After residing in France for over three years, I can attest that the French are consultants on the bien-être (well-being) way of life. Cal-a-Vie Well being Spa in California is a French Provencal-style resort spa nestled within the rolling hills of Vista, simply an hour from downtown San Diego. This beautiful retreat seamlessly combines a French method to wellness with a singular Californian tackle holistic well being, health, and diet (plus, luxurious spa services!).
The Historical past of Cal-a-Vie Well being Spa
Philanthropic Francophile homeowners Terri and John Havens reworked greater than 200 acres at this secluded property into a chic well being spa paying homage to a French Provencal-style village. The property now options three home-style residences and 32 luxurious rooms and suites for visitors.
In every single place you look, historic structure has been restored to dazzling impact. Dotted amongst sun-kissed lavender hills, majestic oak bushes, and natural vineyards sits a 400-year-old chapel imported from France, reconstructed on property stone by stone. Now, it’s a candlelit meditation sanctuary. L’Orangerie, a 300-year-old reception corridor, at the moment hosts Cal-a-Vie’s natural wine tasting and gut-healing kitchen demonstrations in a peaceable setting surrounded by manicured gardens.
In the end, being at Cal-a-Vie doesn’t really feel such as you’re at a spa resort in Southern California — it seems like a real getaway to the historic south of France.
What Is a Wellness Resort?
A wellness resort or well being spa is a trip vacation spot that goes past your typical vacation to advertise bodily, psychological, or religious well-being. This may be facilitated by actions, therapies, workshops, and different periods that can assist you really take a break out of your regular day-to-day routines.
#1 On the Listing of Finest Wellness Resorts within the U.S.
From the second of my arrival, I knew I used to be about to expertise one thing extraordinary. The gate swung open, revealing a grand, tree-lined street winding its manner up the hill and main me to the principle constructing to test in.
Cal-a-Vie’s dedication to visitor providers was made instantly evident with their 5:1 workers to visitor ratio — each element was taken care of earlier than I might even open my mouth.
All through my keep, it turned extremely clear why Cal-a-Vie wins so many awards. Not solely was it named North America’s #1 Vacation spot Well being Spa by Journey + Leisure, however THE Oprah can be a fan. Of all of the California wellness resorts — and even wellness resorts within the U.S. as a complete, it stands out in a league of its personal. It really is a well being spa in contrast to another.
Cal-a-Vie Well being Spa’s Life-Altering Wellness Experiences
After a lightweight and nutritious lunch on the backyard patio, I met with my cheery scheduler, who expertly guided me in selecting spa therapies, wellness talks, meditations, health courses, and ceremonies.
With over 120 health courses, 10 miles of mountaineering trails, a large number of spa and wonder therapies, and a wide range of yoga modalities and meditations to select from, I used to be spoiled for selection. We lastly honed in on a balanced schedule, beginning with tougher exercises within the morning and mindfully winding down because the day went on. For the following 4 days, my schedule turned a testomony to Cal-a-Vie’s 5 pillars of holistic wellness for all times transformation: health, diet, mindfulness, rest, and reflection.
Health
The trendy, light-filled health studios are situated in what seems extra like a Provencal chateau than a gymnasium. With so many mood-boosting health courses led by grasp instructors, it was easy to attain an endorphin-fueled calorie deficit, and my denims definitely felt extra spacious than after I arrived.
From early morning hikes by oak tree groves to Trapeze Yoga, TRX, pickleball classes, Barre Magic and dance fusion — it’s protected to say I bought my coronary heart fee up. It wasn’t all simply cardio, both — a lot of my favourite courses have been restorative health, together with Pilates, Barre, hip and back-opening yoga, rolling, and sunny afternoon walks by the vineyards.
There are additionally choices to hone your apply additional in any fashion of health you need. I spotted my physique was feeling extra cracks and creaks than I keep in mind in my 30s, so I selected to refine my yoga poses with a non-public lesson and set myself up for protected strength-building. Cal-a-Vie goes the additional mile to verify restoration is memorable, too. In between courses, I relaxed in art-filled rooms below chandeliers, noshing on backyard contemporary veggie trays and different snacks from their kitchen.
Diet
An unmistakable ingredient of French bien-être is eating pleasure. Cal-a-Vie combines culinary delight with dietician-designed menus of seasonal complete meals and herbs sourced from its natural gardens. Each meal is a high-quality eating expertise, with white tablecloths and pleasant service creating an opulent ambiance. Meals are gorgeously plated and the vibe is good.
I loved breakfast within the eating room in opposition to the backdrop of a comfortable fireplace. Climate allowing, lunch was al fresco on the patio beside a babbling brook. Hor d’oeuvres are served within the Backyard Room earlier than a chic dinner in the principle eating room. One night, we even dined within the historic L’Orangerie and tasted Château Cal-a-Vie Wine constructed from its on-site natural vineyards.
