Page 53 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

FRANKIE FRANEKEY/KABUKI HOT SPRINGS & SPA. OPPOSITE: 1440 MULTIVERSITY
and scalp treatments for an extra $40). Use
of the Jacuzzi and steam room is included
with services.
But it’s not all about grapes in wine
country. At Solage, an Auberge spa, the sig-
nature treatment is “the mudslide,” which
combines a lavish mud application with
customized essential oils from their “mud
bar,” a soak in a private geo-thermal mineral
pool and an optional snooze on one of their
state-of-the-art vibrating sound chairs
(think relaxing music meets gentle chair
massage).
And at Sonoma’s innovative and eco-
conscious Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, the
house specialty is a cedar enzyme “bath.”
You’ll immerse yourself to the chin in
warm, finely ground cedar, rice bran and
plant enzymes. Heated by natural fermen-
tation, the treatment is said to aid
digestion, improve circulation and relieve
muscle pain.
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 Califor-
nians, 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 temple and
swimming in natural sandstone pools.
Massages are available, gourmet vegetarian
fare is served, and sleeping quarters are pri-
vate accommodations, heated yurts or
creekside camping under the stars.
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, hosting Holly-
wood’s glitterati. Golden Door specializes
in fitness, Eastern philosophy, relaxation
and opulence. Guests pre-arrange com-
pletely customized five- or seven-day
packages with fitness options as diverse as
Pilates, fencing, tennis, dance, boxing and
archery. Each stay includes healthy meals
and a cooking lesson, facial treatments,
herbal wraps, a mani-pedi, mindfulness
sessions, daily in-room massages and
much more. Plus, it’s a feel-good stay in a
larger sense, because Golden Door pledges
100 percent of its net profits to charity.
Or for the total mind-body-soul enrich-
ment experience (and a much lower cost of
entry), head to 1440 Multiversity in the
beautiful redwoods near Santa Cruz.
Named for the 1440 minutes in every day,
this brand-new immersive learning center
offers an ever-changing roster of courses
in such disciplines as writing, art, music,
spirituality, health, nutrition, lifestyle,
movement—you name it. Between classes,
join in daily meditation, yoga, Qi gong and
tai chi. Hike forest trails, treat yourself to a
massage, and enjoy the infinity tub over-
looking the redwoods. You can also sign
up for (or add on) a few days of the R&R
program ($80 a night not including accom-
modations), which includes nutritious
meals, use of the campus, bite-sized-
workshops and daily meditation and
movement classes.
Ultimately, California’s wellness culture
promises visitors far more than relaxation; it
ensures that this time you won’t need a vaca-
tion from your vacation. You’ll return home
recharged and rejuvenated—that is, if you
can bring yourself to return home at all.
» FIND
YOUR SPA
Kabuki Springs & Spa
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 Day Spa Sanctuary
osmosis.com
White Lotus
whitelotus.org
Golden Door
goldendoor.com
Solage
solage.aubergeresorts.com
Spa Terra
meritagecollection.com/
meritageresort/
napa-valley-spa-resorts
1440 Multiversity
1440.org
2018 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 51