"Here, wellness feels enchanting, not intimidating. After check-in, a golf cart drove me straight to the beach where I ordered a lobster roll and sipped a smoothie on the sand before the sun permanently dipped behind the clouds. Slipping into dry clothes, I went for a walk around the grounds, and could barely believe I was still in California, surrounded by massive eucalyptus trees, rolling hills, and bright pops of orange nasturtiums. I chose to do another quick workout in my (gorgeous) room, but The Ranch also offers fitness sessions of its own, including a 45-minute restorative yoga class in the chef's garden, and a HIIT fitness class — both complimentary for overnight resort guests.
Dinner featured produce and fresh herbs from the hotel's own half-acre Harvest Farm, which I had the privilege of visiting the next morning (daily farm tours are available for all overnight resort guests). I got the mushroom risotto and had to stop myself from licking the plate. That night the staff helped me light the fire pit, where I listened to music and enjoyed a rare moment of total solitude.
It's worth noting that my Oura ring tracked 105 more minutes of restorative time than usual during my stay at The Ranch — wellness tourism, indeed. But it wasn't over just yet: In the morning, our wonderful farm guide led us around the Harvest Farm and let us feed the chickens — an enthusiastic first for me. We sampled strawberries, smelled the lemon balm, and learned about the produce being grown for the summer menu.
In the end, I was sad to go, but I resolved to return for some of The Ranch's additional wellness offerings, like the Recovery Cabana, which features an infrared sauna and a cold plunge. Advanced wellness enthusiasts might also be interested in the hotel's Revitalize Experience, which allows guests to choose from a curated menu of IV therapies, and have the treatment performed in-room or in outdoor wellness spaces." — Chandler Plante, staff writer & social producer
