APRÈS GOLF IN LOS CABOS
The area collectively known as Los Cabos is actually comprised of three locations: Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the so-called Tourist Corridor that joins them, which is home to some of the premier hotels in the area, as well as most of the championship golf courses that have put Los Cabos on the world map. Indeed, this is a golfer’s paradise, blessed with nearly perfect weather nearly all the time. And that’s not all the region has to offer. The stunning vistas of desert meets sea meets sky are a photographer’s fantasy, the wildlife an ecotourist’s dream, the gourmet dining is on point, and the resorts, well, the resorts are just about anyone’s cup of tea.
A mere two and a half hour flight from Houston, Dallas, Phoenix or Los Angeles, Los Cabos has forged strong ties with the U.S.—the dollar is accepted currency, credit card machines are ubiquitous, and many locals are bilingual.
CABO SAN LUCAS
Cabo San Lucas is a star in its own right, known for its rowdy nightlife and its large sport fishing fleet. Its harbor is lined with well known North American franchises liberally sprinkled with Mexican favorites, as well as some great places to stay and play. While the night belongs to the clubs, the bars and the trendy restaurants, the daylight hours can be filled with shopping (both highbrow and low), browsing through the many art galleries, or simply whiling away the hours on the popular Medano Beach. One of the very few swimmable beaches in the area, this one is dotted with family-style restaurants complete with palapas—the Mexican equivalent of the beach umbrella—and plenty of water sport franchises to keep you busy.
Offshore, marlin and other big game fish await. In fact, numerous sport fishing outfits have made headlines with major catches during the many international tournaments that are celebrated in the area. Wahoo, tuna, dorado, striped and blue marlin, sailfish and more populate the waters. And that’s not all. If you’re here from December through April, you’ll catch sight of the whales that migrate from the cold northern waters every year from December through April. Prefer to be under the waves? You’re in luck: The diving in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez is beyond compare.
San Lucas is also the home of the famous Lands’ End arches where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The arches are the roost for thousands of magnificent frigate birds and hundreds of pelicans that endlessly skim the deep blue water for food and home to a huge colony of sea lions. A sunset cruise is a must.
SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO
Much more laid back and certainly less unruly than its cousin 20 miles away, San José del Cabo is a charming addition to any visit. The renovated main plaza—home to the San José del Cabo Church – is shaded by palm trees and offers park benches for a rest after an after- noon of browsing through shops. This area is known as the Gallery District, and it hosts the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk, a popular weekly event held every Thursday evening from 5-9pm between the months of November and June. Make sure you leave enough time for dining—San José del Cabo has a great reputation for some fantastic restaurants that give a new meaning to the words “fresh and delicious” and farm-to-table.
The town also has a reputation for some exceptional accommodations, from five-diamond establishments to small, luxury boutique hotels. The keyword here is, precisely, luxury, coupled with excellent service, gourmet dining, and every amenity your heart could desire.
Of note: Beaches in Los Cabos can pack a powerful undertow (though the aforementioned Medano Beach is generally considered safe) so please check the caution flags before you go swimming.
TOP COURSES
One & Only Palmilla
Cabo Real Golf Club
