Book These Spots for a Quick Mexico Getaway From SoCal
Charming towns, sunshine, spectacular beaches and epic waves have enticed artists and adventurers to Baja for decades, and being an easy two-hour flight from most airports in Southern California still makes it the ultimate quick weekend getaway. A growing number of soulful and design-forward hotels have popped up across the Baja California peninsula, attracting a new wave of travelers—from an eco-chic treehouse resort near artsy San José del Cabo to an architectural beauty on the beach near Todos Santos. Striking a perfect balance between essential and understated luxury, these are the dreamiest boutique hotels in Baja California Sur.
Baja Club Hotel
Designed by a Mexico City-based German architect, this elegantly restored, Colonial-style villa on the “Malecón” (coastal boardwalk) has won several awards since opening in 2021. It has a range of accommodation styles—from garden, patio, and balcony rooms to a trio of suites—and a serene courtyard swimming pool. You’ll find Greek-inspired dishes like moussaka and chicken souvlaki on the menu at its Mediterranean restaurant, but for Mexican wines and cocktails, head to the rooftop sunset bar: a buzzy local meeting spot where you can enjoy beautiful views of the bay.
Location: La Paz
El Perdido
Relaxation meets adventure at this serene oasis in El Pescadero, a small village not far from “Pueblo Mágico” Todos Santos. Nestled amidst palm groves and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it’s an idyllic retreat for travelers seeking tranquility. Unwind in stylishly appointed rooms and suites adorned with artisanal touches or from the cactus-lined swimming pool, dig into local cuisine and the catch of the day at restaurant El Coyote, and rejuvenate with yoga classes and wellness treatments like a spiritual sound bath. Don’t forget—pristine beaches and world-class surf breaks are just steps away.
Location: El Pescadero
Paradero Todos Santos
Seamlessly blending with the Baja California landscape, this eco-luxe retreat has won awards for its architecture and implements sustainable practices throughout its operations. Wellness is a major draw, and from yoga and meditation classes to holistic spa treatments, there are myriad ways to hit reset here. The food is fantastic (the hotel’s culinary team works closely with area artisans), the suites are stunning (some feature panoramic rooftops with suspended star nets for night sky viewing), and guest experiences run the gamut, from fitness classes and learning to farm to surf sessions.
Location: Todos Santos
The White Lodge
If an eco-luxury beach hotel with a holistic spa and ocean views tops your Baja wish list, consider this dreamy escape on the East Cape of Los Cabos. A 45-minute drive from San Jose del Cabo, the property can host just 24 guests; its cottages feature Aztec fireplaces and plunge pools. Alongside acupuncture and massages, the spa specializes in ancestral medicine rituals like Temazcal and cacao ceremonies. All meals and drinks are served at the hotel’s restaurant, Azul Cortés, where each season inspires farm-to-table dishes using local products from land and sea.
Location: East Cape of Los Cabos
Tribu Pescadero
With its proximity to some of Baja’s best surf breaks and e-bike rentals available on site—plus amenities like a dreamy saltwater lagoon pool and temazcal sweat lodge—this eco-sanctuary is equally as suited to adventurous types as it is to wellness-minded travelers. The Baja-chic tepees, elevated treehouses and Choza Suites come with private bathrooms, fast Wi-Fi and pool or desert views. While there’s no restaurant per se, a repurposed vintage bus and Range Rover are where you’ll score breakfast, light snacks, cocktails and coolers for the beach or pool.
Location: Todos Santos/El Pescadero
Drift San Jose del Cabo
Local touches and natural design elements make this hip hangout in San José del Cabo a little slice of paradise. Embrace the Baja vibe at the hotel’s full-service restaurant and mezcal bar that serves up craft cocktails and local bites, or kick back by the shady courtyard pool complete with swaying palms, loungers and hammocks. Yogis can enjoy a complimentary yoga flow in the courtyard every Saturday at 8:30 a.m., while adventure gurus can take advantage of Drift’s complimentary surf package, which includes locally shaped longboards, Bluetooth speakers and soft racks for your car. And when it comes to accommodations, vacationers can expect an airy minimalist aesthetic with some rooms (like the Drift Retreat and Paradise rooms) boasting open, in-bedroom tubs and showers.
Location: San José del Cabo
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Hotel San Cristóbal
Located just south of Todos Santos, swoon-worthy design details abound at Hotel San Cristóbal, and some pieces are available to shop from lobby boutique Tienda. Decorated with ‘70s-style concrete tiles and colorful, hand-woven bedspreads, rooms range from sea queens and poolside kings to a garden-view suite, Chill in the guest library with a drink before dinner at Benno, which serves Mexican staples like ceviche and catch-of-the-day seafood. For cocktails and live music, the poolside happy hour every Friday is a great place to mix and mingle with fellow guests.
Location: Todos Santos
Desierto Azul
Surrounded by giant Baja cacti and a few minutes’ walk from a pristine stretch of beach, conscious travelers looking to disconnect will love this petite luxe-casual retreat that has just four standalone units, which features a desert garden and silky saltwater swimming pool but has some unexpected but super-cool facilities too, such as an on-site bakery and plant-based cooking studio with a weekly roster of hands-on classes. The design is minimalist but warm, and the amenities (from the bed linens and bath products to the pour-over coffee) are all organic.
Location: Todos Santos
Hotel Casa Tota
Located in Todos Santos’ historic downtown, this 15-room boutique hotel was the home and general store of a local family for over 70 years. It’s been thoughtfully renovated to preserve original details like the brick façade while adding modern touches. The nightly rate includes breakfast at the on-site La Santena Restaurant and Cantina, which also serves lunch, dinner and very moreish cocktails. Look forward to relaxing beside the courtyard swimming pool and popping out for easy afternoon and evening strolls around the nearby art galleries and shops.
Location: Todos Santos
Acre Resort
Cosmo rated this intimate adults-only retreat as one of the sexiest hotels in the world, and with its hideaway tree houses, serene swimming pool and award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, it’s not hard to see why. Set on 25 acres in the foothills of San Jose del Cabo, there’s an on-site organic farm and animal rescue sanctuary (look for resident peacock Sebastian or the latest addition, Polo the donkey), plus daily yoga and a treehouse spa. Activities include a cooking class, tastings in the mezcaleria and borrowing cruiser bikes to explore the property.
Location: San José del Cabo
Casa Bo
With its pretty cactus-lined swimming pool, daily yoga classes and beautiful Baja sunsets that can be seen from the rooftop terrace, it’ll be easy to picture yourself at sexy and bohemian Casa Bo. Being just a block from Malecón La Paz means you’ll have coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants and all the buzzy downtown nightlife you can handle right on your doorstep. Deluxe rooms and studios are spacious and feature cool original artwork, architecturally pleasing handmade furniture, and handy-to-have kitchenettes, while larger suites also boast private patios and outdoor bathtubs.
Location: La Paz
The Mantarraya Outpost
With just six simple but tastefully furnished guest rooms, this boutique bed and breakfast is another beautifully curated stay in La Paz. There’s a small plunge pool, a sandy courtyard dotted with hammocks and the vibe is super intimate and serene. Travelers with plans to visit nearby UNESCO World Heritage site Espiritu Santo Island can ask the concierge about booking activities and tours like swimming with whale sharks, scuba diving, a private dharma yoga class or renting bicycles and borrowing beach equipment for the day.
Location: La Paz
Hotel 1697
The tranquil city of Loreto is a hub for jumping on seasonal whale-watching tours in the Sea of Cortez or kayaking the sparkling turquoise waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park. This hidden gem of a hotel that’s just off the main square and blocks from the oceanfront Malecón makes a perfect home base. Rooms are clean and comfy (pro tip: ask for one of the quieter ones closest to the swimming pool), and while they serve breakfast, put heading next door to El Zopilote Brewing Co. on your to-do list for margaritas, cervezas and small plates.
Location: Loreto
Keri Bridgwater is a freelance writer covering travel and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Fodor’s Travel, Marie Claire, Matador Network and InsideHook, among other outlets and publications.
