San Diego is home to some of the best spas in the nation, from intimate boutique spas to grandiose resort spas, and every health and wellness refuge in between. And it’s no surprise that when celebrities crave a sweet escape, they seek refuge at destination spas in San Diego.
When Phillip Rivers needs to soothe his sore muscles, Kirstie Alley wants to slim down a few sizes, and Nicole Kidman desires a wellness retreat, they all head to San Diego for the ultimate destination spa experience. The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn, Spa Gregorie's, Cal-a-Vie, and The Golden Door are local leaders that continually attract high profile clients with customized spa treatments, challenging fitness classes, organic culinary programs, and supreme privacy. Globe-trotting celebrities looking for a change in scenery head further south to Mexico, spending a week at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, or at Amansala in the Yucatan Peninsula for Bikini Bootcamp. The most adventurous, however, will travel to Thailand for holistic therapies at Chiva-Som.
From Julia Roberts, to Uma Thurman, Russell Crowe, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Streisand, Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron and David and Victoria Beckham, discover where the celebrities spa in San Diego and beyond.
The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn – San Diego, California
The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn is a 10,000-square-foot oasis that offers an array of seasonal treatments in a tranquil, luxury resort setting. The expansive spa includes traditional treatment rooms, full-service locker rooms with steam and sauna amenities, an outdoor Spa Garden with private Hacienda-style casitas, and a sun-lit outdoor lounge area with a hydro-therapy pool and saline Spa Pool lined with glamorous white cabanas. Most popular on The Spa menu are the Made Fresh Daily treatments, which use the freshest ingredients of the current season. New for fall is the ‘Sangria Sensation’ which includes a cranberry orange scrub, apple wine mud masque, vanilla orange massage, and a complimentary glass of Sangria. Beyond seasonal highlights, The Spa offers a full menu of premium services, including massages, facials, body treatments, body wraps, advanced skincare, hair removal and more. It’s no surprise The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn is preferred spa escape for celebrity clientele. Frequent A-List guests include Maria Bello, Leanne Rimes, Phillip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, Valerie Bertinelli, and Stedman Graham. (pictured above)
Cal-a-Vie – Vista, California
Located on 200 private acres in a secluded valley 40-miles north of San Diego, Cal-a-Vie is a hidden treasure that provides the ultimate health spa getaway experience. Within the private estate, Cal-a-Vie opts to remain petite with only 25 private villas and 7 suites, ensuring the best service and optimal privacy for all guests, including many well-known celebrities. Cal-a-Vie is different for everyone, as each guest’s schedule is tailored to fit his or her goals in fitness, stress relief, nutrition and others. Guided wilderness hike, Zumba dance class, organic lunch custom prepared by Executive Chef Jason Graham, and outdoor yoga, followed by a hot stone foot massage and oxygen facial; this is just the beginning of a typical day at Cal-a-Vie. This destination health spa is adored by many A-List celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman, Russell Crowe, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Ford, Kirstie Alley, Gene Simmons, and Ricki Lake & Kathy Najimy, who traveled together for a girlfriend getaway. (pictured)
The Golden Door – Escondido, California
The Golden Door destination health spa sits on 377 acres in Escondido, just outside of San Diego. The spa was created by Deborah Szekely in 1958, and the Golden Door brand has since expanded to include similar retreats in Utah, Florida, Arizona and Puerto Rico. The original Golden Door pioneered the development of destination spas around the world, and continues to be the go-to getaway for wellness-minded travelers, including many high-profile celebrities. Surrounded by soothing nature and Asian-inspired gardens with koi ponds, guests visit The Golden Door for a weeklong journey in health, fitness, wellness and self-discovery. Based on your goals, a typical day may include a morning hike, afternoon water aerobics, guided meditation, anti-aging facial, mani/pedi, and organic meals custom created by Executive Chef Kayla Roche. The Golden Door offers the ultimate in privacy, with only 40 guests welcomed at one time, and is a favorite destination spa for such celebrities as Barbara Streisand, Martha Stewart, Nicole Kidman, and Lauren Graham.
