The eel is just not attacking us. However my son, who’s seven, thinks it would, so he’s screaming by way of his snorkel. We’re swimming in Santa Maria Bay, a protected marine sanctuary on the southern finish of Mexico’s Baja peninsula. We’ve borrowed masks and fins from the Montage Los Cabos, the place we’re staying, and the payoff is rapid: simply off the white-sand seashore, a coral reef is stuffed with colourful colleges of tropical fish (and one scary-looking however innocent eel).
I’m not nice at laid-back seashore holidays. After ten minutes of sitting in a chair with a e book, I begin to really feel stressed. I a lot desire journeys to the ocean that contain an exercise—browsing, snorkling, operating alongside the shore—which is why a spring getaway with my household to Baja was the right match: a great deal of journey alternatives await, together with loads of superb sandy seashores.
Baja is thought for its quite a few beachfront resorts, clustered between the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo—recognized collectively as Los Cabos—nevertheless it doesn’t take a lot time or effort to get off the overwhelmed path and enterprise into a few of the state’s wilder and extra rugged zones. And you actually ought to, as a result of with fewer crowds and ample actions, there’s loads of room to roam.
From surfable breaks alongside the Pacific Ocean to extra mellow waves on the Sea of Cortez, in addition to mountains, charming pueblos, and desert landscapes value exploring, there’s a topography in Baja California Sur for each kind of traveler.
And with direct flights from 18 main U.S. hubs into Los Cabos Worldwide Airport, getting right here for an extended weekend is a cinch. Pack gentle, decide up a rental automobile, and be in your means. Listed below are my recommendations on the way to do it proper.
Friday
3 P.M.: Vamos al Norte
![A handful of surfers at Los Cerritos Beach catch small waves. The swell and breaks here accommodate a variety of ability levels.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/los-cerritos-surfers-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
From Los Cabos, drive an hour north alongside the Pacific on scenic Freeway 19. Your vacation spot: Los Cerritos, a low-key seashore spot not removed from the artsy village of Todos Santos. Even newbie surfers like myself are welcome right here, and my children spent hours every day boogie-boarding and enjoying within the waves. Examine in to Olas de Cerritos (from $153), a boutique resort steps from the shorefront, with not too long ago renovated rooms, a pool, and free breakfast. In case you’re touring with household or a bunch and desire a condominium with a full kitchen and residing space as an alternative, Surfside Residences (from $250) gives two-bedroom lodging inside eyesight of the swell, a restaurant, and a pool.
5 P.M.: Take pleasure in Glad Hour on the Playa
![The beachfront scene at La Tuna in Cerritos Beach is a mix of happy hour and golden hour.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/baja-la-tuna-cerritos-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
When you’re settled, stroll over to La Tuna, a waterfront bar and café that opened in April and hosts weekday completely satisfied hours from 5 to six P.M. I watched the sundown from a swing arrange on the deck, and it was magic. You may keep there for dinner, too, or head a block away to Barracuda Cantina, which serves ceviche and fried-avocado tacos. Within the evenings, there’s often stay music at Shaka’s, simply down the highway. Or name it an early night time so that you could be up and within the surf lineup at daybreak.
Saturday
8 A.M.: Play within the Pacific
![A surfer takes on the swell off the shore of Los Cabos.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/surfer-los-cabos-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
Espresso from Café Barra is the best way to start out your first full day right here. The tiny outpost is positioned simply off Cerritos Seaside, subsequent to the Costa Azul Surf Store. Alternatively, decide up a smoothie or recent juice from Tasi Juice Bar. I frequented the latter throughout my keep and am nonetheless dreaming in regards to the acai bowls.
My household spent the morning on this seashore. In case you’re an skilled surfer, a complete beginner, or a child with a boogie board, the break at Cerritos has a little bit one thing for everybody. Examine the surf report earlier than you go, and be careful for the riptide near the purpose. Mario’s Surf College has a tent on the shore, rents boards and seashore chairs, and gives non-public classes ($20 for a board; $80 for an hourlong session). Close by Huge Enjoyable Seaside Membership awaits, too, with brunch, noon tacos, and volleyball courts.
1 P.M.: Bike The Magical Trails Round Todos
Within the afternoon, head 20 minutes up the coast to pleasant Todos Santos, a historic mission city designated a pueblo mágico for its allure. Crammed with artwork galleries, cafés, and retailers, this enclave is now a paradise for foodies and anybody in search of artisan items. You may wander the downtown for hours, like I did, or discover the native trails by foot or bike.
Some 40 miles of well-built singletrack cross the foothills, with gorgeous ocean views. Over the Edge Baja rents the whole lot from hardtails to electrical mountain bikes and leads group driving excursions in Todos Santos, together with the 23-mile Ruta el Cardón, launched in February. Afterward, linger over libations at DoceCuarenta, a hip warehouse gathering place in a mango grove on the outskirts of city. Additionally refreshing is a scoop of ardour fruit ice cream at La Paloma Paleteria, a private favourite.
