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According to geologists, the Baja California peninsula, once connected to the mainland, resulted from violent seismic activity along the San Andreas Fault between 10 and 15 million years ago. Powerful earthquakes caused Mexico's west coast to split at about the same time, and Baja was born.
The sea around Cabo San Lucas is home to a wide array of marine life, including large sea mammals such as grey and humpback whales. In fact, whales can be found all along Baja California, so you should try and keep an eye out as your ship navigates northward or southward along the coast. The prime viewing times are from autumn to early spring, when several species migrate to the warm waters to breed. California Gray Whales and humpbacks are among the most commonly sighted. The animals are easy to spot because of their size - both species reach lengths of around 40 to 50 feet.
The villages of "Los Cabos" have merged into a single resort during the years. The playground spans the peninsula from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific, but even so, the two parts maintain distinct personalities. From the beaches around southern Baja, sea lions can often be seen playing in the surf, and for the most part, development has not encroached on their natural habitat. Cabo San Lucas has mushroomed in the past few decades, but is still a charming place. Trendy restaurants and barfs cater to happy vacationers and the central district is compact;,, centered around the central plaza.
Cruise ship passengers are often confused when they hear about Los Cabos ("The Capes") and wonder how they got there when they thought they were in Cabo San Lucas. The confusion stems from the collective term Los Cabos ("the (several) Cabos"), which refers to both small communities at the end of the Baja California Peninsula (Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo). The main resort of Cabo San Lucas is the western side of the peninsula, but 18 miles to the east, laidback, colonial San Jose del Cabo hugs the eastern shore. Los Cabos also includes the unbroken line of hotels, golf courses, and luxury condos in between. Cabo San Lucas, a government-sponsored design, is only a few decades old, but many visitors claim it is Mexico's most charming community.
San Jose del Cabo was the only colonial town at the end of the Baja Peninsula. A steady fresh water supply and abundant food attracted tribes to the shore thousands of years ago. When Spaniards settled in Baja, they quickly established a pre-colonial provision stop for Spanish galleons plying the coast. Pirates soon descended on the laden ships, but when residents built a Jesuit mission and fort (1730), order was quickly restored.
The main commercial district lines Calle Mijares. Colonial buildings and paseos (inner courtyards) are filled with shops. The stark white structures are lavishly bedecked with colorful bougainvillea. At the center the tiled plaza is a public stage for local performances. The Jesuit Mission overlooks it.
The Corridor Highway, one of the world's most scenic roads, links San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The combined population was once 200 people, but Los Cabos now have hotels, restaurants, and shops - and more than 50,000 people. As birds and humans seek respite from cold northern winters, tuna, marlin, dorado, and other marine species offer a tasty local smorgasbord. If you are out early, you may see local fishermen returning with their catch.
Our day in Cabo started with a very smooth tender ride to the marina where we were met by our guide.. and by the way, we were riding with Jesus that day, he is a great guide.
We took a bus through the desert from Cabo to the Pacific side of Baja. Cactus were visible for miles and miles. When we reached the Pacific coast, Jesus said oh we are going to have to stop , I see whales .. and we did stop at a lovely beach where we all spotted the whales.
We arrived, after about 1 1/4 hours at the artists town of Todos Santos, perhaps most famous for The Hotel California of the Eagles song. This lovely quaint town featured many artist galleries with unique pieces of pottery, paintings, jewelry, etc.
After a short walking tour of the town, we all gathered at the Hotel California for lunch and margaritas. Then there was time for shopping and we headed right back to the Manos Mexicanos gallery to purchase a lovely piece of the very reasonably priced Pottery of Rueben Gutierrez and a few pieces of jewelry.
Then it was a bus ride home, and several people including us did nap on this ride. All and all a wonderful day and some good material for my Oosterdam cruise review.