6 Best Sights in Todos Santos, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

Todos Santos is an oasis, meaning fresh water naturally runs through the desert into the ocean. Greenery blooms alongside cracking stretches of hardened sand, with palm trees and cacti living as neighbors. Within the heart of the oasis sits Playa Las Palmas, one of the only swimmable beaches in Todos Santos. You need to walk through a corridor of lush plant life (and potentially an ankle-deep stream) to reach the ocean, which feels so surprisingly out of place, you'd think it was planted by a gardener. It's a quiet, beautiful place to spend some time, although beware of horse droppings and sand fleas. There are no amenities, so bring your own umbrellas and snacks. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

Todos Santos was the second-farthest south of Baja California's 30 mission churches, a system the Spanish instituted to convert (and subdue) the peninsula's indigenous peoples. Jesuit priests established an outpost here in 1723 as a visita (circuit branch) of the mission in La Paz, a day's journey away on horseback. The original church north of town was sacked and pillaged twice during its existence, before being relocated in 1825 to this site in the center of town. Additions in the past two centuries have resulted in a hodgepodge of architectural styles, but the overall effect is still pleasing, and the structure serves to this day as the community's bustling parish church.

Once a vital maritime hub, the Old Port of Todos Santos has been reduced to (literal) ruins, but remains an awe-inspiring viewpoint. Reachable only by a hiking trail or with an ATV, the striking vistas from the top of the trail are easily worth the sweat and dust you'll be covered in upon arrival. If you have it in you, you can take a steep 2½-mile trek down to a stunning, secluded beach to cool off. The trail, also called the Sugar Port, starts at Punta Lobos.

This long, expansive beach on the Pacific Ocean, about 64 km (40 miles) north of Cabo San Lucas and on the way to the town of Todos Santos, is famous among surfers for its wonderful breaking waves in winter. Great for beginners, the waves here are consistent, accessible, and not overly powerful. Boards and lessons are available via multiple surf shops right on shore. This beach works best on northwest swells. Even if you don't ride the waves, you can watch them crash along the shore. The sandy beach is wide, flat, and ideal for wading and swimming close to shore. Swimming farther out is not recommended because of the strong currents.

There are a small but lively number of beach bars and restaurants, including Barracuda Cantina, which was featured on Netflix's Taco Chronicles, plus a couple of modest beachfront hotels. Several condo and hotel developments are in progress, with locals predicting that Cerritos will be the "next Médano" (the mega-popular beach in Cabo San Lucas) in a decade or so. You can still camp or stay in RVs near the beach, although there are no organized campsites or RV parks in the area. The beach is quite dog-friendly, and you'll no doubt cross paths with a few four-legged friends (and their owners) on any given day. It's also a nice place to get an affordable massage, with a number of massage beds set up right in the sand.

Access to the beach is marked on Highway 19 (which connects Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos) by a sign for Playa Los Cerritos at Km 64 (13 km [8 miles] south of Todos Santos). The graded dirt road to the beach is 2½ km (1½ miles) from Highway 19. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers (for restaurant patrons); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

The closest beach to downtown Todos Santos, Punta Lobos is where fishermen launch their boats in the early morning. It's fascinating to watch them go out, as well as return in the afternoon, boats barreling onto the sand at high speed. You may see the occasional swimmer, but it generally isn't advised due to strong currents. Strolling along the sand and enjoying the scenery, however, is highly recommended. Punta Lobos, named after the sea lions native to the area, is also the starting point of some of the town's most beloved hikes. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: sunrise; walking.

The mouthful of a name denotes Todos Santos's 1944 movie theater, which was quite a grand movie palace back in the day for remote, small-town Mexico. A few cultural events take place here, including the annual Todos Santos Film Festival each March.