Todos Santos – History & Culture :: Palm Orchard

Pueblo Magico...

This is a designation from the Mexican Government that means “magical town,” and has been given to a handful of the most historically and culturally rich towns in the country. Todos Santos is the only town in Baja to be given this distinction.

This prestigious designation places Todos Santos in the company of such world-renowned destinations as San Miguel de Allende, Tequila, Michoacan, Veracruz, and Zakatacas.

Todos Santos was established as a mission in 1723 by Padre Jaime Bravo. It did not prosper until the mid-1800’s when sugar cane growers moved into the area. By 1900 there were eight sugar mills and the port at Todos Santos was busy shipping out pallets of sugar. Eventually sugar cane gave way to vegetable farming, orchards, and ranching. The area is considered the breadbasket of Baja Sur, with fertile soil and an abundance of fresh water from the Pescadero aquifer.

In the last 20 years, Todos Santos has slowly emerged as a center for culture and cuisine. The light and landscape have attracted painters, sculptors and photographers. A collection of fine restaurants has placed Todos Santos on the map as a must see for food lovers.

Todos Santos Galleries

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Charles Stewart Gallery/Studio

The founding member of the Todos Santos artist community.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0265
www.charlescstewart.com

Galeria “A”

Paintings, prints, sculpture assemblages from found objects and natural materials.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0502

Galeria La Polilla

Representing a group of young artists from Guadalajara.
Tel: 01152 (612) 161-4840

Galeria La Coronela

Painting, sculpture, jewelry.
Tel: 01152 (612) 149-8294

Galeria La Poza

Mixed media on canvas, semi-abstract style.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0400
www.lapoza.com

Galeria Catalina

Representing 6 local artists, variety of media and style.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0338
www.artistsoftodossantos.com

Galeria Indigo

Representing a group of artists, variety of media and style, plus furniture & fine jewelry.
Tel: 01152 (612) 137-3473

Galeria de Todos Santos

Representing a group of artists, variety of media and style. The gallery features an outdoor sculpture garden.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0500
www.galeriadetodossantos.com

Galeria Gabo/Studio Gabo

Paintings and sculpture in playful & colorful style.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0514
www.todossantosguide.com/galleries/gaboartgallery.htm

Galeria Logan

Featuring paintings and prints by Jill Logan and Melissa Chandon.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0151
www.jilllogan.com
www.melissachandon.com

Galeria N. E. Hayles

Known for the artist’s paper tile mosaics, particularly the icon portrait series.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0183
www.nehayles.com

Galeria Wall

Featuring artist Catherine Wall, an impressionist artist.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0527

Visions Gallery

Featuring the work of “Artists of Todos Santos” (ARTS) a cooperative gallery located inside Cafelix.
www.artistsoftodossantos.com

Wendy Faith, Art Glass Studio

Featuring two working art glass studios.
Tel: 01152 (612) 145-0255

Lodging Recommendations

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Todos Santos Inn

The Todos Santos Inn is a grand old hacienda in the heart of the historic district. Built in the mid-19th century, this former home of a sugar baron has been sensitively restored as an historic village inn. Located in the heart of the town historic district, the Inn is walking distance to all the art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Accommodations: The Todos Santos Inn is elegantly appointed, furnished with antiques and steeped in charm and period detail. All guest rooms contain a queen sized bed and private bath. Offering two types of room: the terrace rooms come with a queen size bed, private bathroom and they open up onto a large shared patio area. The garden suites come with a king size bed, private bathroom, living room, air conditioning and private patio.

Posada La Poza

Located on the beach in Todos Santos, this hotel offers an uncompromising level of service. Featuring fine dining surrounded by traditional Mexican décor, the comfortable accommodations are decorated in vivid hues using hand painted tiles, authentic Mexican textiles and tasteful wood accents.

Accommodations: This unique seven room resort hotel is infused with warm traditional Mexican hues and fine art by Libusche.

Hacienda Todos Santos

Located on a twelve acre palm tree oasis, The Hacienda Todos Santos is inviting to all special guests with upscale-comfort, providing the sumptuous beds, private terraces or balcony, full kitchens or wet-bars. The accommodations have charm, enchanting views, a quiet atmosphere, terraces, wifi, swimming pool, daily maids.

Accommodations: Three beautifully-appointed guesthouses and four luxurious suites

Hotelito

A contemporary and enchanting boutique style inn, situated overlooking the lush fertile palm groves towards the Mission church of the Pueblo. The combination of modern architecture together with European style, comfort and attention to detail make Hotelito an irresistible and understandable treasure.

