which is forecast to move directly in the direction of the Southern Baja California Peninsula, so all eyes will be closely watching this and preparing accordingly.

This week started off with winds out of the south pushing back in cooler Pacific currents in the direction of San Jose del Cabo and to Los Frailes. Inshore water turned greenish and cooled off into the low 70s, this in turn shut down most of the inshore and shallow water structure fishing, though outside of the Iman Bank and to the north, water temperatures were warmer, in the 74 to 76 degree range and also cleaner. Here on the Desteladera Bank is where the best action of the week was found, huge concentrations of baitfish, including sardineta, mackerel, chihuil, skipjack and bolito were found, this in turn made for very good striped marlin action, many charters accounted for three, four or more billfish per morning. Sizes of these fish were impressive, not all the smaller sized striped marlin we were becoming more used to seeing, this week many of the fish hooked into were in the 100 to 140 lb. class. Sportfishing fleets were arriving from all directions to get in on this frenzy.

The yellowfin tuna action faded out completely as the ocean currents changed last Sunday, same with the dorado, very few of these fish were seen. Not much going on presently besides the marlin action. Strong currents made it tougher to target bottom species, though there was some sporadic success found for the anglers that did target the bottom structure, most common species were yellow snapper, leopard grouper, surgeon fish, barred pargo, triggerfish, with a few amberjack and pompano also encountered.

With surf action now heavy, also cooler green water covering the first couple miles inshore, this has made inshore action come to a standstill. We are still seeing large schools of mullet, particularly now inside of the marina, so we do expect to see some of the larger roosterfish, dogtooth snapper and amberjack to arrive once conditions settle down. So far the roosterfish season has gotten off to a slow start, spotty action and not as many large size fish as we would normally expect to see, it is still early in the month, so a lot and change in a matter of a week or two this time of year.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 62 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 84 striped marlin, (majority released), 5 dorado, 6 yellowfin tuna, 32 yellow snapper, 12 surgeon fish, 14 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 10 huachinango (red snapper), 7 amberjack, 6 roosterfish, 1 sculpin, 7 barred pargo, 5 pompano,12 jack crevalle, 11 sierra and 60 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

Swinging into Summer – June Parties & Events in Los Cabos

June is an exciting time in Los Cabos, thanks to a slate of seasonal events that range from art and music

focused fiestas to outdoor adventures and prestigious sporting competitions.

The first month of summer, for example, sees the start of peak surf season on the Sea of Cortez side beaches of Los Cabos; most notably at Costa Azul, where Zippers surf break is ground zero for the area’s only World Surf League sponsored professional event: The Los Cabos Open of Surf.

June also ushers in the season for Los Cabos municipality’s yearly roster of cash-rich fishing tournaments, with two high-profile competitions.

We take a look at these events and more in our regular monthly preview of the region’s upcoming attractions….

San José del Cabo Art Walk  (June 7, 14, 21, 28)

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.

This season’s Art Walk has been the biggest and best yet; and there is still time to enjoy the event before it goes on hiatus:  four more Thursday evening celebrations are scheduled before the end of June.

For those unable to experience this festival of sights, sounds and flavors before then, don’t worry. Art Walk returns at the beginning of November each year, with all new art and, traditionally, personalized altars as part of Day of the Dead remembrances throughout Mexico.

5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament  (June 7 to 9)

 

Pelagic, a Newport Beach based company, is one of the world’s leaders when it comes to lifestyle apparel and high-performance gear associated with watersports like fishing, boating, diving and surfing. So it’ll come as no surprise that the 5th annual Cabo Summer Slam, slated for June 7 – 9, offers some high stakes prizes and jackpots. Over $200,000 is on the line in 2018, meaning it’s the biggest Cabo San Lucas based tournament until Bisbee’s big money competitions in October.

 

This is a bet big, win big scenario. General entry is $2,500 for tournament teams, or $12,500 to cover base entry plus all daily jackpots. Participating fishermen will be targeting the usual suspects: marlin (blue, black and striped), sailfish, tuna, dorado and wahoo; but prizes are spread across four divisions.

 

Prizes will be given to teams that catch and release the most aggregate billfish points, and to those weighing the heaviest two-fish total of each gamefish species – tuna, wahoo and dorado – during the two-day tournament. As with most local tournaments, however, the biggest money is paid out in jackpots.

