San José del Cabo

More than just an art gallery, Casa Paulina inspires decorating ideas with items for the home. Candles, lamps, chairs, throws, and enormous clay pots are a few of the treasures you might find.

Baja's popular brewery is right in the middle of San José del Cabo. Fun and upbeat, this brewpub has great music and serves up filling pub meals. Burgers, shepherd's pie, soups, salads, and pizza—and more elegant entrées such as panko crusted sea bass and coffee rubbed filet mignon—should be accompanied with a pint of any of eight special San José cervezas, along with seasonal offerings, all brewed within sight of the bar and restaurant. Two other branches can be found in Cabo San Lucas.

Fronted by miles of secluded beach, this casual seaside cantina (with cheap cervezas) gets rave reviews from locals who make the slightly involved drive out of San José del Cabo. Former Southern California restaurant owners Denny and Judie Jones serve up hefty, reasonably priced New York steaks; seafood entrées, such as coconut shrimp; "burritos like bombs"; hefty burgers; and, without a doubt, lo mas grande (the biggest in the world) flan. Indeed, this custardlike dessert could easily be enough for two or three—try it with a shot of Kahlúa poured over the top. Also, Sunday breakfast is a big hit. To get here, turn off Boulevard Mijares at the signs for Puerto Los Cabos and follow the road up the hill, around the small traffic circle, and continue out into the desert, toward the sea. You'll find the restaurant about 5 km (3 mi), about a 10-minute drive, from San José in the Laguna Hills neighborhood. Check out the Web site for more detailed directions before you head out.

"No menu, no rules" is the way chef Casiano Reyes describes the spontaneous cuisine at this gem in a tranquil location above Alegranza luxury condominiums. If you're open-minded, you'll relish this creative spot where a changing palette of local ingredients appears on a free-form menu. Once you're seated in the bi-level, indoor-outdoor space, you'll be presented with a little tablet in a bowl that impressively morphs into a hand towel once your waiter adds water. Your server will offer a list of the day's ingredients, which can include anything from goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, and lobster, to scallops, fillet of beef, and foie gras. Advise the kitchen of your preferences, and the talented, Oaxacan-born Reyes will whip up a three-to-five course tasting menu. Standouts include the seasonal Mexican specialty chiles en nogada, New York steak with sweet corn puree, jumbo shrimp with mushroom sauce, and sea bass with lentils. Wine pairings are pricier, but worth it, especially since the number of courses usually doubles by the end of the meal, thanks to the generous and talented chef.

By day it looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but when the sun goes down, the rummage-sale-meets-taco-stand atmosphere of this open-air local favorite truly comes to life. Get beyond the ghoulish silhouette logo—ahorcado means "hangman" in Spanish—and you'll find out that the food is pretty good. One of the few area restaurants open late, it's packed until closing, usually around midnight. Old pots, baskets, antique irons, sombreros, and other tchotchkes hang from the walls and rafters. Quesadillas come with vegetarian fillers such as flor de calabaza (squash blossom), nopales (cactus), and rajas (poblano chilies), while meatier house specialities include beef tongue tacos in mustard sauce, cochinita pibil tacos, Cantonese-style beef rib tacos, and cuchiviriachis—a tostada filled with cheese and meat and roasted for a perfect melt. This is the place to get a chilled Corona for a handful of pesos.

This two-story palapa restaurant, named “The Drunken Sailor,” is always packed with locals and tourists alike. It’s no wonder; the location across from the marina is the perfect spot to watch the sunset while enjoying a ginger mint mojito or tamarind margarita. Inspired by the head chef's international upbringing, several dishes feature unexpected Vietnamese and Costa Rican influences, such as the panko-crusted fish taco with ginger cream and the shrimp enchilada with coconut pineapple sauce and fried plantains. The shrimp burger on homemade ciabatta comes with chile lime fries and pairs well with an ice cold michelada (salt-rimmed Mexican beer with lime, spices, and hot sauce). Timid palates must overcome any hesitation and try the best dessert in Los Cabos: the avocado-lime chocolate cream pie on graham cracker crust.

