Page 66 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

CA.SPAS & WELLNESS
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YOUR SPA
Kabuki Hot Springs
kabukisprings.com
Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa
twobunchpalms.com
Hacienda Hot Springs
haciendahotsprings.com
Esalen
esalen.org
Tassajara Hot Springs
sfzc.org/tassajara
Indian Springs
indianspringscalistoga.com
Meadowood
meadowood.com/spa
Osmosis
osmosis.com
White Lotus
whitelotus.org
Golden Door
goldendoor.com
The Oaks at Ojai
oaksspa.com
64 2014 eco-conscious day spa, the specialty is a cedar
enzyme “bath.” Guests immerse themselves
to the chin in warm, finely ground cedar, rice
bran and plant enzymes. Heated by natural
fermentation, the treatment is said to aid
digestion, improve circulation and relieve
muscle tension.
Om Sweet Om
When yoga came to America, some of the
first studios appeared in Hollywood and San
Francisco. The practice has since become a
way of life for countless Californians, and
hundreds of top-notch centers, from ritzy to
rustic, cater to beginners and gurus alike.
One of the world’s most renowned yoga
retreats is tucked into the Santa Ynez
Mountains above Santa Barbara. At the
White Lotus Foundation Center, guests
spend their days doing sun salutations in a
canyon with ocean views, hiking through
old-growth oaks, meditating in an under-
ground Hopi-style kiva and swimming in
natural stone pools. Massages are available,
gourmet vegetarian fare is served, and
sleeping quarters are heated yurts or creek-
side camping under the stars. (Tip: Yurts 1
and 2 are closest to the center and, more
importantly, to the hot tub and sauna.)
T R AV E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A
MAN PRACTICING HATHA YOGA posture
titibasana, left; yoga pose named The Tree
in a lake in Yosemite National Park, above.
Health First
When the sublime Golden Door opened in
Escondido in 1958, it was a pioneer among
American spas. It’s since become one of
the world’s finest health resorts, regularly
hosting Hollywood’s biggest stars. Golden
Door specializes in fitness, Eastern philos-
ophy, relaxation and opulence. Guests
pre-arrange completely customized four-
or seven-day packages with fitness options
as diverse as Pilates, fencing, dance and
archery. Best of all, each stay includes
facial treatments, body wraps and daily in-
room massages.
Another excellent (and more afford-
able) option is The Oaks at Ojai, where
healthy weight loss and conscious eating
are emphasized, and activities include
hula hooping, Qi Gong, hiking and roller
blading. Indulge in a pomegranate sugar
rub, lemongrass lavender pedicure or
river-rock massage.
Ultimately, California’s spa culture
promises visitors far more than relax-
ation; it ensures that this time you won’t
need a vacation from your vacation. You’ll
return home refreshed and recharged—
that is, if you can bring yourself to return
home at all.
ELENA RAY/SHUTTERSTOCK; ROBCOCQUYT/SHUTTERSTOCK