World-class golf courses dot the narrow 20-mile corridor running
from the shaded streets of quaint San Jose del Cabo to the lively
nightclubs of Cabo San Lucas, at the tip of the Baja peninsula.
Tops on the must-play list are Palmilla, Eldorado, Cabo Real and
Cabo del Sol. The terrain typically varies from hilly desert to
beachfront, with ocean vistas common throughout.
Palmilla is the only true golf resort, which controls the hotel
and golf on property. Palmilla’s 27 holes the Mountain, Arroyo, and
Ocean nines represent Cabo’s first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
The elegant, historic 115-room hotel in classic, old Mexico style
with red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls overlooks the tranquil
Sea of Cortes.
Troon Golf, the leading luxury golf management company, assumed
management of Palmilla on June 1. A new golf clubhouse is being
planned, according to Ray Metz, director of golf. High season
greens fees are $185 (hotel guests) to $205 (outside play), and
room rates range from $430 to $1,295. Packages are available. Call
800-637-2226.
Jack Nicklaus also designed Eldorado Golf Club, which opened in
1999. Six holes front the Sea of Cortes, some so close that you can
hear the flying fish, or skate fish, slapping the water as they
soar in and out of the waves. High season greens fees are $246.
Nearby Cabo Real Golf Club is under the same ownership. Designed by
Robert Trent Jones Jr., it opened in 1994 and hosted the PGA Senior
Slam. High season greens fees are $215. For both courses, call
800-393-0400.
Midway along the corridor sits award-winning Cabo del Sol,
consisting of the Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course, rated one of the
Top 100 Courses in the World by Golf magazine, and the new Desert
Course, a Tom Weiskopf design. A lavish new clubhouse is scheduled
for completion some time this year. High season greens fees are
$228 on the ocean course and $198 at the desert course. Call
800-386-2465. Where to Stay
A 10-minute walk from downtown Cabo San Lucas, Pueblo Bonito Los
Cabos (148 guest rooms) and Pueblo Bonito Rose (260 rooms) sit next
door to each other on the El Medano white sand beach. All rooms
have kitchenettes. Pueblo Bonito Rose offers a full European spa in
its two-story building.
On the secluded Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula, the new
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach will complete its 519 luxury suites by
the end of this year. “Guests at any of our three hotels have
access to all facilities, including a free shuttle,” said Luis Yuen
Villalobos, Los Cabos general manager.
Room rates range from $195 to $245, with special Stay and Save
packages. Call 800-990-8250.
