WHY WE LOVE CERRITOS & EL PESCADERO, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR

Surfing, incredible food, laid-back beach days, and a community that keeps us coming back.

Playa Los Cerritos, BCS, Mexico

Ask us where our favorite place in Baja is, and you'll probably get a different answer depending on the day. There are so many incredible places along the peninsula, each with something special to offer.

But Cerritos and El Pescadero? They have our hearts.

We discovered this little stretch of the Pacific coast almost by accident while searching for somewhere to camp. We came for the beaches, sunshine, and slower pace of life. What we didn't expect was to find a community that would eventually inspire us to put down roots and build our own campground.

After years of returning to Baja, Cerritos is the place that feels like home.

WHERE ARE LOS CERRITOS & EL PESCADERO?

Located along the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, El Pescadero is a small agricultural town about 15 minutes south of Todos Santos and roughly an hour north of Cabo San Lucas. Cerritos Beach (Playa Los Cerritos) sits just outside El Pescadero and is best known for its surf break, expansive sandy beach, and easygoing atmosphere.

Although the names Cerritos and El Pescadero are often used interchangeably, they're distinct areas with their own personalities.

El Pescadero is known for its farmland, local restaurants, small businesses, and quieter residential neighborhoods. Cerritos is more beach-oriented, with surf schools, beachfront restaurants, and a growing community of travelers and seasonal residents.

Both offer something we love about Baja: the opportunity to slow down, spend more time outside, and enjoy the simple things.

THE BEST BEACHES NEAR CERRITOS & EL PESCADERO

Playa Los Cerritos

Cerritos Beach is one of the area's biggest draws, and for good reason. With its long stretch of sand, consistent surf, and beautiful Pacific views, it's the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire day.

It's popular with both experienced surfers and beginners taking their first lessons. You'll find surf instructors, board rentals, and places to grab a bite near the beach. Our boys have spent countless hours playing in the sand and waves here, and some of our favorite family memories have been made on this beach.

Cerritos is also known as one of the more approachable beaches for swimming in this part of Baja, but conditions change. Always pay attention to currents, shorebreak, and local safety guidance before getting in the water.

Our recommendation: Come for the afternoon, stay for sunset, and don't rush off anywhere afterward.

Playa San Pedrito

If Cerritos is the social beach, San Pedrito is where we go when we're craving something quieter. Located near El Pescadero, this beautiful stretch of coastline is popular with surfers and people who appreciate a more rugged beach experience. The access road can be rough, but the reward is a gorgeous, less-developed stretch of Pacific coastline.

During whale season, we've watched whales breach offshore while the sun drops toward the horizon. Those are the Baja moments that never get old. Swimming isn't recommended here because of powerful waves and currents. Bring what you need, pack out your trash, and leave the beach as beautiful as you found it.

Playa Las Palmas

Playa Las Palmas has long been one of the area's more memorable beaches. Getting there traditionally involves walking through a grove of palms before reaching a beautiful stretch of sand. We've spent afternoons here watching the waves, exploring with the kids, and encountering some of the wild horses known to frequent the area.

If you encounter horses, give them plenty of space and never feed or approach them. As with other exposed Pacific beaches, use caution around the surf.

THE FOOD SCENE IS SERIOUSLY GOOD

One of the biggest surprises when we first discovered Cerritos and El Pescadero was just how good the food was — and how much there is! For relatively small communities, the variety is impressive. You can find everything from roadside tacos and traditional Mexican breakfasts to sushi, farm-to-table meals, and incredible coffee.

And there's always somewhere new to try. A few places that have become part of our Baja story include:

Barracuda Cantina

A Cerritos classic, especially after a long beach day. Fish burritos, shrimp tacos, and a laid-back atmosphere make this an easy favorite.

La Tuna

Another beachfront favorite where we've enjoyed fish tacos, poke bowls, and plenty of sunshine. It's a great option when you don't want to leave the beach.

Noah Japanese Food

Anyone who knows us knows we love sushi. Noah has been a regular stop for our family when we're craving fresh fish and a relaxed dinner.

The Farmstand

On the weekends, a must-stop is the Farmstand across from Señor Beans (see below for more details). Not only do they offer great produce, but there are incredible homemade goods like pot pies, hummus, salads, soups and more. The best part? Your purchases here help the team support local families in Pescadero who are food-insecure.

Agricole Cooperativa

One of our favorite places to stock up on fresh produce, snacks, and locally made goods. Their strawberries and homemade tortilla chips have been longtime favorites.

Carnitas Miguel

If authentic street-style tacos are your vibe, then add this to your must-eat list. This is where the locals come to eat, and for good reason. The carnitas are made fresh every day, and there’s an ample salsa bar to choose from. We recommend ordering the meat by the kilo (medio kilo for a half), which comes with tortillas and all the fixings. Whatever’s leftover you can bring home!

