Like an ocean lover who prefers to stay a little out of the way, the low Californian town of Todos Santos, located 3 km. Learn more about this Magic Town.
1. Where is Todos Santos located and how did it get there?
Todos Santos is a South Californian town located on the Pacific side, very close to the ocean, in the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula. The town belongs to the municipality of La Paz, whose head is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur. The city of La Paz is 82 km away. from Todos Santos, traveling first on federal highway 1 towards Los Cabos and then on highway 19 that goes towards the Pacific coast. To go from Cabo San Lucas to the Magic Town you have to travel 73 km. by federal highway 19. San José del Cabo is 104 km. of Todos Santos. To go from Mexico City, the most comfortable way is to take a flight to La Paz and complete the tour by land.
2. What is the history of the town?
The Jesuits were the first Spanish settlers of the place, during the first third of the 18th century, erecting the Mission of Santa Rosa de Todos los Santos in 1733. After the expulsion of the Jesuits, the Franciscans and Dominicans arrived and in 1840 the mission was abandoned by the epidemics that decimated the population and the conflicts with the indigenous people. Since the mid-nineteenth century, Todos Santos experienced an agro-industrial boom with the installation of several sugar mills, a period that ended in the mid-twentieth century. In 2006, Todos Santos reached the rank of Pueblo Mágico.
3. What is the weather like?
The town of Todos Santos is called "The Cuernavaca of the State of Baja California Sur" for its mild climate. It hardly ever rains, falling only 151 mm of water per year, which is concentrated in summer and winter (August, September, December and January). The annual average temperature is 22.6 ° C; which drops to 19 ° C in December and January, and rises to 28 ° C in summer. There may occasionally be an extreme temperature, approaching 33 ° C in the hot season and 12 ° C in the cool winter.
4. What are the basic attractions of Todos Santos?
A visit to Todos Santos should begin with its beautiful Plaza de Armas, and from there begin the tour of the places of interest, among which are the temple of the Mission of Santa Rosa de Todos los Santos, now consecrated to the Virgen del Pillar; the Néstor Agúndez Cultural Center, the General Manuel Márquez de León Theater and Cinema, the Hotel California with its musical legend and the many art galleries in the town. The proximity of the Pacific provides the visitor to Todos Santos easy access to oceanic beaches ideal for surfing. Todos Santos is a town with an intense cultural life and various festivals take place throughout the year, the protagonists of which are mango, wine and gastronomy, cinema, art and music, among the most important.
5. What's in the Plaza de Armas?
The Plaza de Armas de Todos Santos is a sober rectangular esplanade dotted with slender palm trees and coconut trees and green spaces, surrounded by the most representative buildings of the architecture of Todos Santos. The square is dominated by a fountain and a simple circular kiosk and on one of its sides is the temple of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Todos Santos. Other buildings around the square are the Municipal Delegation, with arched openings, and the General Manuel Márquez de León Theater and Cinema.
6. How did the Mission of Santa Rosa de Todos los Santos come about?
This mission was established in 1723 by the Jesuit Father Jorge Bravo as a Visit, that is, as a small temple to be visited occasionally by missionaries. The place went from Visit to Mission proper in 1733, at the hands of the Italian Jesuit priest and missionary Segismundo Taraval. José de la Puente, Marqués de Villapuente de la Peña and great benefactor of the Society of Jesus, contributed the resources for the mission and surely influenced her to adopt the name of Santa Rosa to honor her sister-in-law, Doña Rosa de la Peña y Rueda . The epidemics and wars between the Spanish and the indigenous people decimated the population and the mission was abandoned. The temple was recovered, adopting the name of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Todos Santos.
7. What does the Néstor Agúndez Cultural Center offer?
The Todos Santos House of Culture functioned for 18 years under the wise and active direction of Professor Néstor Agúndez Martínez, who organized a small museum with archaeological and historical pieces, paintings, handicrafts and documents. Likewise, it opened workshops and promoted different fields of art and culture. In 2002, at the request of the town of Todos Santos, the institution was renamed Centro Cultural Néstor Agúndez. The center has its museum and offers painting, dance and theater workshops, as well as exhibitions of visual arts, open-air theater and other cultural events.
8. When was the General Manuel Márquez de León Theater and Cinema built?
This bizarre building was built in 1944, being the site of projections of the films that marked the golden age of Mexican cinema, as well as a theatrical setting. Márquez de León was a Baja California leader who distinguished himself in the 1847 war against the United States and was a deputy to the Constituent Congress in 1857. The striking white building with red trim is located on one of the sides of the Plaza de Armas and has four arched doors, the central one large and with a Romanesque portico. It is crowned by a pyramid-shaped barbican, with scrolls, in which the name is in red letters.
9. What is the legend surrounding the Hotel California?
Hotel California is the name of one of the most popular songs in soft rock history, particularly due to Don Henley's vocalization and the extraordinary long electric guitar solo performed by Don Felder and Joe Walsh. The piece was released by the American band The Eagles in 1977 and later the rumor spread that it had been composed at the Hotel California in Todos Santos. It may just be a myth, but it has contributed to making the establishment and the Pueblo Mágico famous. Another of the legends of California is that the ghost of a pretty girl appears to customers, inviting them to a drink. If you're not staying at the hotel, hang out at their bar to see if you get the invitation.
10. Why are there so many art galleries in Todos Santos?
The goodness of the climate, the warmth of the town and its cultural vocation, made Todos Santos a favorite resting place for important personalities from the world of art and culture, especially Americans, who ended up taking up residence. This explains why Todos Santos is full of art galleries, handicraft shops and other establishments linked to the cultural field. Among these houses, which are both artistic spaces and commercial stores, stand out Galería de Todos Santos, Galería Logan, La Sonrisa de la Muerte, Manos Mexicanas, Agua y Sol, Elfeo and Galería Casa Franco.
11. Is there a good beach nearby?
A few kilometers from Todos Santos is Los Cerritos beach, located in front of the agricultural community El Pescadero. It is an appropriate beach for surfing and there are some instructors right there who teach those who want to start out in this fun sport how to do it. On the beach you can swim, with the precautions that you always have to take in the Pacific. Do not forget your umbrellas because the beach does not have palapas and it is also convenient that you take your food and your drink, since there is only one restaurant and its prices may not suit you.
12. When is the Mango Festival?
Located in the middle of the desert, but with abundant underground waters that make it an oasis, the town of Todos Santos is characterized by the deliciousness of its fruits, such as mango, papaya and avocado. Since 2008, the Todos Santos Mango Festival has been held annually, which normally takes place during the last long weekend of July (from Friday to Sunday). There is a gastronomic sample with the immense amount of mango applications in the kitchen, artisan products for sale, dance, music, theater and other shows.
13. When is the Wine and Gastronomy Festival held?
El Gastrovino is an event that has been held since 2012 during an extended weekend in May, with the purpose of publicizing the best wines of the Baja California peninsula, as well as its gastronomy. They are three days dedicated to tasting the best Baja California wines, with the participation of the most prestigious wine companies, such as L. A. Cetto, Barón Balché, Santo Tomás, MD Vinos and Sierra Laguna. The gastronomic offer includes the main delicacies of the peninsular culinary art, both in its sea and land specialties. During the Gastrovino, an attractive musical, artistic and cultural program takes place.
14. How did the Film Festival come about?
During one week of the month of March, Todos Santos only breathes cinema. The festival was created in 2004 by Sylvia Perel, one of the many people from the art world based in Todos Santos, who also runs the San Francisco, California Latino Film Festival. The festival offers a select list of Mexican and Latin American films in the genres of fiction, documentaries and short films. The event attaches particular importance to the promotion of the participation of women in the cinema, as well as the education of young people in the art of cinema. Well-known figures of Mexican cinema, such as Diego Luna, have attended the festival as special guests.
15. What does the Art Festival offer?
The "Oasis Sudcaliforniano" also organizes its festival dedicated to art, which takes place during a week of the first half of March. All artistic trades have their space in the event, including exhibitions of visual arts, cinema, folk art, such as parades with floats; musical concerts and culinary art, among other shows and shows. The events take place in 4 stages: the Plaza Benito Juárez, the General Manuel Márquez de León Theater and Cinema, the Professor Néstor Agúndez Cultural Center and the Los Pinos Park.
16. When is the Music Festival?
Among so many cultural festivals in Todos Santos, one could not miss one dedicated to music. It is based in the celebrated Hotel California and takes advantage of the establishment's legendary link to the famous musical piece by The Eagles. The gathering was founded by Peter Buck, co-founder and guitarist of R.E.M., a pioneering alternative rock band. During 7 days of January, great figures of rock, folk and other related genres meet at the hotel, to the delight of the music lovers who for the occasion fill all the hotel rooms in town. During the event, funds are raised for social works in Todos Santos.
17. When are the traditional festivals of the Pueblo Mágico?
The most important popular festival in Todos Santos is celebrated on October 12 in honor of the town's patron saint, Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The festivities are organized jointly by the City Council of La Paz, the Municipal Delegation and the Municipal Institute of Culture of La Paz. For the occasion, the town is filled with visitors from the nearby ranches, who accompany the residents in religious acts and in the enjoyment of shows, which include concerts, popular dances and a gastronomic fair with local delicacies.
18. What is the local gastronomy like?
Todos Santos combines traditional Mexican culinary art, with its corn tortillas and sauces, with the splendid fruits provided by the nearby sea. Dishes based on lobster, seafood, fish and mollusks preside over the tables of restaurants and homes. The delicious fruits that ripen in the Todosanteño oasis, such as papaya and mango, provide their juices and pulps to make drinks and sweets that complement the exquisite South Californian food. The creamy avocados grown locally are used in the preparation of delicious guacamoles, salads, and seafood cocktails.
19. What are the main hotels in town?
The Hotel California is already mythical and of course in high season you have to make a reservation well in advance. It has a picturesque building located in Benito Juárez with the corners of Morelos and Márquez de León. Those who cannot stay at least go to the bar to have a drink and enjoy listening Hotel California. Guaycura Boutique Hotel Beach Club & Spa, in Legaspi with corner Topete, is a nice and quiet accommodation, which has an excellent restaurant. Posada La Poza, in the neighborhood of the same name, is a lodging with only 7 rooms, recommended for those who want an almost complete disconnection, since it stands out for its tranquility but not for its telecommunications. Todos Santos Inn, located at 33 Legaspi, is a boutique hotel that operates in a 19th century building equipped with modern comforts. Hacienda Todos Santos is at the end of Calle Juárez and is distinguished by its beautiful gardens.
20. Where do you recommend me to eat?
El Mirador is a restaurant with a privileged location on a cliff, offering a magnificent view of the ocean and a menu of Mexican, international and seafood. Tequila’s Sunrise Bar & Grill is an excellent place to eat a Mexican dish and have a drink. La Casita Tapas - Wine & Sushi Bar presents the menu in the name and is praised for its good portions, which is unusual for a sushi restaurant. Los Adobes de Todos Santos serves Mexican and Latin dishes, and diners rave about the mango shrimp. La Copa Cocina offers a wide variety of pan-Asian, fusion, Mexican and seafood dishes.
Ready for a lovely vacation in Todos Santos? We wish you a delicious stay in Baja California Sur and we only have to ask you for a brief comment on this guide. Did you like it? Did you miss something? We will meet again soon. See you!
