ESCAPE TO THE BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA

BY MONIQUE REIDY

Anchored between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, Península de Baja California has long been considered one of the most popular getaways in Northwestern Mexico.

It’s particularly favored by Southern Californians since a flight into Los Cabos Airport is a less than three-hour journey from LAX. Given its abundance of world-class restaurants, variety of lodging choices, and infinite recreation options, this is the place to go for an exceptional Mexican vacation.

Industrial Chic Hideaway Drift San Jose Del Cabo

SAN JOSE DEL CABO HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED THE RESTFUL SIDE OF LOS CABOS. AND, ALTHOUGH IT’S JUST 25 MILES NORTH OF CABO SAN LUCAS, IT FEELS LIKE A WORLD AWAY.

Artistic and quaint, San Jose Del Cabo is a town easy to explore on foot. From its cobblestone streets to the brightly colored flags that wave above the crosswalks, this town is an authentically Mexican region. The locals are friendly, the food is flavorful, and the vibe is easy. There is street art at every turn, and the wall murals are not just creative, they fill the area with color and whimsy.

The artwork serves as a guide to visitors who are unfamiliar with the neighborhood, and tourists can easily learn their way around town by locating the Mission San Jose del Cabo Añuití. This historic landmark was established during the colonial period of the history of Mexico in the early 1700s. Adjacent to the Mission is the Plaza Mijaris San Jose, the bustling square that features boutiques, art galleries, cafes, a variety of restaurants, and vendors selling local handcrafts.

One of the most unique hotels in Los Cabos is about a five-minute walk from the plaza. Drift, located in the heart of the Art District, features edgy architecture consisting of concrete and iron, and the minimal decor is colored in hues of cream and rose. The boutique hotel features 29 rooms and the property is sustainability-focused and eco-friendly.

There is no front desk at Drift, yet the service is impeccable. Prior to checking in, guests get acquainted with “Eva,” a digital concierge available via text to each guest. Eva provides a unique code to the keyless guest room entry and is on call 24/7 to service any need great or small.

Upon arrival, a friendly staff member meets guests at the entrance to the garden, offers each a welcome drink, and escorts the parties to their respective rooms.

At the heart of the property is a beautiful pool where guests hang out during the day making new acquaintances and friends. The outdoor space features palm and mango trees, and handmade pottery is displayed throughout.

Drift Mezcal Bar is located in the garden and Jose Munoz, Drift’s mezcal master, is on hand to serve any one of the 30 brands he stocks.

Thursday evenings from November through May are special in San Jose Del Cabo. This is the night the entire city honors its artistry with an Art Walk, as locals and visitors peruse the streets and view works of art of every kind in shops and on sidewalks.

Drift extends the celebration by featuring taco night on Thursdays year-round. LAB, a local eatery and coffee house, caters the event which features music and a full bar, and guests get to know each other as they drink, dance and dine.

Drift provides a complimentary continental breakfast, which can be enjoyed in the garden or taken back to the guestroom. A full-service restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and a robust cocktail menu is set to open in the fall of 2022. It will consist of a large dining area, outdoor kitchen, comfortable lounge seating, shade structure, and a walk-up window for street service. It promises to be the perfect spot for dinner parties and weddings. g

DRIFT SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Jose Maria Morelos 103, Gallery District, Centro 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico

www.drifthotels.com/sanjose

SAN JOSE DEL CABO CROWDPLEASING RESTAURANTS

LAB

Casual breakfast and lunch menu with coffee roasted in-house, sourced from the highest quality of Mexican growers Benito Juarez 1717, San Jose Del Cabo, BCS, Mexico www.lab-baja.mx

Don Sanchez

Contemporary Mexican restaurant offering a selection of unique creations, regionally sourced seafood, locally raised meats and organic vegetables Blvd. Antonio Mijares 27, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico www.donsanchezrestaurant.com

Pezgallo

Coffee, great food, natural wines and cocktails Plaza Jardín Mijares, Miguel Hidalgo No. 5, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico @pezgallo.coffee

