The Corridor

Local home owners and restaurateurs come to Artesanos for Mexican furnishings, dishes, and glassware, along with colorful handicrafts and ornaments.

It's quite soothing to sit in this restaurant at Cabo Surf Hotel, at the ocean's edge under the shade of a palapa while watching the surfers. For breakfast munch on their machaca con huevos (eggs scrambled with shredded beef) washed down with a fresh-fruit smoothie. Later in the day, grab some fish tacos, or a Mediterranean tuna wrap with a blueberry mojito. Burgers are piled high with jalapeños and caramelized onions. For something light, try the crab cakes on a bed of tomato chutney with arugula. Drop in to watch the sunset and dine on fresh fish with a flavorful mango sauce. With a focus on healthy cuisine, the kitchen uses all local organic ingredients, cooks with olive oil (instead of butter), uses soybean oil for deep-frying, and will not serve marlin, mahimahi, or parrot fish due to commercial overfishing. Your entertainment is simple: a wonderful view that never stops changing.

Argentinean chef Gonzalo Cerda is changing things up at Cocina del Mar, the elegant restaurant in the exquisite Esperanza Resort. Using daily market ingredients and focusing on simple seafood and lush presentation, Cerda reinterprets classics like tortilla soup, here made with seafood, and presents inventive dishes such as sea scallops with foie gras sauce, or spinach ravioli stuffed with corn, ricotta, and Parmesan. Grilled Angus is accompanied with creamy risotto and a porcini mushroom foam. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the waiter delivers a Grand Marnier soufflé. The dining room is under a thatched-roof palapa overlooking the Pacific, but opt for a table on the cliffs where waves crash so close, you can feel the spray. When you're finished with your meal, retire to The Lounge for either a cigar, a nightcap, or a flight of some very fine tequila.

The first Latin American restaurant opened by three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten resides in the One&Only Palmilla. It's one of the priciest spots in Los Cabos, but it's also one of the best. Described as Eurasian with Mexican influences, the elegant yet comfortable restaurant is accented with deep red and rich burgundy details, and original artwork. Appetizers like caramelized foie gras or caviar atop a lemon gelatin will make you swoon. Entrées include thoughtful presentations of almond-crusted duck, sautéed grouper with sweet chili, and corn ravioli with cherry tomatoes and basil fondue. For a sweet finish, try the corn soufflé with chipotle ice cream. You can bring your bill down slightly by opting for a fine Baja wine from the extensive wine list rather than a European one. Feeling more casual? Adjacent to Market, also overseen by Jean-Georges, is Suviche Bar, which offers fresh sushi and Mexican ceviches incorporating both local and Asian flavors, and chic cocktails.

For fresh, inventive sushi, there's no question that the Nick-San franchise corners the market, and this outpost in the Tiendas de Palmilla shopping mall wins the prize. Pair each of your selections with wine or sake, and let chef Eddie Carvajal help you make the best choices from the vast menu. Favorites include the lobster roll (with cilantro, mango, mustard, and curry oil), lobster sambal (marinated in sake with soy, ginger, and garlic), and the tuna tostadas served on rice crackers with avocado. The gyozas stuffed with shrimp and scallops—also find their way on most of the tables. Hot dishes like the chile age, a California chile stuffed with spicy crab and sesame sauce, and a seabass in miso and white mushroom sauce, offer even the most fickle diners plenty to marvel at. For an after dinner drink, head next door to their chic nightclub, Privé.

Chef Volker Romeike blends Asian and Polynesian ingredients with local products for a menu that showcases well-executed Pacific Rim fusion. Above the beach in the Sheraton's Hacienda del Mar resort in Cabo del Sol, Pitahayas is set under a soaring palapa overlooking the rollicking surf. Seafood-heavy dishes are the specialty. Try the blackened catch of the day accompanied with mango-papaya relish, or the famous coconut shrimp with lilikoi horseradish sauce and chipotle cilantro cream. For an impressive presentation and fresh flavor, the ahi tuna comes with avocado, pineapple, and tobiko. Also on offer is one of the largest wine selections in all of Mexico with nearly 3,000 bottles, as well as private dining in the wine cellar for 8 to 10 people.

