There comes a time in every woman's life (and some men's, too) that we just have to get away and be pampered, pummeled and motivated to eat healthy and get in shape. And there is no better place to get the job done than a good destination spa.
You know you need to get yourself to a spa if:
- You are so cranky you can’t stand yourself.
- Your back aches so badly you can’t literally stand.
- You can’t stand to look in the mirror while getting dressed.
- You really need a facial and can’t stand to look in the mirror while doing your makeup.
- You can’t stand dieting on your own, you need lots of incentive.
- You’ve got to get away and do something for yourself or you won’t be able to stand it any longer.
- Your diet is so bad you can’t stand the food you’re eating.
- You are so out of shape you can barely stand.
- Standing up is hard to do after sitting for a long time.
- It stands to reason that a few days or a week at a spa will really do you some good.
So where to go from here?
The Golden Door: this Japanese-honjin style, which is now under new management, caters to fitness and pamper-seeking plutocrats who can afford to shell out upwards of $7,000 to indulge in a a finely-tuned week-long program of nutrition, exercise and head to toe treatments. The Door dishes out one of the best all-around mind, body and spirit regimens in the world. Rates are inclusive of all meals, day-long exercise options (beginning with early morning mountain hikes), treatments (facials to foot care and beyond), laundry services and even workout clothing to don while you’re on property. The Golden Door is located in Escondido, California, inland from Oceanside or San Diego.
The Oaks at Ojai: fitness and beauty on a budget spa is the feeling you get at this pretty, little spa nestled away in the heart of picturesque Ojai, California. Here you can whittle away the pounds and tone up with one of the best fitness programs for the price crafted by exercise guru and Oak's founder, Sheila Cluff. There's tasty, healthy meals, hikes, plenty of activity and the gamut of treatments offered. For best results book at least four days.
The Claremont: a mecca for San Francisco urbanites and Angelenos who make it a sidetrip after visiting Napa, Sonoma or San Francisco, this charming spa, located in Berkley in northern California, this is another good place to recharge your battery. Pampering rules--with wonderful options-- over fitness, but you can still get good workouts and hikes as well some delicious nutritious meals.
Willow Stream Spa at Sonoma Mission Inn: the pampering and food are tops here, but there are hikes and exercise classes to achieve fitness goals. The place is also picture postcard pretty and offers plenty of diversions.
Spa at Squaw Creek: ideal for skiers, this enchanting facility located at Lake Tahoe offers pure pampering designed to alleviate aches and pains from long days on the slopes. The focus is on water treatments with lots of whirlpool baths and aqua-themed treatments.
Rancho La Puerta: located just across the Mexican/California border from San Diego, in Tecate, Baja, Mexico, the sprawling Ranch was founded by doyenne of spas, Deborah Szekely, in 1940, who later opened its ‘rich man’s’ counterpart, the Golden Door (see above). The full-service resort attracts visitors from all over the world, with a large majority from Los Angeles and California. Moderately-priced, the week-long program includes delicious, spa-cuisine-style meals and dozens of exercise options beginning with early morning hikes and winding down with Yoga. Pampering is extra unless you purchase one of many special packages offered.
Your LA Destinations Examiner approves this article she has personally sampled each of the above and can vouch that they will get the job done.
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