Nestled away on over 500 private acres just north of San Diego, Cal-a-Vie is an idyllic destination health spa resort offering a 5:1 staff to guest ratio boasting 32 gorgeous villas with three new 5 and 6-bedroom homes for larger groups traveling together.
Cal-a-Vie offers three, four- and seven-night spa vacation packages that include gourmet cuisine, an Olympic size swimming pool plus an additional pool, tennis and pickleball courts, over 160 fitness classes, 10 miles of hiking trails, beauty and spa treatments, mind-body awareness programs, lectures, guest speakers and luxury accommodations. I LOVED all of the fun dance classes!
The property is the perfect blend of luxurious European spa philosophies with the California concepts of fitness, health and nutrition, and for all you golf fanatics, it even has an adjoining 18-hole golf course to enjoy a tee time at their private Havens Country Club.
My personal favorite amongst all the incredible offerings was its on-property Star and Sun-gazing Observatory, providing guests a lecture-led celestial experience equipped with a state-of-the-art Takahashi telescope and imaging technology.
Meals are served in the quaint outdoor patio at lunchtime and in the elegant dining room for dinner at long tables allowing guests to socialize. Cal-a-Vie's gourmet spa cuisine is a true farm-to-table experience that revolves around seasonal produce and herbs plucked from the spa’s organic gardens; wildflower honey gathered from the spa’s apiary; and ingredients sourced from local farmers and suppliers. The resort also provides snacks like popcorn and freshly made guacamole and homemade chips in case you’re in need of sustenance between meals.
There’s also wine tasting offered to sample the spa’s harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes.
Cal-a-Vie opened decades ago, but its current owners, Terri and John Havens, visited in 1998 and acquired it in 2000. The couple live full-time in Houston but also keep a home overlooking the spa.
The property realizes health isn’t just about proper fitness and nutrition — it’s also about taking care of the mind and the spirit. There are nearly two dozen types of yoga classes offered on-site and various meditation classes aimed at focusing on breathwork and achieving balance.
There’s a labyrinth for those who want a space for quiet reflection, guided pranayama classes to learn how to calm the mind and focus, and crystal sound baths for deep relaxation and inner healing.
For those wanting a creative outlet, the resort’s hands-on mindful art and creativity classes were so therapeutic and so much relaxing! I crafted two mandala chakra energy bracelets and made a paper mâché art collage to take home.
When I visited, most of the other guests were repeat customers, and one in particular had gotten an orange tree planted in her honor on-site, which she shared is reserved for those who’ve spent more than 70 nights at the spa.
I can certainly see Cal-a-Vie's appeal as a well-being cocoon, hidden away from the stresses of city life in an environment dedicated to wellness and healing. It’s a blissful escape indeed.
Be sure to check out their website for the various theme week calendar events, inspired to nurture personal development and support overall wellbeing.
Article by Linda Cooper
