There are destinations that feel familiar the moment you arrive – and then there are places that immediately remind you how small you are.

Landing in Los Cabos and making the forty-minute drive along Baja California’s rugged coastline to Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, it becomes clear that this is the latter. Here, the desert gives way to the Pacific Ocean in dramatic fashion, with rocky cliffs plunging into deep blue water and waves crashing relentlessly along the shoreline. It feels less like arriving at a resort and more like reaching the edge of the continent.

That sense of place only deepens when you step onto the property. From the elevated Whale Watching Lounge overlooking the ocean – paloma in hand, bags still unpacked – it is immediately evident that Pacifica is designed to slow you down, draw your attention outward and immerse you in the natural power of its landscape.

This trip to Los Cabos was built around golf, but it quickly became about far more than that.

A Luxurious Los Cabos Golf & Resort Experience

Over four days in early November, our group experienced Los Cabos through a carefully curated blend of championship golf, adults-only luxury, exceptional dining and immersive coastal adventures – all anchored by Quivira Golf Club, one of the most dramatic oceanfront golf courses in North America.

The itinerary included:

• Early-morning photography sessions at Quivira Golf Club, capturing the course as the sun rose over the Pacific and the desert light revealed its full scale and drama
• Multiple rounds of golf at Quivira, including time spent with other media members and resort leadership, and spectacular afternoons navigating cliffside tee shots, elevation changes and relentless coastal winds
• All-inclusive dining experiences across Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, from elegant beachfront dinners at Peninsula to refined evenings at Quivira Steakhouse and LaFrida
• A sailing excursion with Cabo Adventures, exploring the Cabo marina, sea life and iconic coastal landmarks just offshore
• Spa and wellness experiences at Armonia Spa, including a Swedish massage, hot tub and cold plunge sessions designed to reset both body and mind
• Seamless resort-to-course transportation, personalized service and thoughtful in-room touches that elevated the stay from luxurious to genuinely memorable

While each day brought something different, the common thread throughout the trip was how effortlessly golf, hospitality and setting were woven together.

Whether photographing Quivira at sunrise, enjoying shrimp tacos (I still can’t get those out of my mind!) at the course’s comfort stations or returning to Pacifica’s swim-up pools following an afternoon 18, the experience felt cohesive, intentional and remarkably well executed.

Why This Destination Stands Apart

What ultimately separates Pueblo Bonito Pacifica and Quivira Golf Club from other golf resorts is not just the scenery – though the scenery is undeniably exceptional. It is the way every element works together, from transportation and dining to service and course access, creating a destination that feels both indulgent and easy.

In the sections that follow, I’ll dive deeper into what makes Quivira one of the most unforgettable golf courses I’ve ever experienced, how Pacifica’s adults-only atmosphere perfectly complements the golf, and why this corner of Los Cabos continues to linger in my mind months after returning home.

Arrival at the Edge of the Continent

There’s a moment – right as the desert gives way to the Pacific Ocean – when you realize Los Cabos isn’t just a destination, it’s a threshold.

The air feels different. The colors are sharper. The horizon stretches farther than it should. And suddenly, the noise of travel fades, replaced by something quieter and far more powerful: anticipation.

That feeling settled in quickly after touching down at Los Cabos, where our group arrived on a Sunday afternoon and began a week that would blend luxury, golf, gastronomy and storytelling into one unforgettable experience.

From the moment we were greeted at the airport and whisked away along the coast, it was clear this trip would be about more than just tee times.

It would be about place.

A Week Built Around Experience

Before diving into the golf – and yes, Quivira deserves its own spotlight – it’s important to understand the rhythm of the trip itself.

This wasn’t a whirlwind of boxes to check. It was thoughtfully paced, intentionally layered and designed to let each experience stand on its own.

Over the course of the week, our time in Los Cabos included:

• Seamless airport transfers and guided transportation throughout the stay
• A luxury, adults-only home base at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort
• Multiple elevated dining experiences showcasing Baja-inspired cuisine and wines of Mexico
• Golden hour views and cliffside moments overlooking the Pacific Ocean
• Spa time, quiet mornings and unhurried sunsets
• And, of course, unforgettable days on the golf course at Quivira Golf Club

What stood out most was how naturally everything flowed. There was never a sense of being rushed from one activity to the next. Instead, each day unfolded with intention – allowing time to appreciate the setting, the people and the details that separate a good trip from a truly special one.

That rhythm was established from the very first afternoon.