Gloria and Patrick Greene's Flora's Field Kitchen is an alfresco dining experience that exemplifies farm to table. Flora's is built right in the center of the self-sustaining "Flora Farm." It's a charming oasis featuring a restaurant, gift shop, cooking school, organic market, and culinary cottages (private homes), all under the Flora Farm brand. Meals are homemade including produce and meat (chicken and pork) grown on the property and bread baked on-site. Wholly organic meals are served family style at communal tables, and the generous portions include favorites like fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, massive pork chops fired in the wood-burning oven, beet carpaccio laced with fromage blanc, raddish ravioli, and a selection of pizzas and seasonal salads. Even the sausages served with sweet potato chips are homemade. The adjacent Farm Bar serves unique takes on classic cocktails delivered in mason jars, like the Farm Julep (watermelon juice with basil, mint, and rum). Flora's is a wonderful learning experience for family by day and a romantic spot for couples by night. There's live music nightly at 6:30 and cooking classes Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 to 1:30 pm (cost $50 includes lunch).

We challenge you to try to ignore the smell of fresh baked French baguettes, or the picture-perfect display of croissants and éclairs, or the selection of colorful candies and refreshing ice creams at this cafe-bistro just off San José del Cabo's main square. In the creperie area, the cook tucks delicate crepes around eggs and cheese, ground beef and onions, or shrimp and pesto. If you choose to sit down, salads, quesadillas, and other standard fare are offered. The patisserie has a well-designed drink menu of fine wines and tequilas and a full list of coffee and tea-based drinks.

The latest restaurant in the culinary empire of celebrity Chef Tadd Chapman, this gastro grill and tequila bar features a menu created by Tadd and his mother. Opt for lunch specialties of ginger ahi ceviche and portobello burgers, and for dinner, try the fish-fillet wrapped shrimp with squid ink risotto or the panko-crusted rice cakes, topped with pulled pork. Don't miss the innovative cocktails with infused tequila; there are more than 130 types lining the bar, which is adorned with photos of Don Julio. As a certified “tequilier” (tequila sommelier), Tadd offers tequila pairing courses and tastings upon request. Exceptional breakfasts—ranging from stuffed French toast to eggs Benedict prepared five ways—are served from 8 to 12 for a fixed price just over $8. Leave the baking to mom, who makes the best key lime pie you’ve ever had—fresh, tart, and not overly sweet.

This popular Italian restaurant, right in the center of San José on the town's zócalo (square), is known for authentic and affordable Italian fare. Locals and visitors alike flock to this reasonably priced perennial favorite for antipasti and wood-fired-oven pizzas, a never-ending selection of pastas, and steaks and seafood dishes. The homemade beef ravioli with four cheese sauce is to die for. Reservations are necessary on Thursdays after the Art Walk. Another outpost can be found in Cabo San Lucas.

A 170-year-old wooden panga (small skiff) hangs above the door at this seafood-heavy, atmospheric restaurant, just across from San José's historical mission. The setting is a series of tropical patios, one with a faded mural, another with a burbling fountain, romantically lit by dim fixtures, and a view of the stars above. Chili-infused olive oil accompanies the bread basket that starts the meal, while a roving mariachi band unobtrusively entertains diners with song. Menu highlights focus on seafood; the catch of the day is baked with lemon and served with smoked peppers and risotto, while dishes like lobster tail with chipotle butter and quinoa round out the list. The baked chicken with lemon and sage is also exceptional.

The outdoor-garden setting of Las Guacamayas is a bit kitschy, with trees sprouting up from the floor, and Christmas lights strung from branch to branch. Painted murals run along the walls, and wooden chairs surround tables with plastic coverings. Massive globes of 15 types of margaritas and a Mexican guitarist singing American covers makes this a magnet for tourists, but, surprisingly, it also draws locals—a good sign. If you're looking for cheap, good Mexican food, you've come to the right place. Tacos stuffed with chorizo, marinated pork, and flank steak pervade the menu, though it's the quesadillas, with fillings like pumpkin flower, poblano pepper and onion, and pork skin that shine. Chilangas, or fried, folded-over quesadillas with melted cheese, also merit the trip, while the volcanoes (hard-shell taco cups filled with cheese and your choice of meat) are not to be missed. Only cash and Visa are accepted here.

In a relaxing garden filled with retro-styled decor, waiters in mesh trucker hats and pearl button shirts deliver remarkable urban Mexican cuisine, spiced up by a dash of grandma’s secret recipes. Under the shade of a mango tree, start with the trio of salsas infused with orange and chipotle, served with a basket of freshly fried tortilla chips. Local breakfast favorites are the French toast and Costa Azul (baked eggs with a Dijon cream sauce). You may find yourself debating if you should go straight to the lunch menu, featuring the pork shoulder sandwich, jicama mango salad with grapefruit cream dressing, and a cheese-and-vegetable stuffed pablano sandwich. All pastries are crafted in-house, including the chocolate coconut brownies and sinfully divine churros, served with sweet milk.

