Cabo San Lucas is one of the most popular vacation destinations on Mexico’s Pacific coast. This is Anthony and I will be your travel guide for this fabulous adventure. I have had the opportunity to visit Cabo as it is known by the locals and frequent visitors on several occasions. My nickname for this very upbeat and partying town is, “The Hollywood of Mexico”. It is not uncommon to see movie stars, professional athletes, rock stars and celebrities of all sorts enjoying this vacation mecca.
For those of you who haven’t had the chance to visit this desert like paradise, consider the following. If you crave near perfect year-round weather, world class cuisines, and beautiful dark blue water that brushes against light brown sand beaches, you might want to add Cabo San Lucas to your bucket list.
Cabo is located on the southern tip of California’s Baja Peninsula. It is well-known for its numerous landmarks and a plethora of aquatic activities. I will be pointing out several of these features throughout this article. Shall we get started!
Before we get going, I wanted to give a brief glimpse of what I saw everyday from our balcony. This condo also offered both a sunrise and sunset view. Just another reason why you need to plan a Cabo get away. There are plenty of resorts that offer a variety of accommodations to suite any budget. You don’t have to spend lots of money to have a million dollar view. There are lots of websites that offer deals on resorts, condominiums and houses for families or large groups.
Our first full day in Cabo includes a trip to Los Arco de Cabo San Lucas or more commonly known as Lands End. Here is where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet. This iconic landmark has shown up in numerous movies, documentaries and travel magazines worldwide.
During our boat tour in and around the outcropping of towering rocks that protrude up from the sea floor, we were serenaded by a group of sea lions (shown in the video below). Our captain then headed towards another popular attraction that is tucked away in a sandy cove.
The panga styled boat maneuvered us around the rugged shoreline and sheer cliffs and dropped us off within feet of the beach. Welcome to Lovers Beach where the water is rather calm and makes it very easy to enjoy a refreshing dip. We decided to take a quick plunge in the clear and perfect tempered water of the Sea of Cortez. Afterwards we headed west over a sandy knoll to the other side of the point.
Here is where Divorce Beach and the raging waves of the Pacific Ocean come into site. Unlike its matrimonial counter part, venturing out into the water is not advised.
However, Divorce Beach offers some beautiful on-and-off shore rock formations. It also offers deep blue Pacific water that rushes onto an extended stretch of beach. After spending some time taking in the views, we returned to Lovers Beach to catch our water taxi back to the resort.
The video below will provide plenty of visual pleasure. It will not only host a variety of segmented videos but individual photos as well. Sit back and enjoy!
Cabo San Lucas is known for being a world class sport-fishing destination. When visiting “The Hollywood of Mexico”, you have to experience the harbor’s boardwalk. One of the first things you will notice is the rows and rows of boats. There are various fishing trawlers, cabin cruisers, day boats and yes, there are plenty of yachts as well.
Not only do these seagoing vessels offer dreams of spending time on the water, they make for a great backdrop when dining. When it came time to select a restaurant, we had numerous places to choose from. Cabo is internationally known for its 5-star cuisine.
A waiter – seen in the photo right, ended up convincing everyone in the party that his menu had the best choices. A complimentary round of drinks didn’t hurt the final decision as well. Needless to say that my steak & lobster was an excellent choice. I heard no complaints from anyone else as well.
This particular travel adventure occurred the first week of December. The Mexican people love to decorate for Christmas and it shows everywhere you look.
With the Baja of California’s Peninsula pointing directly south from the United Sates, the weather was absolutely fabulous. So deciding to visit this piece of paradise in the wintry months and especially in December, can be a great choice to enjoy some fun in the sun.
Cabo San Lucas has plenty of cafes to enjoy a hearty breakfast. Before we spend the day in downtown Cabo, we found ourselves needing to nourish our bodies. We took a morning walk down the beach to The Office. This local and iconic beachfront eatery provided us a beautiful view of Lands End. It also gave us the opportunity to bury our toes in the cool sand.
My traveling partner enjoyed the huevos rancheros platter. This familiar dish got its name from ranchers who use to feed on this breakfast dish before working their herds.
I selected a more traditional breakfast. My homemade waffles served with fresh fruit was a very tasty choice. All the meals came with fresh squeezed orange juice and toast. The menu was reasonable priced and especially for being right on the beach.
After enjoying our morning’s meal, we headed to town looking to begin our days’ adventure. It is a rather short walk from beach to the street. Once we arrived in downtown Cabo, I began giving a tour of all the popular hot spots. This is not my first trip to Cabo San Lucas and I have had plenty of memorable times in this crazy town.
Baja Sur Highway 1 splits into two thoroughfares – Lazaro Cardenas and Boulevard Marina. When entering downtown Cabo via Lazaro Cardenas Parkway (shown left), it’s filled with palm trees and saguaro cactus. This type of vegetation can be found throughout the region. From here I started to recognize several of the more popular night clubs. Cabo’s nightlife really doesn’t get going until 10 or 11 o’clock and will last into the wee hours of the morning.
Squid Roe Restaurant & Bar is one of downtown Cabo San Lucas’s most popular nightlife clubs. During the day, this well-known establishment serves up some great eats and casual fun. However, when the sun falls below the Pacific horizon, the cocktails begin to flow and music fills the air. When the party gets into full-swing, people start dancing on the bars and tables. This all-night hoopla sometimes goes until the sun begins to rise. It is quite an experience.
Cabo has several more Restaurants and Bars that ring synonymous with after hours partying and spirits. Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo and its Rock-n-Roll reputation holds its own when partying is on your evening’s agenda.
This smaller concert venue has hosted some of Rocks most legendary names as wall as Sammy himself. Its not uncommon for rock-n-roll fanatics to gather around the stage grooving to live music until the early morning hours. I have to say, “Been there and done that!”
Just across the street from Cabo’s Rock-mania palace is the Giggling Marlin. Since 1984, this downtown ‘happening’ restaurant and bar puts on quite a show with a variety of music, multiple dance podiums and plenty of adult beverages! Here is where you can let your hair down and enjoy partying ‘Cabo style!’
Take the challenge and become one of the Giggling Marlin’s famed patriots who have taken an inverted shot. How many people can said they have been hoisted upside down in Cabo San Lucas and given a tequila shot? It provides for a great photo opportunity, as well as offering an everlasting memory for years to come! And yes, “I have been there and done that!”
As our group strolled further down the street, we happened upon a smaller – outdoor palapa – pull up a chair and have a seat bar. This hidden little gem was tucked away in an off the street plaza. Its name, Una Mas (one more), served some of the best margaritas I have ever had in Mexico and believe me, I have had many. Gina, who is the owner, has perfect the formula and she hides it well. Did I happen to mention that on this particular day I was celebrating my birthday?
The guys hung out at the open-air cantina enjoying handcrafted margaritas while the women shopped the local boutiques. After all was said and done, the day was a complete success. I have been coming to Cabo San Lucas for quite some time. By day, Cabo is known for having some of the world’s best fishing excursions and tours. But when the sun goes down and the stars come out, the city offers plenty of world class entertainment. When spending time in Cabo with family, friends or as a couple, there is always something for everyone.
The brief video provided below will take up where the first one ended. I hope you enjoyed the tour.
Author: Anthony Scopel
Photography: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Video: Anthony and Maureen Scopel
Article Creator & Formatting: Anthony Scopel
Video Production: Anthony Scopel & Matt Kemper
Associate Editor: Maureen Scopel
Technical Mastering & Web Support: Matt Kemper
Publisher: You, Me and The Dock
A Special Thanks to Scott & Michelle Smith for our beautiful accommodations. We love you and many more memories to come!