Day One: Settling In Above the Pacific

Sunday began with arrival at San José del Cabo International Airport, followed by a smooth, scenic transfer to the resort. The drive itself set the tone – desert landscapes giving way to dramatic ocean views as the Pacific eventually revealed itself.

Upon arrival at Pacifica, we were welcomed not with a front desk line, but with personal butlers, cocktails and panoramic views from the Whale Watching Lounge. It’s the kind of introduction that immediately signals you’re in good hands.

Check-in was relaxed and personal. Introductions were made. Bags disappeared. The ocean stretched endlessly below us. And just like that, Los Cabos had done what it does best – slowed everything down.

That evening brought a welcome toast with the rest of the group, followed by an unforgettable dinner at Peninsula outside The Towers at Pacifica. Long pants required, ocean air swirling and plates filled with exceptional steaks, seafood and thoughtfully curated wines, it was the perfect first chapter to a week still very much unfolding.

About Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort

Set along the Pacific Ocean on Cabo’s Pacific coastline, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort designed around tranquility, space and understated luxury. From the moment you arrive, the setting does most of the talking – dramatic cliffs, endless ocean views and the kind of quiet that immediately slows your internal pace.

Pacifica feels purpose-built for relaxation without ever feeling sleepy. The property is expansive, yet thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to move between oceanfront lounges, pools, restaurants and private beach access without crowds or congestion. Whether you’re starting the day with coffee and an omelet while overlooking the Pacific or winding it down with a cocktail around a fire pit as the sun disappears into the horizon, the resort consistently delivers those “pause and take it in” moments.

Service is a major differentiator here, too. From personalized check-in to attentive but never intrusive personal butlers throughout the stay, everything feels intuitive and seamless. It’s luxury without stiffness – refined, warm and genuinely welcoming.

Dining is another standout. With multiple on-property restaurants and access to additional dining experiences across the broader Pueblo Bonito resort collection, Pacifica offers variety without sacrificing quality. Fresh seafood, elevated takes on Baja-inspired cuisine and thoughtfully curated wines of Mexico were recurring highlights throughout our week.

Perhaps most importantly for a golf-focused trip, Pacifica’s location makes it an ideal launching point for days at Quivira. The transition from resort calm to golf course drama was effortless – and returning to Pacifica afterward felt like returning to a sanctuary placed at the edge of the world. It pretty much is.

Monday: Finding the Rhythm

If Sunday was about arrival and orientation, Monday was when the experience truly began.

My day started early – before most of the resort had stirred – as I headed out to Quivira Golf Club for a sunrise drone photography session.

Accompanied by a member of the Quivira staff, I was guided across the property to some of the most dramatic and visually striking vantage points on the course. Watching first light spill across the desert terrain and Pacific coastline offered a powerful introduction to a layout that feels equal parts golf course and natural spectacle.

Later that morning, I rejoined the group at the first tee for an 8 am tee time, meeting fellow participants including Michael Arkush, author of The Golf 100 (link to book), Pete Wlodkowski of AmateurGolf.com (Pete on Instagram), Klea Armstrong (Klea on Instagram) and Brian McCallen , who represents Los Cabos golf. I played alongside Michael and Pete, and from the opening holes it was clear that Quivira is every bit as fun a golf experience as it is visually overwhelming.

There will be much more to say about the golf itself later, but one element deserves immediate mention: the comfort stations.

Like at one of my favorite Wisconsin courses, SentryWorld, they are an experience on their own. Freshly prepared food, cold drinks and long ocean views turned mid-round breaks into highlights of the day. The shrimp tacos alone were unforgettable – probably the best bite I’ve ever had on a golf course, and I would have happily eaten a dozen more.

Following the round, we gathered for lunch at the clubhouse with Antonio Reynante, General Manager of Quivira Golf Club. My choice of sea bass proved to be the right one – perfectly prepared and emblematic of the elevated dining standards that extend well beyond the fairways.

The afternoon brought a welcome return to Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort. A quick swim in one of the adults-only resort’s pools – complete with a swim-up bar – offered the perfect reset before transitioning into relaxation mode. That continued with a 60-minute Swedish massage at Armonia Spa, followed by time spent moving between the hot tub, cold plunge and steam room, an energizing routine that left me entirely refreshed.

Monday evening closed with a shuttle back to Quivira for dinner at Quivira Steakhouse. Over exceptional steaks, wine and specialty cocktails, I spent time with Antonio and Tim Moraghan, whose years in USGA leadership added depth and perspective to golf-related conversations that flowed as smoothly as the wine. It was one of those dinners that’s lingered – not just for the food, but for the awesome company and setting.