6 P.M.: Launch Turtle Hatchlings
![A line of Los Cabos locals and tourists release 300 olive ridley turtle hatchlings to make their way to the sea.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/turtle-hatching-release-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
In case you’re visiting between early December and late March, examine to see if Tortugueros Las Playitas, a neighborhood turtle sanctuary, is releasing child leatherbacks or olive ridleys into the Pacific on a seashore north of Todos Santos. You may take part within the course of to assist restore endangered turtle populations.
7 P.M.: Dine at an Superb New Restaurant
Within the up-and-coming village of El Pescadero, proper on Freeway 19 close to the turnoff to Los Cerritos, the restaurant Crudo is reached by driving down an obscure gravel highway, however the rewards are value any doubts you may need about whether or not that is the place: a unbelievable uncooked bar, pure wines, trivia nights, and karaoke.
We ate dinner at Pescadero 62, which opened this spring with an incredible outside patio, full with a classic Volkswagen bus, a colourful wall-size mural, and an eclectic menu that includes tuna tostadas, recent oysters, and an extremely good crispy rooster sandwich.
Sunday
9 A.M.: Gas Up Like a Native
![Cafe fare at Agricola, in El Pescadero, is centered around the bounty of the property’s 37 acres.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/baja-agricole-pescadero-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
Breakfast is a fast cease at Agricole, a farm-to-tienda grocer and café in El Pescadero that sells espresso, house-baked pastries, and essentially the most scrumptious fresas con crema (heaping cups of strawberries and cream) I’ve ever tasted.
Earlier than heading south on the freeway, pop in to Baja Beans, a close-by espresso store that hosts an artisan and farmers’ market out entrance each Sunday.
11 A.M.: Tour an Natural Farm
Schedule a free strolling tour of Flora Farms, a 25-acre working natural farm simply north of San José del Cabo that grows vegatables and fruits and harvests rooster and eggs year-round. If you wish to keep for lunch in Flora’s Subject Kitchen, you’ll have to make a reservation—it’s extremely common, and for good cause: the meals is as recent because it will get. The farm additionally holds cooking courses, artwork workshops, and film nights.
1 P.M.: Stroll the Streets of San José del Cabo
![Streets festooned with colorful papel picado are a common sight in San José del Cabo, making it feel festive year-round.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/san-jose-del-cabo-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
Brightly adorned with festoons of papel picado, San José del Cabo has a vibrant middle, but it’s a lot quieter and has extra of a throwback vibe than its sister metropolis, Cabo San Lucas. Begin your stroll at Plaza Mijares, and seize a torta or tacos for lunch within the mellow courtyard café of the Drift Resort. I finished right here for a noon meal, however it might even be a great place to publish up for the night time if you wish to keep on the town (from $178).
3 P.M.: Select the Finest Finish to Your Weekend Adventures
Relying on the type of lengthy weekend you’ve deliberate, I can suggest two remaining stays with exterior choices.
![A townhouse bedroom at the Montage. The resort has 122 guest rooms and 52 residences, a spa, and four restaurants.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/montage-townhouse-bedroom-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
For a splurge to cap off your journey, e book a room at Montage Los Cabos (from $1,200), the place I used to be handed a grapefruit margarita the second I arrived and a seashore butler organized towels on my lie-back chair. The resort is ideally positioned on one of the crucial lovely seashores in Baja, Santa Maria Bay, which has calm waters and straightforward swimming and paddling. Moreover high-end service and gourmand eating, the true fantastic thing about the Montage is the journey planning: an on-site concierge helped us e book guided mountain-bike rides and canyoneering outings; whereas these actions aren’t included within the nightly price, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and yoga courses are.
We spent our remaining afternoon there on the seashore, adopted by off-roading to a brief path, the place we hiked up a canyon with a creek operating down the middle of it. Afterward? We headed straight to Paletas, the resort’s on-site market, for house-made popsicles in a spread of tropical flavors. Dinner that night time was on the resort’s Mediterranean-inspired Marea restaurant, which overlooks the water.
For a extra inexpensive lodging choice, the Cabo Surf Resort (from $338) is positioned simply ten miles up the coast on Playa Acapulquito. Pals have stayed right here earlier than and raved in regards to the handy beachfront location and laid-back vibe, particularly refreshing in distinction to lots of the extra ostentatious resorts within the neighborhood. The resort has normal rooms with nice seashore entry, a pool, and on-site surf instructors.
![The beachfront at the Cabo Surf Hotel is a good place to park yourself and not overly crowded.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cabo-surf-hotel-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
When to Go to Baja California Sur
![With its gorgeous waters and golden sands, Santa Maria Bay is the desertscape we dream of when we picture a perfect trip to Baja California Sur.](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/santa-maria-bay-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
Whereas guests flock to this area year-round, November by way of April are usually the preferred interval, on account of cooler, milder temperatures and the opportunity of seeing extra ample marine life, together with stellar whale-watching. Grey whales start arriving within the waters off the Pacific coast of the peninsula in December for his or her mating season, earlier than migrating again north towards the Arctic in late spring. Loads of licensed outfitters supply whale-watching excursions by boat, however you may as well spot them from most seashores alongside the western coast.
![The author hiking in Baja Sur, Mexico](https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/megan-michelson-hiking-1024x576.jpg?width=730)
Megan Michelson is a frequent Outdoors contributor who loves tacos and is unhealthy at browsing however continues to strive anyway.