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Cabo, Summer Style:  Things to Do in Los Cabos This August

August 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Although there is never really a bad time to visit Los Cabos, there are certainly optimal times in regards some of the region’s signature attractions.

The sun may shine year-round, in other words, but there are still “seasons” for some of the most popular activities and adventures. Whale watching is probably the most notably example of a purely seasonal activity, since these enormous creatures for the most part can only be seen from mid-December through mid-March. But conditions for other attractions, although objectively good on a year-round basis, undeniably reach their zenith during certain calendar months.

With that in mind, here are three more reasons you should want to visit cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo this August.

Peak Season for Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Thanks to its year-round sunshine and warm water temperatures, snorkeling and diving conditions are always good in Los Cabos. That said, August and September are considered the best months, since those times traditionally offer the highest water temperatures and highest degree of visibility at local dive sites.

Have you always dreamed of exploring the underwater world off the half-mile Land’s End headland that marks the southernmost terminus of the Baja California peninsula? August is a great time to visit famed diving destinations like Pelican Rock and The Point, both of which are home to colorful seascapes teeming with life, from small fish to sea lions and much, much more.

The mecca for snorkelers and divers, however, is the marine sanctuary and national park that lies just offshore of the small East Cape community of Cabo Pulmo. Not only do these protected waters include one of North America’s oldest living coral reefs, but they also boast the highest concentrations of marine life found anywhere in the Sea of Cortez.

Peak Season for Marlin Fishing

The fish are always biting in Los Cabos, true, but which kind of fish exactly can vary from month to month and season to season.

The region’s most high-profile fishing targets for visiting anglers, for example, are billfish like blue and black marlin. These two species provide the namesake title for Bisbee’s annual Black & Blue Tournament, famed for its multi-million dollar payouts to winning teams (hence its nicknames: “The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing” and “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament”).

Bisbee’s Black and Blue and Los Cabos Offshore Tournaments are held in October, but its East Cape Offshore takes place in August. As a matter of fact, it starts today. The reason being that peak fishing season for blue and black marlin extends from July through the end of October.

But you don’t have to enter a tournament to fish for an enormous marlin. All you have to do is charter a boat.

August is also one of the best times all year to bag a dorado. This fish is known by many names. On the East Coast of the U.S. it’s typically referred to as dolphinfish, on the West Coast as mahi. By any name it’s absolutely delicious, and virtually every restaurant in Los Cabos offers “you hook it, we cook it” specials when you bring in your own fresh catch of the day.

Surfing Season on the Sea of Cortez

The long-held wisdom in Los Cabos is that you surf the Sea of Cortez side during the summer months, the Pacific Ocean side during the winter months.

Certainly, the best time to visit famed Sea of Cortez side breaks like Zippers, Old Man’s and Monuments is during summer months like August. The former was for several years the site of the World Surf League sanctioned Los Cabos Open of Surf, but all three have been drawing destination wave riders for decades.

Zippers is not only a perennially popular surf spot, but the beach where it is found–Playa Costa Azul, in San Jose del Cabo–actually boasts two other notable surf breaks: La Roca (or The Rock) and The Middle. The latter is one of the best beginner-friendly breaks in the region (High Tide Los Cabos offers lessons here), while La Roca is best left to the experts. Old Man’s, AKA Playa Acapulquito, offers something in-between in terms of skill level, as well as the option of boutique accommodations at the nearby Cabo Surf Hotel.

Monuments, meanwhile, is famed locally for several reasons. It’s the only surf break in the region that features Land’s End views. It’s also the most notable “left hand” surf break in Los Cabos, and the beach from which it is accessed has recently been upgraded to Blue Flag status for services and sustainability by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

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

Photo credit:  Blue Sky Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

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

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

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

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

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

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

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

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

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Los Cabos Golfing Glories Continue with a Spectacular New Course from Greg Norman

March 11, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Another golf course has opened in Los Cabos. That makes 18 currently operating courses in the area, 17 of which are championship level layouts from the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Greg Norman.

Norman, the two-time major champion who was nicknamed the “Great White Shark” for his aggressive playing style, has designed the most recently unveiled course – Rancho San Lucas – centerpiece of an 834-acre resort and residential community set on a pristine stretch of beach on the Pacific Ocean 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas.