Rock Spa at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, California
For ultra-chill pampering in a rock star-worthy environment, we choose Rock Spa at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. This posh and petite spa offers five luxurious treatment rooms and a diverse menu of services, including the Dream Weaver Massage, Sake and Rice Body Ritual, and Peace and Love Facial – a stress-relieving facial with aromatherapy and acupressure enhancements. The Hard Rock Hotel welcomes high-profile celebrity performers every weekend, and a few under-the-radar guests also manage to escape the limelight within Rock Spa. Celebrity spa fans include David Beckham, Christina Aguilera, Lisa Rinna and Katrina Law.
Spa Gregorie's – Del Mar, California
Spa Gregorie’s boasts three locations in Del Mar, Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita, all of which are frequented by Hollywood stars for everyday maintenance and special occasion pampering. The menu encompasses every health and beauty essential, from massages and facials, to body wraps and polishes, hydrotherapy and microdermabrasion, lash extensions and sunless tanning. Patti Labelle, Heather Locklear, Lindsay Davenport, and Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley are regulars in Newport; and OC housewives Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Barney love spa days in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Rancho La Puerta – Tecate, Mexico
Located on 3,000 acres in Tecate, Mexico, people from all over the world seek refuge in Rancho La Puerta to heal and empower the mind, body and spirit through wellness spa treatments, energizing activities, and natural, nutritious cuisine in a tranquil setting of gardens, meadows, and 25 miles of mountainside hiking trails. Rancho La Puerta offers a variety of fitness classes, everything from Bar Method, Pilates, and Yoga, to Dance, Tennis, and Volleyball. As a reward, three on-site Health Centers and Beauty Salons use all-natural Primavera and Amala products and medicinal herbs grown in the ranch’s organic garden to create holistic healing therapies. Located just an hour’s drive from San Diego, Rancho La Puerta is a popular destination spa for SoCal residents, including many big celebrity names. The most recent stars to indulge at Rancho La Puerta include Ricki Lake and Annabeth Gish.
Amansala –Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
While many health spas mix fitness with pampering for a balanced wellness experience, this celebrity destination is all about doing hard work in a gorgeous setting to achieve optimal results. Bikini Bootcamp takes place at Amansala, an eco-chic beachfront resort in Tulum, located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. When celebrities are gearing up for awards show season, or the filming of a new movie, they escape to this fitness program to get in bikini-worthy shape. After all, what is more inspiring than the exotic ocean atmosphere? A former New Yorker, Melissa Perlman founded Amansala in 2002, and her vision was to create a destination adventure program in which guests reconnect to themselves and nature through exercise, yoga, healthy eating and relaxation. Bikini Bootcamp activities are based on your personal goals, and can include a morning hike, circuit training and yoga, followed by an organic lunch and beach play break. Pick back up with salsa dancing and tribal drumming in the evening. The bootcamp is as challenging or chill as you wish, but it always remains private, with only 32 guests allowed per week. Fitness-focused stars who frequent Bikini Bootcamp include Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista.
Chiva-Som – Hua Hin, Thailand
If your ideal getaway is founded upon principles of emotional and spiritual wellbeing, set in a lush, private waterfront location, your next spa-cation should be to Chiva-Som, which is perched on the Gulf of Thailand in Hua Hin. Chiva-Som means “haven of life,” and this seven-acre, 58-room retreat is adorned with Thai-style pavilions and bungalows, tropical gardens, reflecting pools, and stone Buddha statues. Following a complimentary health and wellness consultation, your customized itinerary will focus on your diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, physical ailments, emotional issues and your inner self. Holistic therapies may include colonic hydrotherapy and chi nei tsang, an abdominal massage that eliminates toxins and promotes lymphatic drainage. Globe-trotting celebrity fans of Chiva-Som include Elizabeth Hurley, David and Victoria Beckham, Hugh Grant, and Elle MacPherson.
More luxury San Diego spas that attract celebrity clientele include La Costa Resort & Spa, The Spa at The Grand Del Mar, The Spa at Hotel Del Coronado, The Spa at Rancho Valencia, and The Sanctuary Spa in Ocean Beach.
See for Yourself: From partying to relaxing, view our gallery San Diego celebrity photos.
Source: Select celebrity spa lists courtesy of spamagazine.com
