Some more accessible beaches along the Pacific coast include Playa Pozo Cota, Playa Migriño, and Playa Los Cerritos. Among these, Los Cerritos is the only one recommended for swimming. Other ocean waters flirt with you to come hither, but beware of this temptress. Ever present strong surf and dangerous currents are to be expected and respected at most beaches. Any attempt of swimming must be done with great caution and discrimination. There are no lifeguards, so swimming is always at your own risk. Best to keep out of harm’s way. Sun, stroll, and enjoy the wide sandy beaches. The views and the Pacific breezes will be amusement enough. Also, keep in mind that driving on México’s beaches, due to potential destruction of the precious sea turtle nests, is prohibited.
There are several beaches that can be reached from Highway 19, but often-unmarked dirt road turn-offs on the ocean side of the highway are difficult to identify and more challenging to access. Heading north with the ocean on your left, you’ll see some promising dirt roads at various intervals between kilometer 94 and 84. These dirt roads may or may not lead from the highway to the coast. If you decide to try one to reach the coast via one of these risky turn-offs and come upon fences blocking your ride, turn around. This indicates private property. Mexico’s beaches are public, but access is not permitted through private property.
Heading north from Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19, you’ll notice that the kilometer marker numbers are higher and decrease as you go toward Todos Santos. Small black and white roadside kilometer number signs may be different than the kilometer number markers on the blacktop pavement. As the road is repaved or redirected, distances painted on the pavement are sometimes outdated. Rely on the roadside markers and use them as your guide.
Playa Pozo Cota (Cota Well Beach) is the first beach approachable from Highway 19, between kilometer 105 and 104. This wide white-sand beach is perfect if you’re seeking peace and quiet. No swimming here. Watch for the Cactus Tours center and the Baja's ATV center, both on the ocean side. Just at the kilometer 105, turn left. There is a dirt road adjacent (on south side) to the Baja’s ATV center. Proceed about 1.2 miles along the dirt road. As you head toward the beach you will drive past Rancho Carisuva, which is a great place to rent horses or take a motorized nature tour of the area. Go right at Rancho Curisuva. Follow this road, now more sand than dirt, about .3 miles. There will be a barbed wire fence on your left as you approach the beach entrance/parking area.
The next accessible beach you will come upon is Playa Migriño. This is a wonderful beach for privacy and is a fabulous whale watching spot in season. The current is exceptionally strong, the waves huge. Swimming is very dangerous and should not be attempted at all. Make sure to bring food and drinks because there are no services. In fact, unless otherwise noted, none of these beaches will have facilities. On the north side of the bridge (Puente Migriño at exactly kilometer 100 is the turn off. Watch for the Puente Migriño sign before you cross the bridge and for the MotoSol ATV’s bright yellow building on your left side, at the north side of the bridge. There are dirt access roads at either end of the bridge, however, at the north side you’ll have a better opportunity to see the turn off and be more prepared to make it. This access is a left U-turn (if coming from the south) and down a short semi-paved road until to reach the wide arroyo that is beneath the bridge. Drive through the arroyo about 0.7 miles to the beach. You’ll see some tire tracks that you can follow and it’s best to use a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to this beach.
Playa Los Cerritos (Small Hills Beach) is a wide white-sand beach and a swim-able ocean. Don’t expect to have the place to yourself because Playa Los Cerritos is a very popular destination. This has been a much-loved surfing beach for years. The waves are dependable and long, perfect for novice surfers and the more advanced alike. The full-service surf shop rents all types of equipment and surfing lessons are available. Swimming is relatively safe, so you’ll find families romping in the water and sun-worshipers relaxing on the beach. Los Cerritos Beach Club & Surf has a full bar and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The turnoff for this beach is at the top of the hill at kilometer 65. There is quite a bit of development taking place in the area and access roads may be changing. However, at press time, no signs pointed the way to the beach or restaurant. If you see no new signs for Los Cerritos, watch the roadside’s black and white markers. Don’t pay attention to the pavement numbers. Again, coming from the south, take the left toward the ocean onto the bumpy dirt road and follow it about 1.7 miles to the beach area. It’s worth the trip.
Playa Los Lobos (Wolves Point Beach, but in this case wolves refers to the seals and sea lions) is the nearest beach to the town of Todos Santos. Access to this beach is just south of town at kilometer marker 54. Turn left toward the ocean to get to this beach. It’s quite a popular spot with surfers and fisherman. You’re likely to see the fisherman launching their pangas from the sand. Ocean swimming may be possible, but with caution and discretion.
Pacific beaches continue to be found up the coast north of Todos Santos. More beaches can be found for surfing and strolling. Again, swimming is at your own risk so err on the side of caution and stay out of the ocean. To get to one of these beaches closest to the north of the Todos Santos, start at the Hotel California and go a few blocks east; take a left onto Calle Juarez. Just out of town and down the hill, stay left onto a street called Topete that will take you in the direction of the coast. Stay on the paved road for a while; it will become a dirt road. Two or three miles of the bumpy dirt road will take you to the beach. However, you won’t see any signs pointing you in the right direction. You’ll pass several houses being built and many real estate signs. Continue on the dirt road for a few miles, or follow a car with a surfboard on top. To get to the sand, you may have to walk about a quarter of a mile on a path through a pasture. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended to get to these beaches due to the dirt and unpaved roads.
Los Cabos’ Pacific beaches boast breathtaking sunsets, but please keep in mind that if you leave after the sun sets, you’ll be navigating these dirt roads and the unlit highway, which can be treacherous. The ever-present sensuous tropical breeze; and the music of the sea, waves in faithful motion; peace and quiet. Seclusion and privacy are more common than not. At least for now. Inevitable development is in the offing, so don’t delay basking in the in the thrill of Los Cabos’ Pacific beaches.