Taste of Asia

If you ask my kids the one place they want for dinner, hands down their answer will ALWAYS be Taste of Asia. So much so, that we probably eat here at least once a week! We also can’t help but order a wide variety of dishes — orange chicken, chicken curry, schezwan beef, happy family with shrimp, beef and chicken, egg rolls, cheese puffs, etc. It’s all yummy. And very affordable!

Same Same But Different

Same Same But Different has the tastiest avocado toast, and their salsa macha is fire. Literally! The café is open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving coffee, smoothies and breakfast/lunch.

Palmar Pescadero

A beautiful garden setting and a relaxed atmosphere make this a great place for breakfast or lunch.

Local Taquerías

Some of our favorite meals in Baja have come from the simplest places. We love exploring the small taquerías around El Pescadero, especially when we're craving carnitas or birria.

Restaurants change quickly in Baja, so we recommend checking current hours and locations before heading out. For more of our local favorites, visit our Discover Cerritos guide.

THERE’S MORE TO DO THAN SURF

We love the beach, but there's plenty to keep you busy when you're ready for a change of scenery.

Explore Todos Santos

Just a short drive north, Todos Santos is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon. This Pueblo Mágico is known for its art galleries, historic architecture, shops, restaurants, and creative community. We love wandering through town, grabbing something delicious to eat, and seeing what's new.

Join a Beach Volleyball Game

One of the things we love most about Cerritos is how easy it can be to connect with other people. Beach volleyball has long been a popular way for locals and visitors to get together. Whether you're an experienced player or just looking to meet people, it's worth checking out.

Take a Yoga or Fitness Class

Between yoga, fitness studios, and outdoor activities, it's easy to stay active here. We've enjoyed making workouts part of our routine in Baja, especially when they come with ocean breezes and a little extra sunshine.

Visit Cerritos Beach Dogs

This local rescue organization holds a particularly special place in our hearts. We adopted our dog Frankie through Cerritos Beach Dogs in 2024, and we've seen firsthand the dedication that goes into helping animals in this community. If you're an animal lover, look into ways to support their rescue efforts, whether through donations, volunteering, or adoption.

Watch the Whales

From roughly winter into spring, migrating whales are one of the most incredible sights along the Baja Pacific coast. We've watched whales breach from the beach, spotted them while enjoying sunset, and never stopped getting excited about it. No matter how many seasons we spend here, seeing a whale offshore still makes us stop whatever we're doing.

RV CAMPING IN LOS CERRITOS & EL PESCADERO

If you're exploring Baja by RV, Cerritos and El Pescadero make an excellent stop along the peninsula. You're close to beaches, restaurants, groceries, and Todos Santos, but far enough from the busier resort areas to enjoy a slower pace.

That said, RV travelers should be prepared for narrow dirt roads, uneven surfaces, and limited infrastructure in some parts of the area. A few things we've learned over the years:

• Check access before driving down unfamiliar roads. Not every beach road is suitable for larger RVs.

• Plan ahead for water and hookups. Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds.

• Don't assume beachfront camping is permitted. Rules and access can change, so confirm before setting up camp.

• Make reservations during the busy winter season. Popular camping options can fill up.

• Stay a little longer if you can. Cerritos is much easier to appreciate when you're not rushing through.

We've traveled Baja in different rigs over the years, and finding a comfortable place to settle in makes all the difference.

Stay at Camp Cerritos

We loved this area so much that we eventually decided to build something of our own here.

Camp Cerritos grew out of our experiences traveling Baja and the friendships we made along the way. We wanted to create the kind of campground we'd always hoped to find: relaxed, welcoming, thoughtfully designed, and surrounded by the natural beauty that makes Baja so special.

Our campground offers RV sites with full hookups as well as dry camping options, plus communal spaces designed to bring travelers together. Guests can enjoy our outdoor kitchen, shaded palapa, hot outdoor shower, restroom facilities, and high-speed internet. We're also pet-friendly, because we know adventures are better when the whole family comes along. And with Cerritos Beach, restaurants, and everyday essentials nearby, it's a comfortable place to explore the area without having to move your rig every day.

Whether you're staying for a few nights or settling in for a longer Baja season, we'd love to welcome you.

Explore Camp Cerritos & Book Your Stay

WHY WE KEEP COMING BACK TO CERRITOS

We've traveled thousands of miles, explored countless beaches, and fallen in love with more places than we can count. But there's something about Cerritos and El Pescadero that has always felt different. It's the people who become friends. The familiar faces at your favorite restaurants. The spontaneous beach volleyball games. The sunsets that somehow never get old. It's waking up without feeling like you need to be anywhere else.

What started as a stop on our Baja road trip became a place we wanted to return to year after year. Eventually, it became a place we wanted to call home.

And that's probably the best recommendation we could ever give.

Planning your own Baja adventure? Explore our Baja Travel Guides for more destinations, RV travel tips, and firsthand recommendations from years on the peninsula.