Puerta Vieja translates into "Old Door" and the beautiful door you walk through to enter this restaurant is actually 150 years old and was imported from India. Though Puerta Vieja serves lunch, we suggest dinner at sunset, when the view of El Arco is the most impressive. The cuisine pulls from Continental, Latin, and Mexican traditions, with a touch of Asian flavorings. Entrées feature lobster, shrimp, and Sonoran cuts of meat. There's live music on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 10 pm.

Stunning views of El Arco from cocktail tables along the cliffs make this restaurant just outside of Cabo San Lucas the best place to toast the sunset. If the breeze is still, stay outside and enjoy dining alfresco; if not, move into the candlelit dining room under a palapa. Italian chef Paolo Della Corte's menu offers seafood lime risotto or shrimp wrapped in a phyllo dough stuffed with mozzarella and sundried tomatoes. If you can't decide, go for the three-pasta sampler. The beef tenderloin is delivered on a hot stone and grilled tableside. Portions are on the smaller side, so it's worth splurging for the Mona Lisa tasting menu, which includes five or seven courses, respectively. If you arrive without a reservation, you can always head upstairs to the more casual Sunset Point, a wine and pizza lounge with daily tapas specials from 5 to 6 pm.

It's well known that Las Ventanas is one of the best hotels in Mexico, and The Restaurant on the property does not disappoint. Chef Fabrice Guisset has unveiled a new Mexican menu that pays homage to the country's culinary traditions. With a focus on local ingredients and traditional recipes, highlights include Ensenada-sourced mussels cooked in dark Negra Modelo beer, chipotle, tomatillo, and acuyo (an herb that tastes like anise); and braised beef ribs in pascalito sauce (mole made from roasted pumpkin seeds and serrano chilies) and epazote (a Mexican herb)—with homemade tortillas. Also recommended are the lamb chops with black bean puree, the grilled octopus, and the suckling pig presented in an updated interpretation of the classic Mayan cochinita pibil. The desserts are as varied as the main courses, so save room for The Restaurant's version of tres leches cake, churros, flan, and an excellent house-made tequila ice cream. There's live music Monday through Saturday and private cooking demonstrations are hosted by Chef Fabrice Guisset in the Rosewood herb garden (by reservation).

Popular with the surfing crowd this palapa-covered joint is on Cabo Azul beach, just south of San Jose del Cabo. Though their burger is the reason to come, the aroma of grilling lobster and tacos, and a soundtrack of surf tunes are good reasons to return. Casual doesn't begin to describe the crowd, which can get downright rowdy. But hey, have fun, amigo, you've entered the Los Cabos Surf Zone! There's no question that owner "Big Tony" feeds you well for your pesos. With half-pound burgers, slabs of prime rib, or steak and lobster for two at under $40, you'll leave the beach a glutton, albeit a jolly one. Bring the kids in the daytime; they'll enjoy running from the dining table to the sand between every couple of bites. Sporting events sometimes blare on the TV, and live music is offered nightly.

A private enclave—with golf courses and residences—is being developed at Bahía Chileno, roughly midway between San José and Cabo San Lucas. Consistently ranked one of the cleanest beaches in Mexico, Chileno has been awarded “Blue Flag” certification, meaning 32 criteria for safety, services, water quality and other standards have been met. The beach skirts a small, crescent-shape cove with aquamarine waters and an outside reef that are perfect for snorkeling and swimming (there are even restrooms, showers, and handicap access). To the east are tide pools great for exploring with the kids. Getting here is easy, thanks to the well-marked access ramps on both sides of the road. The Chileno Bay project, a resort community on the rocky cliff at the east end of the beach continues to be developed. Along the western edge of Bahía Chileno, some 200 yards away, are some good-size boulders that you can scramble up. On the trek down you may see some stray wrappers and cans, but the beach itself is clean and usually not too crowded except on Sundays. In winter, this part of the Sea of Cortez gets chilly—refreshing for a dip, but most snorkelers don't spend too much time in the water. On weekends, get to the bay early if you want to claim shade under a palapa.

