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Gnome-ad
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 6-4-2007
Location: Todos Santos, BCS
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Cabo Swimming & Restaurant Question
We have relatives arriving on a cruise ship in Cabo San Lucas for a 7 hour visit next Friday. We have little experience with the Cabo scene and they
are expecting us to show them a good time. They are a newly married couple in their late sixties, early seventies and have expressed interest in
eating and swimming. We don’t know where folks would go to change into swim attire, shower off after etc. Any eating suggestions? Nomad help would be
appreciated.
Thanks!
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. - Ancis
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bajajudy
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The only thing I can contribute to this is that you do not want them swimming in the sea. This time of year is surf season...
waves.
Find a place with a nice pool...salt water??????
For food if they want to be on the beach perhaps try Ediths.
They have their own fishing fleet and usually have fresh fish and it is on Medano Beach.(still no swimming)
just out of curiosity what are you going to do for 7 hours....
Where is osoflojo......he knows San Lucas better than I
Would they enjoy swimming with dolphins...not cheap but Osprey reported that it was a great experience.
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Cap
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It is always pretty high surf season in Cabo. Sometimes more than others, but fun to ride the waves in. The traffic light cafe across from the mall
and near the beach on the main drag has a nice whole snapper and very good margaritas. The pelican quesadillas are great too.
Fly low, land on roads.
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805gregg
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There used to be a restruant outside of town high on the cliff overlooking the bay and arch with swimming pools next to the tables, served Italian
food if think, is it still there?
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coconaco
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
There used to be a restruant outside of town high on the cliff overlooking the bay and arch with swimming pools next to the tables, served Italian
food if think, is it still there? |
cosco?
How about the office- good food, protectected swim area,
shower behind restaraunt, non stop onslaught of vendors-
you can do all your shopping from your table on the beach.
Very entertaining and entertainment too!
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Wingnut
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Osoflojo will be checking the board on Monday most likely. However, depending on the health of the couple you are describing, you may want to have
them try the Mango Deck, next door to the Office on Medano Beach. It has a concrete floor above the beach seating that may be better for the couple.
And definitely you want to try Edith's if they have time from the Cruise ship, unfortunately Edith's is only open in the evenings. The Dolphin pool
is a must if they can afford the prices. Shopping along the marina is also a great time and they can pick any number of places to eat if Edith's is
not available. (By the way, reservations are necessary at Edith's. Its so popular, walk ins will wait way too long for a table.)
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woody with a view
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| Quote: |
Would they enjoy swimming with dolphins...not cheap but Osprey reported that it was a great experience.
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yes, an experience!!!!
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Gnome-ad
Nomad
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Registered: 6-4-2007
Location: Todos Santos, BCS
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Thanks for all the responses so far. Good info and great suggestions! These folks are pretty healthy and fit, just went to Peru in the spring and
climbed all over the place. He used to be a scuba diver, but lost his certificate because of heart stuff.
They might be a bit of budgety type folk though, not sure. I'd love to swim with the dolphins, too, but think I may be a cheapskate. But
maybe if we all get enthused will part with the big bucks to have that wonderful experience. Then again that might be something I want to save to do
with my kids and grand daughter.
Judy ~ Edith's sounds great, but they have to be back on board by five so if it’s only open evenings we’ll probably have to just go there ourselves
sometime! Yeah, seven hours can be a long visit, but their stay will probably be somewhat less than seven hours. It may seem like fourteen, by the
time it’s over though.
Cap ~ pelican???? Gulp …
805gregg ~ yeah, a friend of ours (co-incidentally named Greg) took us to that place I think a few years ago. Can’t remember the name but it was at
the beginning of the corridor I think down a road where you’d never know it was there?? Does that sound familiar. Might be worth a try.
Coconaco ~ the place is called The Office? That sounds like it might fit their swim needs.
Wingnut ~ Mango Deck next to The Office sounds pretty perfect. And shopping along the marina would be fun. Can shop and see nice yachts, too!
Wow! All wonderful so far. Nomads are the greatest! Thanks!