Known for his ‘least-disturbance’ design approach, Norman has created a low-profile, links-style layout that features sweeping ocean views from every hole. Earthmoving was kept to a minimum: the site’s contours and topography, Norman said, were ideal for the routing of a world-class course.

Spanning three different ecosystems, the 7,210-yard, par-72 golf course rambles through huge windswept dunes at the start, climbs through a thick cactus forest creased by meandering arroyos in the middle of the round, and returns players to the beach and sea on the back nine.

Tailored to the site’s terrain, Norman and his design team integrated indigenous landscapes and grass varietals that use the least amount of water, creating an eco-friendly golf experience that flows naturally with the dune and desert landscape. The club has applied for enrollment in Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

“Rancho San Lucas is the most spectacular piece of oceanfront property I’ve seen in a long time, so to have the opportunity to build a course on this site was truly once-in-a-lifetime,” Norman said. “My goal was to keep it as natural as possible while showcasing the site’s arroyos, dunes and view corridors. We wanted to build a sustainable course that is playable from all perspectives, including the forward tees. We’re committed to making a global impact by creating courses that withstand the test of time, and I truly believe this golf course is one of the best we’ve ever built.”

The layout’s defining characteristic is its re-vetted pot bunkers. These sharp-edged, steep-walled sandy pits were constructed from recycled artificial turf and are nearly identical to the natural sod-walled bunkers found on British links courses. Resistant to washouts, the club’s synthetic, low-maintenance bunkers are a first in Mexico. Norman used them sparingly.

Tees, greens and fairways at Rancho San Lucas are surfaced in papsalum, a salt- and drought-tolerant cultivar that uses a fraction of the insecticides and fertilizer required by normal grasses.

The versatile, well-groomed layout has five sets of tees and offers exceptional pace and variety. The par 5’s are brawny, the par 3’s are varied. The par 4’s, angled to all compass points, range from long and stout to short and fun.

Featuring a dramatic 300-foot elevation change, the well-strategized course has a handful of holes on the beach, notably the par-3 third, which parallels the sea and will give players fine views of breaching whales during the winter months. There’s also a signature island green at the par-3 17th hole. Corridors are wide and targets are generous: four of the putting surfaces exceed 12,000 square feet.

Mindful of the seasonal windy conditions, Norman devised a 12-hole ‘course within a course’ at Rancho San Lucas. This innovative 4,964-yard, par-49 layout consists of low-lying holes sheltered by the dunes and shielded from Pacific breezes. It promises a pleasant outing on a windy day in May.

With two on-course comfort stations, each providing Mexican specialties and ice-cold refreshments, players can enjoy an all-inclusive experience during the round.  A handsome ranchero-style clubhouse overlooks the fairways and sea. The practice facility features a basin-shaped driving range, an 18-hole putting course, and dedicated chipping, pitching and sand play areas.

Rancho San Lucas is a private club with exclusive access available to guests of Solmar Group hotels and rental properties.

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

Photo credit:  Rancho San Lucas

Upcoming Events Calendar

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

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

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

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

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

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

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

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

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

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

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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

March 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the scheduled dates and lineups:

Saturday May 23

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

Sunday May 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit:  Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

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

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

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

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

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

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

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

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

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

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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Spring Break Madness and March Events in Los Cabos

February 26, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

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

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

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

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 26 – 29

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

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

Photo credit:  Camilla Fuchs

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Festival Artesanal El Triunfo – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 18

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

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

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

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

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

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

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

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

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

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

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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

February 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s how it happened:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit:  NORRA Mexican 1000

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

July

Pitahayas Harvest Fair in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 20 – 25

Mango Festival in Todos Santos – Dates Not Yet Announced

August

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

 

 

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Culture & Tradition: February Events in Los Cabos

January 29, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – February 1st to 8th

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

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

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

Biker Week Los Cabos – February 13th to 17th

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

San Jose Jazz Weekend – February 14, 15

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

Carnaval in La Paz – February 20th to 25th

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

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

Photo credit:  San Jose Jazz Weekend

Upcoming Events Calendar

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

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

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

La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20

Whale Watching Season – January through April 15th

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

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Transformed! Iconic Los Cabos Golf Course Gets New Look, New Name

January 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

When Golf Digest recently picked the best courses in each country, golf-rich Mexico merited 15 mentions. Ten of them, not surprisingly, were in Los Cabos; which has, over the course of the last 25 years, become a mecca for destination golfers.

