Todos Santos
A Pacific-coast Pueblo Mágico an hour north of Cabo San Lucas — bohemian galleries, the Hotel California, farm-to-table restaurants, and quiet surf beaches.
Todos Santos at a glance
Todos Santos is a Pacific-coast Pueblo Mágico about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19 — a bohemian town of galleries, organic cafés, and the famous Hotel California, set back from a wide stretch of dramatic surf beach. Where Los Cabos is resort-driven, Todos Santos is artist-driven: a long-standing community of Mexican, American, and Canadian artists and surfers who've built a quieter, more grounded alternative to the Cabo resort scene. The trade-off is real — there are no major resorts in our directory here, the Pacific beaches are not swimmable, and the drive is a full hour each way. For visitors who want a day trip or an overnight escape from Cabo, Todos Santos is the most rewarding inland option in the region.
The Vibe
Todos Santos moves at a slower, more bohemian rhythm than anywhere in Los Cabos. Mornings start with coffee on the plaza and a walk past the historic Teatro Marquez de León; afternoons are for gallery-hopping along Calle Juárez, lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant, or a sunset surf session at Playa Los Cerritos. The crowd is a mix of long-term expat artists, surfers, day-trippers from Cabo San Lucas, and a growing food-and-wine scene. The historic centro is walkable and full of 19th-century colonial architecture, with the famous Hotel California as the most-photographed landmark. The Pacific beaches are wide and dramatic, but the surf is strong and not safe for swimming — surfers ride it, swimmers don't. The pace is the polar opposite of Cabo San Lucas, which is exactly the point.
Who It Suits
Todos Santos suits slow travelers, surfers, and artists first — the town's bohemian community, gallery scene, and quiet pace are the core draw. Foodies like the growing farm-to-table and Baja-Med restaurant scene, and wine travelers use Todos Santos as a base for the broader Baja wine region to the north. Visitors looking for a day trip from Cabo San Lucas — most book a guided day trip — are the largest group, and an overnight stay lets you experience the town after the day-trippers leave at sunset. Todos Santos is not the right pick for travelers who want swimmable beaches (the Pacific surf is too strong), mega-resort amenities, or walkable nightlife. It's also not a budget pick — the gallery and restaurant scene has gentrified prices upward over the last decade.
Pros & Cons
Pros: the most authentically bohemian town in the Los Cabos region, a walkable historic centro with real colonial character, a growing farm-to-table and Baja-Med restaurant scene, the famous Hotel California, and quiet surf beaches at Playa Los Cerritos. Cons: no major resorts — accommodations are mostly boutique inns and short-term rentals. The Pacific beaches are not swimmable due to strong surf. The drive from Cabo San Lucas is a full hour each way, which makes day trips long and limits evening outings. Nightlife is minimal — restaurants, hotel bars, and occasional live music. Prices for food and lodging have risen as the town has gentrified. For visitors who want a quiet, artsy escape or a day trip, Todos Santos is the best inland option; for visitors who want resorts and swimmable beaches, stay in Los Cabos.
Getting There & Around
Todos Santos sits about 60 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19, and about 75 minutes from Los Cabos International (SJD). Private transfers, rental cars, and guided day-trip vans all run the route — Highway 19 is well-maintained and four-lane most of the way. Once in town, the historic centro, galleries, restaurants, and Hotel California are all fully walkable. To reach the surf beaches at Playa Los Cerritos or Playa San Pedrito, a rental car or taxi is required — both are a 10-minute drive south of town. To reach the Baja wine region to the north (Valle de Guadalupe is a longer drive, but there are smaller Baja wineries closer), guided tours or rental cars are the standard options. Walking the full centro takes about 30 minutes.
Sample Resorts & Experiences
Todos Santos has no major resorts in our directory — accommodations are boutique inns, historic hotels like the Hotel California, and short-term rentals. For experiences, the Todos Santos Day Trip is the most popular outing from Cabo San Lucas — a guided tour covering the historic centro, galleries, Hotel California, and a farm-to-table lunch, usually with transportation included. A Baja Winery Tour is the other signature experience, with smaller Baja wineries accessible from Todos Santos as a base. Independent travelers can explore the historic centro on foot, surf at Playa Los Cerritos, eat at the farm-to-table restaurants, and visit the galleries along Calle Juárez — most of the best of Todos Santos is walkable and free to explore without a guide.
Things to do near Todos Santos
Todos Santos — FAQ
How far is Todos Santos from Cabo San Lucas?
About 60 minutes north on Highway 19. The road is well-maintained and four-lane most of the way. From Los Cabos International (SJD), the drive is about 75 minutes.
Can you swim at Todos Santos beaches?
Not safely — the Pacific beaches at Todos Santos have strong surf and are not swimmable. Playa Los Cerritos is a popular surf break for experienced surfers, but not for swimming. For swimming, stay in Los Cabos.
Is Todos Santos walkable?
Yes — the historic centro, galleries, restaurants, Hotel California, and the main plaza are all fully walkable. To reach the surf beaches at Playa Los Cerritos, a rental car or taxi is required.
Is the Hotel California in Todos Santos the one from the song?
The Hotel California in Todos Santos is a historic 1948 hotel that has been restored and operates as a boutique hotel. The connection to the Eagles song is disputed, but the hotel is a popular photo stop and landmark regardless.
Is Todos Santos worth a day trip from Cabo San Lucas?
For most travelers, yes — the bohemian town, the galleries, the farm-to-table restaurants, and the walkable historic centro make for one of the most rewarding day trips from Cabo San Lucas. A guided day trip with transportation is the easiest option.