California Spa & Fitness Retreat: 3- to 7-Night Wellness Stays in San Diego County

Cal-a-Vie Health Spa has been operating since 1986 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It is a European-style spa and wellness retreat in the hills of northern San Diego County, California, roughly seven miles from the Pacific. The grounds sit among grapevines and sycamore woodlands, and the property is known for its French-inspired architecture and gardens.

The fitness programme is the core of the day. Classes run from early morning to late afternoon and include TRX Suspension Training in the Pavilion Fitness Studio, a Tabata-style boxing class led by a personal instructor, aquatics classes in the Upper Pool with cardio and strength options, and private or scheduled yoga in the Chapel and the studios. Morning hikes leave from the Pavilion Lobby at 6:30am. Pickleball is also available. Each guest's schedule is put together individually, so you choose which sessions to attend.

Spa treatments are built into the day rather than added on. Facials in the Bathhouse use exfoliating enzymes and antioxidants, and the hot stone massage uses heated river stones. Beauty services are available alongside the fitness and spa programme.

Food is a large part of the stay. Breakfast in the Dining Room might be steel-cut maple oatmeal with seasonal fruit or a poached egg with spinach and tomato jam. Lunch on the patio could be kabobs with sweet potato puree or honey-sesame salmon, followed by green tea ice cream. Dinner in the Dining Room has included pear salad with goat cheese, beef tenderloin with red wine demi-glace, mashed sweet potatoes and green beans, and chocolate mousse with raspberries and mint. The chef writes a new menu daily, and the kitchen accommodates food restrictions.

Education runs alongside the exercise. Nutrition lectures are given by functionally trained Registered Dietitians in the Garden Room, and private consultations and lab testing can be arranged on request. Culinary demonstrations are also part of the programme. In the evening there is programming in the Observatory, including stargazing with astronomy expert Tim Lewis on Tuesdays and further nutrition talks with the in-house dietitian.

Accommodation is spread across 32 rooms: 25 spa villas and seven suites. The Maisons are the most private option, described as secluded homes with French-inspired interiors and hillside views. Stays are sold as three-, four- or seven-night packages.

What's included

- Three-, four- or seven-night stay - Accommodation in a spa villa or suite (32 rooms total) - Customised daily schedule - Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hors d'oeuvres - Morning hike or walk - TRX class - Boxing class - Aquatics class - Yoga class - Facial treatment - Hot stone massage - Nutrition lecture with a Registered Dietitian - Evening programming in the Observatory

What's not included

- Travel to and from Cal-a-Vie Health Spa - Travel insurance - Private nutrition consultations and lab testing (available on request) - Additional spa and beauty treatments beyond those in the package - Alcohol beyond the signature wines served with hors d'oeuvres - Personal expenses