Luxury Wellness Resorts and All-Inclusive Spas in California

All-inclusive programs like Golden Door and Cal-a-Vie bundle meals, classes, hikes and treatments into a set schedule, usually several nights to a week. Spa resorts let you build your own days.

• Structured program: Golden Door, Cal-a-Vie, The Ranch Malibu
• Coastal retreat: Post Ranch Inn, Alila Ventana Big Sur, Esalen
• Desert and hot springs: Sensei Porcupine Creek, Two Bunch Palms
• Wine country spa: Solage, Dr. Wilkinson’s

Both cap guest numbers and run on fixed arrival days.

The Ranch Malibu is a demanding program in the Santa Monica Mountains. Days include long hikes, strength work, yoga, massage and a plant-based menu, with no phones or alcohol.

Program dates change, so check the schedule.

See my where to stay in Big Sur guide for other lodging.

Treebones Resort on the south coast is simpler: ocean-view yurts, a heated pool, breakfast, massages and yoga. Most yurts share a bathhouse.

Ojai Valley Inn is a Spanish Colonial resort with Spa Ojai, golf, pools and farm-driven restaurants.

Ojai is about 90 minutes from Los Angeles. The downtown Arcade, Bart’s Books and sunset at Meditation Mount are in my Ojai weekend guide.

Sensei Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage opened in 2022, with private casitas and personalized wellness programs.

Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs is adults-only, with mineral spring pools. See my natural hot springs guide and the California hot springs hub.

Solage in Calistoga has a mineral pool, mudbaths and cottages. Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs has offered mud baths since the 1950s for less.

See where to stay in Napa Valley for towns further south.

All-inclusive programs often sell out six months or more ahead, especially in spring and fall. Post Ranch Inn, Alila Ventana and Ojai Valley Inn fill on weekends and holidays, so book two to four months out.

Desert resorts are cheapest in summer.