California's Central Coast Spas
Dateline: 08/08/99
While most of the United States baked in temperatures near 100F during an unusually long heat wave this July, I found myself shopping for a sweater. I was visiting California's central coast - Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, and the surrounding area. For four days, Carmel was covered by light fog and the temperatures never lefts the 60's. By the end of the week, the sun came out, but temps in the 70's were the norm.
We stayed at the Candlelight Inn
in the heart of Carmel-by-the Sea - surrounded by shops and restaurants and a short walk to the
beach. The suite was comfortable with a fireplace (yes, it was cool enough to use - and we
did), refrigerator, microwave, and a separate bedroom. The highlight was the wonderful
picnic baskets full of breakfast goodies waiting at our door each morning. Clothing stores
and art galleries line the picturesque streets of Carmel and hide in its many charming
courtyards and alleys. It also has its share of good restaurants although prices run on
the high side. Some of them we tried were Simpson's, Club Jalapeno, Rio Grill, The General
Store (our favorite), The Fabulous Toots Lagoon, and Flaherty's Seafood Grill & Oyster
Bar.
In addition to visiting a spa or two (see bottom of page), our time was filled with activities such as:
GILROY
The Gilroy Garlic Festival (The
Big Stink)
About 45 miles northeast from Carmel is Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world. Gilroy
hosts this world-famous annual festival during the last weekend in July. It is filled with
garlic-laced food (ever tried garlic ice cream?), music, and crafts. My husband and
daughter came away with henna tattoos. Fortunately, they are not permanent. Send a friend
a Stink-O-Gram.
BIG SUR
I can't imagine a more magnificent coastline. Every turn of the road gave
a more breathtaking view. While in Big Sur, we stopped at :
Molera
Horseback Tours
About 40 minutes south of Carmel on Highway 1 is the Andrew Molera State Park and the
Molera Horseback Tours. We took the 2 1/2 hour Redwood Roundup which passed through
redwood groves with trees 800-1000 years old, through what used to be a dairy farm (home
of Monterey Jack cheese), and along the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Very cool!
Nepenthe
10-15 minutes further south on Highway 1 - Overlooking the rocky coast from
high above, this was once the cabin Orson Welles bought for
Rita Hayworth and is now a busy restaurant and also
houses the Phoenix Shop which carries jewelry, home decor, books and music, personal care products, a boutique and more.
Pfeiffer Beach
Located in Los Padres National Forest
between Andrew Molera State Park and Nepethe, finding this can be a bit of a trick since
the turn off is unmarked on Highway 1. But, once found, it's definitely worth venturing
down the 2 mile one lane road. Words cannot describe this beautiful spot - crashing waves,
natural bridges, vast stretches of beach, and lots of privacy.
CARMEL
Bach Festival
This year, the Carmel Bach festival was held July
17- August 8. We were fortunate enough to see Bruno Weil conduct Haydn's Symphony No. 99
in E-Flat Major, Mozart's Symphony No 29 in A Major, K. 201, and Haydn's Teresienmasse
(St. Theresa mass) in B-Flat Major.
Point Lobos State Reserve
This popular park is just minutes south of Carmel. Lovely views, sea lions, sea otters in
abundance.
MONTEREY
Monterey Bay Kayaks
We went on the 3 1/2 hour Monterey Bay Tour paddling by Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery row.
We saw sea lions, harbor seals, kelp beds, sea otters, and a variety of birds. Great fun!
SPAS
This trip had its share of spa adventures. I visited Yon-Ka®
Signature Day Spa and Le Spa in Carmel and
Well
Within Spa in Santa Cruz. The next three articles on the Spa Site will be
reviews of these spas. In addition to these, the following spas are located in the area:
Big Sur Spa Resorts |
| Esalen Institute in Big Sur "A center to explore work in the humanities and sciences that promotes human values and potentials...Over 400 workshops each year in a wide range of topics relating to our greater human capacity." |
| Post Inn Ranch Unique accommodation includes king size beds, fireplaces, private decks, massage tables, spa baths, stereo systems - all first class amenities with ocean or mountain views. Health club. |
| Ventana Inn Massages, facials, wraps, treatment combos, subtle work, fitness, stress management, activities and classes. |
Carmel Day Spas |
| La Beaute 831-624-8848 Dolores between 5th & 6th Streets Aromatic facials, waxing, glycolic acid treatments. |
| Le Spa 831-620-0935 Facials, body care, massage therapy, hand & foot treatments, waxing services, makeup services, day spa packages. Spa Guide Review |
| Papillon 831-624-7900 Mission between 5th and 6th Streets Hair care, facials, massage, seaweed wraps, nail care, more. |
| Skin Care by the Sea - le Petite Day Spa 831-626-1614 3855 Via Nona Marie, Suite 108, Carmel, 93923 Botanical facials, resurfacing treatments, makeovers, waxing, aromatherapy massage, body treatments, more. |
| Yon-Ka® Signature Day Spa
831-625-4410 Aesthetic services, cosmetic surgery optimizer, classical spa body therapies, massage therapies, thalasso & balneo therapy, & vichy shower, day spa packages, and more.Spa Guide Review |
Carmel Spa Resorts |
| Carmel Country Spa Change your lifestyle, lose weight, or relax. Enjoy morning beach walks, aqua-aerobics, yoga, spa cuisine, massage and facials. |
Pebble Beach Spa Resorts |
| The Spa at Pebble Beach Opening in October in conjunction with Casa Palmero. Signature treatments include regeneration chamber, hydrotherapy showers, and herbal baths. |
Monterey Day Spas |
| Excellent Reflections Full service salon offering skin care & make up, massage, manicures/pedicures, hair styling, waxing. Specializing in wedding services. |
| Hanz On Salon & Day
Spa Full service salon and day spa specializing in weddings. Aromatherapy massage, European facials, pedicures, manicures, make-up, hair. |
Spa on
the Plaza |
Santa Cruz Day Spas |
| Heartwood Spa Private and community hot tubs and saunas. Therapeutic massage by appointment. |
| Well Within Spa Four private spa rooms, (two with saunas), overlooking a lovely Japanese garden complete with a waterfall and koi pond. Kripalu massage, herbal body care, and more. Spa Guide Review |
More Day Spas in
California
More Spa Resorts in California
Please help support this site by clicking the ads that appear here.
