Cabo San Lucas has long been known as a spring break partying, deep-sea fishing, and golf playing mecca, but just minutes up the road is a brand new, exclusive and perfect gem of a getaway so tranquil, you’ll be asking for just one more day…

Getting to Los Cabos International Airport is a short and direct flight from most major airports in Texas. And, if you can time it right, you’ll be chasing that gorgeous sunset to the beach as it teases you between the scenic desert mountains.

Set in rolling desert foothills of Baja California, Rancho San Lucas, “The Ranch,” is an iconic 834-acre resort community that sets the standard in oceanfront living, boasting stunning ocean and natural desert flora and fauna vistas while celebrating and staying true to the indigenous Baja landscape. It promotes privacy and comfort in an extraordinary setting that is anchored by the Greg Norman Signature Golf Course and the luxurious, all-suite Grand Solmar Resort & Spa at Rancho San Lucas.

The Resort: Understated Luxury

Located only 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas, a deep-sea fishing, golf and nightlife capital, this exclusive, gated enclave occupies a privileged location that offers a level of serenity rarely found in Cabo. You’ll be greeted by impeccable and friendly staff who will remain attentive throughout your stay. The outdoor space of the resort features family-friendly as well as adults-only swimming and lounge areas.

Guests can make a splash in three pools with swim-up bars and five Jacuzzis. There’s also a saltwater lagoon that winds throughout the property, offering stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and two super cool and twisty water slides.

After all that outdoor fun-in-the-sun, your taste buds will be ready to dive into the Mexican Contemporary and Baja-inspired cuisine at Anica. The signature restaurant at the resort, the ambiance includes luxury indoor seating, an inviting bar, as well as patio seating with cozy firepits, overlooking the saltwater lagoon and the Pacific Ocean.

For those seeking inner peace, the oceanside Spa has outdoor treatment rooms, private beachside cabanas, and an experienced and discreet staff. The resort is also home to 15 miles of jogging and mountain bike trails. (Be sure and request Itzel as your cycling guide – she’s amazing!) With 1.2 miles of pristine beach on the property, resort guests enjoy ocean views from every room.

For the Adventurous Traveler and Eater: Picaro Garden Cuisine

Within Rancho San Lucas, and only minutes away from downtown Cabo, new farm-to-table restaurant Picaro (IG: @picarobyromeoyjulieta) takes destination dining to a whole new level of relaxing.

Picaro is one of the most remote and scenic spots on the Baja, featuring some of the most unusual and enticing dishes in all of Los Cabos. Celebrated for its natural setting, exceptional bounty of vegetables from nearby farms, foraged herbs and seafood, the atmosphere of Picaro is a culinary experience not to be missed.

Eclectic Italian Chef Christian Ricci (IG: @ch.ricci) takes advantage of what grows on the land and swims in the sea, and creates dishes using methods discovered from rich Mediterranean and Mexican traditions. Take a peek into Picaro’s open kitchen to watch him at work! While the fare will always be simple and fresh, it’s the relaxed and informal atmosphere as well as the view that will create a reason for you to spend an entire afternoon sipping craft cocktails, and watching the sun melt into the most stunning sunset.

Sanitized and Safe

Los Cabos is one of the first destinations to receive the coveted stamp of approval for safety protocols from the World Travel & Tourism Council. WTTC designed the special Safe Travels stamp to enable travelers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted its health and hygiene global standardized protocols. All hotels within the Solmar collection have obtained the stamp.

New health and safety highlights include contactless temperature measuring stations for guests and employees, luggage and shoe sanitation services, new restaurant and pool furniture floor plans. Plus, there’s enhanced room service and take away options, and electronic QR code scanning for menus at restaurants. Mattresses and pillows are cleaned daily using a high-tech fogging machine and sanitizer spray will be used throughout the AC vents in guestrooms.

A Home of Your Own

The low-density community is elevating the standard of coastal living in Cabo with The Villas at Rancho San Lucas and the Norman Estates. For guests who may be seeking a more permanent vacation, real estate is available to purchase with pricing from $450,000 to $7 million. The newest offering on-site is an exclusive collection of 30 villas called the Perla. These stunning three- and four- bedroom villas include direct panoramic ocean and fairway views primed for spectacular sunsets, with pricing starting at $1.1 million. An impressive Design Studio onsite provides a one-of-a-kind design experience that allows owners to customize their homes and their outdoor spaces, with architects, land planners and interior designers on staff and in house.

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Cover photo courtesy Antonio Cuellar Photography

Leslie Barrett is a freelance writer living in Austin.