Cabo, Los Cabos, San Jose - Just What Is Cabo San Lucas?

I can finally answer this burning travel question because I've been to Cabo and back and I'm here to tell you about it.

Los Cabos is the ever-popular and somewhat trendy vacation spot in Mexico. Move over Cancun Cabos San Lucas is on the rise. And rising there are tons of mega hotels and resorts that seem to offer everything rolled up in one and served poolside, preferably in the form of a slushy drink. But I digress. Think of it like this Los Cabos is the area comprised of the town of San Jose and the town of Cabo San Lucas. Everything in between the two is pretty much destined to be luxury condos or resorts if it's not underway already.

The shorthand in my mind is that "Cabo" could be very cool -- but it's not so much for the beach lover as the beaches are short (and generally bookended by enormous rocks) the sand is coarse, and the sea is cold. But it's still a beautiful view and there are great views, and it's Mexico...

San Jose feels like an old charming village. It brought to mind Sayulita, a fishing village I love 20 minutes north of Puerta Vallarta. There is a main area of town and a town square to wander. Jewelry stores, galleries, restaurants etc... but it isn't overgrown. And it has none of the Cabo-Wabo feel that San Lucas has. San Lucas is the splashier town -- not that anything is splashy here exactly. I mean once you turn off the main paved road the rest are dirt roads but they lead to hotels and restaurants and beachside dinning. There is a lot happening at once in San Lucas -- it has the expected beach hawkers who peddle every possible Mexican ware around. From pottery to jewelry, beach bags to braids -- whatever you want is yours for a price. Loud music blares from speakers at the hotels and restaurants. This is the Cabo you've been hearing of. And it could be fun if you're in the mood for a little spring break...

My hope is that they develop Cabo in a smart way and that it doesn't get over-run with resort after resort each one bigger than the next. I also hope they plant native plants and maintain the Mexican flavor of the place. And lastly, I hope next to the golf courses they're developing they remember to plan sidewalks and recreation areas for those of us who like to take a morning jog or walk or just wander...

Perhaps my favorite thing about Cabo was the night we spent at a private party in the canyon. The place was a-glow with candles and we had the band Wonder Bread 5 play. They're an amazing cover band based in San Francisco and know how to have a good time. Is there a better place for a concert than outdoors under the stars?

So question answered and Los Cabos found.