By the end of the day, the rhythm of the week was firmly established. Golf, photography, world-class hospitality and moments of quiet restoration blended seamlessly – setting the tone for everything still to come.

Tuesday: On the Water, Back to the Fairways

Tuesday delivered one of those days that reminds you just how much range Los Cabos offers – from the marina to the open ocean and right back to the short grass.

The morning began with an early meeting in the Pacifica lobby, where we boarded a van for the short ride into downtown Cabo San Lucas. Our destination was the marina, where a 9 am sailing adventure with Cabo Adventures awaited.

Before even stepping aboard, the marina itself provided plenty to take in. In the shallow water below the docks, pufferfish and schools of smaller fish drifted through the clear water, while several massive sea lions commanded attention nearby. Their massive size was genuinely surprising, and they seemed more than comfortable patrolling the marina, barking at fishermen in hopes of an easy meal.

Once out on the water, conditions were nearly perfect. Blue skies, warm sunshine and calm seas made for an ideal sailing experience as we cruised along the coastline. A large pod of dolphins soon approached, swimming alongside and beneath the boat in a moment that felt both spontaneous and unforgettable. While we were just a few weeks early for whale season, the absence of sightings hardly mattered given everything else the morning delivered.

The route took us past some of Los Cabos’ most iconic landmarks, including the famous arch near Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach. Seeing these formations from the water offered a different perspective on a landscape that continually blurs the line between desert and sea.

After returning to shore, we made our way back to the resort to regroup briefly before shifting gears once again – this time back to golf. That afternoon, we returned to Quivira Golf Club for another round, this time playing alongside Klea Armstrong, Michael Arkush, Brian McCallen and Antonio Reynante. Experiencing the course again in different light and from a different set of tees only deepened the appreciation for its design and dramatic setting. Watching Antonio launch a drive to within ten feet on the breathtaking par four fifth hole was a moment none of us will soon forget.

The day concluded with an evening shuttle to Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach for dinner at LaFrida – an experience that deserves its own paragraph, if not its own article. What followed was easily the most memorable dining experience of the trip and, quite possibly, the best culinary experience I’ve ever had. I set aside my usual hesitations as a self-admitted picky eater and leaned fully into the chef’s tasting-style presentation. Thoughtful accommodations were made along the way, including adjustments to avoid ingredients I dislike, and every course felt both intentional and extraordinary.

It was the kind of meal that recalibrates expectations – not just of resort dining, but of what’s possible when hospitality, creativity and genuine care for the guest experience intersect.

If you are ever asked if you want Mexico Coffee, by the way… Do not pass up on it! Not only was it delicious, but the preparation was an absolute spectacle:

Wednesday: One Last Look

Wednesday arrived quietly, the kind of morning that invites reflection before the reality of departure sets in.

I was up early once again, heading back to Quivira Golf Club for one final sunrise photography session. With the course still empty and the light changing by the minute, it felt like a closing chapter written in real time. The desert textures, rolling fairways and Pacific backdrop came together beautifully, and it was one of those sessions where everything simply worked. As a photographer, it’s hard to ask for more than that.

Back at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, the pace slowed considerably. While some of the group ventured out to the Quivira Farmer’s Market at Amakiri Botanical Garden, I chose instead to soak in the final hours of resort life. Breakfast at the Whale Watching Lounge – maker of my favorite omelets of the trip – was followed by time spent poolside, enjoying the views and the stillness that seems to define Pacifica so well.

There was something fitting about ending the trip this way. After days filled with dramatic golf, ocean adventures and unforgettable meals, the final morning was about simplicity – warm air, quiet water and space to replay the week.

Late morning brought a return to reality, with transportation arranged back to the airport. As the resort disappeared behind us and the coastline gave way once again to desert, it was impossible not to feel grateful – for the experiences, the people and a destination that delivered on every level.

Service & Hospitality: Details That Make the Difference

What ultimately elevates a great destination into a truly memorable one isn’t just scenery, design or amenities – it’s people.

Throughout the stay at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, service was consistently exceptional, thoughtful and genuinely warm. It never felt scripted or transactional. Instead, it felt human – attentive without being intrusive, polished without being stiff.

A significant part of that experience came through the support of my butlers, Alan and Israel. From the moment we arrived, they were invaluable. They coordinated transportation, ensured early-morning departures for photography went smoothly, helped navigate the size and layout of the resort and were always available to answer questions or point me in the right direction. Pacifica is expansive, and the Towers area in particular can be a bit disorienting at first. Having knowledgeable, friendly guides made everything effortless.

