The original inhabitants of Todos Santos were the Guaicura Indians, a peaceful, semi-nomadic fishing community that welcomed the Spanish missionaries when they arrived in 1723 and helped them establish the agricultural mission of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de La Paz. Tragically, the Guaicura mostly disappeared during a small pox epidemic less than 10 years later.

The “visiting” mission, founded by Fra. Jaime Bravo, prospered as an agricultural center commissioned to supply the main mission of La Paz with fruits and vegetables. Eventually this oasis settlement achieved its own mission status and its name was changed to Santa Rosa de Todos Santos after its benefactor, dona Rosa de la Pena. This name was later changed to Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Todos Santos. The mission settlement continued until 1841, when the governor ordered that church lands be distributed to the local people.

In the hands of the local community, Todos Santos went on to thrive as an agricultural center - primarily for sugar cane - and enjoyed the wealth produced by its eight sugar mills for over 100 years. In 1950, however, the water in Todos Santos was affected by droughts and the sugar business failed. Many of the town residents left, and Todos Santos was all but forgotten.

In the early 1980’s, the main underground spring came back to life and Todos Santos began supplying the Baja Cape with fruits and vegetables once more. The paving of Baja Sur’s highway 19 in 1984 opened the town to tourists for the first time and soon artists began moving to Todos Santos to paint in the magical desert light. Though the town is still composed primarily of the Mexican families who have lived here since the Spaniards came, there is a growing number of norteamericanos (North Americans) who call Todos Santos home. The foreign and Mexican residents are working together to restore Todos Santos, preserving its heritage and creating a relaxed, comfortable and sustainable tourist destination.