And past the nutritious meals I ate on the resort, Cal-a-Vie made certain we have been arrange for the longer term, too. I took copious notes at dietitian-led talks like Tremendous Pores and skin Meals, Methods to Heal Your Intestine, and Practical Meals for Longevity. Upon request, the resort additionally shared their scrumptious, nutrient-dense antioxidant recipes. And to proceed the expertise at residence, customized dietary counseling together with lab testing can be out there for visitors who need to make Cal-a-Vie delicacies a brand new way of life.
Mindfulness
In at the moment’s busy tradition, it’s extra vital than ever to develop every day practices that create a way of spaciousness and interior peace by mindfulness. Cal-a-Vie delivers an array of stress-reducing choices, like meditative artwork, mala bracelets, and strolling meditations by a candle-lit labyrinth below the celebs.
All experiences are designed to domesticate a profound and lasting sense of rest — an unshakable interior island of calm. I found that the magic occurred within the moments between courses. Whether or not it was absorbing some solar by the pool or strolling alongside the duck pond, I found profound a-ha moments after I took the time to do nothing however merely be. These in-between moments allowed me to combine all that I had realized, and I skilled a revived sense of well-being.
Rest
In true French fashion, the very best place to calm down at Cal-a-Vie is undoubtedly the spa. It’s a singular bespoke expertise in contrast to another. The ready space turned a extremely anticipated occasion. The oxytocin bonding between visitors was on excessive earlier than being whisked away to be completely pampered. Cal-a-Vie felt just like the grownup summer time camp of my goals. Just like the spa was only for us — and it was, because it’s unique for visitors.
All Cal-a-Vie packages generously embrace a number of spa therapies, various primarily based on which one you select. For instance:
3-Evening La Petite Bundle:
- Two Cal-a-Vie Swedish Massages
- The signature L’Orangerie Facial
- Reflexology and a Foot Scrub
- Your selection between leg rejuvenation or a hair and scalp therapy
7-Evening California Bundle
- Six 50-minute Cal-a-Vie Swedish Massages
Company could complement their bundle with further therapies from the Cal-a-Vie spa menu, that includes antioxidant-rich vinotherapy, watsu aquatic therapeutic massage, Vichy scrubs, and a wide range of wrap therapies together with CBD, seaweed, and lavender honey.
Reflection
It’s simple to replicate in such a serene setting the place you’re feeling completely cared for. I strolled alongside culinary gardens, walked the labyrinth solo, and stared into the gap at blooming lavender hills. I quieted my thoughts throughout a chakra meditation and a crystal bowl sound bathtub.
Each time I allowed the supportive workers at Cal-a-Vie to information me, I relaxed extra deeply into an prolonged meditative state of reflection. There was a degree I spotted simply how conditioned I used to be into considering I wanted to do every part myself. I made a decision to let that go and lean into trusting life and folks extra. The Love Letter Meditation and Gratitude Yoga was transformational and got here at simply the best second — I spotted simply how a lot love I used to be withholding from myself.
There have been additionally moments of pure marvel. At Cal-a-Vie’s non-public observatory, an expert astronomer gave a chat concerning the cosmic internet and our connection to the celebs. He defined how neuron and galaxy networks are undeniably related. Moments after, I marveled on the stars myself and noticed a child galaxy forming by a telescope— a star nursery of types.
Cal-a-Vie Lodging: Villas, Suites, and Residences
True to a French Provencal-style village, Cal-a-Vie’s 32 rooms (25 spa villas and seven suites) are dotted all through the property amongst the vineyards, ponds, gardens, and oak bushes. Each visitor lodging provides easy luxurious with French-inspired romantic artwork and chic classical furnishings.
Even after I’d checked out, simply reminiscing concerning the luxurious king-sized beds, Italian Frette linens, vintage furnishings, grand tubs, and sundrenched balconies was sufficient to make my shoulders drop and put a smile on my face.
Cal-a-Vie additionally just lately debuted three luxurious home-style residences for group stays and retreats. Every spacious residence accommodates as much as 10-12 visitors for final privateness and luxurious. The residences function a mix of high-quality trendy facilities and priceless antiques, together with imported seventeenth and 18th-century limestone-carved fireplaces.
My Cal-a-Vie Transformation
So, did I go away Cal-a-Vie Well being Spa in California reworked, as promised? Completely. I walked out — no, floated out — a distinct particular person than I used to be after I arrived. Most significantly, it was a sustainable transformation that helped me type new habits and views on life.
I checked out of Cal-a-Vie empowered with cutting-edge well being data, energized from a nurtured-dense weight loss plan, robust from health, and relaxed with a profound sense of renewal. I left with not solely a robust physique but additionally an open thoughts, open coronary heart, and an effervescent joie de vivre.
Getting There
In the event you’re searching for a California wellness retreat or a vacation spot spa close to San Diego, Cal-a-Vie must be in your record.
Spherical-trip transportation to and from San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN) is offered, which takes about one hour. And if you happen to’re flying non-public, Cal-a-Vie offers transport from Palomar Airport (CLD). Or in case your retreat at Cal-a-Vie is a component of a bigger journey, lease a automobile from a spot like Enterprise or Price range and drive in from the San Diego airport.