 

Los Cabos Open of Surf  (June 11 to 17)

 

There are two World Surf League sponsored surfing events held annually on the Baja California peninsula: one is a Big Wave Tour event off Todos Santos Island near Ensenada; the other is the Los Cabos Open of Surf, hosted each June at Zippers point break off Playa Costa Azul in San José del Cabo.

 

When it premiered in 2013, the Los Cabos Open of Surf was a 6-star men’s event under the ASP (the forerunner to the WSL). Women joined the fun in 2014, and since 2015, the LCOS has been a QS 6000 event solely for women and junior men and women.

 

The 2018 competition is scheduled for June 11 – 17, and like events in previous years, will be a celebration of all aspects of surf culture, from beach parties and culinary fetes to nightly entertainment featuring DJs and live musical performers.

Fiesta de la Música in San José del Cabo  (June 23)

In 1982, the first Fete de la Musique was held in Paris, where it was scheduled to coincide with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Flash forward 36 years, and the Fete de la Musique is no longer solely a French celebration, but a worldwide phenomenon that takes place annually in over 450 cities in 12o countries around the globe. For the past 10 years, that list of cities has included San Jose del Cabo, where the celebration is known by its Spanish name, La Fiesta de la Musica.

This summer symphony is free and open to all musicians who’d like to participate, from amateurs to professionals, across all musical genres. The only prerequisite for participants and spectators – for whom admission is also free – is a love for music, a passion that’s so pervasive internationally that music is often referred to as the universal language. The art form’s universality, in fact, provides the context for the event’s local motto: “la fiesta de todos y para todos” (“the party from all and for all).

Over the past decade, the Fiesta de la Musica has become so important and so beloved by the local community that it’s now considered the premier music festival in Los Cabos. Certainly, it’s the most robustly attended, drawing over 25,000 people annually. The 2018 edition is slated for Saturday, June 23 – 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. – with some 100 or more bands and musical acts expected to perform throughout the city’s historic downtown area.

22nd Annual Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament  (June 28 to July 1)

The 22nd edition of what amounts to the complete Cabo lifestyle experience – fishing, golf, music, food and drinks, beach days, and more – is scheduled to return June 28.

The fishing tournament has proved to be most enduringly popular part of Stars & Stripes. It launches from beautiful Chileno Bay, with participating anglers vying to bag the biggest tuna, dorado, wahoo, sailfish, and blue, black and striped marlin. For 2018, start times have been pushed back to allow a more vacation-like approach.

But 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.

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”.

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 Los Cabos Open of Surf.

Upcoming Event Calendar

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

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

Three Reasons to Choose Villa Rentals in Los Cabos Over Resorts

Gorgeous beaches, world-class golf courses, superb food and drink, spectacular big-game fishing… What’s not to love about Los Cabos?

Cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo showcase an embarrassment of riches when it comes to attractions and built-in appeal, from million-dollar fishing tournaments and celebrity chefs to stunning natural beauty and year-round sunshine. But perhaps the Los Cabos region’s most underrated asset is its unmatched collection of luxurious accommodations.

All the big name brands have or are currently building showplace properties in Los Cabos – Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Nobu, Hilton, Hard Rock, Sheraton – luxurious beachfront resorts that line the southern rim of the Baja California peninsula, each with its own spacious suites, pampering spas, upscale restaurants, and ocean view infinity pools.

Amazingly, though, those aren’t the elite choices when it comes to vacations in paradise. Luxury villas remain king, the gold standard of Los Cabos accommodation options, with the most breathtaking settings and the most enticing amenities.

Simply put, luxury villas are the best way to experience life in paradise.

Not convinced? Here are three great reasons to choose villa rentals in Los Cabos over traditional luxury or all-inclusive resorts.

Villas are the Ultimate Luxury Accommodation

Luxury villas occupy the most sought after real estate in Los Cabos, from the exclusive hillside community of Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Los Cabos and secluded beachfront settings on the municipality’s pristine and picturesque East Cape.

But it’s not just the incredible settings that make luxury villas special. Every room, every furnishing, every detail is first-class, of absolutely superior quality. Nothing was bought in bulk or conforms to resort wide design patterns. These are custom designed properties that feature the best of everything.

Think unique architectural features, marble floors and granite countertops, king-sized beds with 400 thread count sheets and goose down pillows, private pools and  jacuzzis, fireplaces and outdoor firepits, gourmet kitchens and outdoor BBQ grills, satellite TV and stereo, executive office suites and conference rooms….

