La Paz sits on the Sea of Cortez, about 160 km from Cabo San Lucas, or two to two and a half hours up Highway 19 through Todos Santos. The water on this side is calm, clear and turquoise, and the beaches north of the city are some of the best in Mexico.
Here's the order I'd visit them in.
El Tesoro is the beach you pass on the way to Balandra, and it's worth stopping. It's a good warm-up for the day: easy access and calm water.
Balandra is one of the most famous beaches in Mexico, and it earns it. It's a protected area and the number of visitors each day is limited, so go early. Shallow, glassy water stretches far out into the bay.
Just past Balandra, Tecolote is gorgeous, swimmable and one of the spots where you can camp near the city. It's a great place to end the day and watch the light change over the islands.
A beach north of the city known for its artwork on the shore. A quieter stop if Balandra is full.
Across the bay from the city, El Mogote has real sand dunes where you can go sandboarding. It's a completely different side of La Paz.
La Paz is the perfect three- or four-night trip from Cabo: a night in Todos Santos on the way up, two nights around the beaches, and back. That's around 320 km of driving, well inside the 200 km a day included with Vanterella. Remember: park at the beach access and walk in. The van stays off the sand.
See the La Paz route for drive times and tips.
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The spots I keep going back to after almost two years of camping here, all within a few hours of Cabo. Free when you join the list.