SIX18 TRAVEL

Cabo San Lucas first beckoned to Hollywood's elite in the 1940s. The town's rather seedy reputation changed as world-class resorts took up residence here, in the neighboring village of San José del Cabo and along the 20-mile stretch of highway that connects the two (known as "the Corridor"). The construction of an international airport in the 1980s made it easier for travelers from all over to hop a nonstop flight to the "Los Cabos" area.

These days, this destination on the southernmost tip of Baja California is still known for its decadence – just take a look at the sprawling golf courses or deluxe villas. But the elitist pretense has dwindled: Days in the spa are just as coveted as evenings at a beachside watering hole. One sprawling sanctuary boasts as much as 40,000 square feet of treatment rooms and facilities. And there's a good chance that you'll see celebutantes and college freshmen sunning themselves side by side on the same stretch of sand.