A Todos Santos Day Trip From Cabo

What is Todos Santos?

Todos Santos is a small historic town on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula, north of Cabo San Lucas and roughly halfway up the coast toward La Paz. In 2006 it was named a Pueblo Mágico — a "Magic Town," a federal designation Mexico gives to places with special cultural, historic or natural character — and it has leaned into that ever since.

The town grew up around an 18th-century Spanish mission and a later sugarcane economy, and today its palm-shaded streets are lined with brick and adobe buildings that now house art galleries, design shops, cafés and small hotels. The vibe is artsy and unhurried — a community of Mexican and international artists, surfers and chefs. If Cabo San Lucas is the party and San José del Cabo is the polished art town, Todos Santos is the bohemian, creative cousin an hour up the road.

The Hotel California question

You'll hear about the Hotel California, a photogenic hotel and restaurant right in the center of town. It's a genuinely charming spot and worth a look. You'll also hear that it inspired the famous Eagles song of the same name — but that connection is unconfirmed and widely considered a legend. The band has never claimed a link, and the hotel wasn't operating under that name when the song came out. We mention it because everyone asks; enjoy the place for what it is, not for the myth.

Getting there from Cabo

Todos Santos sits north of Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19, the coastal road that runs up the Pacific side. From Cabo it's about an hour's drive (roughly 47 miles / 76 km), through desert and cardón cactus with the ocean appearing on your left. It's a straightforward, scenic route.

You have two easy options:

• Rent a car and drive yourself — the most flexible choice if you want to stop at beaches or surf spots along the way.
• Hire a private driver. If you'd rather not drive, our concierge can arrange a private driver for a half-day or full-day trip so you can relax and enjoy the ride. Just ask when you book.

Either way, a half-day covers the highlights; a full day lets you slow down over a long lunch and a proper wander.

What to do on a day trip

The joy of Todos Santos is that there's no rush and no checklist — it's a place to stroll. Here's how we'd shape a day:

• Wander the historic center. Start around the old mission church and Plaza Cultural, then let the side streets pull you along. It's compact and walkable.
• Browse the galleries and boutiques. Todos Santos is genuinely an art town — independent galleries, ceramics, textiles, jewelry and design shops fill the center. This is some of the best browsing in Baja California Sur.
• Have a long, unhurried lunch. The town punches well above its size on food (more below).
• Admire the beaches. The nearby Pacific beaches are wide, wild and beautiful — just read the water-safety note below before you get in.
• Watch the surfers. Todos Santos is a known surf area; experienced surfers head to breaks like Cerritos, south of town, which is generally the more beginner-friendly and accessible of the local beaches.

The beaches — and a real water-safety caveat

We want to be honest here because it matters. The beaches around Todos Santos are stunning — long stretches of pale sand, dramatic surf, big Pacific sunsets. But this is the open Pacific, not the calmer Sea of Cortez, and many of these beaches have strong surf, powerful shore break and rip currents. Several of them are frequently not safe for swimming, and there are typically no lifeguards.

So enjoy the beaches for what they do best — walking, photos, watching surfers, sunset — and be very cautious about going in the water. If you want to swim, save it for the sheltered beaches back on the Cabo side. Never turn your back on the waves, keep an eye on kids, and if the surf looks big and dumping, stay out. Surfers who ride here know the breaks; casual swimmers should treat the water with real respect.

Local tip

Go on a weekday morning if you can. You'll get the galleries and cafés at their calmest, cooler temperatures for walking, and easy parking — then settle in for a long lunch as the town warms up. The Pacific side runs a touch cooler and breezier than Cabo, so a light layer is smart even on a hot day.

Where to eat

Food is one of the best reasons to make the trip. Todos Santos has a real farm-to-table streak — the fertile land around town supplies mango, herbs, greens and produce, and a cluster of chef-driven cafés and restaurants make the most of it. Expect fresh, seasonal cooking, good coffee, and a few standout spots that draw people up from Cabo just for lunch.

Our concierge keeps a current list of favorites and can book you a table, since the best places fill up — especially in high season. Bring a card and some cash; smaller shops, cafés and market stalls sometimes prefer cash, and it's handy for the artisans and galleries too.

Planning tips

• Time it as an excursion, not the whole trip. Todos Santos shines as a day out from a longer Cabo stay — see our guide to how many days to spend in Cabo to slot it in.
• Half day or full day. Half a day covers the center and lunch; a full day adds beach time and a slower pace.
• Bring cash and a card. Useful for markets, small shops and cafés.
• Dress for the Pacific. Cooler and breezier than Cabo — pack a light layer and comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets.
• Sun and water. Sunscreen, a hat and water; shade is limited on the beaches.
• Pair it with the rest of your list. It slots neatly alongside our things to do in Cabo roundup.