A former sugarcane mill dating back to 1888, this quaint restaurant is surrounded by farmland that provides organic fruits and vegetables to many of Cabo’s top eateries. Wildflowers in mason jars and hand painted clay dishes set the scene at this rustic spot where the menu is based on the season’s harvest. Start with heirloom tomato soup and a micro green salad with tamarind vinaigrette. For something fresh and innovative, try the shrimp tacos on thinly sliced jicama (instead of tortillas) topped with a pineapple salsa. A selection of pizzas, and slow roasted meats like the pork shank with green mole and baked eggplant, are cooked in a wood fire oven. One of the secrets to the fine flavors is the house made herbal oil that is dribbled on breads and meats. A cooking class takes place at 10 and 4, by reservation only. Be sure to visit the small gift shop selling salsas, mole, chocolate, jewelry, and other locally made products.

At this outdoor restaurant at Casa Natalia boutique hotel, fire bowls glow on the dining terrace, which is surrounded by palm trees and gentle waterfalls, blending the four elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. Tables are spaced far enough apart so that you don't have to share your whispered sweet nothings with neighbors. Chef-owner Loic Tenoux experiments with his ingredients, calling his approach "Euro-Mexican Bistro." He serves catch-of-the-day with ginger lemongrass salsa, grills vegetables and steak for sizzling fajitas on jalapeño tortillas, and prepares an exceptional free range "chicken chocolate" with caramelized apples and a dark chocolate pepper salsa.The seafood-infused risotto is always a hit. A generous wine list pairs well with the menu, while the hotel's adjoining martini bar offers more colorful drink selections.

This Mexican cantina-style bar and restaurant is well positioned for people-watching along San José's main drag. Decorated with cozy stone-and-stucco walls, the fare is standard but consistent, and reasonably priced. Choose from chicken tostadas, enchiladas, enormous burritos, or shrimp and fish tacos on jicama tortillas. To wet your whistle, there's a full bar, but you might consider washing down your meal with a refreshing agua de Jamaïca (hibiscus-flavored drink) or horchata (rice milk and cinnamon drink). Be sure to factor in the 16% sales tax that is tacked onto your bill at the end of your meal.

Don't be fooled by the bare-bones atmosphere: Taqueria Rossy serves some of the best tacos in San José. Fish tacos are the thing at this no-frills joint brimming with local families who munch on everything from peel-and-eat shrimp to ceviche and chocolate clams. Served breaded and fried, the shrimp, scallop, and fish (flounder) tacos here are cheap and delicious. Dress them up however you like at a condiment bar that offers avocados, chilies, cabbage slaw, onions, and an assortment of sauces from tomatillo to habanero.

A beautifully redone adobe home sets the stage for this classy dining experience on an open courtyard under the stars. A lengthy tequila list tempts diners to savor the finer brands of Mexico's national drink, and an extensive wine cellar will give you plenty of choices for what to sip as you sup. The menu is a blend of Mediterranean and Mexican influences; select from excellent regional salads made from produce grown on the restaurant's organic farm, then move on to seafood choices like mussels, shrimp soaked in the restaurant's namesake tequila, or catch of the day in fresh herbs. Another wonderful dish is the beef tenderloin or lamb in Cabernet sauce. The garden setting attracts mosquitoes so come prepared.

Start the day with coffee and French toast at this enduringly popular restaurant set in central San José hotel of the same name. The back garden patio quickly fills up with a loyal clientele for every meal; the front sidewalk seating is a great place to survey the world going by. The menu includes U.S. cuts of beef along with fajitas, chiles rellenos, a variety of seafood platters and lobster—always in demand. Latin bands and other musicians play nightly between October and May. Service can be slow at times, so be prepared to be patient, especially when you're trying to get the bill.

This is the store to visit if you're a fan of amber jewelry, sculptures, abstract art, and collector perfume bottles. The owner recently added photography, paintings, and fossils to his gallery collection.

This small boutique at Casa Natalia has jewelry, handbags, and art made from recycled metals. The organic soaps and oils are made from grapes in Baja’s wine country. The owner, Natalia helps support local women in need by selling their handmade products. Artwalk also has a good selection of brass jewelry from Mexico City.

