Every list of top spas in the United States features at least one and usually several, Monterey County spas.
These five sample one-day itineraries for Monterey County's award-winning all-star spas are the ultimate guide to relaxation. If just reading about the experience can wash away so much stress, imagine what an in-person visit will do!
BERNARDUS LODGE
Nestled amidst wine country in the heart of Carmel Valley, The Spa at Bernardus Lodge brings ingredients from both its gardens and its vineyards.
Early Morning:
Begin your day with an early-morning jog on the pathway that winds around the resort, offering stunning views of mountains, valleys and vineyards.
Breakfast:
Wickets Bistro offers many traditional breakfast items, but guests rave about the restaurant's more unusual offerings, including the seasonal chicken hash and the delectable breakfast panini.
Late Morning:
Head to the tennis courts for a morning of unlimited play.
Lunch:
Enjoy lunch outdoors by the patio fireplace at Wickets. The seasonal menu emphasizes local seafood; the herbs may come from the gardens you passed by on your morning jog.
Afternoon:
Cleanse and treat your body with the power of wine. The Chardonnay Extravaganza includes a facial treatment, a body treatment and the Chardonnay Pedicure; you may also include a chardonnay bubble bath in an outdoor tub and a chardonnay grape seed oil massage. Your experience concludes with a glass of Bernardus chardonnay and a cheese plate.
Dinner:
Marinus at Bernardus Lodge has won extensive awards for its wine list and service. Chef Cal Stamenov emphasizes local ingredients that pair perfectly with Bernardus wines.
MONTEREY PLAZA HOTEL & SPA
The bayside Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa is the only Forbes Four-Star hotel in Monterey. Its Vista Blue Spa offers expansive ocean views with impeccable service.
Breakfast:
Choose between light and indulgent breakfast options at nearby Cafe La Strada.
Morning:
The Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa is one of the only locations in the region to offer a Yamuna Body Rolling class. Yamuna Body Rolling uses small balls as part of its exercise routines to roll, stretch and strengthen the body, combining massage and exercise.
Late Morning:
Immerse yourself in Monterey Bay's award-winning spa experience with the Vista Blue Day on the Bay treatment series. The series features a choice of body treatments, a custom massage, a rejuvenation or anti-aging facial, a spa pedicure, a spa manicure and a two-course lunch. Afterward, relax on the sun deck by the fireplace or in the hot tub.
Dinner:
Sample an array of small plates at Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar. Their well-curated tapas menu features an emphasis on seafood.
POST RANCH INN
Just setting foot on the grounds of Post Ranch Inn immediately instills a sense of tranquility. Your lodgings, perched above the sea, provide the opening gateway to a day of restoration and relaxation.
Early Morning:
After a restful night's sleep above the sea, visit the meditation area for a private yoga session with an experienced instructor. Your instructor will work with you to ensure that your postures, poses and breath work are safe and effective.
Breakfast:
Indulge in a complimentary gourmet buffet breakfast, highlighting local produce.
Late morning:
Learn more about the natural setting surrounding you on a guided nature hike with a former Big Sur state park ranger.
Lunch:
Enjoy spectacular seasonally influenced dishes from Executive Chef Craig von Foerster's ever-changing menu at the Mobil Four-Star Sierra Mar restaurant.
Afternoon:
Release your tensions and your toxins with the Renewal spa treatment, which includes a soothing bath, a mud body wrap, aromatherapy massage and a purifying Shaman Fire Ceremony.
Dinner:
The four-course prix-fixe menu at Sierra Mar will leave you perfectly satisfied. Chef von Foerster and his team are very responsive to individual dietary needs, ensuring a meal that is enjoyable for everyone.
Evening:
From your room, you'll see the Milky Way spread out before you at night at Post Ranch Inn. Enjoy the starry view from the Infinity Jade Pool or join Post Ranch Inn's astronomer at his telescopes to learn more about the starry sky that surrounds you.
SPA ADELINE
Day of Serenity at Hyatt Regency Monterey with Spa Adeline. An oasis for the mind, body and spirit.
Morning:
Start your day early and explore the various hotel amenities at Hyatt Regency Monterey, including the steam room, sauna and rain showers. Also, relax by the two outdoor pools and hot tub.
Afternoon:
Afterward, indulge in the tranquil world of Spa Adeline, where elegance, energy and spirituality converge. Enjoy a variety of wellness services led by professionally trained therapists, rejuvenating your mind, body and spirit.
Take a break and enjoy a poolside lunch, savoring a delicious meal surrounded by the beautiful outdoor spaces of the hotel.
Evening:
In the evening, return to Spa Adeline for a sunset session, indulging in wellness services amidst the serene atmosphere as the day winds down.
To conclude your day, head to Sea Root, the hotel's upscale restaurant, offering a variety of delicious options to end your day on a satisfying note.
If you want to spend a daycation and not a hotel guest, you can book a day pass and spa appointment online to enjoy the many hotel amenities the Hyatt Regency has to offer from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Before your spa appointment, relax by the two outdoor pools and hot tub and unwind in the steam room, sauna and rain showers.
THE SPA AT PEBBLE BEACH AND THE INN AT SPANISH BAY
While Pebble Beach is best known for its legendary golf course, The Spa at Pebble Beach is also much-lauded among those in the know. The idyllic retreat of the Inn at Spanish Bay is a perfect place to stay as you indulge in the Pebble Beach experience.
Breakfast:
Enjoy a lavish traditional breakfast at the casual Sticks.
Morning: Begin your spa indulgence with the Women's Water Experience. Then enjoy the treatment series "A Walk in the Forest," featuring spa treatments themed around the forest that surrounds Pebble Beach. First, soften your skin with the Citrus Seagrass Scrub, then relax with the Pebble Massage. Finally, clarify your skin and develop a treatment program with a customized facial.
Lunch:
Indulge in a light lunch of exquisite sushi at Roy's at Pebble Beach.
Afternoon: Play golf on an environmentally sensitive course that exhibits the soul of a true Scottish links course. The Links at Spanish Bay offers challenging play even as it protects the native dunes' habitat.
Dinner:
Travel from California to Tuscany with the rich, traditional Italian dishes at Pèppoli.
VENTANA INN & SPA
The Ventana Inn and Spa is perched on the mountains in Big Sur. Let the clean air and glorious setting begin the detoxifying process; the following treatments will complete your restoration.
Early Morning:
Stretch your muscles and release your cares with a swim in the heated clothing-optional pool.
Breakfast:
The Ventana Bistro's complimentary breakfast focuses on local, sustainable ingredients.
Late Morning:
Absorb antioxidants and release stress with the revitalizing Organic Seaweed Leaf Wrap treatment, followed by a 30-minute massage.
Lunch:
The Restaurant at Ventana serves organic, health-conscious food with a Mexican influence.
Afternoon:
Transform your life with the unique Astro-K modality, which combines astrology and kinesiology to transform negative patterns and release stressors that obscure your clarity of purpose.
Dinner:
Dine on the best of the season's ingredients with the Chef's special four-course menu.
Evening:
Relax and enjoy Ventana's Japanese hot bath and sauna, then unwind with a book from their 1,200-volume library.