The man most responsible for this golf boom on the southernmost rim of the Baja California peninsula is undoubtedly Jack Nicklaus, legendary winner of 18 major championships and designer of six championship level loops locally; including early 1990s masterpieces at Palmilla and Cabo del Sol that effectively put Los Cabos on the golfing map.

Nicklaus’ Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol has been ranked among the world’s 100 best courses for each of the last 15 years, and remains one of the most iconic local golfing experiences, albeit with a fresh new look and a fresh new name for 2020.

These changes were necessitated by a real estate development at Cabo del Sol, which will include a luxury residential community called the Cove Club, as well as both a Four Seasons Resort and Residences and a 162-room Park Hyatt property. Both branded resort properties are expected to open in 2022.

Although two ocean holes had to be rerouted at the newly minted Cove Club course, Nicklaus worked closely with the Cabo del Sol team to maintain the high golfing standards.

“We were given the challenge to redesign the golf course to meet their needs, but at the same time maintain the global status the Ocean Course has enjoyed for over 25 years,” Nicklaus said. “The developers needed to take a couple of holes off the ocean, and my responsibility was to preserve the quality of the golf course. I think we have done that in a very satisfactory way. We still have great ocean views, and we still have four holes on the ocean.”

These holes trace a rugged coastline marked by granite outcrops and golden beaches lapped by the Sea of Cortez. Nearly 80,000 plants, trees and shrubs, ranging from bougainvillea and coco palms to palo blanco and purple lantana, have been planted to beautify the layout.

Strategic nuances have been introduced and overall playability enhanced on the refurbished course. For example, the new Rooster Fish (kids) tees total 4,451 yards and invite family-friendly outings. In addition to full-service comfort stations on both nines, an Airstream trailer parked on the beach behind the fifth green offers Mexican specialties and ice-cold refreshments.

Among the new holes crafted by Nicklaus is the short par-3 7th, which was tucked into recreated dunes a stone’s throw from the beach. Faced into the prevailing breeze, this oceanfront hole offers two different angles of attack from a wishbone-like set of tees. The target is a raised green defended front and back by deep bunkers with rolled-down grass faces. As is true throughout the remodeled layout, these new-look bunkers are filled with bright white sand that provides a strong visual contrast to the emerald green turf and turquoise-blue sea.

To make way for a new entryway to the resort community, a new par-4 9th hole was built in a corridor adjacent to the previous ninth hole. The new creation, robust at 461 yards from the tips, mimics the original with its broad saddled fairway but has more dramatic flair in its fairway and greenside bunkering.

At the west end of the course is the Cove Club, a luxury residential community currently under development. With the old 17th hole converted to a beach club, Nicklaus designed a new ridge-to-ridge par-3 17th hole, which drops from a set of elevated tees to a well-defended green backdropped by the sea.

The previous 16th hole, a stirring downhill par-4 that plunges 100 feet down the side of a mountain, has been recast as the 18th hole. “We moved the green a little closer to the ocean and dropped it down to create a spectacular finishing hole,” Nicklaus stated. The peninsula-style green, guarded to the left by an unusual U-shaped bunker with a view portal to the sea, clings to a cliff and appears to float on the ocean. Stretching to 455 yards from the Cove tees, the revised 18th hole immediately takes its place among the finest finishing holes in Los Cabos.

The Cove Club will close for additional modifications at a future date and will reopen as a private club. The Tom Weiskopf-designed Desert Course at Cabo del Sol, also slated to undergo future design changes, will remain a public-access resort venue.

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

Photo credit:  Cove Club

Upcoming Events Calendar

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

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

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

La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20

Whale Watching Season – January through April 15th

 February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

 

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Other Side of Los Cabos – A Look at Upcoming Events on the East Cape

January 15, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo may be the most populous towns–and tent-pole tourist destinations–of Los Cabos, but there’s much more to Baja California Sur’s southernmost municipality than merely these two places.

The Los Cabos municipality as a whole encompasses more than a dozen other communities that are well worth a visit, from Santiago and Miraflores to the small towns on the picturesque East Cape, a belly-shaped coastal arc that stretches over 70 miles from San Jose del Cabo to the Bay of Palms.