The Baja Brewing Co. serves cold, on-site–microbrewed cerveza and international pub fare. You'll find entrées ranging from ahi tuna quesadillas to shepherd's pie, plus more basic pub food such as basil-and-blue-cheese burgers and pizzas. As for the eight beers, we recommend the Baja Blond Ale; the BBC also brews Oatmeal Stout, Raspberry Lager, homemade root beer, and a dark, smooth Black Scorpion. If you can't make up your mind, order the sampler.

Casa Dahlia Fine Art Gallery features contemporary artists from Mexico and abroad, and invites visitors to linger in its beautifully renovated historic building to enjoy organic teas and coffee. Movies are shown every Thursday and Friday night in the gallery's gardens.

Cinépolis presents a selection of American movies for lower prices, generally a few weeks behind what's showing in the U.S. There are usually six to eight films playing, with the last feature starting around 11 pm.

Curios Carmela displays an almost overwhelming array of Mexican textiles, pottery, glassware, hammocks, and souvenirs, but with a bit of searching you'll find some great bargains.

San José's traditional market area is where you can stock up on fresh meats and produce, or visit the market's Viva Mexico stand for clothes, belts, spices, jewelry, and other curios—all at excellent prices.

Get your organic fix at the Mercado Organico every Saturday from 9 to 3. Jewelry, artwork, soaps, fruit, and vegetables are a few of the goodies you’ll find here. Food stalls serve everything from tacos to pizza and entertainment is offered for the kiddlets, making this an ideal outing for the whole family.

Frank Arnold Gallery has two big draws: arguably the best gallery space in town, in a modern building by local architect Alfredo Gomez, and Frank Arnold's dramatic, widely acclaimed contemporary paintings that have been compared to de Kooning, Gorky, and Hans Hofmann. The gallery also features bronze sculptures and fine art prints.

Galería de Ida Victoria has been designed with skylights and domes to show off the international art contained within its three floors, which includes paintings, sculpture, photography, and prints.

Paying tribute to jazz legends, this bar in Plaza del Pescador combines wine, tapas, and musically inspired artwork in a stylish setting. Try their Tapas Sampler and Big Jazz Mojito while listening to the smooth sounds of the live band, which plays most weekends.

Near San José's classic cathedral on the zócalo, La Dolce Art Gallery specializes in modern painting styles.

Live music on Thursdays and Fridays coupled with the refreshing cocktails make this one of the best spots to grab a drink in San Jose del Cabo. Acoustic guitars add to the quaint atmosphere you’ll find in the lantern-lit, stone courtyard. Tapas make a tasty accompaniment to the house sangrias.

La Sacristia has a fine selection of Talavera pottery, traditional and contemporary Mexican jewelry, blown glass, and contemporary paintings. The glassware is incredible.

Go beyond Cuervo and Patrón at Los Barriles de Don Malaquias, which specializes in rare tequilas. The tequila selection is complemented by a good collection of Cuban cigars. Owner Rigoberto Cuervo Rosales is often on site to offer tequila tastings.

Presenting the unexpected here in Baja Sur, Muvezi features fine Shona sculptures from Zimbabwe in a variety of breathtaking stones. It is the public face of an economic development project working to keep the ancient tradition of stone carving alive in Zimbabwe, and to provide desperately needed funds for health care at the grassroots level there. Don't worry about the weight of the stone: sculptures come in a variety of sizes and Muvezi will ship pieces to your home. Muvezi donates 20% of the revenues to help fight malaria throughout Africa. Buy a piece of art and affect a positive change.

Known for their hand-painted Talavera pottery from Puebla, this store also sells ceramics, handicrafts, black pottery, Majolica dinnerware, and pewter pieces.

Explore works of art by Mexico's top contemporary artists such as Lucille Wong, Javier Guadarrama, Jorge Marín, Luis Filcer, and Joao Rodriguez, among others. All of the artists represented here are known nationally and internationally in important collections and museums.

Surrounded by natural stone walls, all of the treatment rooms at Cabo Azul's Paz Spa are named after semiprecious stones such as onyx, pearl, opal, lapis, jade, sapphire, and amber. Specialties include 50-minute massages to 210-minute complete experiences, as well as exfoliations, wraps, facials, manicure, and pedicure. A terrace suite can accommodate up to four treatments at one time for those looking for group relaxation. Seven other rooms round out the spa itself, and two double cabanas on the beach are available for those seeking the sound of the waves as backdrop to their treatment. Popular therapies include a Papaya Sugar Polish and Shea Butter Massage, as well as an Aloe Cooling Massage. An on-site salon is open Monday to Saturday from 9 to 5.

