Though Cabo San Lucas had been inhabited by indigenous people for centuries, credit of discovery goes to Francisco de Ulloa, Hernan Cortes' navigator, in 1537. The town became a trading port and a hangout for many famous pirates. With the discovery of pearls in the 18th century and the establishment of a Jesuit mission, the area began to blossom. During the early 20th century, it became popular for fishing but inaccessible except by plane or boat. But in the 1950s, famous people such as Bing Crosby began to vacation there and Cabo San Lucas soon became a hot spot for the rich. A highway was built in 1974 that connected Tijuana, the gateway from the U.S.into Mexico, to Cabo San Lucas, making access to southern Baja California much easier.
Cabo San Lucas is located on the Pacific Ocean and boasts miles of white sand beaches. The ocean is bright blue and the weather is almost always sunny. Rocky mountains flank the coast and these mountains also abut a desert of cactus. In the winter, the temperature averages in the mid-70s, while the summer it climbs into the 90s. There is no humidity.
The easiest way to get to Cabo San Lucas is via plane, and many big carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Continental and United Airlines all fly into Los Cabos International Airport. It takes about two hours to reach Los Cabos from Los Angeles. Major cruise lines such as Carnival dock in Cabo San Lucas. You can also get to Cabo San Lucas by car or bus via Highway 1. The trip to Los Cabos from Tijuana is 22 hours by car.
One of the most popular attractions in the area is El Arco de San Lucas Cabo, a unique rock formation on the very tip of the cape. Of course, fishing and other water activities are major attractions for the area, and every year Cabo San Lucas hosts the largest marlin tournament in the world. Another attraction in the winter is whale-watching.
Cabo San Lucas is a popular destination for celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Bijou Phillips. Ex-Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar owns and operates the Cabo Wabo Cantina there. He plays a show there each year on his birthday. In the past, stars such as Desi Arnaz and John Wayne have vacationed in Cabo San Lucas.
Though Cabo San Lucas mostly caters to tourists, the city does have a small-town feel. However, the city has a tourist-to-local ratio higher than anywhere else in the area. For those looking for more of an authentic experience, the places away from the main marina still have unpaved streets, local shops that sell handmade tortillas and markets similar to other coastal Mexican towns. Unfortunately, most of the surrounding area has been developed into resorts and golf courses.