There were also countless small touches that quietly reinforced the level of care being delivered. Each day brought a thoughtful in-room surprise – a candy piñata on the first day, chocolate-covered strawberries the next and a beautifully curated gift box on the final day filled with keepsakes to bring home, including glass heart ornaments for my kids. These moments weren’t grand gestures, but they were meaningful ones, and they added up quickly.

The all-inclusive structure at Pacifica deserves mention, as well. Nearly every dining experience throughout the week was included, and the quality never felt compromised. From casual breakfasts to elevated dinners, the consistency was impressive. While LaFrida at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach required a modest upgrade, it was more than worth it and fit seamlessly into the broader experience.

Equally impressive was the cultural warmth encountered across the resort and throughout Los Cabos. Having studied Spanish years ago and spent time working in Mexico earlier in life, it was a joy to reconnect with the language and experience that sense of immersion again. Mexican hospitality is special – welcoming, patient and genuinely kind – and it was on full display at every turn.

There were lighter moments, too. Like the morning I walked straight into the small water feature in the front lobby while juggling drone gear and not paying nearly enough attention. Equal parts embarrassing and unforgettable, it was met not with frustration, but with laughter and reassurance – a small reminder that hospitality is often revealed in how moments don’t go according to plan.

In the end, what stood out most was how deeply the team at Pueblo Bonito Resorts seems to care about the guest experience. It’s evident in the pride they take in their work and the ease with which everything runs behind the scenes. That level of service doesn’t happen by accident – it’s built, nurtured and lived daily.

It’s also the reason this trip has stayed with me long after returning home.

Quivira Golf Club: Where the Land Refuses to Be Ignored

It hit me before I ever struck a golf shot.

Early on my first morning at Quivira, I climbed into a golf cart alongside one of the club’s staff members and began the ascent up the mountain that separates the fifth green from the sixth tee – a winding, one-mile transfer that is widely considered the longest between holes anywhere in the world. The ride itself felt like an attraction, climbing higher and higher as the Pacific Ocean slowly revealed itself below.

At one point, we stopped entirely.

Not for logistics. Not for traffic. Just so I could stand still and take it all in.

From that vantage point, you could trace the coastline back toward Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, watch waves detonate against the rocks below and fully appreciate the scale of the land Quivira occupies. I laughed out loud – the kind of laugh that only happens when a place overwhelms you in the best possible way.

And then I saw the sixth hole.

A Jack Nicklaus Signature, Taken to the Extreme

Quivira Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, and while that pedigree carries expectations anywhere in the world, this site allowed Nicklaus and his team to push boundaries in ways that simply aren’t possible most places.

The course unfolds across windswept dunes, desert foothills and sheer cliffs along a remote stretch of Pacific coastline, well removed from Cabo San Lucas and the city. The result is a routing that feels unconventional at times, but necessarily so – there was no other way to build golf here without letting the land dictate the experience.

Walking would be impossible. Carts are essential. And honestly, that’s part of the charm. Quivira is as much a journey as it is a round of golf.

The Holes You’ll Never Forget

The opening hole immediately sets the tone. A wide fairway provides comfort off the tee, but sandy waste areas lurk left and an elevated green creates a subtle infinity effect, with crashing waves visible just beyond the putting surface. It’s a welcoming start – but also a clear warning that distraction is costly.

The short par four fourth is classic Nicklaus risk-reward. At roughly 255 to 275 yards, the temptation to hit driver is strong, especially with nearly 150 yards of width to work with. But restraint pays off. An iron leaves a simple approach into a raised green that bowls toward the back (don’t go long!).

And then there’s the sixth.

At under 300 yards, it may be the most visually intimidating short par four I’ve ever played. The fairway narrows dramatically, cliffs fall away to the left, a mountainside rises to the right and the hole bends sharply left before plunging downhill to an impossibly dramatic green site. As a visitor, it feels impossible not to take on the heroic line.

During our round, Quivira General Manager Antonio Reynante launched a drive that finished ten feet from the hole. I followed suit. His ball was on the green. Mine was never found. I would, of course, make the same decision again without hesitation.

The seventh, a downhill par three played alongside the cliffs, might be the most beautiful one-shot hole on the course. With the Pacific stretching endlessly to the left and a narrow green rolling toward the ocean, it’s breathtaking and exacting. I hit one of the best shots of my trip there, knocking it close for a kick-in birdie – my only one of the first day.

From there, the course continues its assault on the senses.

The eighth tee delivers another infinity-style view from staggering heights. The thirteenth tumbles downhill from one of the highest points on the property in a dramatic, serpentine par five. The fourteenth plays directly over the beach and ocean to a tiny green built into the cliffside, waves rolling in below. It’s short, terrifying and unforgettable.

