Escape to Baja: A Press Junket to Cabo
Over lunch recently, a friend admitted he’d never left the U.S.—and had no real desire to. I nodded, surprised. I’ve always loved to travel. Airports, delays, cramped seats, overpriced snacks—sure, it’s a grind. But that feeling when the plane touches down somewhere new? Worth it. Every time.
So when an email arrived inviting me to a press junket in Cabo, I was in.
The term press junket might sound dated now, but it once meant serious business: red carpets, celebrity interviews, or a promotional stay to experience a hotel or destination. I’ve done several—Egypt, the Maldives—and now, Cabo San Lucas, on the southernmost tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. From Los Angeles, it’s a flight of less than three hours.
The Arrival
Cabo is known for its party scene, iconic rock arch at Land’s End, and steady stream of cruise ships. From the airport, it’s a quick 30-minute shuttle to town. As you hit Highway 1, the veil lifts: desert meets ocean. Cactus and coastline. San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are linked by the 20-mile Tourist Corridor, with the Sea of Cortez glinting to the east.
We’re staying at Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts, one of three Velas properties lined up along the corridor. To the right: the Grand Velas Los Cabos, a cinematic, all-inclusive luxury resort. To the left: the new Grand Velas Boutique. Mar del Cabo sits between them—quiet, adults-only, pet-friendly, and effortlessly charming.
Designed by Ricardo Elias of Guadalajara’s Elias and Elias Architects, each hotel has a distinct personality. Mar del Cabo leans old-world, with white stucco walls, lush walkways, and a gentle slope down to the sea. It’s a boutique escape with just 46 suites, two penthouses, and thoughtful design touches throughout—rain showers, private terraces, kitchenettes, turndown service.
The restaurant, Encanto Farm & Sea, is seaside and elegant, less than 50 yards from the surf. The food is fresh, locally sourced, and refined without being fussy. Two bars, spa services, an oceanfront pool, and outdoor event space round it out.
Day Trip: Todos Santos
On day one, we pile into a van with our charismatic driver Marcello and head north on Highway 19 to Todos Santos, about 45 minutes away. He tells us, with a grin, that we’ll soon see the Hotel California—the one from the Eagles song. He brings up “colitas” (slang for cannabis flower) as a clue that the song is really about Mexico. There’s no proof the band ever stayed there, but the lore lives on.
Todos Santos itself is artsy, offbeat, and mysterious. We stop at the bazaar owned by designer Rouss Ramírez, filled with treasures collected from across Mexico and the world.
Camels and Whales
On our way back, we detour to Cabo Adventures’ Camel Ranch. Picture dromedaries (one-hump camels), tourists in shemaghs, and a desert-meets-ocean setting straight out of Lawrence of Arabia. Lunch is served outdoors with a view of the Pacific—and the occasional whale breaching in the distance.
That night, back at Encanto, we dine al fresco. It’s Valentine’s Day, and a singer croons love songs near the waves. Our last night. The trip has flown by.
Reflections
As we prepare to fly home, I think of my friend who’s never traveled. I grew up visiting Baja. As a teen, I saw bullfights and dog races in Tijuana, camped on beaches near Rosarito, drank too much at Hussong’s in Ensenada, and cracked lobster claws in Puerto Nuevo. More recently, I came to Cabo on a cruise tender and swam in its moody waters.
For Californians, Baja has always been close—geographically, culturally, spiritually. The mix of desert and sea, cactus and palm, is uniquely Baja. It doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. And maybe that’s what keeps pulling me back.
foot space, situated in the iconic Helms Bakery, has undergone a complete transformation.