Amenities: Toilets; showers; parking lot. Best for: swimming; snorkeling; tide pools.

This wide, sloping, horseshoe-shape beach is surrounded by cactus-covered rocky cliffs; the placid waters here are a protected fish sanctuary. The bay is part of an underwater reserve and is a great place to snorkel: brightly colored fish swarm through chunks of white coral and golden sea fans. Unfortunately, this little slice of paradise offers no shade unless you sit in the shadows at the base of the cliffs, so you may want to bring a beach umbrella. In high season, from November to May, there's usually someone renting snorkeling gear for $10 a day or selling sarongs, straw hats, and soft drinks. It's best to bring your own supplies, though, including lots of drinking water, snacks, and sunscreen. Snorkel and booze-cruise boats from Cabo San Lucas visit the bay in midmorning through about 1 pm. Arrive midafternoon if you want to get that total Robinson Crusoe feel. The parking lot is a quarter mile or so off the highway and is sometimes guarded; be sure to tip the guard. The bay is roughly 19 km (12 miles) west of San José and 13 km (8 miles) east of Cabo San Lucas. Heading east, look for the sign saying "playa santa maría." Amenities: Toilets, parking lot. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; partiers.

Less opulent than some of the other spas in the region, Cactus Spa feels a bit dated and underwhelming. However, a full menu of rejuvenating massages and post-sun body treatments make up for any lack of vanity in spa design. Try a Mango Paradise, Tropical Escape, or Deep Tissue Hydro-Massage, which exfoliates as it relaxes. If you're feeling sweet, the Chocolate Body Wrap and the Green Coffee Body Wrap engage all the senses. Vitamin-C facials for women, as well as facials specifically designed for men, round out the therapy list. The Bamboo Scrub with the Vichy Shower is a favorite among guests. An on-site salon helps with last-minute hair and makeup emergencies.

La Europea carries a wide selection of imported wines and deli products.

For posh hotel bars, it's hard to top the Hilton Los Cabos' La Vista whose terrace overlooks the Sea of Cortez. There's nothing raucous here; just intimate conversation over wine and cocktails,with complimentary hors d'oeuvres from 5 to 6 pm.

Las Tiendas de Palmilla is across from the posh Palmilla Resort. There is a smattering of shops and galleries, a couple of restaurants, a coffee shop, a nice terrace with a peaceful fountain, and a view of the Palmilla development with the Sea of Cortez beyond. Antigua de México is a branch of the famous Tlaquepaque store, and shoppers will discover distinctive furniture and bedding supplies, and many Mexican-flavor interior-decorating items. Pez Gordo Art Gallery is artist Dana Leib's second location, and offers her pieces, as well as those by other artists. You'll find beautifully designed furnishings, accessories, fabrics, and antique doors at Casa Paulina. Stop in Casa Vieja for beautiful women's apparel by Mexican designers, including Pineda-Covalin—you'll find a wide range of styles in fibers such as cotton, silk, linen, and even cactus. If you need to fuel up during your time here, there's an outpost of popular Nick-San, and Cream Cafe.

This noisy, friendly roadhouse always attracts gringos looking to down a shot of tequila, sip cold beer, and mingle with old or new friends. The menu features good, dependable, and mostly American fare. There is live music, ranging in style from pop to blues to country, from October to June.