The East Cape has been much in the news of late thanks to the opening of the new Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas (in La Ribera), an ambitious new luxury resort and residential development–complete with yacht marina and championship level golf course–headlined by one of the world’s foremost hospitality luxury brands.

But that’s hardly the only reason to visit this beautiful region. The small East Cape community of Cabo Pulmo, for example, boasts one of the largest living coral reefs in North America in its protected offshore marine park, as well as the highest concentration of sea life in the Sea of Cortez. The East Cape also offers, at least during winter months, world-class whale watching and windsports (windsurfing, kiteboarding and the like), the latter created by the strong El Norte winds that blow down the coast each year between mid-November and mid-March.

And the East Cape has a bit of culture too, which is shown off to good advantage in annual events celebrating arts, crafts, drama and cuisine. A number of these signature events, in fact, are happening soon; providing even more reasons to explore what we sometimes like to refer to as “the other side of Los Cabos.”

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

Next up is the East Cape Arts Festival, which since 1994 has been the best showcase for regional arts, crafts and East Cape culture. The 2020 edition is scheduled for March 15 at the Hotel Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles, and in addition to creative arts and crafts–from paintings and pottery to clothing and blankets–regional music and dance will also be spotlighted, as will traditional Mexican food and drink.

Inland from the East Cape is the small town of Miraflores, which is notable for several reasons, including the unusual longevity of its residents and its annual summer harvest festival celebrating pitahayas. This succulent cactus fruit (from the prickly pear variety) was once the favorite food of the area’s indigenous inhabitants, the Pericues, and is still prized by modern Cabeños for both its taste and antioxidant qualities. The latter, in fact, may be why so many Miraflores residents seem to live past the century mark.

Nowadays, Miraflores is known as the foremost organic farming community in the Los Cabos municipality, the place the region’s best restaurants go to source their produce. It’s the perfect place, in other words, to host an organic food festival that focuses on the traditional cuisine and culture of Los Cabos. The annual Festival Sabores de Baja (sabores translates as tastes or flavors) will be hosted by Doña Pame Restaurante from noon to 5 p.m. on March 8th, and will feature live music from local performers.

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

Photo credit:  Sabores de Baja

Upcoming Events Calendar

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

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

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

La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20

Whale Watching Season – January through April 15th

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

 

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Romance, Music and Dance – Previewing the 8th Annual San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend and Valentine’s Day in Los Cabos

January 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos is one of the world’s great romantic destinations, offering not only gorgeous beaches and year-round sunshine, but an abundance of soothing spas, pampering amenities and luxurious cliff side rental villas.

And the attractions don’t stop there. Local restaurants also do their part for visiting couples, showcasing spectacular seaside views as well as multi-course dinners with tasting menus that make frequent use of Valentine’s Day favorites like Champagne and chocolates.

But the event most singularly associated with Valentine’s Day in Los Cabos isn’t any dinner, but rather San Jose Jazz Weekend.

Although one might not necessarily associate the improvisational musical form with romance, this annual event–the 8th edition of which will be held February 14th and 15th in San Jose del Cabo–has all the tried and true ingredients for a romantic evening in paradise, from seductive saxophones and swaying palm trees to harmonies so captivating those in attendance are often compelled to get up and dance the night away under starry tropical skies.

Set at Plaza del Pescador, one of the city’s premier shopping and dining meccas, San Jose Jazz Weekend takes place Friday and Saturday nights, from 5 to 11 p.m., and in past years has drawn upwards of 5,000 attendees.

Why not? After all, Jazz Weekend also has that extra ingredient so treasured by budget-conscious travelers. It’s free.

As one might imagine, Latin jazz is a particular focus for the event and over past years a virtual who’s who of world-class performers have appeared. This year’s schedule has yet to be unveiled, so stay tuned for upcoming announcements. And if your tastes run more to rock n’ roll than jazz–Latin or otherwise –make sure to stop in at Rock n’ Brews. Founded by KISS stars Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the locally based location of this food and lifestyle brand is located at Plaza del Pescador and has its own live music schedule.

For those interested in a little pre-Valentine’s Day romance, San Jose del Cabo’s long-running Thursday night Art Walk offers a nice lead-in, as gallery owners in the downtown Distrito de Arte stay open late to show off their latest artists and exhibitions.