Café Lolita

Breakfast, tacos and homemade bread Manuel Doblado Street, between Hidalgo and Morelos. Center Colony. www.cafedelolita.com

Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa The Ultimate Nightlife Holiday

SITUATED WHERE THE SEA OF CORTEZ MEETS THE PACIFIC OCEAN, CORAZÓN CABO RESORT & SPA IN CABO SAN LUCAS, IS IDEAL FOR VACATIONERS LOOKING FOR AN UPBEAT VIBE THAT EXTENDS FROM MIDDAY WELL INTO THE NIGHT.

From the first step into the entry, Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa carries guests off to a world where art and architecture reign. With a coastal color palette and art gallery style seating, the lobby’s geometric contours are adorned with contemporary sculptures that announce the exceptional style guests can expect of the resort. A proud member of the Noble House Hotels & Resorts’ elite collection, Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa has recently completed a $100 million expansion led by Mexican architect Arnoldo Rábago. It now features a brand-new tower with additional guest rooms that raise the tally to 310 guestrooms, including 17 luxury suites. The new construction has also given the property an increase of 7,450 square feet of meeting space by the additions of a ballroom, boardrooms, two infinity pools and a snazzy rooftop bar.

Just beyond the lobby doors, a staircase leads to an infinity pool with an adjacent poolside bar and a captivating ocean view. For an even more panoramic vista of the seascape, head to the rooftop.

Rooftop 360, the highest rooftop bar in Cabo, crowns the ninestories-high hotel. Besides featuring signature cocktails and bites, the deck offers unmatched views of the Sea of Cortez and the city skyline, especially at sunset when the Cabo sky turns fiery red. Baja Brewing Company, the only microbrewery in Baja California Sur, sits at the center of the deck with lounge chairs that flank the infinity pool on one side, and tables and chairs at the other. String lights and chandeliers drop from the pergola ceiling, which is made of Palo-de-Arco, a Baja native plant with shiny green foliage and yellow flowers.

The guestrooms, which range in size from 358 to 945 square feet, feature floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, plush bedding, and spacious bathrooms with luxurious amenities. Each room and every balcony is appointed with custom furniture and art pieces created by local artisans.

There are eight restaurants and bars at the Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa that offer dining from both casual and lavish menus. These include:

Aleta

A waterfront restaurant with lovely views of Medano Beach and the Sea of Cortez. Aleta features an open kitchen that serves fresh, daily caught seafood and authentic Mexican dishes.

Corazón Beach Club

Daybeds, lounge chairs, a live DJ, and a full-service bar and kitchen are available to guests who want to spend the day on the sand. This always-buzzing beach club sits on Medano Beach, the only swimmable shore in Cabo San Lucas. This is where the party begins!

Camaleón Café

Located in the Corazón lobby, Camaleón Café features Starbucks coffee and drinks including espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, assorted teas and more. A retail area offers a selection of apparel, jewelry, hats and other sundries.

In addition to eating, drinking, or lounging at the pool or beachside, the concierge can arrange private or group yacht charters, sport fishing excursions and shopping expeditions. After a day of play, guests can relax at Sparitual — the hotel’s full-service spa. Treatments include massages, facials, body wraps and a variety of salon services.

With an expansive roster of entertainment options for every traveler’s taste, the hotel has earned the “Best Nightlife in Cabo San Lucas” by USA Today’s 10 Best Awards 2022. A remarkable honor, considering Cabo San Lucas’ general party repute. g

CORAZÓN CABO RESORT & SPA

Pelicanos 225, El Medano Ejidal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 23453 (866) 224-0102

www.corazoncabo.com

Mediterranean Dining in San Jose Del Cabo

Dalia Restaurant

SITUATED IN THE SPECTACULAR VICEROY LOS CABOS, DALIA RESTAURANT IS THE NEWEST DINING TREND IN SAN JOSE DEL CABO.

