You have probably heard of magical village Todos Santos. Be it for the famous song Hotel California by the Eagles, which may have or may have not happened there (there are many urban legends about it); for its colonial feel, colorful streets, art galleries, artisan stores and vibrant feel; be it for the music and other festivals, for the beaches or for its friendly people, Todos Santos is a place you can’t help but fall in love with.
Todos Santos is located at the foothills of the Sierra de La Laguna Mountains, on the Pacific Coast side of the Baja California Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Cabo San Lucas and La Paz. In “Todos” you are actually standing on the Tropic of Cancer. In 2010 Todos Santos had 5,148 residents. During the 19th century Todos Santos thrived as the Baja sugarcane capital, which is still evident by the ruins of sugar mills. Now the rich farmlands have been re-worked & the town prospers from an abundance of vegetable & chili farming, avocado, papaya & mango orchards, fishing & ranching.
The mission Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz was founded by father Jaime Bravo in 1723. It is located across the street to the southwest from the small town plaza. This mission contains the statue of the Virgin of Pilar, which is the focus of Todos Santos main festival in October.
More recently, there has been a gradual increase in tourist activity and a boom in Todos Santos real estate development. Handicraft shops, owner-operated art galleries featuring landscape paintings of local scenes (some artists from Guadalajara and other parts of Mexico also exhibit works in Todos Santos,) upscale restaurants, boutique hotels and restored colonial buildings have contributed to the gentrification and redevelopment of the town.
There are many beautiful beaches within a 15 minute drive of Todos Santos. Playa Las Palmas and Playa Los Cerritos are great beaches for swimming and shell collecting. San Pedrito Point, Los Cerritos and other local surf breaks attract surfers from around the world. Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, was named a “Pueblo Mágico” in 2006.
My colleague and Real Estate Associate in Coldwell Banker Todos Santos Lisa Welsch sent me these postcards from some of the recent events in Todos Santos. For more information, tips and Todos Santos real estate you can contact Lisa at lwelsch@cbriveras.com.
Hogar Del Nino kids enjoying coconuts
Rain waters from Hurricane Paul
Turtle Creadora – saving the turtles
Hundreds of baby turtles are released daily into the Pacific Ocean. The beaches have changed considerably from the hurricanes and rain.
Todos Santos’s annual cabalgado – people from La Paz and Todos Santos ride through town, have their horses blessed and then all gather at the local stadium where they put on a fabulous horse show complete with Scaramush riders.
Because of summer rains we have a green emerald carpet everywhere.
Because of summer rains we have a green emerald carpet everywhere.
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- Hogar Del Nino kids enjoying coconuts
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- Rain waters from Hurricane Paul
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- Turtle Creadora – saving the turtles
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- Hundreds of baby turtles are released daily into the Pacific Ocean. The beaches have changed considerably from the hurricanes and rain.
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- Todos Santos’s annual cabalgado – people from La Paz and Todos Santos ride through town, have their horses blessed and then all gather at the local stadium where they put on a fabulous horse show complete with Scaramush riders.
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- Because of summer rains we have a green emerald carpet everywhere.
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- Because of summer rains we have a green emerald carpet everywhere.