JILL WEINLEIN

After graduating from UCLA, JIll traveled the world looking for unique destinations. She’s been writing about her travels for almost 30 years in various publications.

She writes a weekly restaurant review for the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News. It’s inserted into the Los Angeles Times every Thursday and delivered to subscribers from Hancock Park to Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills to the Wilshire Corridor.

Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa in the Heart of Baja

BY JILL WEINLEIN

Whenever I travel to Los Cabos I always get a window seat on the plane to achieve a pleasant tingle while taking in the views. The desolate desert touching the aquamarine water is quite a sight. This time of year is prime for warm weather, whale sightings, culinary delights, swimming and relaxation.

Last month while staying four days at the new Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa, I enjoyed one of the best Baja California vacations ever. Flying into Los Cabos International SJD airport, the resort had a car service pick me up and whisk me to the property.

Arriving at the stunning white resort right on the beach, there are 310 spacious guest rooms and suites in one of the most architecturally modern designs in the heart of Cabo San Lucas. The word corazon means heart in English, and this resort has a lively pulse on Medano Beach.

Checking into my third floor room, I appreciated the large king-size bed, marble bathroom and spacious balcony. Opening the sliding door, to step outside, I was in awe of the views. Guests were swimming in two different infinity pools. Beyond the pools, views of three different cruise ships – Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises were anchored in the Sea of Cortez.

Meeting friends for drinks and dinner up at the top of the resort’s Rooftop360, I realized this is the heart of the resort in views, design and decor. Not only is this the highest rooftop bar in Cabo, this bar and lounge gets one’s heart beating while taking in the views from the highest rooftop infinity swimming pool. The glorious 360 views from this venue is an ideal sunset watching spot. Later in the evening the space provides enchanting city skyline views while enjoying a cocktail.

The Rooftop360 bar is designed with beautiful Todos Santos custom tiles. White string lights and basket chandeliers hang from a leaf-patterned pergola ceiling. Highlights of the evening included an informative tequila flight tasting with fresh sashimi and sushi platter.

Each morning I woke just before sunrise and took a walk on the beach to the nearby marina. The sunrise evokes deep purple, pink, orange and yellow colors in the sky that reflect on the water.

Afterwards, I enjoyed breakfast and a green smoothie at the infinity Pool Grill located on the lobby level. This is a popular social spot to capture a sunrise, swim during the day, and sip margaritas and nibble on guacamole and chips at sunset.

Next I walked down a level of stairs to the resort’s Sparitual Spa. Outside on a terrace I joined a group sitting in a circle to receive a Mayan ritual chakra cleanse. After this spiritual ceremony, I checked into the Spa for a back and reflexology massage to unwind and get some knots in my back released. This spa has a large whirlpool hot tub, saunas and rain showers that I enjoyed before lunch.

The new Corazon Beach Club is an ideal lunch spot to wiggle one’s toes in the sand. Located right on the swimmable Medano Beach, guests were swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and riding jet skis. While overlooking Los Cabos, meaning ‘The Capes’ in Spanish, I reclined in a large day bed while sipping a margarita and biting into a chicken quesadilla. Vendors selling their wares can’t approach guests in this exclusive beach club.

Later in the afternoon the resort arranged for us to board the 70-foot Tu Enamorado sailboat for a sunset dinner cruise. Walking with others over to the marina, we boarded the boat and received a mango cocktail before setting sail to El Arco, or ‘The Arch’. Then we turned from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean, and cruised along the coastline.

Walking to the front of the boat to take in the beautiful views, I hoped to see a gray and humpback whale. From the end of November to February, these enormous mammals cruise down to Mexico from Alaska to give birth to whale calves in the warm water. Looking out to the horizon, I spotted three plumes of water. These whales breached and exhaled at the surface, which looked like puffs of smoke rising from the water. While following these whales at a distance, the ship’s crew delivered a charcuterie board and refilled our cocktails, before a surf ‘n’ turf dinner and dessert.

Walking back to the resort, we removed our sandals and walked along the water’s edge taking in the lights of the other resorts and listening to lively music along the way.

The next morning, I woke up early again for another sunrise beach walk, before attending an AquaYoga class up at Rooftop 360. Floating mats were anchored with weights in the infinity pool overlooking Los Cabos and Medano Beach. Our yoga instructor guided us for an hour long class encouraging us to relax, breathe, stretch and appreciate the beauty surrounding us.

After a quick shower, we met in the lobby to walk two doors down to the iconic beach restaurant, The Office. When this lively Mexican restaurant opened in the 1970’s, it was the only palapa dining spot on Medano beach. Known for their extra large margaritas and Micheladas, buckets of beers and tequila shots, it’s a popular spot for lunch and dinner. Ordering fresh ceviche, fajitas, and burritos, we learned how the restaurant got its name. A local gringo and writer named Carlos Fuentes lived the good life wind-surfing off Medano Beach and entertaining friends under the palapa. He and others decided to call this spot ‘The Office’. This name became known as the spot to go to for food and drinks. Soon a blue sign with yellow lettering popped up identifying ‘The Office on the Beach’.

Later in the afternoon, the resort arranged a sunset e-bike tour with Cabolectric in San Jose del Cabo. While riding along designated bike paths, we rode to the beach and took a stroll towards the surf. Two ladies were near the waterline holding a basket. As I approached them, I peeked inside the basket and noticed a just-hatched sea turtle. When I asked about the turtle, the ladies placed a glove on my hand, and placed the turtle in my hand to gently hold. They guided me into the water to release the baby to enter the sea. I stood in awe as this tiny turtle swam and disappeared into the surf.

Driving back to the resort, we dined at the waterfront Aleta restaurant for dinner on our last night at Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa. This all day restaurant offers fresh, daily caught seafood, sushi, and a variety of Mexican specialties. The wine list has some varietals from Mexican and South American wineries available by the bottle and by the glass.

Cabo San Lucas was one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite places to document the beauty of the area while studying marine life. It is now one of my favorite spots too.

For reservations and specials go to https://www.corazoncabo.com/.