Next race2026 SCORE Baja 400Sep 9–13, 2026 · Happening nowLatest
Colorful papel picado flags strung over a street in San José del Cabo

Quick Summary

  • Don’t miss: The San José del Cabo Art Walk, Thursdays 5–9 PM from November to June. Race-week Thursday is Nov 12, but the 2026 season start date hasn’t been announced
  • Safe swimming: Médano, Chileno Bay, Santa María Bay and Acapulquito. Chileno and Santa María are Blue Flag certified
  • Don’t swim: Divorce Beach and the Pacific side in general, or at Costa Azul (heavy shore break)
  • Day trips: Todos Santos (about 1 hour from Cabo San Lucas) and Cabo Pulmo National Park (about 2 hours from San José del Cabo)
  • Whales?: Not yet. The official whale-watching season opens Dec 15
  • Weather: Dry and warm. Highs about 80–89°F, sea about 75–81°F

Baja 1000 race week in Los Cabos (Nov 9–15, 2026) leaves plenty of time between registration, tech inspection and the Nov 13 start. Here’s how to use it: art nights in San José del Cabo, the calm Sea of Cortez beaches, boat trips to Land’s End and two excellent day trips.

Race Week at a Glance

Date (2026) Race schedule Also worth doing
Mon, Nov 9 Registration (qualifying teams only) Arrival day: sunset at the Cabo San Lucas marina
Tue, Nov 10 Qualifying and registration Beach morning at Chileno or Santa María Bay
Wed, Nov 11 Registration, tech inspection and contingency Day trip to Todos Santos
Thu, Nov 12 Registration, tech inspection and contingency San José del Cabo Art Walk, 5–9 PM (if the season has started)
Fri, Nov 13 Race start Follow the race live, then dinner in San José
Sat, Nov 14 Race continues Boat trip to El Arco, or snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo
Sun, Nov 15 Awards Final beach time before evening flights

Tech inspection and contingency are traditionally the most fan-friendly days of Baja race week: the race vehicles are parked up close, and teams hand out stickers and gear. SCORE hasn’t published the 2026 venues yet. We’ll update this page once they’re announced.

San José del Cabo Art Walk

Colorful colonial facades with bougainvillea in historic downtown San José del Cabo
The Art District sits in the colonial streets behind San José del Cabo’s mission church.

Every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM, November through June, galleries in San José del Cabo’s Art District open late, with live music, street food and artists at work. The walk centers on Calle Álvaro Obregón, behind the mission church (Parroquia San José, founded in the 1730s). Race week’s Thursday falls on Nov 12. The 2026 season start date hasn’t been announced (last season began Nov 6), so check before you plan your evening around it.

Beaches: Where to Swim and Where Not To

Many of Los Cabos’ beaches are beautiful but unsafe for swimming, especially on the Pacific side. Stick to the Sea of Cortez coves, and check the flags: green means safe, red or black means stay out.

Beach Area Swim? Why go
Médano Beach Cabo San Lucas Yes Calm water, beach clubs, water sports, water taxis to El Arco
Chileno Bay Tourist Corridor Yes (Blue Flag) Snorkeling, public access, facilities
Santa María Bay Tourist Corridor Yes (Blue Flag) Protected cove with some of the best snorkeling near town
Playa Acapulquito San José del Cabo Yes Calmer water next to the Costa Azul surf break
Lover’s Beach Land’s End, Cabo San Lucas Check flags Reached by water taxi; the Sea of Cortez side is calmer
Divorce Beach Land’s End (Pacific side) No Dramatic views, but strong currents and shore break
Costa Azul San José del Cabo No A surf beach with heavy shore break. Watch, don’t swim
Aerial view of rocky shoreline and turquoise water at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas
Land’s End is best seen from the water. Book a boat from the Cabo San Lucas marina.

El Arco and Land’s End by Boat

The rock arch at Land’s End (El Arco) is the symbol of Los Cabos, and it’s best seen from the water. Glass-bottom boats and water taxis leave from the Cabo San Lucas marina and Médano Beach. Longer sunset and snorkel cruises go out along the coast. It’s an easy half-day on Saturday while the race is still out in the desert.

Day Trip: Todos Santos

Aerial view of cliffs and Pacific surf along the coast near Todos Santos, Baja California Sur
The Pacific coast near Todos Santos is for surfing and walking, not swimming.

About an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a Pueblo Mágico known for galleries, historic buildings and Pacific surf beaches. Go for lunch and an afternoon wandering the town. The beaches here face the open Pacific, so admire them from the sand.

Day Trip: Cabo Pulmo National Park

Aerial view of the Cabo Pulmo coastline and Sea of Cortez at sunrise
Cabo Pulmo protects one of the healthiest reefs in the Sea of Cortez.

About two hours from San José del Cabo on the East Cape, Cabo Pulmo National Park protects a living coral reef. Snorkeling and diving here are some of the best in Mexico. Book with a local operator, go early, and take cash, water and sun protection. Services along the way are limited.

What About Whale Watching?

Humpback and gray whales are the big draw in Los Cabos in winter. The official season opens on Dec 15 and runs to Apr 15, so it doesn’t overlap Baja 1000 race week. If whales are on your list, plan a separate winter trip.

FAQ

Is the San José del Cabo Art Walk on during the Baja 1000?

Probably. The Art Walk runs Thursdays 5–9 PM from November to June, and race-week Thursday is Nov 12, 2026. The 2026 season start date hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Which beaches in Los Cabos are safe for swimming?

Médano Beach, Chileno Bay, Santa María Bay and Playa Acapulquito. Chileno and Santa María are Blue Flag certified. Don’t swim at Divorce Beach, on the Pacific side generally, or at Costa Azul.

Can you see whales in Los Cabos in November?

Not usually. The official whale-watching season opens Dec 15 and runs to Apr 15.

How far is Todos Santos from Cabo San Lucas?

About one hour by car, north along the Pacific coast.

What’s the weather like in Los Cabos in mid-November?

Warm and dry. Expect highs of about 80–89°F (27–31°C), lows of 61–69°F (16–21°C) and sea temperatures of about 75–81°F.

Sources: SCORE International – 2026 Baja 1000 schedule · Visit Los Cabos – Art Walk · The Cabo Sun – Art Walk season · Visit Los Cabos – Swimming and safety · Club Solaris – Beach guide · Visit Los Cabos – Todos Santos · Visit Los Cabos – Places to visit · Mexico News Daily – Whale season · Cabo Adventures – November weather. Facts verified September 2026.