Dining guests come to Dalia for its innovative menu and are met with an exquisitely indulgent experience in addition to enjoying the food. The restaurant sits in an open-air terrace surrounded by water features, local plants and swaying palm trees — and the ambiance is serene yet breathtaking. And since Dalia is in the heart of one of the most enchanting hotels in Cabo, an evening view of the Viceroy after dark is an other-world experience.

Dalia’s menu is a credit to Executive Chef Carlos Terán. Born in Mexico City, he was trained in a culinary master’s program in Barcelona, Spain, and gained his gastronomic expertise in a variety of Michelin-starred kitchens including Cocina de Autor in Amsterdam. He opened Arbol in Las Ventanas al Paraiso and Milos at the Four Seasons Hotel in La Rivera, which were both remarkably successful. Chef Terán’s upscale cuisine blends Mediterranean fare with his unique Baja-inspired spin.

Dalia’s menu includes unique dishes such as Totoaba with Saffron Farrotto, a blend of shrimp, baby squid, mussels, edamame and artichoke hearts; and Greek Lamb Shanks, braised with lemon and herbs and served with Israeli couscous. The Athenian Lobster Pasta is prepared with tomato sauce, “metaxa” brandy and butter, and the Agnoloti combines Beef Ragout, pork belly, tomato sauce and grana Padano.

There is an extensive list of shareable items that include Mediterranean spreads, assorted oysters and a seafood platter. Desserts feature a Greek Yogurt Cake with olive oil ice cream and a Chufa Crème Cake with chocolate crumble and tres leche pavlova.

Hand-crafted cocktails are not only delicious but they’re delivered as an artistic presentation that seemingly enhances the drink. Regional wines and soft drinks are also available.

Rounding off the magical experience at Dalia is the impeccable service. The restaurant recently opened in February 2022 and the staff’s attention to detail is nothing short of amazing. A visit to San Jose Del Cabo is simply incomplete without a visit to Dalia Restaurant. g

+52 624 104 9999 concierge.vlc@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com Paseo Malecón San José Lote 8, Zona Hotelera , San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur 23405

www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/los-cabos/dalia

Historic Charm in Downtown Todos Santos

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa

AN EASY 30MINUTE DRIVE FROM CABO SAN LUCAS LEADS TO A SMALL TOWN LINED WITH MANGO, PAPAYA, AVOCADO AND PALM TREES. TODOS SANTOS, BRIMMING WITH HISTORY AND AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CULTURE, HAS BEEN DUBBED PUEBLO MÁGICO (MAGICAL TOWN) FOR GOOD REASON.

Located on the Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula and at the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, Todos Santos is a historic community that has retained its old-world charm through the ages. With cobblestone streets, brightly painted buildings, bougainvillea crawling against ancient walls, and the occasional remnants of structures built in the late 1700s, this town is not to be missed on any visit to the Baja Peninsula.

Downtown Todos Santos consists of traditional brick and mortar buildings, and most have been restored and converted into shops, restaurants and small hotels. The rugged sidewalks are arrayed with boutiques and art galleries, and a casual walk across town evokes a sense of antiquity.

A friendly, fun-loving community, the customs and traditions of the Todos Santos region are reflected in the many celebrations that take place annually. These include food, wine, film, music, art and even a mango festival.

Maintaining the traditional Todos Santos spirit, Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa, situated in a 19th century red brick building in the heart of the city, is the place to stay for an immersive cultural vacation. The first glimpse of the region’s heritage can be found in the lobby, which features original work by local and national artists.

With just 14 guest rooms, all pet friendly, the hotel staff offers guests distinctive care and personal attention. Rooms range from classic to deluxe, each featuring custom Mexican decor. The Oasis Suite is perfect for families.

The Guaycura’s concierge office helps facilitates recreation activities for hotel guests. With so much to do in and around town, visitors will want to spend at least four days to get the lay of the land. Activities like hiking, ATV rentals, camel rides, cycling, boat rentals, horseback rides, luxury sailing and ziplining are just the beginning. And because Todos Santos is a surf destination, beginners can head to Cerritos Beach while professional surfers can enjoy the more challenging Pastoras surf site. The town of La Paz is a scenic one-hour drive away and ferry rides to the island are a big hit.

