U.S. Navy Pilots patrolling the coast from Alaska to Baja during World War II reported sightings of large game fish springing from the waters near land’s end. After the war, some of the pilots settled at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, building a handful of simple fishing lodges and convincing their friends to fly down and wrestle with marlin, dorado, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna. The early hotels were modest, but Los Cabos today is home to some of the world’s top resorts and golf courses—and it remains one of the planet’s premier fishing destinations.
Resorts
ESPERANZA: Situated on a bluff overlooking the Sea of Cortés, this 17-acre Auberge resort includes 56 elegantly appointed suites and villas and—with its steam cave, plunge pools, and treatment rooms with outdoor showers and gardens—Los Cabos’ best spa. 866.311.2226, www.esperanzaresort.com
LAS VENTANAS AL PARAISO: The area’s most romantic resort offers 56 junior suites and five luxury suites, the latter of which include private infinity pools and Jacuzzis. Each night, Las Ventanas serves candlelit dinners for two on the beach. +52.624.144.2800, www.lasventanas.com
MARQUIS LOS CABOS: A 36-foot waterfall cascades through the open-air lobby of this Mexican-owned resort before dropping over a bar into the main swimming pool. Canto del Mar, the Marquis’ formal 22-seat restaurant, features a combination of Caribbean, French, and Mexican gourmet cuisine, and the adjoining lounge is an intimate setting for an after-dinner drink and cigar. +52.624.144.2000, www.marquisloscabos.com
ONE & ONLY PALMILLA: A $90 million makeover transformed this vintage retreat into a world-class resort with 172 rooms and suites, a Charlie Trotter–run restaurant, and a tropical-garden spa. 888.691.8081,
Golf Courses
CABO DEL SOL DESERT COURSE: This par-72 Tom Weiskopf design runs through canyons, over lakes, and alongside waterfalls, and it offers ocean views from each of its 18 holes. 213.891.6385, www.cabodelsol.com
CABO DEL SOL OCEAN COURSE: According to its designer, Jack Nicklaus, this course features the best oceanfront finishing holes in the world. His claim is difficult to refute. 213.891.6385, www.cabodelsol.com
CABO REAL: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Cabo Real wends its way down desert hills to the beaches of the Sea of Cortés. 877.795.8727, www.caboreal.com
PALMILLA: Also designed by Nicklaus, the Palmilla was Los Cabos’ first course. The route’s 27 holes are divided evenly between its mountain, beach, and desert terrain. 888.691.8081, www.palmillaresort.com
THE RAVEN: The lake along the 7th hole presents the greatest challenge on this Roy Dye (Pete’s brother) course. 888.328.8501
Sportfishing Tournaments
BISBEE’S BLACK & BLUE MARLIN JACKPOT TOURNAMENT: Celebrating its 25th year in 2005, Bisbee’s is the world’s most lucrative marlin tournament, with a purse that exceeds $1 million. Proceeds from the event help fund local charities. October 25–29, 714.556.2281, www.bisbees.com
LOS CABOS BILLFISH TOURNAMENT: Honors in this three-day team event go to the squad that tallies the most total pounds (with deductions for fish under the minimum size in each class) and to the groups that catch the largest fish (by weight) in each of the three eligible billfish species. A trophy and cash prize also are awarded to the team that releases the largest billfish. October 11–15, 407.571.4680, www.loscabosbillfishtournament.com
