Part aviator, part developer, part man of the world. Rodriguez was one of the first people to realize the beautiful nature and enticing allure of Los Cabos. Almost single-handedly, he took what was once a barren, yet exotic, desert area and began the early stages of the tourist and fishing mecca that Los Cabos has become.

Rod's first love was flying. Raised in the Los Angeles area, he left college and flew his first solo flight just a few years later. He became so adept at the controls that at age 22, he owned his own flight school. Called into action during World War II, he specialized in ferrying new fighter planes and bombers to their overseas destinations for the RAF, often braving harrowing conditions to do so.

In the postwar years, Rodriguez, now a master stunt pilot, met the governor of Baja California Sur, Agustin Olachea. (Rodriquez' estranged father, was actually interim president of Mexico from 1932-34, a fact that the developer was hesitant to acknowledge.) He invited the aviator to the mostly deserted area he governed to ask Rodriguez to develop a plan for transporting winter vegetables from Los Planes to the U. S. Rod was so fascinated by the rugged natural beauty of the area, that he soon bought a 10,000-acre ranch at Los Cruces, along the coast of the Sea of Cortez. The asking price: $1.50 per acre!

Rodriguez decided that he would build a resort on the Los Cruces property. Upon seeing the game-fishing opportunities in the area, he bought a small fleet of sportfishing boats, determined to use them as a draw for his newfound venture.

Los Cruces opened in 1950, and within a few years had achieved worldwide notoriety as a playground for the rich and famous. In 1853, Rod Rodriguez wanted to expand his empire. Next stop: Palmilla, a 400-acre parcel close to San Jose del Cabo.

The resort opened in 1956, with guests lists that included names like John Wayne, Desi Arnaz, Leonard Bernstein, Dwight Eisenhower and Clark Gable. Bing Crosby became a partner. A 1958 Sports Illustrated article featured Palmilla and gave the resort instant status. Rodriguez was proud that the article made no mention of his father.

As the years passed, Rodriguez left the resort business and concentrated on his charter airline, which eventually became a part of today's Aero California. Former partners Bud Parr and Robert Jackson took over the resort. The opening of the Transpeninsular Highway in 1970 marked a new dawn for Los Cabos … and Palmilla.

After this point, Palmilla saw a few expansions, the most recent of which was initiated by the world famous One&Only Resorts. The world-class Jack Nicklaus-designed Golf Club opened in 1991. After a $90-million refurbishment in 2004, the One&Only Palmilla of today was ready for the public.

Watch this space as we expand to tell the story of the wonderful neighborhoods of the entire Palmilla community.