The Southern California desert has drawn wellness seekers for hundreds of years, since the Cahuilla Indians came to the Coachella Valley for the readily available natural hot and cold mineral springs. This helped them not only thrive through farming, bathing and drinking, but also served ancient spiritual purposes. In the early 20th century, the hot, dry climate made Palm Springs a sought-after refuge for people with asthma or other respiratory ailments. In the 1920s and 1930s, movie stars were drawn by its proximity to LA’s film studios and also for its stunning mountain scenery and relaxing, healing environment. Today, the sunny desert climate continues to draw visitors to the Greater Palm Springs area due to its intoxicating Zen lifestyle, where it’s easy to leave stresses behind, reconnect with nature and try new diverse spa treatments, all contributing to a holistic mind-body-spirit rejuvenation experience.
Find Your Desert Zen
5 Seductive Stays
A new favorite boutique property to unwind at is the exclusive intimate 1950s-style L’Horizon Resort and Spa where private patios, outdoor showers and the glamorous pool setting under the mountains will bring enough peace to your soul to last for months. Hermann Bungalows, an ultra-luxury option within the resort, steps up the finishes in a modern bespoke aesthetic.
Just down the road, find retro Sparrows Lodge, a Michelin Key awardee where temperature-controlled massage tents can include whole body purification with sage smudging, full-body dry brush exfoliation, scalp revitalization and the promise that you will become one with the outdoor gardens and birds.
Another legendary spot that once served as Al Capone’s hideaway is Two Bunch Palms, a retreat in Desert Hot Springs set in 77 acres of lush oases, where guests can soak in their own hot healing mineral waters tub at all hours, live in a robe and practice the art of doing nothing. Select spa treatments such as a detox wrap, chakra, superfood facial, reiki and hot stone massage located in standalone bungalows with floor to ceiling windows and linen curtains.
Nestled into the hillside, the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage features views of the valley below and is a restorative escape with a fitness center, golf, yoga and spa featuring many private treatment rooms with terraces. Spa treatments for the face and body use indigenous botanicals and guests can begin their healing journey with plunge pools, sauna, steam and aromatherapy showers with scents like jasmine, mango and lavender.
For the ultimate exclusivity, Sensei Porcupine Creek’s lush estate on some 230 acres feels like Hawaii in the desert. This wellbeing retreat offers a gym, tennis courts, intimate pool, a private golf course (where sushi can be delivered to each hole), multibedroom villas with teak tubs and Japanese toilets and Sensei by Nobu restaurant and sushi bar only for guests. It also offers personalized wellness services by expert guides and fitness, yoga, nutrition and mindset practitioners to expand your knowledge and enhance your daily practices. Sign up for their first ever hiking retreat from January 16-20.
4 Unique Experiences
Drive out to Landers, an area known for its magnetic vortices, for a sound bath session at Integratron. Inside a domed sound chamber in the middle of the desert, quartz crystal singing bowls are played and the various frequencies wash over guests lulling even the most stressed into deep relaxation.
Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, the 48,000-square-foot Spa at Séc-he is one of the most important cultural resources cared for and protected by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Here, sacred mineral-rich hot springs that date back 10,000 years now flow into 22 private mineral baths. No visit is complete without a 15-minute soaking session of Taking of the Waters. Choose from a wide range of treatments including cryotherapy, IV and vitamin therapy, salt cave, JetPeel facials and more. Day passes are available, perfect for spending a full day lounging and ordering from the poolside restaurant.
Drift into pure relaxation under the stars with a Good Vibes Floating Sound Bath. On a floating mattress in a pool surrounded by candles and aromatherapy-soaked towels, let the vibrational waves wash over you. This dreamlike state has been said to shift brain wave patterns causing more receptivity to healing, inspiration and stress relief. Locations pop up all over the desert with some under the full moon. Find the latest dates here: GoodVibesSoundBath.com.
At Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, experience a private spa pool, Riverbench jacuzzi, meditation dens, a terrace with a serene view of the Santa Rosa Mountains, yoga classes and sound therapies. Connect with your partner by booking the Colors of Sunset treatment where a variety of beneficial clays and muds are supplied along with paintbrushes allowing playful body paint art in a private outdoor patio with an open-air shower to rinse each other clean.
3 Ways to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
Get your early morning high with rooftop yoga atop the Flannery Exchange, by attending a class with Power Yoga Palm Springs. Find stillness in the tranquil Moroccan-like views as your body’s tensions release in view of the looming mountain and swaying palm trees.
Paint with Meaning at Superbloom, where a pre-selected palette of colors (all with a special meaning) can be selected at their new studio for guests to design their own items like shoes, an iPhone case, handbag, hat and more. This one-of-a-kind paint splatter is a fun way to upcycle old clothes and personalize your fashion.
Painting pottery, watercolor painting, glassblowing and pottery wheel throwing all provide a calming and meditative experience. At Old Town Artisan Studios in La Quinta, try a workshop to get in touch with your creative side.
2 Ways to Connect With Nature
Hiking options are plentiful in the desert. An easy starter is the 2-mile loop through a dramatic boulder setting to a 60-foot waterfall in Tahquitz Canyon. Or embark on a desert hike like the Victor Trail within Indian Canyons nature preserve, where it is easy to feel the sacredness of the land amongst the stately palm tree grove canopy, red barrel cacti and flowing stream. Less than an hour away, Joshua Tree National Park also offers outdoor exploration and hikes of varying levels to connect with Mother Earth.
The Box Canyon Road Bike Tour by Big Wheels Tours is a 20-mile tour that descends through the heart of the San Andreas Fault zone on a paved road, to the heart of grape country near Mecca. The geological extravaganza has no cross roads or turns and barely any cars as you descend 1,200 feet by bike on this relaxing sightseeing adventure. Guests are picked up in Palm Desert.
1 California Desert Oasis Spread Across 9 Distinct Cities
Caring for yourself is the art of truly living well. Find your Zen here, in the restorative desert.
The Southern California desert has drawn wellness seekers for hundreds of years.
Guests can soak in their own hot healing mineral waters tub at all hours.