Interesting Places

SAN JOSE DEL CABO

The city sits about a mile back from the sea, and is separated from the beachfront by a series of low hills, and a nine-hole golf course. A few steps in from the sea is the city's main natural feature, a large freshwater estuary. The estero gives the city a semi tropical, almost oasis look. Mango. avocado, and orange trees flourish in an around the city in defiance of the region's stark desert.

San Jose has some very good shopping and dining  and a couple of interesting sight-seeing attractions. Begin your exploring where Boulevard Mijares intersects the Plaza Mijares. It leads past the colonial-style Municipal Palace. Facing the Palace is a long narrow fountain illuminated with colorful lights at night.

Be sure to visit the zocaIo, with its shaded courtyard and while gilded bandstand. The city's only church is the twin-spired Parroquia de San Jose. It faces the square and  was built in 1940 on the exact site of the original mission dating to 1730, founded by Jesuit missionary Nicolas Tamaral. A mural above its main entrance depicts the ordeal Tamaral suffered from the Pericu Indians in retaliation for the padre's opposition to the natives' polygamous ways. From here streets radiate in grid fashion. There are dozens of interesting shops, and some fine courtyard restaurants. Many businesses are housed in restored buildings dating to Colonial days. By city ordinance, Colonial-era buildings are protected. Especially noteworthy are houses along Doblado, Hidalgo, Morelos and Obregon streets.

ESTUARY Of SAN JOSE

Just east of downtown is a placid freshwater lagoon where roving pirates replenished their water supply. The 125-acre estuary is a game reserve with nearly 200 species of birds. It was recently dredged and rehabilitated by Ducks Unlimited de Mexico. It is a prime spot for kayaking and paddle boats. There is also a dirt walking trail (the Paceo del Estero) around much of the Estuary. Just beyond the estuary to the east is La Playita, a rustic fishing enclave. A lighthouse looms in the distance offering panoramic views of San Jose and the estuary.

THE CORRIDOR

Stretching along 18 miles (29 km) of sea coast that link the towns of San Jose and Cabos San Lucas, the Corridor is a scenic succession of pristine beaches. sheltered coves, and promontories. Several sprawling resorts have sprouted along the coast, along side Mexico's finest collection of golf courses and a spiffy collection of new health spas for golf widows.

Depending on your viewpoint. the Corridor can be seen as either a secluded paradise thankfully short on commercialism and clamor of Cabo San Lucas, or like being marooned in the middle of nowhere. There's plenty of open space, but no settlements other than the upscale resort enclaves that dot the coast. Highway One cruises through the area, with numerous dirt road turnoffs that head to nearby beaches (look for blue and white signs). The area's beaches are spectacular and almost always deserted. This is prime surfing and beach-combing territory; however, not all beaches are suitable for swimming due to strong undertow.

CABO SAN LUCAS

Cabo San Lucas is considered by many visitors to be the epicenter of the Los Cabos resort scene. While San Jose earns high marks for its friendly, historic charm, Cabo San Lucas has sprung to life only in the last 10 years. To some the city is a curious and somewhat frenzied mix of loud bars, hip nightclubs, chain restaurants, designer boutiques, and timeshare sales booths. Others rave about the city's diverse gourmet dining, abundant shopping, and familiar American-style vacation diversions.

Undoubtedly there's more to do in "San Lucas" (as locals call the city) and lots more people out and about than in its quieter sister city of San Jose. Its busy marina draws visitors for boat excursions and to the sport fishing dock to see the day's catch. There are also considerably more dining, shopping and night life options. As for scenery, Cabo's setting is more dramatic: This is the true end of the Baja Peninsula and the point where the Pacific and Sea of Cortes come together.

What you won't find here are any historic buildings, since Cabo only began to develop as a city in the 1970's. Most attractions are within four or five blocks of the marina. Several new shopping malls anchor the marina's east side, while the sprawling Hotel Plaza Las Glorias dominates the rest of the town's waterfront. Across from the marina, facing a string of deluxe beachfront resorts, is beautiful Medano Beach, Cabo San Lucas' swimming beach and a haven for all sorts of water sports.

EL ARCO

The boat ride to El Arco should not be missed. This naturally-hewn rock formation at land's end was carved by centuries of pounding waves and wind. You can either rent your own skiff in the marina or at Medano Beach, or head out on an escorted glass-bottom boat.

LOVER'S BEACH

The excursion to Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) is fun. This remote, although increasingly crowded cove, offers an ideal picnic spot with its calm waters, excellent snorkeling and towering stone cliffs.

LIGHTHOUSE AT CABO FALSO

The old lighthouse at Cabo Falso lies a few  kilometers outside of Cabo San Lucas. The abandoned shell of the original building rests atop sand dunes overlooking the cape. Access is only by horseback or all-terrain vehicles, both of which can be rented in downtown Cabo.

FABRICA DE VIDRIO

See artisans at work at the small glass factory that produces beautiful hand-blown items.

FISHING FLEET DOCKS

Wander to the marina in the afternoon to see the fishing boats return. There's also a sprawling open-air market selling handicrafts and clothing.