Photo: Courtesy of Golden Door
What should you try?
Everything. Really. The scheduled activities included with a stay run the gamut: In a single day I hiked seven miles, kickboxed with a former Marine, did Motown-tracked water aerobics, took an intuitive clay sculpture class followed by Feldenkrais, had a “lunch and learn” on hormones and diet, and met with an astrologer. (And, of course, my daily massage and Biologique Recherche facial.) One could easily remain happily occupied (and blissfully off one’s phone) from dawn to dusk their entire week without hitting the à la carte treatment or experiences menu. (Though there are worthwhile gems there too, including Watsu—water shiatsu treatments where a masseuse swirls the kinks out of your body around a private pool—or one-on-one sessions with a rotating cast of expert practitioners and visiting speakers.) Don’t miss beloved burlesque and Broadway-style dance instructor Yuichi, who has been with the Door for decades and is still sashaying expertly to ABBA well into his 80s.
Photo: Tanveer Badal/Courtesy of Golden Door
How environmentally friendly is it?
Very. The Door uses biointensive farming practices to protect and promote land fertility, and guests can visit the gardens, chickens, and apiary whenever they want. (Several of the hikes cruise through the 131 acres of citrus and 75 acres of avocado groves, which leads to casual farmers market-style shopping to and from one’s room.) Guests are provided with metal refillable water bottles, and there are stations using water from local mineral-rich Carlsbad springs. Outside of the property, the Door bought a nearby 2,000-acre plot of land in the mountains known as the “Newland Sierra,” which, as a result, will remain undeveloped in perpetuity.
Photo: Tanveer Badal/Courtesy of Golden Door
What else do we need to know?
If the idea of group activities strikes fear into your heart, fret not: As much as community and camaraderie can play a very soul-enhancing part of a stay at the Door, if you’re the introspective sort, or looking for more of a private retreat, that’s entirely possible to do, and seamlessly, while still reaping the countless benefits of the property. But, if you’re on the fence, err on the side of socializing: You won’t regret it.
Who can go?
The spa and grounds are only available to Golden Door guests.
Booking details for Golden Door
Address: 777 Deer Springs Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, United States
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
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