There are two restaurants at Guaycura Hotel. El Jardin Café offers tasty baked goods and breakfast selections between 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; and The Sky Lounge Bar, located at the hotel’s rooftop next to the open-air pool, is open daily from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is the spot to catch the stunning Baja sunsets while sipping Guaycura’s famous farm to glass cocktails or dining on traditional Mexican dishes by Executive Chef Raul Ernesto Torres.

An award-winning culinary genius, Chef Torres is the creator and author of BajaMed Cuisine, a gastronomic concept he created that blends Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. His creations feature organic herbs and vegetables like hibiscus flowers, beets, onions, a variety of greens, corn and basil, which are all grown in the hotel’s garden.

Restaurant guests are welcome to dine at the hotel’s off-premises restaurant, El Mirador, located about two miles from Guaycura. This premier fine dining experience features Mexiterranean creations and the menu, also managed by Chef Torres, features dishes like Smoked Tuna Tartar, Vegetarian Lasagna, Grilled Octopus and Fresh Oysters.

El Mirador sits atop a hillside overlooking the white sand and rolling ocean waves. There is no other location in Todos Santos that offers a view as spectacular as this, especially when the sky morphs into pink and orange hues, and the sun sets behind the sea. El Mirador has been the location of some of the most beautiful weddings in Todos Santos, especially with the incomparable oceanic backdrop.

To extend the coastal experience, Guaycura guests can utilize the hotel’s El Faro Beach Club & Spa, located within minutes of El Mirador Restaurant on the coast of Punta Lobos. The beach club is a serene and private haven on the sand that features a poolside seafood grill and bar, an infinity pool and a fully functioning lighthouse. Shoreside lounge chairs and cabanas are perfectly placed to provide the ultimate beachfront relaxation experience. Towels, showers and dressing rooms are available to guests.

When it’s time to take leisure to the next level, Aena Spa, located at the beach club, offers an assortment of indulgent facial and massage treatments.

Guaycura Hotel, El Faro Beach Club & Spa and El Mirador Restaurant are committed to sustainability and minimizing the company’s carbon footprint. The management is active in philanthropic efforts and animal welfare, and they sponsor a number of local charities as well as the seasonal turtle release at the nearby beaches.

As a green and globally conscious company, the Guaycura Group is not only helping to preserve the community, they also seek to make sure travelers to Todos Santos take in all the majesty of the region. g

www.guaycura.com/en

October

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa 1er Festival de la Tortuga

October 16, 2022

El Mirador Oceanview Restaurant Gastro Latin Jazz at El Mirador Restaurant, Todos Santos

October

El Faro Beach Club & Spa Cine Bajo Las Estrellas

November 3 - 5

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa Festival de Cine Todos Santos

November 10 -12

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa GastroVino Baja Food & Wine Festival

November

Sky Lounge Bar at Guaycura Hotel Gastrovino After Party at Sky Lounge Bar in Todos Santos

November 29

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa Día de Muertos Todos Santos

November 24

El Mirador Oceanview Restaurant Thanksgiving Dinner at El Mirador Restaurant

November 24

Sky Lounge Bar at Guaycura Hotel Thanksgiving cocktails and Tapas at Sky Lounge Bar

November 26

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa Festival de Cocina Baja Med

December

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa Fundraiser Children foundation o Padrino Foundation at El Mirador Restaurant

December 15 al 18

Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa Sangha Yoga Fest

December

Sky Lounge Bar at Guaycura Hotel Sunset Lounge Party ft DJ Dimitri Kota

December 24

Sky Lounge Bar at Guaycura Hotel Guaycura Hotel Anniversary & Sunset Cocktail at Sky Lounge Bar

December 25

El Faro Beach Club & Spa Christmas Lunch at El Mirador Restaurant