Family friendly lunch while in port, any recommendations?

We are leaving for our cruise in under 2 weeks and have decided for 2 of our ports, all we want to do is get off the ship and wander around at a few gift shops and have lunch in port.

We are looking for something fun/ local cuisine/ family friendly. We arent opposed to parties and drinking around the kiddos in smaller doses but prefer to steer clear of wet tshirt contests and sloppy drunks. :)

We will be in Cabo and Mazatlan with our 4 year old. If there is a view involved, or specific entertainment for kids, that is a huge bonus but not necessary.

Any suggestions?

I would suggest you take a water taxi tour of the arch and then head to Medano Beach. The three most family friendly restaurants are Moxitos, (formerly known as Medano Beach Club) The Sand Bar and Tabasco's although, Tabasco's many not be rebuilt and open before your cruise. You can sit at tables with your toes in the sand. These 3 are very mellow, many locals hang out in these restaurants. There are many vendors trying to make a living selling things, but a simple no Thank You will do.

You can take a water or land taxi back to the pier.

If you don't want to go to the beach, the entire marina is lined with restaurants. Captain Tony's is a favorite and has pizza which most 4 year olds love. The marina restaurants are all very mellow unless it's Sunday during football season, but even then, you'll just have fans cheering for their teams. The marina restaurants offer great views of the beautiful yachts parked in the marina.

CwCrusier is spot on for Cabo. Take the water taxi for the little tour. Your little guy will see people fishing, they are proud to hold up their catch for you, and you will see seals too. As well as the famous Arch and Lovers Beach.

In Mazatlan I would walk around the block from the peir and take the ferry to Stone Island. Do a search in this forum for Stone Island and you will get better directions. It is very close and easy to get to. Many people from the cruise ships go here. I will be going there on my cruise in acouple weeks for the first time. As we too, just want to have lunch with our toes in the sand and maybe a little swimming.

Have a great cruise.:D

I vote for Captain Tony's in Cabo. Best place to people watch and pretty good food. Flea market right next door (behind giant marlin sculpture). Often times there are sea lions on the docks, and look for the fishies in the water around the docks. Before you get to Capt Tony's you will pass by the dolphin aquarium. Might be able to take the little one in and look around.

Mazatlan for us is Stone Island. Walk out the terminal gate and go left to the end of the block. Make another left and you will see the water taxi stand down the path. When you get over to Stone Island, walk across the berm and you will be on the beach. There's a mile or so of palapa restaurants, we go all the way down to Victors. There should be some horses around there you can hire for an hour or so if you want. ATV's to rent, water toys, etc. If you don't want to walk down the beach as soon as you get off the water taxi there is an "open air taxi" (small pick up with bench seats in the back) that will take you down to Victors for a few bucks.

If you are using a stroller any of the beach options will be tough. Instead of Stone Island you can hire a pulmonia for about $20/hr. Last time we used one it was 3 hours for $50. Took us all over town, up on the hill, thru the golden zone, shrimp market, cliff divers, all the usual haunts. We even stopped at a wal mart to restock our supplies ;) You pay at the end so there's no worry the guy will abandon you. We had him drop us off at the water taxi to Stone Island.

It will be some work work with the little guy in tow but take your time and have fun. AND take lots of photos, as I get older these are more valuable.

If we should take a water taxi to the beach (Medano), is it fairly easy to get one to return. I ask because we don't particularly want to put them in a cab without car seat. Anyone know?

Water taxis are in abundance in Cabo. Most times, the one that brought you to the beach will ask what time you want to be picked up and come back for you, but if you're not sure what time, the restaurant waiters or the water craft rental people are happy to help.