My tee shot on the par five 13th – way downhill with wind at our backs

The 14th deserves its own slideshow…

… And video to kick off my brand new “Signature Golf Holes” social media series:

Later, the sixteenth and seventeenth pull the eye inland toward Cabo San Lucas, homes scattered across the hillsides, before the round concludes with a reimagined finishing hole that rewards bold positioning and offers one final panoramic look at the sea.

Beauty, Challenge and Constant Distraction

Quivira delivers a relentless stream of “wow” moments. But the course isn’t simply beautiful – it’s demanding. Take your eyes off the shot at hand to watch for whales, dolphins or breaking waves, and you’ll be searching for golf balls in desert scrub.

Adding to the experience are three on-course comfort stations that feel more like culinary outposts than halfway houses. Freshly prepared Mexican dishes, snacks and specialty cocktails are included and strategically placed, reinforcing that Quivira is meant to be savored, not rushed.

The routing may feel unconventional, but it works because it has to. The land dictates everything. And that’s precisely what makes Quivira so special.

This is not golf laid gently across a landscape.

This is golf carved into it.

Why Quivira Works So Perfectly with Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort

Quivira is exhilarating, dramatic and mentally demanding. Pacifica is where everything slows back down.

That balance is not accidental, and it’s the reason the experience works as well as it does.

After mornings spent navigating cliffside tee shots, long transfers and constant visual stimulation at Quivira, returning to Pacifica felt like a reset button. The adults-only atmosphere immediately changes the tone. There’s no rush, no noise and no sense that you need to be anywhere at a specific time unless you want to be.

Pacifica offers an almost overwhelming number of places to decompress. Multiple pools – each with a different feel – invite you to linger, whether that means a quiet lounger, a swim-up bar or a shaded cabana. Armonia Spa provides a deeper reset, and after a round at Quivira, moving between a massage, steam room, hot tub and cold plunge felt like the perfect counterbalance to the sensory overload of the golf course.

Dining plays an equally important role. Peninsula anchors the resort with refined Baja-inspired cuisine, while the variety of additional restaurants and bars make it easy to let each evening unfold naturally. Some nights were about exceptional food and wine, others about simple conversation and early sunsets. Pacifica never forces a pace.

That contrast is key. Quivira demands your attention and rewards commitment. Pacifica gives it back. Together, they create a rhythm that turns a golf trip into a true escape rather than a checklist of tee times and dinners.

Who Quivira Is (and Isn’t) For

Quivira is not subtle golf, and it doesn’t try to be.

This is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design built on extreme land, and the experience reflects that at every turn. It’s for golf enthusiasts who appreciate bold architecture, dramatic elevation changes and strategic questions that feel as intimidating as they are enticing.

If you enjoy standing on a tee knowing the shot in front of you is uncomfortable – not unfair, but demanding – Quivira delivers that feeling again and again. The long cart transfers are part of the journey, not an inconvenience. The exposure is real. On holes like the seventeenth, where you stand hundreds of feet above the fairway with the city of Cabo San Lucas in the distance, the thought of a hooked tee shot drifting toward high-rise buildings feels very real, even if logic says otherwise.

That tension is part of the fun.

Quivira rewards confidence, commitment and curiosity. It’s for players who enjoy short par fours that ask big questions, par threes that leave no margin for distraction and routing that prioritizes the land over convention.

It may not be for those seeking walkable resort golf, quick rounds or predictability. This is not a place to switch your brain off for four hours. The architecture is bold, the visuals are relentless and the scale can be overwhelming.

For the right player, that’s exactly the point.

A Place That Stays With You

The best trips don’t announce their impact right away. They reveal it gradually, in quiet moments and lingering thoughts that surface long after you’ve returned home.

That’s what happened here.

The combination of Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort and Quivira Los Cabos Golf Club created a balance that felt rare and unforced. The golf demanded full attention – dramatic, distracting and occasionally overwhelming in the best possible way. Pacifica provided the counterweight, offering space, calm and a pace that allowed the experience to settle rather than rush past.

Somewhere between sunrise photography sessions, cliffside tee shots, quiet poolside afternoons and dinners that stretched comfortably into the evening, the trip stopped feeling like a media visit and started feeling personal.

That’s the mark of a destination done right.

Not because it was flawless, but because it was immersive. Because it asked you to be present. And because it left just enough unfinished business to make returning feel inevitable.

For more on Quivira Golf Club and Pueblo Bonito Resorts, check out their websites, linked below: