Alternative Wellness Experiences
When it comes to wellness, sometimes the most transformative experiences are the ones you didn’t expect. These boundary-pushing offerings redefine what it means to rest, heal and reconnect.
Healing Vibrations
Get grounded in Butte County with Healing Vibrations' signature sound bath journeys. Using singing bowls, chimes and tuning forks, soothing sound baths are offered in a relaxing meadow with hammocks, zero gravity chairs and swings. The Cave Sounds Journey invites guests to lie on Far Infrared Biomats infused with 40 pounds of amethyst and tourmaline crystals in a secluded cave 30 feet underground and enjoy the magic of sound healing.
East Meets West
Travelers to Sacramento can find pain relief and relaxation at Mae’s Acupressure Massage & Acupuncture, where a massage fuses Eastern acupressure with modern Western massage modalities. From gua sha massages to cupping and herb treatments, a day at this Sacramento spa will leave you feeling relaxed and healed.
Art + Nature
The historic Filoli estate in the San Francisco Bay Area invites visitors to get creative in nature. The 654-acre property hosts Wellness Wednesdays, featuring activities such as garden yoga and plein-air watercolor painting. Visitors can also tend gardens with the team’s horticulturist or help upkeep the trails. The Seasonal Floral Arranging Workshops invite travelers to flex their creative muscle and create a feng shui arrangement.
Wellness Moo-vement
Forget goat yoga! In Pleasanton, Sri Surabhi Cow Sanctuary offers a more meaningful way to unwind. Rooted in the ancient Indian principle of Ahimsa, the practice of nonviolence and compassion, visitors are invited to care for or simply sit with protected cows, finding a deeper, more soulful sense of Zen in the process.
Wellness on the Water
At the just-opened Recreation & Aquatics Center in South Lake Tahoe, travelers of all ages and abilities can enjoy a wide range of aquatic, fitness and recreational amenities. Afterward, head to Woods Apothecary for post-workout nutrition, botanical medicine and lifestyle counselling.
Sense of Belonging
Wellness is often rooted in a sense of connection with others and that’s exactly what you’ll find at The Gustine Traveling Library Headquarters in Gustine, a small Central Valley town. Created to uplift the community, everyone who visits the literary nonprofit leaves with a complimentary book. Guests can slow down, explore hands-on exhibits, enjoy art and STEM activities and spend quality time together in a warm and inviting space.
Spice up Wellness
Visitors come for the wine but stay for the wellness at the Temecula Salt Cave and Holistic Center. Set within a tranquil chamber lined with thousands of pounds of glowing Himalayan salt, the center utilizes advanced halotherapy, the inhalation of medical-grade salt particles, to help clear the lungs, boost immunity and soothe skin conditions. The center also offers yoga, sound therapy, energy healing and even aura readings.
Elevated Spa & Wellness Retreats
California has long set the standard for relaxation and its spas are no exception. These unique spas deliver everything from intention-setting rituals and hot spring soaks to cutting-edge beauty treatments and lunar-inspired journeys.
Massage in the Forest
Set between the Pacific Ocean and Redwood forest in Mendocino, it’s impossible not to relax at The Stanford Inn by the Sea Historic Farm and Eco-resort. The appropriately named Shirodhara (bliss therapy) is the treatment to book at their Massage in the Forest spa. The spa also offers custom apothecary facials and a wide array of massages, plus wellness classes and Catch-A-Canoe for a bit of morning wellness on the water.
Paso Robles Renewal
Weave in wellness with wine tasting in Paso Robles at River Oaks Hot Springs Spa, where guests soak in private, mineral-rich hot tubs overlooking stunning vineyards. It’s a perfect way to watch the sunrise or sunset. For a more traditional spa experience, Allegretto Spa at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort pampers travelers with luxurious spa treatments.
Mindful Moments
For guests looking for more than a massage or facial, Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley delivers. The Intention Setting Journey is a self-reflection experience that helps people connect with their inner selves to set new goals. Moon Manifestations is a unique experience that harnesses the power of the lunar cycle to align dreams, intentions and goals. The Private Starlight Swim is an ideal way for singles or couples to end a day on the Central Coast with a peaceful soak under the stars.
Desert Oasis
With over 35 treatments, a variety of hot spring pools, saunas and fitness classes, plan to spend the day immersed in wellness at Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa in Desert Hot Springs. It’s the desert’s only hot spring oasis.
Beverly Hills Beauty
It’s no surprise that the ultimate luxury wellness experiences are found in Beverly Hills, where five-star properties are constantly adding innovative treatments. La Prairie Spa at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills pampers guests with the Beachy Keen package, which combines a full-body lymphatic massage with a high-tech Signature Glo2 Facial. The Peninsula Spa at The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers an array of sculpting, circulation-boosting therapies, luxurious massages and skin-renewing rituals.
Locs of Love
Our hair and scalp rarely get the love they deserve. But at Irvine’s PureLux Scalp Spa, that’s changing. The spa brings the best in luxury scalp services designed to restore and revitalize hair. Using AI analysis, custom packages including aromatherapy for stress relief, deep scalp cleansing, microcurrent ion follicle cleanser and nourishing nano hair care are created for each guest.
Bali Meets California
Drawing on the healing rituals of Bali, Four Moons Spa in Encinitas blends standard Western spa services with energy work, sound healing and deeply restorative treatments. Nestled in a tranquil, tropical garden setting, the spa is a sensory escape designed to transport guests to Southeast Asia and instill peace.
Whether you head home with a clear intention, a new glow or simply a quieter mind, California's unique wellness experiences prove that the best souvenir you can bring home is a renewed sense of self.