Fall in Love with Cabo: Get to Know its Treasures with a Local Lens

• Art Walk in San José del Cabo: Plan an evening around San José del Cabo’s Art Walk on Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 pm, November through June. This is when galleries and shops stay open late, and vendors set up booths in the historic plaza to show off their art and wares. Go early to explore and make reservations in advance to dine at one of the many great restaurants in downtown San José del Cabo.

• Horseback riding: Get a horse-eye’s view of Cabo’s beauty by taking a beach or canyon trail ride or riding lessons at Cuadra San Francisco. This family-owned business takes exceptional care of their horses and riding guests, matching every skill level to the perfect horse. It’s a fun way to take in the desert landscape and get to know the terrain.

• Charter a cruise: Whether you want to go fishing, watch whales frolicking (between December and March) or just enjoy catching another view of Cabo’s gorgeous coastline from the sea, charter a boat from the marinas of Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. There’s a vessel for every budget. Time on the water offers a better appreciation of the famed Sea of Cortez. It's what Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called the world’s aquarium because of its diverse and rich marine life.

• Day trip to Todos Santos: Originally founded as a mission in 1724, Todos Santos is about an hour’s drive from the Cabo area and worth the trek. The small town is an instant charmer and checks all the boxes with delicious restaurants, quaint hotels, plentiful art galleries and boutiques and nearby stunning beaches. The drive will show you the depth and range of Baja California Sur's sweeping desert landscape. Read more on my blog about our road trip there.

• Hike to a waterfall: If you want to immerse yourself deeper into the Baja’s Sierra Laguna mountain range, drive about an hour and a half to Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo near Santiago. From there, a 10-minute hike will land you at the base of a 40-foot waterfall, Sol de Mayo, that descends into a nice swimming hole. Be sure to bring good hiking shoes, a swimsuit and towel to take full advantage of the excursion.

In Cabo, you can enjoy all types of food, from Michelin-star-worthy meals to local hole-in-the-wall spots full of local flavor and flare. Some of my favorite spots include the following:

• Seared: Developed by Jean-Georges, this steakhouse inside One&Only Palmilla is our go-to place for a special dinner. The atmosphere is upscale perfection. The food is divine and you will pay dearly for it. It’s worth it. They make world-class martinis, which we always start with in its bar area just outside the restaurant so we can enjoy their live music. Our favorite dishes include tuna tartare with ginger marinade, crispy salmon sushi, black truffle pizza, beef carpaccio and prime tenderloin. Always cooked to perfection, I haven’t had a better steak anywhere.

• Nicksan: If you are a sushi lover, do not miss eating here. My favorite dishes include the tuna tostada, sake lemon, maguro lime and lobster rolls, sashimi white and black tuna and shrimp gorgonzola (off-the-menu special).

• Ruba’s Bakery: This bistro keeps us coming back for more. It’s hard to not order the same thing every time, which for me is the cheese steak sandwich, but you will be rewarded each time you try something new. This place also is known for its impressive breakfasts, but every meal is a winner.

• Sage: Described as an open-air oasis of Baja cuisine, this restaurant serves excellent farm-to-table cuisine in the heart of San José del Cabo’s historic district. The chef draws on his Argentinian roots and European training to turn out some special dishes. This includes unique vegetarian preparations like charred cauliflower with spinach curry, bone marrow pasta, fried chicken and Kurobuta pork chop.

• Flora Farms: This place is always a must for first-time visitors. Lunch or dinner is a great choice, but it’s fun to explore the gardens, market, local shops and children’s play area during the day. This place is one of the best farm-to-table experiences we have experienced. For us, the gazpacho soup (seasonal), homemade bread and butter, burrata and tomato appetizer and fried chicken sandwich are must-eats at lunch. They also have in impressive selection of garden-inspired cocktails.

• Acre: Another excellent farm-to-table restaurant just down the dirt road from Flora Farms is this oasis in a more jungle-like setting. In fact, as you approach the restaurant, you’ll see their tree house accommodations for the more adventurous hotel seeker. I think of this place as having a more gourmet approach over Flora Farms. Start with the biscuits and honey-butter. Then move on to anything on the menu. There are no bad choices. If the mezcal tasting room is open, check out the good stuff produced by Acre. Wrap up your trip with a visit to the onsite animal sanctuary, where you’ll mingle with puppies, bunnies, donkeys and goats.

• Flavia: We recently lucked into finding this tiny pizza place off the historic center of San José del Cabo. The pizzas blew us away, along with the Caesar salad and shishito peppers. Trust me, if you crave exceptional Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven, this is your place. They don’t take reservations, so go when it opens to snag a seat. We loved sitting at the bar where we could watch the pizza magic happen.

• Come a Casa: You know an Italian place is going to be good when you watch them make ribbons of fresh pasta from the window. Come a Casa is a casual, fun place to enjoy drinks, pasta and pizza. Do not miss the peach-and-prosciutto bruschetta drizzled with honey as a starter. Their cocktails are also inventive and delicious.

• Fiorenza: Another favorite Italian place with delicious homemade pasta and a more relaxed feel is this tiny spot. If you’re craving creamy pasta, try the maltagliati ai gamberetti with shrimp. I also love the salads and thin-crust pizza with pepperoni and house-made sausage.

• El Ahorcado (The Hangman): Don’t be alarmed by the mannequin hanging from a noose outside this taqueria. Variety is the spice of life, and they deliver it in spades in both salsas and décor. Before ordering, the server will deliver a colorful tray of salsas and condiments for your chosen meal. Antiques, license plates, surfboards and more line the walls and ceiling. Start with the queso and chase it with a selection of tacos and quesadillas. I highly recommend the adobado (marinated pork) and bufalada (mixed meats) gourmet tacos, as well as the roasted poblano pepper and cream quesadilla.

• Barrio del Tango: This Argentinian steakhouse is within walking distance of the historic downtown area of San José del Cabo. Here you’ll enjoy the local scene as much as the food. Roosters crow, neighborhood dogs bark and the grill sizzles, creating the perfect ambiance. Begin with the empanadas, which are amazing. Quench your thirst with the restaurant’s signature drink, clericot. It’s almost a meal in a glass by the time you nibble on the chopped apples, nuts and other fruit floating along the top. Then proceed to one of several steak options. Each comes with a nice and tangy side salad to balance the meal.