The South Coast

Southern Baja in 1 Week: A Sand-in-Your-Toes Tour

Baja's most popular areas are, of course, the twin towns at its tip, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, but don't stop there. These itineraries summarize the best of both Baja Sur's well-traveled and out-of-the-way destinations, and they are tailored to fit Southern Baja's most popular missions: partying, surfing, and just plain relaxing. Feel free to combine itineraries to fit your mood of the moment -- all of the below options are conducive to grabbing Day 1 from one itinerary, Day 2 from another, and so on; so feel free to choose your own adventure.

Day 1: La Paz

No B.C.S. beaches are more pristine than those in La Paz. Even better are the Caribbean-like coves of Isla Espíritu Santo. Book a kayaking, scuba, or freediving tour to the island's surrounding waters, rest a spell on the sugary sand, and take plenty of time to enjoy the colors above and below the water's surface.

Day 2: Los Barriles

Drive south through the towns of San Bartolo and El Triunfo toward Los Barriles, where the beaches are breathtaking and fishing is life. A fishing excursion followed by an overnight here is a must, so book a night at Palmas de Cortez and they'll take care of the rest -- be it a day of fishing, windsurfing, or diving.

Days 3 & 4: Cabo Pulmo

One day is not enough in this out-of-the-way paradise. Grab a mask and snorkel and swim out from the shore to explore the coral reef. Just before dusk, pull into Playa Los Arbolitos and take the cliff-side coastal hike to Playa La Iguana, where the setting sun adds a warm glow to one of the most beautiful -- and private -- coves in all of Baja. Sleep tight in one of Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort's bungalows and rise early to hike, bike, or jog the desert trails before spending a day on -- or in -- the water of this protected marine park.

Days 5 to 7: Los Cabos

Follow Highway 1 to Los Cabos along a beautiful, hilly highway. No matter whether you stay in San José, the Corridor, or San Lucas, you'll no doubt explore all three areas. Devote a day to golf, if you're a golfer. If not, indulge in one of the area's sumptuous spas or take a surf lesson on Playa Acapulquito with Costa Azul Surf Shop. Be sure to spend an evening reveling in Cabo's nightlife, starting on the Cabo San Lucas Marina at sunset. A daytime cruise to El Arco, where you can see the famed rock formation and a sea-lion colony, and on to Playa de Amor is a singular Cabo experience. And, of course, don't forget just relaxing at the beach. Médano Beach is tops for eating, drinking, and watersports.