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Phil Pierce
Colorado Springs, CO
vppierce@sisna.co

���ϳԹ��� Adviser: Well, Phil, you tell your travel agent this: Todos Santos is a somewhat sleepy beach town that delivers when it comes to uncrowded surf breaks and stretches of empty beach–so it’s probably good news she’s never
heard of it.

About an hour north of Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19, Todos Santos is a great mix of beachfront cafes, family-run hotels, small art galleries, lush orchards, and near-perfect crescent beaches. Well, maybe I’m getting slightly carried away with this paradise-found theme, but you get the point. A good bet for lodging is the aptly named Todos Santos Inn, an 1850s house with
three guest rooms and not-too-shabby ocean views. Double rooms go for a reasonable $40 per night, including breakfast; call 011-52-114-4-9133 for details.

Eagles fans can check into the infamous Hotel California (011-52-114-5-2333), with its freshly painted, recently refurbished, $28-per-night rooms. While in town, be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Café Santa Fe, an Italian joint on the plaza that serves local produce and seafood to rave reviews.

If you’re looking for something even more wallet-friendly, consider schlepping your tent along and pitching it on Playa Cerritos, about 7 miles south of town. The cactus-studded campground charges $5 per night, and the surfing here is primo, since most of the winter crowds stay south in Cabo. This is, come to think of it, your basic beach lounging. Minimal winter crowds
also means that Playa San Pedrito, about 5 miles north of Cerritos, and its north swell and river-mouth reef are there at your wave-riding disposal. Retire the board at lunch and park yourself on the sand with fresh fish from the pangueros, local fishermen who launch right off the beach.

As for travel logistics, the cheapest and easiest route to the southern tip of Baja is via Los Angeles; AeroCalifornia (800-237-6225) flies to Cabo San Lucas for about $205 round trip. The 85-mile drive north from Cabo, along wild beaches and through cactus forest, is so spectacular it’ll make up for having to rent a car (save yourself some cash by reserving it in advance
through Avis in the U.S.). For more on Baja, check out in ���ϳԹ���‘s Winter 1995-1996 Travel Guide.