A sandy beach can be enjoyed at the mouth of the Estero San José, the lush estuary that starts just east of the Holiday Inn hotel. This oasis is home to more than 350 species of wildlife and vegetation (200-plus species of birds alone), and can be explored on foot, or via kayaks rentable at El Ganzo Beach Club. Not recommended for swimming, it is nevertheless a worthwhile trip in an area that is otherwise not known for its lushness. Public parking is available just beyond the Holiday Inn. Amenities: Parking lot. Best for: walking; sunrise.

The long stretch of beach running in front of the hotels on the coast of San José del Cabo is called Playa Hotelera. This stretch of sand isn't swimmable, but once you step off the hotel property, it is public. You can always duck into one of the hotels for a snack or a sunset drink, or head across the street to Plaza Del Pescador for a meal at one of the restaurants. This beach often has locals with horses to rent for a beachside ride. At the west end of the beach you'll find shade palapas and children's play structures at Plazas Garuffi and Caracol, where there's also public parking. Amenities: Parking lot. Best for: walking.

With a block of 30 stalls, Plaza Artesanos has a wide selection of handmade crafts and souvenirs, including pottery, jewelry, blankets, clothing, hammocks, leather bags, and even pure Mexican vanilla extract. Don’t be afraid to barter by starting at half the asking price and then meeting somewhere in the middle. Drop by on Wednesday for live music, regional dance performances, and free margaritas from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

An outdoor mall conveniently located across the street from San Jose del Cabo’s string of resorts, Plaza del Pescador offers guests an alternative to hotel dining. You'll find everything from sushi and gelato to tapas and a wine bar. Among the 25 shops and restaurants are a bookstore, jewelry store, fitness gym, and coffee shop.

Come here for the ambience and cocktails (the food has mixed reviews) like the blackberry mojito or house margarita. Once the home of the owner’s grandparents, the building dates back to 1927, and you can still see the original brick walls, adorned with historic family photographs. The courtyard, strung with lanterns and fairy lights, is a pleasant place to enjoy the live mariachi, offered Thursday to Saturday from 8 to 10.

Owned by two talented sisters, Sax is a great place to find exceptional, eclectic silver jewelry designs. The artists will create a design of your choice in 72 hours. Although bargaining is not practiced, prices are very good here. There is another location in the Shoppes at Palmilla, or you can purchase directly from their online store.

For a gringo-friendly atmosphere where you can order your Bud in English and watch sports on big-screen TVs, head to Shooters, located on the rooftop of the Tulip Tree restaurant. Open daily from 9 to 11pm, days are busy, with breakfast and lunch served as well as Shooters's heavily promoted 15-peso (just more than $1) beers.

Silvermoon gallery is remarkable in the Los Cabos region both for the assortment and the quality of art contained within its walls. Mexican folk art makes up most of the inventory here. Treasures include Carlos Albert's whimsical papier-mâché sculptures, Mata Ortiz pottery from the Quezada family, Huichol yarn "paintings," Alebrijes (colorful wooden animal sculptures) from Oaxaca, and fine jewelry. Owner Armando Sanchez Icaza is gracious and knowledgeable; he knows volumes about the artists whose work he carries. His silversmiths can also make custom jewelry for you within a day or two.

Soraya Art Gallery sells murals, faux finish, furniture, and trompe l'oeil art by local artists.

From the maker of Flora Farms, this corner store sells all things organic including fresh fruit, pickled vegetables, soaps, jams, honey, coffee, and body oils. It’s a great place to grab a healthy snack or stock up on produce delivered daily from Flora’s local farm.

The concept at Hyatt Ziva's spa is to explore water, earth and air. Lounge by the communal pool, or duck into one of 19 treatment rooms for revitalizing massages, romantic packages, anti-aging facials, detoxifying body wraps, and deep-cleansing scrubs using local, natural ingredients. For those interested in a quick fix, manicures and pedicures are popular, and the on-site salon can help turn a bad-hair day into something grand.

The Tropicana Inn's bar is a great place to mingle and enjoy live music. Conversation is usually possible on the terrace overlooking the bar and stage, though when a really hot band gets going, you'll be too busy dancing to talk. Mariachi bands play Thursday through Monday from 7:30 to 10:30.