It’s not just the galleries that offer aesthetic stimulation, however, but also unique neighborhood setting. The cobblestone streets of the historic Art District are filled with wandering musicians and performers, while street artists and local craftsmen and women lay out their creations for all to admire. Local architectural monuments like City Hall and the old Catholic Church (Parroquia San Jose), meanwhile, are aglow with colorful lighting.

And lest one think Cabo San Lucas is oblivious to the spirit of St. Valentine, the other cape city has its own share of romantic attractions; most notably, the sunset dinner cruise offered by Caborey. This triple-decked catamaran takes couples for a guided tour of the half-mile Land’s End headland–including up-close looks at The Arch and Lover’s Beach – and after a gourmet multi-course meal, puts on a Las Vegas style floorshow with Latin American singing and dancing, headlined by a sultry Argentine tango.

Still not romantic enough? How about horseback rides along a secluded beach or carriage rides that take you to and from your favorite Valentine’s Day dinner locale? That’s the specialty of Cuadra San Francisco, a Tourist Corridor based stable with close to 50 horses and expertly-trained staff.

Too slow? Then we recommend renting a Harley-Davidson for Biker Week Los Cabos. The four-day get-together and road trip run to Loreto and back takes place over Valentine’s Day weekend, with rentals available from the Harley Davidson shop in the marina boardwalk based Puerto Paraiso shopping mall.

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

Photo credit:  San Jose Jazz weekend

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

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

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

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

La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20

Whale Watching Season – January through April 15th

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 9

Biker Week Los Cabos – Feb. 13 – 17

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Mar. 8

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

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

May

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

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

 

 

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New Year, New Fiestas: January Events in Los Cabos

January 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment

January marks the height of high tourist season in Los Cabos, as well as the height of whale watching season; meaning many of the world’s largest and most magnificent creatures can be seen up-close on daily tours guided by area activities providers.

But it’s not just the whales that make January special. The first month of the new year also sees the return of two important regional cultural showcases in the weekly Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo and the Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos, plus iconic southern Baja sporting competitions such as the Los Cabos Pro-Am golf tournament and the La Ventana Classic (a windsports competition that draws some of the West Coast’s best windsurfers and kiteboarders).

San Jose del Cabo Art Walk – January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

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.

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – January 12 – 16

The most notable golf tournament in a region famed for its spectacular courses returns January 12 – 16, 2020, as Cabo del Sol’s Ocean and Desert Courses play host to the 12th 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.

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – January 15 – 19

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 is still going strong for its fourth iteration in 2020 with an all-star lineup headlined by Joan Osborne, Radio Free Honduras, Susto, Cordovas, Holy Spirits, Elizabeth Cook, La Victoria and The Charities.

La Ventana Classic – January 16 – 20

Baja California Sur boasts world-class conditions for a number of 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 Cortés, 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, the 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. This year’s event is scheduled for Jan. 16 – 20, with proceeds earmarked to benefit local schools. Mountain bike races have also been added to the event.

Whale Watching Season – Month-long

Each winter some 5,000 to 10,000 blue, gray, humpback and other whales migrate from their arctic feeding grounds to breed in the shallow water coves and inlets of beautiful Baja California Sur. In this regard these leviathans of the deep are very much like the snowbirds who flock to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo to escape frigid winter temperatures in the U.S. and Canada. The only real difference–aside from the obvious anatomical ones–is one of scale. The longest mammalian migration ever recorded was in 2014, when a gray whale dubbed Varvara traveled over 14,000 miles round-trip from Russia to Cabo San Lucas. Humpbacks, however, are the most commonly seen species in Los Cabos waters during whale watching season, which officially stretches from December 15th to April 15th.

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

Photo credit:  La Ventana Classic

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

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

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

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

La Ventana Classic – Jan 16 – 20

Whale Watching Season – January through April 15th

 February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 1 – 8

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

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

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

Rock Fest in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 15

20th Annual Baja Hog Rally – Feb. 20 – 24

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 20 – 25

March

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 15

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 26 – 29

El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – Dates Not Yet Announced

April

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 5 – 11

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 17 – 24

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

May

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

June

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

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Dates Not Yet Announced

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

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

 

 

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