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. - Ancis
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docsmom
Nomad
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Location: Tucson, AZ
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Gnome,
I haven't been to Cabo in years but to my memory there's nothing better for a few hour stay than The Office or the surrounding places. They're just
below Edith's and right on the sand at Mendano Beach. Tables with umbrellas for shade, tootsies in the sand, a shot of tequila and a very calm beach
20 steps from your table. AAaahhhh. If it's still the same, what more could you want?
I hope it's still the same............
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
There used to be a restruant outside of town high on the cliff overlooking the bay and arch with swimming pools next to the tables, served Italian
food if think, is it still there? |
It was still there last year. Most of the cruise lines offer a visit as part of their tour offering.....
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by docsmom
Gnome,
I haven't been to Cabo in years but to my memory there's nothing better for a few hour stay than The Office or the surrounding places. They're just
below Edith's and right on the sand at Mendano Beach. Tables with umbrellas for shade, tootsies in the sand, a shot of tequila and a very calm beach
20 steps from your table. AAaahhhh. If it's still the same, what more could you want?
I hope it's still the same............ |
Forget it...it is not the same period. You will not be able to have a conversation for all the vendors...have you ever had baggers pursue you until
you just want to scream? If you even look at something they offer...you are dead meat. There are so many it is like standing on a giant ant hill and
you cannot get them off your feet
I am assuming you nomads have not been there lately when a ship is in.....Now with that said, it is still worth a short visit, but be warned.
If you stay off the free sand they won't come up to the office.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
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Al G,
It is not the beggars and vendors that bother me , it
is the time share salesmen that are the blight on CSL. They
maintain information kiosks that are not what they seem.
-CaboRon
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oxxo
Banned
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Okay here's my dos centavos.
The Office and Edith's are owned by the same people. The Office is open during the day and Edith's is open in the evening, so Edith's is out plus
Edith's is super expensive - figure up to $50 each. I am not a fan of the Office although others put it at the top of their list. The Office, even
though open air on the beach, is stiffling hot, especially in early October. You will be deluged by well meaning street vendors who wont take no for
an answer. The roped off beach is more like a municipal pool. Some people like Mango deck also on Medano Beach but I don't. I just don't care for
the Medano Beach scene - loud, boozy, and taken advantage of.
OTH, the Stoplight restaurant, across the street from the marina boatramp provides typical local fare that isn't bad. The dolphinarium is great but
you have to be willing to spend around $150 for a 1/2 hour swim with the dolphins.
I presume you have a car, so here is what I would suggest.
- Take them over to the glass factory in San Lucas. All the cruise ship people will be there, but they will be paying around $50 for a tour purchased
on the boat. For you it will be free and burn up at least an hour or more.
- Drive them out to Bahia Santa Maria about 8 miles east of San Lucas. Wonderful swimming and snorkeling with tropical fish. Local vendors will rent
you snorkeling gear at the entrance off the 4 lane. Downside = no restrooms, no showers, no food service. This will burn 4 hours or more and you will
experience fabulous views on the drive.
- Drive them out to the Hilton Hotel, 12 miles east of San Lucas. Just tell the guard at the entry gate you want to use their restaurant. They have
a swimmable beach with jet skis, kayaks, horseback riding, and ultralite flights. A few beach vendors but they are very manageable. The Hilton has
poolside showers where you can rinse off. Bring your own towels. You can change into street cloths in one of the poolside restrooms. Lunch at their
poolside restaurant is good but will set you back $10 to $12 each. Beware the drinks....soft drinks are $3-$4 and margarititas $8-$10. It is
beautiful and usually not crowded this time of year. You can walk along the beach which is about 4 miles long. Downside is that the Hilton is a
typical tourist hotel. You could burn the whole 7 hours here if you want.
- drive 20 miles east to San Jose and experience a more laid back Mexican village. Dozens of places to eat in the 5 block downtown area. No street
vendors and no time share salesmen.
We are meeting friends who are coming in on a cruise ship later in October. These are some of the things will do.
Suerte
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Gnome-ad
Nomad
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Thanks, everyone, for all the great info!
Una mas pregunta, por favor ... does anyone know where the Holland Cruise lines actually drop off their passengers? I told them to meet us at
Puerto Paraiso on the side near the water because I figured it would be easy to find. Hope I didn't make a big mistake ...
Thanks again. May do the Hilton thing unless they want to go Bahia Santa Maria or are determined to do Cabo, in which case think it's the Mango Deck
... or maybe San Jose. Gosh a lot of wonderful choices!!!
I'll let you all know what happens!!
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. - Ancis
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oxxo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gnome-ad
does anyone know where the Holland Cruise lines actually drop off their passengers? I told them to meet us at Puerto Paraiso on the side near
the water because I figured it would be easy to find. Hope I didn't make a big mistake ... |
That would be a mistake in my opinion. ALL the cruise lines drop their passengers off at the shore boat dock (which is used exclusively by the cruise
ship shore boats). This is on the opposite side of the marina from Puerto Paraiso and a VERY long walk (probably at least 1/2 hour). They would
probably have to take a taxi and who knows what that woud cost when the drivers see the folks getting off the shore boats! The shore boat dock is
actually very close to the dolphinarium and there is plenty of parking in the vicinity. That would be on the west side of the marina near the small
military base and Finisterre Hotel. There is a nice little plaza at the shore boat dock with lots of seating and street vendors galore. I presume
you have a car. Tell them you will meet them at the dock when they get off the shore boat.
Suerte
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osoflojo
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Although I may disagree with some of what has been offered, all in all its good advise. Another option would the the Finisterra Hotel mentioned
briefly above. You can enjoy what is left of the view from the Whale Watchers bar on the hill or hang out at the Palapa bar on the beach with the swim
up bar. There are also convenient bathrooms for changing out of wet clothes. At the Fini do not even think about getting in the ocean. If an ocean
swim is manditory then Medano beach is your viable option. Santa Maria is beautiful but there are no services there. San Jose is also a viable option
but time may become an issue. Soryy I am late checking in. Thanks Judy do you have a road yet?
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
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All of the recommendations have been on the tourist filled bay side of Cabo.............Any thought to the SolMar Hotel at lands end on the wild
Pacific side. Neat swim up bar and the food is average..........Nestled against the cliffs and secluded.
The wife and I have met friends off of the cruise ships and it has always been fun.
Hey! I wrote a story about Cabo and a couple of the scenes in my last book..........I'll try to dig it out and post it here.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Here iit is.......................Cabo San Lucas
Solmar, Sun, Sand and a dream of Senór Luis Bulnes. Funny thing was that Don Luis was not a dreamer at all—no, he was a doer his whole life. His
dream of the Solmar Hotel nestled on a narrow strip of sand, looking out quietly at the roaring Pacific Ocean came to be because of his vision and
hard work. Cuddled up closely to the cliffs at Lands End, it is this unique setting that may not be equaled.
Separated from the small town of “Cabo” by a sand dune, after passing this small barrier you are in a quiet little playground where you may re-charge
your life forces with ease.
We first discovered Solmar in October of 1979, shortly after it opened for business, when we stopped in to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. We
were to travel to this wonderful spot, where the surf, the sand and the Sun were married by mother nature as only occurred in this one spot on all of
the Earth, many times.
Fourteen more anniversaries we shared in ‘our’ lovely spot. During those visits we were blessed, only twice, with a truly magical occurrence. Giant
butterflies swooped onto the tip of the Cape by the thousands. I don’t know the name of these beautiful creatures—I do know that placing a name on
the enchanting often makes them common place, so I did not inquire with much diligence. I do know that they really are moths that are a vivid black
with the exception of a blood red eye at the tip of each wing and are three to five inches from wing tip to wing tip. They were absolutely fearless
and would perch in your hair or on your fork as you ate.
They would only venture forth into this very small slice of the world after a very heavy rain. Each morning for about four days we would be greeted
with the sight of thousands of them being swept up and disposed of by the grounds keepers. Such a short but beautiful life. They would mate and then
their offspring would wait for another hurricane to hit the area to again bestow their beauty for a precious few days on Lands End.
Another act of nature that we always looked forward to was an exceptionally high tide. We would not be allowed to experience this with each visit but
when it occurred it was pure and simple fun. The tide would come gurgling over the sand, reaching our patio at a very shallow depth. The fun began
as the water receded. The air escaping from the course sand sounded exactly like a million champagne corks being popped all at once. We always had a
glass or three of the bubbly to salute mother nature’s most pleasing display.
Spoiled? You bet! And smug too in the knowledge that we had shared in the birth of a delightful place that we will always carry in our hearts. I so
missed being able to climb over that sand dune that separated Solmar from not only the village of Los Cabos, but from the entire world.
I could wander down the dirt area between town and the ferry landing and see all of those old trucks, loaded with the product of the isolated rancho’s
of Baja, patiently waiting—at times for days—to drive aboard the ocean going ferry’s and head to the mainland.
These truck drivers, Fayuqueros (peddlers on horseback), were the arteries of Baja, providing for the flow of the goods and products that were the
life’s blood of rural Baja.
Why the wait? They, and the few gringos in motor homes or trailers, had to drive to the tip of Baja to purchase their tickets for the ferry and it
was ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Remember those brightly painted trucks with the straight pipes and the cattle guard over the front grille, colorful dingle balls hung from the inside
of the windshield, Saint Christopher medal hung from the rear view mirror and a canvas tarp flapping loudly in the breeze?
Once I asked a driver why he went to so much trouble to decorate his truck. He gave me a snaggle-tooth smile and said, “Well, when she is the only
lady you got to talk to she should be a pretty one.” Made sense to me.
Many people called these trucks tumba (it falls down) burros. As the drivers waited, a sort of floating fiesta surrounded the tumba burros. I did my
best to see that the Fayugueros didn’t get too drunk on sailing day. Me, all I had to do was climb over the dune and I was home in another world.
Some really fantastic conversations!
The mid 90’s saw Cabo undergo vast and rapid changes—changes that we were not willing to witness. Yep! Really spoiled.
A few years back we dropped anchor and visited the Solmar for a very brief four hours. That magic feeling was still there and we just sat in the bar
and gazed out to sea, reliving those many wonderful years.
Wow! Pedregal (stony ground) in Cabo San Lucas—approaching from the ocean was almost like looking at a medieval town nestled on a hilltop and
surrounded by a moat to keep unwelcome folks out. The moat just happened to be the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
What a site! A few helicopter pads dot the area so that the owners don’t have to face the downtown traffic and the common folks.
This past year we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary and our neighbors, Rich and Terry Rennie, were so kind as to give us a free week vacation at
their timeshare in Cabo. At first we were not even sure that we wanted to spend this very special time in a Cabo that had lost it’s luster for us.
So glad now that we accepted their very gracious offer to stay at the ‘Club Cascadas de Baja’, a very exclusive timeshare fronting on the Playa El
Medano (sand bank), directly across from Los Arcos and Lands End.
What an enchanting refuge—quiet! Blues, greens, tans and white greet you, instantly causing you to exhale. White buildings, as mushrooms, springing
from the Earth, nestled in what appears to be a lush green tropical garden. Stone paths lead your eyes and your feet forward. White hammocks—let’s
stop and rest a while.
Interconnected circles that somehow never seem to touch. Time and space arrested—tranquility. Coolness and calmness. Paths meandering in such a
confusing and delightful manner.
How did this paradise come to be? A most talented couple’s dream. Ed and Patricia Giddings, two people so obviously in love that it shows in this
their joint creation. Ed was a renaissance man, an architect and a painter without equal; Patricia a most unusual interior decorator. Their
creations never seemed to fight but together they seemed to more than compliment each other. Their work fused and created a whole so much more
beautiful and meaningful than the individual parts.
I need to stop here and say that neither of these people can come alive with the written word—their creations speak volumes and words are mere shadows
of this couple. I will repeat Ed’s own words to convey his commitment to excellence: “If your eye catches an angle, it should not be there.” Sounds
so simple!
The Giddings created a magical spot on this Earth like no other. All created from a bare chunk of sand along the Sea of Cortez. A beat up old
leather hat marked the spot and they understood the message.
Our first morning we were greeted by song birds that seemed to be flitting from tree to bush as they sang to the sunrise. I wandered out to enjoy the
birds and their song and found that there were many birds but they were not singing.
I noticed one gardener high up in a palm tree. He was communicating by whistles with the two guys busy sweeping the tan sand that edged the blue-grey
walkways. All three of these dark skinned little men seems to hail from some place like Oaxaca and were talking to each other by whistling.
This lead me to what I found so interesting—the Giddings set the stage but the staff from all over Mexico set the mood by their attentive actions.
The waiters, maids, bartenders and porters all greeted everyone with a smile that was somehow much more than a smile. They were there to help, laugh
with you and just plain make your stay a most happy one.
If I started naming people who made me smile during our stay I would have to list the entire staff of the Cascadas. Two people stand out in my mind
and they will have to do to show you what I meant by the mood that is set by all of these folks. Laura Robles and Enrique Reyes were two people with
whom I enjoyed so much discussing Baja California and it’s people.
Enrique came to Cabo from the mainland and he was profuse in his praise for the different attitudes of the people who, like himself, came to Cabo San
Lucas to work and improve their future.
Laura was a very bubble and yet at the same time professional member of the Front Desk staff. She came from Ensenada and shared the fact that she
drives the length of Baja twice a year just so she could soak up the sites and sounds of her native land. They both agreed that the culture of Baja
was unique from the mainland.
One afternoon the three of us got to laughing and telling folk tales involving natives of San Ignacio, who are known for their laidback attitudes
towards work. I told the story of a group of Mexicans being stopped at the border and when one of them said he was from San Ignacio, the customs guy
told him to go ahead and pass because he knew that he was not crossing to ‘work’ in the States. Then Laura told the story of an old guy in San
Ignacio who was resting along side the road when a hundred peso note blew across the road. When he was asked if he was going to get the bill he
replied, “No, soon the wind will blow it closer.”
I then started trying to tell a story of a young Mexican and her Dounia—my Spanish was just not up the task and I said, you know an older woman who
goes with a young girl.
Suddenly, Laura became very quiet and leaned over the counter and softly asked if I was talking about a woman who likes girls. When she finally got
the proper word “Doña” (or chaperone) figured out, it caused a great deal of nervous laughter. Laura was trying so hard to help me with my terrible
Spanish. That is just one small example of what I meant when I said the staff set the mood for this enchanting and intimate place.
I will not attempt to put more words to the Giddings creation, for I know that I would leave entirely too many ‘angles.’
Both the Solmar and the Cascadas de Baja are unique places with entirely different settings and character. One was created by Don Luis to take
advantage of a one of a kind location. The other was created out of nothing but dreams by the Giddings.
Both are perfect examples of the differences that have blended in Cabo to offer discerning visitors the ability to step back and enjoy the
tranquility that they both offer.
Come to think of it, that is what Baja offers from the Frontier to Lands End—differences. Something for everyone.
Thanks, neighbors.
P.S. You know, I really enjoyed re-reading this something I almost never do with my stories.
Hope it helps.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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oxxo
Banned
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja Bernie
Any thought to the SolMar Hotel at lands end on the wild Pacific side. Neat swim up bar and the food is average..........Nestled against the cliffs
and secluded.
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I don't know when you were at SolMar last, Bernie, but things have really changed out there in the last few years. Not secluded anymore. Pacific
side is not even 'wade-able'. SolMar isn't what it used to be. MOO.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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Oxxo
Okay,
Things are changing fast all over Baja and they tend to change fastest in Cabo. I wrote that book in 2006 so it had to be October of that year that
we last visited.
[Edited on 10-1-2007 by Baja Bernie]
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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