Palmilla Public Beach – Best Family Beach in Los Cabos

Updated August 3, 2025

The huge resorts in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are set up to keep the guests on property for most of their trip. They provide everything you need – beach, pool, food, drinks, entertainment, and transportation to and from the airport.

Sounds like the perfect relaxing family vacation right?

Well, keep in mind that the pools and beaches at the huge resorts are always packed with the guests staying there. You’ll have to wake up early to secure an open chair or two at the beach or pool.

If you get away from the resort scene you can find beautiful, uncrowded public beaches. After a few days at a huge resort, it’s a relief to retreat to a quiet family-friendly public beach.

The best public beach for families in the Los Cabo area is Palmilla Public Beach.

How to Get to Palmilla Public Beach

Palmilla Public Beach is in the fancy Palmilla golf course neighborhood just off Highway 1 in San Jose del Cabo.

If you are driving on Highway 1 from Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo you will see this huge sign. There is a sign on either side of the Highway so you can’t miss it. Take the exit into the Palmilla golf neighborhood.

Drive through the neighborhood until you come to a sign directing you to the beach and turn left.

Next, you will come to a gate with a guard. Access to the public beach is free so the guard will open the gate and let you in.

If you arrive before noon, there should be plenty of parking during the week. Palmilla Beach is popular with the locals, so expect weekends to be much busier.

Amenities at Palmilla Public Beach

If you bring your own food and drinks, Palmilla has everything else you will need for a fun day at the beach.

Palapas – If you don’t have your own umbrella, the only shade on the beach is under the eight sturdy palapas. If you arrive early it should be no problem finding an available palapa. They are usually all taken by the afternoon.

Bathrooms – The bathrooms are extremely well-kept for a public beach. There are flush toilets with toilet paper, soap, and running water. There is also a shower area near the parking lot to wash off the sand.

Picnic tables and Playground – Near the bathrooms is a covered picnic area with plenty of picnic tables. It’s on the hill so you’re treated to incredible ocean views while you eat.

There is also a playground area suitable for younger kids.

Insider Tip– Bring your own food and drinks. The lavish One&Only Palmilla Resort shares the beach right next to Palmilla Public Beach. They do have a beautiful oceanside bar and restaurant. But, they will only serve guests staying at their resort. They only do room charge, so there is no way around their guests-only policy. There are no other nearby options for food or drinks. We’d luckily brought our cooler packed with drinks and lunch. It really does come in handy at times to bring your cooler on vacation as your checked bag.

Why Palmilla is the Best Family Public Beach in Los Cabos

Many resorts in the Los Cabos area are on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. The waves in this area are gigantic making it unsafe to swim or play in the ocean. Ever. Palmilla Public Beach is on the Sea of Cortez so on calm days the ocean is perfect for swimming and playing in the waves.

There is plenty of room for everyone to spread out on the approximately mile-long crescent stretch of white sand. You won’t find the crowds you get at the huge resort beaches in Los Cabos.

With the playground, perfect sandcastle building sand, calm waters, and free parking, you can’t go wrong bringing your family to spend the day at Palmilla public beach.

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