Treatment villas are tucked behind white stucco walls, ensuring privacy. Therapists lead you through a locked gate into peaceful palm-filled gardens with a bubbling hot tub and a daybed covered with plump pillows. There are 13 private treatment villas, for either one or two people; six are equipped with an outdoor shower, bathtub, and thatched-roof daybed, for relaxing in between or after treatments. There's a blend of Mexican and Asian, and other global accents; treatments use cactus, lime, and a variety of Mexican spices. Each treatment begins with a Floral Footbath—a symbolic Balinese ritual, which represents a cleansing of life's tensions to prepare you for total relaxation. One signature treatment is the Secret Garden Remedy, which starts with an exfoliation followed by an Indian influenced massage using oil infused with jasmine, lime, sweet orange, rosemary, and basil. For the ultimate in relaxation, try the Chocolate Synergy Treatment—two hours and two therapists that combine four massage techniques using a Mexican herbal compress and chocolate oil.

This wide, lengthy, and accessible stretch of beach is one of the longest along the Cabo Corridor. Reef breaks for surfers can be good, but the beach is also known for its riptides, making it unswimmable. It's a great beach for long, quiet runs or walks, and it's not uncommon to find locals with horses to rent for a beachside ride. Whales can easily be spotted from the beach from January through March. The section between Hilton and Meliá Cabo Real is best for swimming because of a small manmade cove that keeps waters calmer than exposed beaches. Here you'll find a tiny shack renting boogie boards and other water sports equipment. Amenities: Toilets, parking lot (exit at Km 22 or 24). Best for: surfers; walking.

Cabo's best surfing beach runs 3 km (2 mi) south from San José's hotel zone along Highway 1. The Zipper and La Roca breaks are world famous. Playa Costa Azul connectes to neighboring Playa Acapulquito in front of Cabo Surf Hotel. Surfers gather at both beaches year-round, but most come in summer, when hurricanes and tropical storms create the year's largest waves, and when the ocean is at its warmest. This condo-lined beach is popular with joggers and walkers, but swimming isn't advised. When getting in and out of the water in front of Cabo Surf Hotel (where surf lessons take place), watch out for the sea urchins that cling to the shallow rocks. Beginner surfers should ask locals to point out the mound of hidden rocks near the break closest to the cliffs; this means it's much safer to take "rights" than "lefts" at this break. Although not overly common, jellyfish can also be a problem here. The turnoff to this beach is sudden and only available to drivers coming from Cabo San Lucas (not from San José del Cabo). It's on the beach side of the highway, at Zipper's restaurant, which is on the sand by the surf breaks. If coming from San José del Cabo, you have to exit at Costa Azul Surf Shop and drive under the highway to the parking area. Food and drinks are available at Zipper's restaurant or at 7 Seas restaurant. Amenities: Toilets, food concession, picnic tables, parking lot. Best for: surfing; walking; partiers.

Just west of Santa María Bay, this small public beach is often referred to as Twin Dolphin Beach after the Twin Dolphin Hotel, a longtime landmark that was demolished in mid-2007. The reef makes it a great place for snorkeling (bring your own gear), but it is open to the ocean and all the inherent dangers that entails, so swimming is not recommended. Low tides reveal great tidal pools filled with anemone, starfish, and other sea creatures (please leave these creatures in the sea). Amenities: Toilets, parking lot. Best for: snorkeling.

Check out the impressive multimillion-dollar villas on the road to Playa Palmilla, the best swimming beach near San José. Turn off the highway as if you're going to the One&OnlyPalmilla and then cross over the highway on an overpass. Continue about half a mile. The entrance is from the side road through the ritzy Palmilla development; take a left before you reach the guardhouse of the One&Only Hotel. There are signs, but they're not exactly large. The beach is protected by a rocky point, and the water is almost always calm, however Punta Palmilla further out is popular with surfers during huge swells (20 ft+). A few thatched-roof palapas on the sand provide shade; there are trash cans but no restrooms. Panga fishermen have long used this beach as a base, and they're still here, after winning lengthy legal battles to ensure their continued access to the beach that provides their livelihood. Guards patrol the beach fronting the hotel, discouraging nonguests from entering the exclusive resort—although the public legally has access to cross the beach in front of the resort property. Amenities: Parking lot. Best for: solitude; walking.

You'll enjoy the open-air hot tubs that face the Cape's blue sky and overlook the Sea of Cortez. Lounge chairs draped with thick towels tempt you to linger by the hot tubs, but floors inlaid with stones will lead you to the spa's treatment rooms and the amazing experiences within. Noteworthy are the seaweed wrap, the hot stone massage, and the myoxy caviar facial. The spa is only open to hotel guests or outside visitors willing to purchase a Day Pass for $150 per person. This gives access to the spa and other all-inclusive services at the resort from 9 am to 11 pm. Secrets Spa by Pevonia now has a second location past the marina in San Jose del Cabo.

SOMMA is the only spa of its kind in Mexico, with only six others throughout the world. The concept spa uses grapes from the up-and-coming Valle de Guadalupe wine region just outside of Ensenada. It's an unusual experience blended with classical treatments, focusing on the calming, cosmetic, and antioxidant properties of grapes and wine, or vinotherapy. It towers high above the Sea of Cortez with 15 treatment rooms, both indoor and open-air, and offers a geothermal hot spring and more than 33 facial and body treatments from a Champagne Mud Wrap to a Le Vine Massage.

This casual wine-and-pizza lounge is a colorful rooftop hot spot that shares the same stunning view of the famous Los Cabos Arch as its downstairs counterpart, Sunset de Mona Lisa. With a selection of over 140 wines and champagnes, complimented by free tapas daily from 5 to 6 pm, this is the place to watch the sun set over light bites and cocktails.

The name sounds rather utilitarian, but the dim lighting and intimate ambience here are anything but. Enjoy stunning views of El Arco—you are, after all, on the Cabo San Lucas end of the Corridor—at Esperanza's elegant bar and lounge on lush couches. Linger over quiet drinks or smoke a cigar as you listen to the sounds of the ocean.

At the exclusive, 17-acre Esperanza Resort between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo the beautiful spa is reached by way of a stone path over a koi pond. At check-in you're presented with an agua fresca, a healthy drink made with papaya or mango, or other fruits and herbs. Before your treatment, linger in the grotto, enjoying the Pasaje de Agua (water passage) therapy, which includes steam caves and a waterfall. Treatments incorporate local ingredients, tropical fruits, and ocean-based products. Look for such pampering as the papaya-mango body polish, the grated-coconut-and-lime exfoliation, the four-hands massage, and the Mexican beer facial. Yoga classes are held at 7:45 and 9 each morning for $35.

Known for its innovative treatments— nopal (cactus) anticellulite and detox wrap, crystal healing massages, and raindrop therapy, the Spa at Las Ventanas has both indoor and outdoor facilities. Some of the eight treatment rooms have private patios, and the two couples' suites come with a private butler. Healing rituals like the Holistic Twilight Ceremony are performed daily. Salt glows and massages are available in a pavilion by the sea. Guests staying in beachfront villas are treated to a 30-minute complimentary water massage in a private plunge pool. There are also pampering treatments for kids (Mommy and Me) and couples (Sea and Stars).

Massages and wraps are the specialties provided in seven treatment rooms at the Westin's Spa. Most popular is the four-hand massage, which takes guests to the peak of relaxation. Those craving body treatments can opt for the Cocolucious, which features coconut, or the Cucumber and Mint scrub. The hot stone Swedish massage is also a top seller. An on-site salon, barbershop, and fitness center round out the amenities.

Located along the Costa Azul surf coast near the popular Zipper's Restaurant, Trader Dick's is a country store that's a favorite with Americans seeking newspapers from home, along with familiar deli meats and cheeses.

Named for the nearby surf break, beachfront Zipper's attracts a mixed crowd of surfers and nonsurfers alike. A good selection of beer, as well as ribs and burgers, is always on hand, with live music every night.