Accommodations: Four private cottages

Hotel California

This world famous historical hotel is the best known landmark in Todos Santos. Its owners John and Debbie Stewart gave the classic old hotel an extensive renovation. John’s vision gracefully combines the 100 year old beams and historic structure with his vision and passion for bold colors, colonial Mexican architecture and furnishings, art, glass and metal sculptures and exotic plants.

Accommodations: The eleven rooms are relatively small but sumptuously appointed with wildly imaginative decorations and furnishings, everything very comfortable with charming bathrooms. There is a small pool and beautiful garden area for guests to relax and enjoy. When you are ready to dine you are in for another well designed and decorated treat in the La Coronela Restaurant and Bar.

Pescadero

La Alianza

La Alianza offers a fine opportunity to luxuriate in comfortable tranquility by the ocean’s edge. These beautifully appointed and decorated guest quarters provide a great vacation escape. This enchanting escape comes with private intimacy in accommodations overlooking the Pacific Ocean, palm groves, mountains and the orchards and fields of El Pescadero Valley.

Accommodations: Private enclave just steps from San Pedrito beach, rooms, suites, casita and entire home rental available. Finely appointed rooms and amazing Pacific views.

Rancho Pescadero

An outrageous oceanfront oasis on 15 beautiful acres in Baja California Sur, Mexico that’s got a new approach to what a luxury boutique hotel experience can be. The 12 oceanfront suites are downright alluring. This new hotel on San Pedrito beach has already been featured in Sunset Magazine as one of Baja’s hottest spots.

Accommodations: The hotel includes twelve deluxe suites.

Restaurant Recommendations

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Buena Vida

Serving pizzas, chicken roasted in clay pots and salads, Buena Vida is a great family restaurant in a beautiful old brick building in the centro of Todos Santos. A wonderful patio seating area that looks into the kitchen and wood fired pizza oven.

Caffe Todos Santos

A popular cafe with three different dining areas, each with a distinct personality: a few streetside tables under the bougainvillea, an indoor cafe decorated with local artwork, and an outdoor courtyard shaded by umbrellas and lush garden. Fresh baked goods and bread daily.

Cafe D’Alicia

This charming garden cafe is located a couple miles north of the centro of Todos Santos in Las Tunas, a residential neighborhood. Surrounded by beautiful trees and plants, this tranquil, casual and friendly atmosphere are complimented by Alicia’s amazing cooking. Smoothies, homemade breads such as mango cinnamon bread, vegetarian and Mexican specialities for breakfast and lunch.

Michael’s

Located in a courtyard within an art gallery, this newly opened restaurant features wonderful Asian food complimented by the surrounding outdoor sculptures and unique open fire pits. The changing menu often includes fresh fish, scallops and shrimp, and our favorites: the shrimp and sweet potato dumplings and Chinese style pork ribs.

Miguel’s

Miguel’s is a casual Mexican restaurant with friendly service, great food and a fun atmosphere. Its palapa roof, sand floors and surf board collection create a casual spot for lunch and dinner. The specialties of the house are the Chiles Rellenos and margharitas.

Restaurant Santa Fe

A recipient of the Silver Spoon Award for culinary excellence, the menu is a reflection of the owner’s Northern Italian roots. Serving delicious pastas and the freshest fish, among the menu’s many classic Italian offerings, you can be assured a memorable meal and impeccable service. Nightly specials compliment the menu, including an amazing lobster ravioli.

Suki’s

Serving Asian food in a beautiful outdoor garden courtyard.

Tacos George’s

A road side taco vendor serves great fish and shrimp tacos.

Hotel California

The bar and restaurant inside the Hotel California Hotel is a great spot for cocktails and music.

Hotelito – Mario’s bar

Join Mario, everyone’s favorite surf instructor by day, at his bar at the Hotelito, a charming and colorful hotel. Cocktails and tapas.

La Copa Wine bar

The newly renovated bar at the Todos Santos Inn is a beautiful addition to the town’s array of charming restaurants and cafes. Featuring comfortable leather chairs and a gorgeous bar, this intimate spot is a nice place to meet.

Kale’s Organic Produce

This large organic garden in Pescadero grows and sells a large variety of fresh organic produce year round. In addition to arugula, kale, baby romaine, and every other green you can imagine, Kale regularly offers herbs such as basil, sage, oregano; and vegetables – broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, onions; and fruits – strawberries, papayas; and beautiful fresh cut flowers.

Fresh Fish

The community has its share of fish vendors. Our favorites include Fish Store in Todos Santos, Isidoro, who offers a weekly delivery service and a wonderful selection, and of course, from the fisherman coop at Punto Lobos, where the fisherman arrive each day around 2:30pm.

Todos Santos Weather...

Pueblo Magico...

This prestigious designation places Todos Santos in the company of such world-renowned destinations as San Miguel de Allende, Tequila, Michoacan, Veracruz, and Zakatacas.