Get to Know San Jose del Cabo

 

On the southern tip of Baja California Sur lies the picturesque city of San Jose del Cabo. Gorgeous blue oceans are surrounded by astounding rock formations while lush palm trees line tranquil lagoons.

The city has an old-world feel reminiscent of Old Baja, making it a colonial gem. Although the vibe is laid-back, San Jose del Cabo is bursting with elegance.

From fantastic restaurants and bars to superb outdoor and cultural activities, there’s no shortage of magic in San Jose del Cabo. Read on to discover this tropical yet romantic oasis.

San Jose del Cabo boasts some excellent eateries known for their high-quality ingredients, innovative menus, and friendly service. Savor the finest cuisine in the area at these premier restaurants:

Mirai is a sleek Asian fusion restaurant and sushi bar. Headed by esteemed Chef Volker Romeike, this intimate eatery has an eclectic menu. Ingredients are obtained from local farmers and fishermen, giving dishes a terrific flavor.

Popular appetizers and entrees include jicama taquitos, potstickers, slow-roasted short ribs, and a braised pork shank. The Ramen is delectable, made with a pork bone broth and filled with noodles, vegetables, a boiled egg, and a lamb shank. Mirai also features a variety of sushi rolls, such as the Spicy Tuna roll and California Special roll. The Acevichado roll is a fan favorite, complete with cucumber, avocado, onion, Serrano pepper, octopus, shrimp, and fish, and served with their special sauce.

Mirai’s desserts are interesting must-tries. The Xango is a fried flour tortilla stuffed with roasted banana cheesecake, cinnamon, and caramelized ginger, then topped with vanilla ice cream. The Sweet Maki Roll is cream cheese, fruit, and coconut milk rolled in sticky rice and then garnished with a balsamic reduction.

 

For innovative dishes in an inviting atmosphere, there’s the exceptional Lumbre. The restaurant uses bold gastronomic techniques by cooking regional ingredients on woodfired grills and in brick ovens. From meal plating to customer interactions, the team is all about attention to detail.

At Lumbre, food is a celebration and is prepared as such. To start, there’s the scrumptious Seared Fish Tataki, Baked Beets, and Grilled Stone Oysters. Larger plates include the toasted garlic fish, red curry roasted chicken, and tender yet crispy octopus. Cooked in flavorful uni butter, the New York strip steak is extremely juicy and pairs outstandingly with asparagus.

The eatery’s desserts are unique as well, such as the Burnt Sweet Potato and Crème Brȗlée Donut. The Eton Mess is another standout choice, which is a meringue and lemon curd posset topped with balsamic strawberries and negroni sherbert.

 

San Jose del Cabo touts some hot bars that serve creative cocktails made by professional mixologists. Sip on some deliciously crafted beverages while taking in awesome scenery at these chic bars:

Agave is a Mexican boutique and tasting room offering rare spirits. This posh rooftop bar provides views of San Jose del Cabo’s Gallery District and is a popular hangout scene.

Tequila is Agave’s specialty, featuring those that have matured at higher altitudes. Other artisanal Mexican spirits include Mezcal, Sotol, Charanda, and Bacanora. These fine liquors are great to enjoy straight over ice or blended into a house cocktail. All of Agave’s exclusive spirits are hand-curated by their master tequilero and sommelier.

Agave has some delicious farm-to-table bites, too. Colorful salads, seared ahi tuna, and fresh oysters are some commonly ordered plates.

 

For handcrafted cocktails served both poolside and beachside, there’s Shorebar Los Cabos. This outdoor lounge has a grand open-air pavilion with refined pendant lights and wooden furniture. Shorebar’s blue and white themed decor adds to the bar’s nautical vibe.

Shorebar’s expert mixologists are known for creating imaginative yet tasty cocktails. Sip on a Berry Cooler while taking in the breathtaking ocean landscape. Or, try an Old Mexico Fashioned while listening to some chill live music.

Shorebar even has a vintage van that sells small dishes. Typical menu items include ceviche, tacos, and chips with guacamole and salsa.

 

San Jose del Cabo is a renowned vacation destination with beautiful oceanfronts. Dazzling azure waters hug golden sands and are enclosed by jagged rocks. San Jose del Cabo also has a rich history and is known for its many colonial buildings. Additionally, the area is home to fabulous galleries that display all types of art pieces. This resort city is home to some of the finest golf in all of Los Cabos as well. Not only are these courses quite the challenge, but they provide golf aficionados with majestic ocean vistas, too.

San Jose del Cabo has a variety of scenic beaches to discover, such as Playa Palmilla, Playa Costa Azul, Playa Acapulquito, and Playa Hotelera. You’ll find sparkling blue waters and pristine sands at each shoreline. Plus, you will be in awe of the stately rock formations that surround many of the beaches.

The beaches in San Jose del Cabo are perfect for a variety of outdoor sports. Playa Palmilla is best for swimming and kayaking due to its calm waters. Playa Costa Azul and Playa Acapulquito are ideal for surfing and have hosted many surfing competitions. They’re also wonderful for stand-up paddleboarding. Playa Hotelera is best for fishing and late-night beach walks on the soft sand.

Beachcombing, beach volleyball, and beach horseback riding are fun pastimes as well. For those who just want to kick back and relax, there’s nothing better than laying out on the sand and enjoying the waves.

 

San Jose del Cabo’s main square—known as Plaza Mijares—is a quaint town center. The plaza displays Mexican heritage, and its gazebo is a gathering spot for community events. During Christmas, Plaza Mijares is marvelously decorated with a fully-lit tree and a life-size nativity scene. The town square is also a lovely place to take a stroll and take in the charm of Old Baja.

Plaza Mijares is also surrounded by other prominent historical buildings. There is the famed Misión de San José del Cabo Añuití, which has a storied past and currently operates as a Catholic church. San Jose del Cabo has a vibrant cultural scene too. Casa de la Cultura holds a variety of artistic workshops for the public, such as dancing, music, painting, literature, and acting classes.

 

San Jose del Cabo has prominent art studios situated in the city’s Historic Gallery District. These acclaimed art museums are great for touring and even scoping out new artwork to purchase.

The Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery displays representational, contemporary, and interactive art, along with smaller art sculptures. Much of Guaderrama’s work is done with vibrant hues and features angel figures and heart shapes. The Frank Arnold Gallery is a leading art institution that hosts weekly art openings and serves as a working studio. This famous artist is internationally known for his brilliant abstract paintings and sculptures.

 

Palmilla Golf Club is a prestigious Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Situated on Playa Palmilla, this challenging yet stunning course offers 27 holes of world-renowned golf. Dubbed the “Grand Dame of Los Cabos Golf,” each hole has spectacular vistas of the Sea of Cortez. Palmilla contains three courses in total, including the Mountain Course, Ocean Course, and Arroyo Course. The golf club has an immaculate practice facility as well, stocked with premium Callaway equipment and clubs.

Palmilla’s onsite shop has everything for your golfing needs and is staffed by a team of golf experts. The golf club also has a Mexican-style clubhouse named the Cantina. The Cantina serves light breakfast and lunch plates along with refreshing top-shelf margaritas.

 

Contact Emily Rice if you’re looking for luxury properties in San Jose del Cabo. Emily is a Los Cabos native whose tenacity and empathy have made her a premier real estate agent in the area. Whether it’s Querencia Cabo mansions, Palmilla luxury condos, El Dorado Cabo estates, or Chileno Bay Cabo luxury homes, Emily can help you find the property of your dreams.