A Brief History of Los Cabos, Part III: The Age of Jesuit Mission Building
Although Hernan Cortés had landed in La Paz by 1535, and present-day San José del Cabo was a frequent stopping point along the world’s most lucrative trade route by the latter part of the 16th century, the first permanent settlement on the Baja Peninsula—then known simply as California—was not established until 1697. This delay of some 150 years was not for lack of effort. The Spanish were desirous of land support for their galleon trade, which was beset by attacks from English and Dutch pirates, and the pearl beds of La Paz exerted a...
read morePlus One: A Year After Hurricane Odile, Los Cabos’ Tourism Outlook is Sunny
No one who met Odile is ever likely to forget her. One of the strongest storms ever to hit the Baja California peninsula–and the strongest ever measured in the satellite era–Hurricane Odile made landfall in Los Cabos on the evening of September 14, 2014, with winds howling at sustained speeds of up to 200 mph. When she left the next morning, September 15, cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and indeed much of Baja California Sur, were devastated: a disaster zone. Walking through Cabo San Lucas that morning was like walking...
read moreCelebrating México’s Independence Day. ¡Feliz Día de la Independencia!
October ushers in many of the signature local events in Los Cabos, from Cabo Comedy Fest and Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bash parties to Fiesta de Cabo San Lucas and Bisbee’s Black and Blue marlin fishing tournament. But the biggest single event, not only locally but nationally, takes place in September. That’s México’s Independence Day, or Día de la Independencia, which is officially commemorated on September 16, although celebrations actually begin the night before. For U.S. visitors unfamiliar with the holiday, imagine the 4th of...
read more“Down in Cabo San Lucas” by SpringTown
SpringTown, a country music band based in Springfield, Missouri, recently recorded a song entitled “Down in Cabo San Lucas” and the response has been overwhelming, not only with local fans but now a contingent of new fans from Mexico has embraced the group. It’s interesting in that a group of landlocked musicians from the mid-west has successfully captured the spirit of a favorite international seaside vacation spot. “Down in Cabo San Lucas” is an anthem piece that beckons one and all to hit the tip of the Baja Peninsula...
read moreOctober Events in Los Cabos: Laughing, Singing, Dancing, and Fishing
October is traditionally the busiest month for big events in Los Cabos, not surprising when you consider that it’s the month that kicks off the area’s high tourist season. That turned out not to be the case last year, when fallout from Hurricane Odile—the airport did not reopen until Oct. 8, and many hotels were closed for repairs and renovations—forced delays, cancellations, or changes of venue for some high-profile happenings, most notably the Cabo Comedy Festival and Sammy Hagar’s birthday bashes. But this year, things look to be back to...
read moreThe View Finder: A Q&A with Photographer Francisco Estrada
No one captures the natural beauty, culture, history, and romance of Los Cabos quite like Francisco Estrada. The talented and much in demand photographer has a gift for striking imagery, for framing his subjects in original ways, and for illuminating the indescribable qualities that make life at Land’s End so very special. This gift is why Estrada’s beautifully shot photos grace the covers of local magazines, are prominently featured in real estate campaigns, and are artfully displayed in some of area’s finest homes and hotels. And it’s why...
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