San Diego has a lot to offer as far as self-care is concerned. Take your pick of outdoor activities with breathtaking scenery, colorful farmers markets and healthy restaurants with superfood-centric menus. If you’re looking for a restorative retreat where you can stay put all weekend, you’ve come to the right place. Here are just a few luxury resorts that keep health and well-being top of mind.
Inn at Moonlight Beach
ENCINITAS
A biodynamic farm, yoga deck and eco memory foam mattresses probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when you think of a bed and breakfast. This tiny inn with just five suites is quiet, comfortable, and the perfect place to unwind for a few nights. Guests are treated to an organic tea and fresh fruit upon arrival, just one of the thoughtful touches that will make your stay special. Room accommodations include a large soaking tubs with bath salts, an aromatherapy diffuser, sound-therapy machine, ocean or garden views, and more. The Inn at Moonlight Beach is surrounded by a biodynamic urban farm, complete with vegetables and herbs, tropical plants, succulents, flowers, and fragrances, all harvested according to the moon’s cycles.
The entire property is so eco-friendly that it has earned the title of the world’s first WELL CertifiedTM hotel. Every aspect of the inn – from lighting and air quality to overall comfort and mindful architecture – is intended to provide guests with a tranquil and holistic experience. Start your morning with a ‘Healthy Start Breakfast Basket’ meant to be enjoyed in your room, in the garden, or even at the beach. The inn provides beach towels, fitness equipment, and customized experiences at nearby spas. When you’re not unwinding on the property, walk to coffee shops, restaurants, parks, meditation gardens, and sink your toes in the sand. It offers the best of bustling downtown Encinitas and a calm, cozy getaway all in one.
Photo Credit: TOMOKO H. MATSUBAYASHI
Rancho Valencia
RANCHO SANTA FE
R est and recharge at this five-star resort and spa minutes from Del Mar. With Mediterranean-inspired decor, lush gardens and olive groves, tennis courts, and heated pools, it’s easy to unwind here. Rancho Valencia is well known for their Forbes 5-star spa that includes a menu of decadent facial and body therapies. Opt for an extravagant facial or essential-oil infused massage before spending quality time in the sauna or steam room.
When you’re not getting pampered, there are plenty of options available for breaking a sweat, including an opulent fitness center with personal trainers and a range of classes like spin and pilates. Stretch and sculpt with a yoga flow class at the stunning indoor/outdoor Serenity Yoga Pavilion – the ideal way to start your day. Rancho Valencia’s Wellness Collective program was created to enhance and restore six factors of epigenetics; because health and well being needs to start from the inside. Wellness Collective packages include healthy cuisine, spa therapy, private fitness or meditation sessions, a daily cold pressed juice delivery, and more.
The Golden Door
SAN MARCOS
F or those interested in a more structured week of wellness, visit The Golden Door. The award-winning resort and spa is a celebrity favorite, thanks to its exclusivity. With a total of 40 rooms and a four-to-one staff ratio, The Golden Door offers an unmatched experience. Set on 600 acres of meadows, hills, and gardens, there are over 25 acres of private hiking trails, as well as two labyrinths. If the peaceful Japanese-inspired environment isn’t enough to draw you in, the personalized health and fitness programs will. Choose a five or seven-day program that’s nourishing for both body and mind.
Some of the lavish accommodations include a daily in-room massage, closet stocked full of activewear, and roundtrip transportation from the San Diego or Los Angeles airport. Personalized services, including a custom nutrition plan and personal training sessions, are paired with group classes intended to inspire creativity and regain focus. Behavior therapy, astrology, meditation, breathwork, hypnotherapy, and art classes are just a few ways to practice mindfulness during your time here. A workout does wonders for the mind, too. The Golden Door has seven gyms onsite with an astounding array of fitness classes ranging from archery and aqua yoga to boxing, dancing, and even hula hooping. It’s pretty incredible that this world-renowned destination is hidden in the hills of San Marcos.
