Golden Door Spa, Escondido

Achieve the perfect balance of mind, body, and spirit at this renowned Escondido San Marcos California destination spa – with a week long stay that will truly enrich your life.   The Golden Door is a unique sanctuary modeled after ancient Japanese Honjin inns with koi ponds, lush gardens, and miles of scenic hiking trails, enhanced by the latest fitness techniques, ancient relaxation therapies, and personalized counseling to promote a healthy lifestyle and inner peace.

Refresh yourself like never before. Here in this peaceful northern pocket of San Diego County, founder Deborah Szekely in 1958 developed a unique philosophy of personal health and fitness inspired by ancient Japanese Honjin inns – and the spa industry grew its first roots.

With its focus on balancing mind, body, and spirit and unparalleled commitment to service, Golden Door paved the way for a new type of spa experience – one that married inner and outer transformation with luxury amenities. More than half a century later, Golden Door is still considered a pioneer among destination spa retreats thanks to its innovative approach to program development and vast connections with leading-edge experts in fitness, health, and eastern philosophy.

The original Golden Door Spa offers treatments and ideals rich in tradition, yet executed with a modern interpretation. Join the spa for a week-long customized stay in an atmosphere of rare privacy, and achieve a deep, meaningful rapport with nature, enjoy the camaraderie of just 40 guests, and discover a meaningful re-connection to your innermost self.

Delight in fresh and healthy garden-to-table cuisine, challenge yourself with a custom-tailored vigorous fitness program, enjoy lavish personal service and the restorative power of rejuvenating body treatments in an intimate and relaxed setting.

How far could you go by spending a week devoted to recharging your body, mind and spirit? How much distance could you put behind you in an environment in which every detail is a nod to timeless beauty? We limit our guests to 40 each week, so we can offer a four-to-one staff ratio dedicated to your interests, goals, tastes and comfort. Our program is seven days by design because it’s the best way to travel to a place that brings you back to you.

• A peaceful, remote sanctuary, discreetly tucked away on 377 acres of rolling terrain, five miles north of Escondido, California
• World-class spa facilities, including nine treatment rooms, an herbal wrap area, hydrotherapy tub, sauna, steam room, and hot tub
• Asian-inspired architecture and philosophy, inspired by the ancient Japanese Honjin inns, famed for their gracious welcome and guest care
• 40 spacious and comfortable guest rooms, each with private patios
• Meticulously landscaped grounds, complete with traditional Japanese gardens, koi ponds, and a million-dollar antique collection
• Premier fitness facilities, including 3 poolside aerobic gyms, a hilltop gym for private fitness sessions, a 4000 square foot Fitness Pavilion housing a 2000 square foot equipment gym, spinning gym, and additional aerobic gym; 2 swimming pools and a Kiatsu water therapy pool; tennis courts; and solarium
• 20 miles of switchback hiking trails, winding through avocado groves and ponds, suitable for all levels of expertise   

• 300+ acres of native hills, meadows, Japanese gardens, and citrus groves
• 12 mountain or meadow hikes of varying challenge on 25 miles of private trails
• 7 state of the art gyms
• 2 swimming pools
• Watsu Water Therapy pool
• 2 labyrinths
• A lighted tennis court
• A bathhouse with Jacuzzi, steam-room and sauna, and 9 skincare and body care treatment rooms
• 5 acres of bio-intensive gardens

• A meal plan that reflects your dietary needs and preferences
• Fresh produce grown on our bio-intensive farms
• In-room breakfast and a mid-morning snack
• Lunch and mid-afternoon snack
• Appetizers and dinner
• Nutrition education classes
• A weekly cooking class
• A celebratory alfresco group lunch or dinner on our farm

• A private room with your own garden deck or patio
• Daily in-room massage
• Warm-ups, shorts, t-shirts and terry robe are supplied and laundered daily
• Sandals, sun hat and a fanny pack for hikes
• Golden Door Skin Care products
• Courtesy roundtrip transportation from San Diego or Los Angeles area airports

• A personal program interview
• Up to 4 sessions with a personal trainer
• Over 40 fitness classes from light to challenging
• