Todos Santos: Art, Oasis and Pacific Coast
Todos Santos is a small town on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur, between La Paz and Los Cabos. Its compact center has old buildings, galleries, restaurants and a working-town feel, while beaches and a desert oasis lie a short drive away. The town draws people looking for a quieter base than the large resorts to the south, though it is no longer an undiscovered stop. Understanding Todos Santos means looking at both sides of it: the walkable, increasingly visitor-focused center and the open coastline around it.
An oasis town near the Pacific
Old streets and a changing center
Beaches, surf and the pace of a visit
What is there in Todos Santos?
A quick overview of the most notable things you can find in Todos Santos.
Walkable town center
A compact grid around the main plaza brings together older buildings, shops, restaurants and everyday local activity.
Galleries and studios
Art spaces are a prominent part of the center, with work by local and other Baja-based artists.
Oasis landscape
Palms and cultivated greenery create a striking contrast with the dry terrain around town.
Pacific beaches
Wide, often rugged stretches of sand lie outside the center, with surf and currents that vary by beach.
Surfing near town
Playa Cerritos, south of Todos Santos, is the area’s established spot for surf lessons and beach time.
La Poza lagoon
This coastal wetland adds birdlife and a different landscape to the area near town.
What to see in Todos Santos?
Notable places and attractions connected to Todos Santos.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
The church near the main plaza is a central landmark and a reminder of the town’s mission-era history.
Teatro General Manuel Márquez de León
This historic theater is one of the center’s most recognizable civic buildings.
Hotel California
A much-photographed hotel in the center, notable for its colorful exterior and long-running association with the town’s visitor scene.
Playa Punta Lobos
A beach near town where fishing boats and the open Pacific shoreline are the main sights.
La Poza
The lagoon and surrounding wetland are worth seeing for their oasis setting and birdlife; conditions change with the seasons.
Playa Cerritos
A surf beach south of Todos Santos, popular for lessons and watching the waves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Compact center that is pleasant to explore on foot.
- ✓Galleries, historic buildings and restaurants close together.
- ✓Easy access by car to varied Pacific beaches.
- ✓Oasis greenery gives the town a distinctive landscape.
- ✓A quieter base than the larger resort areas of Los Cabos.
Cons
- −A car is useful for most beach trips and exploring beyond the center.
- −Strong surf and currents make some nearby beaches unsuitable for casual swimming.
- −Restaurants and lodging in visitor-focused areas can be expensive.
- −The center can feel busy during popular travel periods.
- −Summer heat and the late-summer storm season can affect outdoor plans.
Location
Todos Santos is located in Baja California Sur.
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