Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina

About

What started as a dream for a taco stand on the beach in Baja has grown into a top destination in Pescadero on the way to Cerritos Beach. Shaka's Delicious Wood Cantina is based on a simple concept: providing great food and drinks, a fun and friendly atmosphere, and superior customer service.

Located just off MX Highway 19 at the KM 65 turn-off, Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina is on the way to the surf breaks at Cerritos Beach. The restaurant opens at noon daily, serving lunch, dinner, cold drinks, cocktails, live music, and good times. Along with fresh seafood and a wide variety of taco and burrito dishes, the menu infuses offerings with a surprising element of TexMex and Thai flavors. There’s also a nod to the founder’s Lubbock, TX roots.

Brandon Strawn, aka “Brando”, opened Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina y Galeria in 2018. The welcoming spot quickly went from a taco stand to a popular gathering place for locals and visitors. Over the years, the popular gathering spot has grown from Brando’s simple beach eatery into a beloved spot on the local scene. The venue also frequently hosts musicians and artists. You can also catch dinner and a retro movie at one of Shaka’s movie nights. Moreover, as the restaurant continued to grow in popularity, Brando and his cohorts launched a way for people from near and far to get their swag.

Vibe

The relaxed atmosphere at Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina quickly makes you feel part of the family. It’s like a Cheers with sand between your toes, with staff that will surely get to know and remember your name. It is a perfect afternoon spot to get together after a day of West Side Surf School lessons. Pick out one of the surf-board-turned-tables as a setting to swap beach stories.

A large open-air palapa graces one side of Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina, with colorful flags adorning the monumental space inside. The inner part of the palapa serves as a vibrant stage for local and visiting musicians. Plenty of seating options exist under the palapa and across the spacious patio dotted with beach umbrellas and sunshades. Even when Baja summer is in full effect, there are plenty of ice-cold drinks and tons of shade to help keep cool. This formidable relaxed gathering spot is very much a part of the Pescadero community and frequently holds events to support local organizations. You may just get in on a fun fundraiser while stopping in for a taco. There’s no better way to go local!

Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina: Menu & Drinks

It’s not only a family-friendly fiesta at Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina, the menu is a celebration of flavors. In addition to traditional Mexican dishes, such as a delectable assortment of tacos and burritos, they pride themselves on incorporating flavors from north of the border and even Thai. Be sure to start things off with their short board nachos and don’t forget to ask about their fresh catch of the day. Furthermore, Asian flavors add a savory touch to the menu, including the Khaosan Road Pad Thai and yakitori skewers. If traveling with your furry four-legged friends, there is even a dish on the menu for them - just ask for Henry’s chicken.

The creative edge at Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina extends to their carefully curated cocktail concoctions. Say that 3 times fast after downing a house Shakarita! Shaka’s daily happy hour is sure to quench your beach cravings with their Cerritorita and popular house margarita. There are also plenty of ice-cold non-alcoholic drinks for the whole family.

Be sure to stop into Shaka’s Delicious Wood Cantina on your way to or coming back from Cerritos Beach. This will easily become a favorite destination for any Todos Santos getaway.

Local Tips

Check out themed nights for live music, movie nights, and dance fiestas.
Pet friendly. Be sure to ask for special menu item.
Enjoy the games set up on the open-air patio
Take advantage of nearby attractions before or after your meal, such as a stroll along Cerritos Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Todos Santos?

The closest airports to Todos Santos are the San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) and the La Paz International Airport (IATA) in Baja California Sur. Each of these airports is about 1.5 – 2 hours driving distance from Todos Santos.

Several shuttle and private car services provide transportation to Todos Santos from the airport, though it’s best to book ahead. Don’t hesitate to consider renting a car as roads are safe and well-maintained. You’ll come across tolls (casetas) from San Jose del Cabo so it’s recommended to have small bills in pesos on hand (about 100 pesos).

Highway 19 from San Jose del Cabo to Todos Santos extends up the Pacific coastline and is a beautiful drive, while Highway 1 from La Paz (that turns into 19) provides a winding adventure through the rugged landscape linking the two coasts.

Renting a car in San Jose del Cabo or La Paz is a great option as this offers you the freedom to explore area beaches more easily, hop up to El Triunfo or over to Los Barriles, or drive between Baja California Sur’s two largest cities.

What's the best way to spend one day in Todos Santos?

Start the day off with the rich aroma of coffee from Chiapas and freshly baked bread at La Esquina. As its name states, this is “the corner” of Todos Santos for a delicious meal any time of day. With an abundance of locally produced fruits and vegetables, La Esquina has over 16 years of experience serving up some of the best breakfasts in the region. Take your time and enjoy the open-air patio as all dishes are made to order.

Continue your journey with a stroll along Calle Benito Juarez, renowned for colorful papel picado overhead that complements the inviting art galleries and handcrafts lining the street. While along Calle Juarez, stop for a picture at the colorful Todos Santos sign right across from the Todos Santos Mission Church. Venture on to the somewhat mistakenly infamous Hotel California for a cool drink at what centuries ago was the first bar to serve ice-cold beer in town.

Take the afternoon to enjoy the waves, surf, and tranquil beaches in and around Todos Santos. Join a surf class at Cerritos Beach and get ready to hit the waves at one of Mexico’s best surf spots. For true adventurers, hike down the lush jungle-like entrance to Palm Beach (Playa San Pedro) that opens out to nearly virgin sands and one of the most picturesque spots on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

After a day with sand between your toes, wind down with the authentic essence of Mexican cuisine at Los Adobes de Todos Santos. Fresh herbs cultivated in their own garden is only one of the unique touches to this idyllic culinary destination. Todos Santos and Cerritos Beach in El Pescadero are all about art, so you can bet there’s a vibrant, happening music scene to wrap up the night. From banda to reggae, trop-rock to jazz, and guitar strumming to salsa, you will surely find your groove in Todos Santos.