Think sprawling ocean view homes that will accommodate substantial groups of people, not only families but wedding parties or executive retreats. Luxury villas range in size and square footage, but the largest boast up to 10 bedrooms and 10,000 square feet of exquisitely appointed residential space.

Villas Offer More Privacy Plus Personalized Amenities

Even the most exclusive ultra-luxury resorts can’t promise privacy or right-of-first-access when it comes to restaurants or spas or a host of other amenities. They’re shared, and everyone is equal when it comes to making reservations. That’s not the way it works at luxury villas. Nothing is shared, everything is private. All amenities are reserved for you and you alone, to use when and how you see fit.

Want to enjoy a glass of Champagne from your jacuzzi that overlooks the majestic natural rock formations at Land’s End? Want to have your private chef grill up freshly caught  seafood for friends and family by the pool? Want to prepare your own gourmet feast in a fully-outfitted professional kitchen? Want to enjoy a workout in the fitness center at any hour of the day or night? Want to relax by the fireplace with your spouse while watching a movie from the onsite collection?

If so, you’re ready for villa life. Resorts just don’t offer this level of service and privacy, even to their most valued guests.

Villas are More Affordable Than You Think

Cliffside or beachfront luxury villas may seem the sole province of the rich and famous – and honestly, some of them are – but the truth of the matter is that villa rentals are an accessible accommodation option for a great many vacation visitors. In certain cases they’re actually a more affordable option than the alternative.

This is especially true with larger groups: families traveling together, couples sharing a weekend getaway, those arriving for conventions and special events, and so on. In these circumstances, the cost per suite or bedroom often compares favorably with luxurious beachfront resorts.

There is no comparison, however, when it comes to bang for your buck. Los Cabos’ villas are among the most spectacular properties on the planet, with awe-inspiring ocean views and the sort of five-star services normally reserved for Hollywood superstars.

If you want to live like an A-lister in Los Cabos, villa rentals are the way to go, the ultimate way to experience life in paradise.

For more information about 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 .

Upcoming Event Calendar

May

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

June

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

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

 

Making a Splash: Diving into the Summer Pool Party Scene in Los Cabos

Los Cabos is blessed with a sunny tropical climate and temperate year-round temperatures, so there is never a bad time to go to the beach. Winter, for instance, sees flocks of snowbirds escaping frigid conditions up north, spring sees college students on holiday, and summer too sees crowds of visitors converging on the area’s many beautiful playas.

The summer spike is partly a result of perfect conditions for surfing (summer is the surf season on the Sea of Cortez side) and warm temperatures and superb visibility for snorkeling and diving; and partly too because kids are out of school and families can travel together to a resort destination like Los Cabos for some well-earned rest and recreation.

For those who are single, on the other hand, or for younger couples without children, the place to be is not exactly on the beach, but nearby at one of the cape cities’ rollicking pool parties. No, we’re not talking about a volleyball game in the pool at your average all-inclusive, or some classic rock blaring from the speakers at the swim-up pool bar. We’re talking about world-class DJs playing trance-inducing dance music – not all night, but all day – and a poolside scene as likely to feature fashionable resort clothing as bikinis, and as likely to see guests reclining in luxurious daybeds with Champagne as splashing about in the pool itself.

This sort of upscale party atmosphere does not exist at every resort. In fact, it is only a few trendy properties have reimagined the pool party concept, transforming it into an entertainment showcase and must-see social event.

The first place in the area to really explore the possibilities of the pool party as social event was Nikki Beach Club, a glorious mecca of conspicuous poolside consumption and effervescent atmosphere set poolside at the ME Cabo resort on Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas. Once upon a time, bon vivants and style conscious scene makers would fly in from Los Angeles and Los Vegas solely for the chance to attend the Nikki Beach White Party, a harbinger of the summer season held annually over the Memorial Day weekend. Sadly, Nikki Beach never reopened after Hurricane Odile in 2014, but in its wake a whole new generation of poolside party meccas have appeared, ready to take the region’s splashiest party scene to an entirely new level.

Here are three places to experience Los Cabos’ new look poolside party scene this summer.

OMNIA Dayclub – The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Los Cabos

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: to create new concept beach clubs, restaurants and nightlife venues. The first showplace for this partnership was the new entertainment district that opened at Grand Mayan in San Jose del Cabo in February, where three of the world’s most famous DJs – Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – performed to christen the beachfront OMNIA Dayclub. OMNIA is one of four new bars and restaurants in the entertainment district, but it’s unquestionably the headliner, with a magnificent poolside atmosphere featuring everything from private cabanas to two-story VIP bungalows with their own plunge pools. Spring Break crowds set the standard for the newly minted poolside scene, turning it in to Los Cabos’ most talked about dance venue. The regularly featured DJ talent is off-the-charts, despite the fact that it really is a “dayclub, closing by 8 p.m.

Blue Marlin Ibiza – ME Cabo

Blue Marlin Ibiza took over the poolside spot at ME Cabo formerly occupied by Nikki Beach Club and has carried it forward, even continuing the summer starting White Party tradition started by its predecessor. Legendary English trance DJ Paul Oakenfold will perform during the May 26th festivities, which as always include all-white attire, VIP bottle service and a spectacular fireworks show over Medano Beach. Special events like the White Party are generally scheduled only on weekends, but the party atmosphere prevails on a daily and nightly basis. Large format bottles of Champagne are always a popular choice at Blue Marlin Ibiza, but guests may also order things like top-shelf bottles of vodka, 24 piece platters of sushi, Wagyu beef burgers and sorbet.

Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa

Breathless doesn’t make a habit of bringing in famous DJs like OMNIA and Blue Marlin Ibiza, but its poolside scene is special nonetheless. The property opened in December 2015 in one of the most spectacular locations in Cabo San Lucas, at the juncture of the marina and Medano Beach. The hip all-inclusive made the most of its picturesque setting, installing huge infinity pools that look out in both directions. The marina view pool is a quiet meditative place for resort guests to relax. The beach view pool, on the other hand, is a party hearty haven with music, dancing and tropical cocktails that not only draws resort guests, but locals and guests fom competing resorts in on a “day pass.” Prices can vary for day passes, but they’re generally good from 9 to 5 p.m. daily. Night passes, meanwhile, will gain visitors access to the rooftop nightclub Purple, home to themed bashes like toga parties and other costumed soirees.

 

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 Omnia Dayclub Los Cabos.

Upcoming Event Calendar

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

3rd Annual Paella Contest at Sheraton Grand – May 19

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at ME Cabo and Blue Marlin Ibiza – May 26

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

June

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

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

 

 

Los Cabos Fishing Report – May 20, 2018

May 20, 2018

We saw slightly larger crowds of tourists arriving this past week. Weather patterns were now on a warming trend, though still very comfortable, barely cold at all in the early morning, with clear sunny skies and highs averaging 85 degrees. Winds from the north have resided, more breeze now on the Pacific, also much cooler and greener water to below 70 degrees on that side of the Peninsula, while off of San Jose del Cabo and towards the East Cape the ocean currents are now in the 76 to 78 degree range, also this is where the clear blue water is, concentrations of baitfish and in turn the more productive fishing opportunities.

Supplies of sardinas remain steady, schools of these baitfish are now back in close range, just north of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina jetty. Other bait options were mullet and caballito, as well as rigging ballyhoo or finding bait offshore, such as skipjack and chihuil. Overall this past week showed promising signs for options close to shore, off the bottom structure and offshore.

The yellowfin tuna bite has been concentrated near the La Fortuna or the Twenty-Five spot, just inside of the Iman Bank. Drift fishing with sardinas for bait has been the best bet for this, though these yellowfin remain finicky, often they can be seen coming up and feeding on the free chum, but getting them to bite is another deal, anglers have been fortunate to land one or two of them, many hook ups were lost to sea lions or sharks as well. Average sizes for the tuna we have seen recently was in the 20 to 60 lb. class. Only an occasional dorado even being seen, a handful of wahoo strikes also reported, with more baitfish activity seen on these grounds and the favorable ocean conditions we expect the wahoo bite might develop.

Shallow water rock piles are now holding a variety of species, best bite did seem to be earlier in the day. Amberjack up to 30 lb. were encountered coming to the surface, not a normal action for these jacks, but it is the time of year it can happen. Quite a few yellow snapper being found, some over ten pounds, island jack, surgeon fish, leopard grouper, barred pargo, rose spotted snapper, sierra and pompano were also accounted for, so basically a smorgasbord of quality eating fish. We saw one sierra of 12 pounds, end of the season for these members of the mackerel family, time of year when the big ones show up.

With more mullet now moving into local inshore beach stretches we are also seeing increasing numbers of roosterfish arriving, the majority are still under 20 pounds, though larger specimens were reported. During the next few weeks is usually when we see peak action locally for the larger grade of roosterfish. Remember that these fish should always be released with care, as they are not known for their eating qualities, rather they are a true gamefish, known to be very powerful fighters and grow to over one hundred pounds, having a limited habitat, Southern Baja California being one of the few regions in the world where they can be found.

The action for striped marlin broke wide open through this week, particular so the later part of the week, with the best action being found from the Gordo Bank’s north to Desteladera Bank. Once the word spread the fleet converged, as far away as Cabo San Lucas and even the East Cape. Marlin were coming up on and feeding on balled up baitfish and boat battles ensued, with the first few charters arriving to the scene hooking up and then everyone waiting for the stripers to come back up on another bait ball. Also many marlin were striking on trolled lures, though the higher percentage of hook ups were from live baits such as caballito, chihuil or skipjack, as well as rigged ballyhoo. The majority of the charters targeting this action were reported multiple chances, some boats landing as many as seven or more fish in one morning. Sizes ranged from 60 lb. to 130 lb.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 83 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 78 striped marlin, (majority released), 5 dorado, 37 yellowfin tuna, 2 wahoo, 65 yellow snapper, 9 surgeon fish, 45 spotted rose snapper, 42 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 16 huachinango (red snapper), 11 bonito, 36 amberjack, 19 barred pargo, 6 pompano, 52 roosterfish, 12 jack crevalle, 32 sierra, 18 flag cabrilla, 14 Island jack, 1 tiger shark (released) and 140 triggerfish,

Good fishing, Eric

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

The Biggest Fishing Tournaments in Los Cabos in 2018

Since the first resorts appeared in the late 1950s and early 1960s, anglers have been lured to the southernmost rim of the Baja California peninsula by the promise of abundant and enormous billfish. And in an inevitable sequence, where the fishermen have gone the tournaments have soon followed.

The Sea of Cortez Fishing Tournament Internacional was the first, but lasted only two years: 1968 and 1969. Perhaps its short-lived existence had something to do with the lack of a marina and an international airport (dredging on the former started in Cabo San Lucas in 1973; the latter was completed in San Jose del Cabo in 1977), but in any case, more tournaments sprung up soon afterwards, and they’ve continued to appear regularly ever since.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue remains the benchmark, the longest continually operated annual tournament in the region, and the richest. But every year now – from early June to early November – competitive types can get all the big-game fishing action their hearts (or more likely, their wallets) can handle.

Here are the five biggest fishing tournaments scheduled in Los Cabos in 2018:

Cabo Summer Slam/Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament

 Much of the summer tournament action is centered around the Los Cabos municipality’s beautiful, less developed East Cape, but Cabo San Lucas is always a focal point when it comes to the biggest sponsors and most lucrative payouts. That’s certainly true of what qualifies as the first major tournament of the 2018 season, the Cabo Summer Slam, AKA the Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing.

Pelagic, a Newport Beach based company, is one of the world’s leaders when it comes to lifestyle apparel and high-performance gear associated with watersports like fishing, boating, diving and surfing. So it’ll come as no surprise that the Cabo Summer Slam offers some high stakes prizes and jackpots. Over $200,000 is on the line for the 5th annual tournament in 2018 – slated for June 7 to 9 – meaning it’s the biggest Cabo San Lucas based tournament until Bisbee’s big money competitions in October.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore

As summer temperatures heat up, the fishing tournament scene migrates to the Los Cabos municipality’s gorgeous East Cape. No less than two separate single-day tournaments – the East Cape Dorado Shootout and Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – give away new fully-loaded automobiles to winners, but the region’s summer headliner remains the Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore.

The ECO is the first of three Bisbee’s sponsored fishing tournaments that take place in Los Cabos each year. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories during the 2018 edition – scheduled for July 31 to August 4 – with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista. Base entry for the event is $1500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots. Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

 Just as September is El Mes de la Patria, the “the country’s month,” in México, October is the month of the fishing tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Bisbee’s two cash-rich tournaments – the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue – get most of the publicity, but the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament also sends out a siren call to big-game fishermen eager for big-money prizes and jackpots. The three tournaments combined last year to pay out over $4,735,000 to the winners. The 20th annual LCBT – slated for October 14 to 18 – again features three entry levels:  a $5,000 base entry for each 6-person team; daily jackpots for the largest tuna, wahoo and dorado; and daily billfish release jackpots.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue

Oft billed as “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament” and “The Super Bowl of Sportfishing” thanks to its million dollar payouts, the Black & Blue marlin fishing tournament originally premiered in 1981, and remains to this day the highest profile annual event in Los Cabos. The $4.165 million payout in 2006 was and still is the largest in sportfishing history. Base entry for this millionaire maker is $5,000 U.S. per team, and requires a $71,500 U.S. outlay across all categories, jackpots and challenges. Prizes are awarded for the top five catches of black and blue marlin, assuming they meet the minimum standards (300 lbs.). The 38th annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue will take place Oct. 23 to 27.

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot 

The Western Outdoor News has a long history with Los Cabos, dating back to the 1950s, when Baja columnist Ray Cannon’s rave fishing reviews helped put the area on the destination travel map. Cannon’s 1966 book The Sea of Cortez remains a classic time capsule look at the region and its signature activity, and the WON writers who’ve followed him on the Baja beat have continued to burnish Los Cabos’ reputation as a sportfishing mecca. The WON Tuna Jackpot honors that heritage with one of the larger fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas, a fixture of the autumn sporting calendar that follows hard on the heels of the Los Cabos Billfish and Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue tournaments. The 19th edition in 2017 saw 147 teams competing across 11 events for over $677,000 in prize money. Even bigger things are yet to come, with the 2018 tournament scheduled for November 7 to 10.

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 Bisbee’s.

Upcoming Event Calendar

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

3rd Annual Paella Contest at Sheraton Grand – May 19

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at ME Cabo and Blue Marlin Ibiza – May 26

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

June

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

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

 

 

 

May 13, 2018

We continue to see lighter than normal crowds of tourists for this time of year. As we move closer towards the summer season the weather patterns are now progressively warming, mostly clear sunny skies, with some marine layer offshore at times, average morning lows of about 70 degrees with the highs in the mid to upper 80s. Actually great climate now, plenty warm, but not overwhelming, as it can become during peak summer time. With light crowds, ideal weather and a variety of fishing options it is now the perfect time to visit.

As usual we are dealing with unpredictable and rapidly changing ocean conditions during this transition period. Ocean currents have been sweeping in from different directions, at times turning the water a bit greenish, but this is the common scenario in May. Ocean temperatures have ranged from 67 degree on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, up to 78 degrees in the direction of Los Frailes. Winds were moderate this past week, picking up a bit stronger late week, but overall much nicer than the previous week.

Anglers were able to obtain sufficient supplies of sardinas, also some caballito, mullet and chihuil baitfish being used. The most productive fishing grounds locally continue to be from La Fortuna to Iman Bank. This is where both the sporadic bottom action for various snapper, pargo species were found, as well as yellowfin tuna on the surface, tuna bite was dead to start off the week, picking up again on Thursday and Friday. The yellowfin were striking mainly on the sardinas, using 40 to 50 lb. leaders, some boats landed up to three fish in the 15 to 55 lb. range. Only a handful of smaller sized dorado were seen and reports of a few wahoo seen or possible missed strikes, none actually landed that we heard about, except from East Cape charters fishing closer to Los Frailes.

There was a day or two early in the week when there were reports of amberjack and some yellowtail found feeding near the surface off of Palmilla Point, but that action disappeared as fast as it had developed. For the most part the better bottom action was found from the Gordo Banks, where if you could chum up some chihuil baits, these were working well off the high spot for leopard grouper and others, if the sea lions were not too aggressive. Closer to shore off of Cardon and La Fortuna anglers found good early morning action for yellow snapper, with some leopard grouper and an occasional amberjack mixed n. Most of this bottom action was on bait, only limited success now on the yo-yo jigs.

Billfish action was scattered, only a few striped marlin being found scattered offshore, no particular hot spot. Inshore there were more numbers of smaller sized roosterfish showing up, also good action on sierra closer to the Pacific and of course some jack crevalle actively patrolling the shoreline. In the coming weeks we do expect to see greater concentrations of mullet to show and this in turn attracts the trophy sized roosterfish, as well as other pargo, snapper and jack species.

The combined panga fleets launching out of La Playita, Puerto Los Cabos Marina sent out approximately 66 charters for this week. Anglers reported a fish count of: 3 striped marlin, 4 dorado, 26 yellowfin tuna, 45 yellow snapper, 7 surgeon fish, 28 spotted rose snapper, 23 cabrilla (leopard grouper), 15 huachinango (red snapper), 12 bonito, 9 amberjack, 5 yellowtail, 11 barred pargo, 34 roosterfish, 8 jack crevalle, 8 sierra, 15 flag cabrilla, 8 grunt and 90 triggerfish.

Good fishing, Eric

GORDO BANKS PANGAS

Eric Brictson / Operator

619 488-1859

Los Cabos (624) 142-1147

e-mail:gordobanks@yahoo.com

WWW.GORDOBANKS.COM

https://cabosanlucasblog.info/2849-2/

Thursday Night Art Walks Celebrate the Beauty, History and Culture of San Jose del Cabo

On the surface level, the weekly Art Walks in San Jose del Cabo are a celebration of the town’s talented artists and its dozens of colorful art galleries.

But on a deeper level the Art Walks – held each Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., November through June – are a celebration of San Jose del Cabo itself. The event is, in a very real sense, a small-scale canvas upon which an entire community and its rich culture and history are presented to the world.

Many people think Los Cabos was born with the beginning of the tourist age, and this is at least partly true. The name Los Cabos wasn’t created until 1981, when it was given to the peninsula’s newly designated and southernmost municipality. The town of San Jose del Cabo, however, is much, much older. In fact, it’s one of the oldest continually occupied communities in the Californias.

It was at San Jose del Cabo that the first Jesuit mission in Los Cabos was built in 1730. San Jose was chosen as a site in large part because of its abundant freshwater resources, which had also been luring treasure-laden galleons since colonial Spain inaugurated the lucrative Manila–Acapulco trade route in 1565.

San Jose del Cabo was a hotbed of resistance during the Mexican–American War, site of both a pitched battle and a prolonged siege against the invaders. The region’s wartime political leader was a native son of San Jose del Cabo named Mauricio Castro Cota, and a young officer named Jose Antonio Mijares passed into local legend after he died leading a charge against U.S. forces on Nov. 20, 1847. The spot on which he fell has been the site of a public monument ever since.

Certainly, the architectural monuments of the downtown area are among the most beautiful in all of Baja California Sur. A depiction of the death of the first local Jesuit missionary – Nicolas Tamaral, who was killed by indigenous inhabitants after an ill-fated ban on polygamy – is set above the main doors of the beautiful old Catholic church (Parroquia San Jose), one of many important historical sites located near the main square of Plaza Mijares. City Hall, with its distinctive clock tower, was completed in 1930, and today houses wonderful murals depicting the history of the area, and of the country at large.

The first hotel in Los Cabos, Fisher House, opened in 1951, about a block from the old church. The small property, owned by Carmen Fisher, predated the now legendary Hotel Palmilla by a full six years. These and other monuments are living reminders of San Jose’s long and storied history…but the downtown area has also recently received a thoroughly modern facelift, so that old and new co-exist side-by-side.

The weekly Art Walks welcome visitors into the heart of this special place for romantic perambulations, not only through the officially designated Distrito del Arte – with its charming cobblestone streets – but throughout the historic downtown area at large.

Artists and art lovers open their galleries to showcase their latest offerings, downtown monuments like City Hall and Parroquia San Jose are outlined by colorful lights, arts and crafts makers spread out their wares on tables or along the sidewalks, wandering musicians serenade passersby sipping wine, or those taking a breather at local bars and restaurants.

There are plenty of both, by the way. San Jose del Cabo is home to the original Baja Brewing Company and dozens of superb restaurants, from Mexican traditionalists like Jazmin’s and La Lupita to internationally representative eateries like La Dolce.

This season’s Art Walk has been the biggest and best yet; and there is still time to enjoy the event before it goes on hiatus:  eight more Thursday evening celebrations are scheduled before the end of June.

For those unable to experience this festival of sights, sounds and flavors before then, don’t worry. Art Walk returns at the beginning of November each year, with all new art and, traditionally, personalized altars as part of Day of the Dead remembrances throughout Mexico.

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 ArtCabo.com.

Upcoming Event Calendar

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

3rd Annual Paella Contest at Sheraton Grand – May 19

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at ME Cabo and Blue Marlin Ibiza – May 26

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

June

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

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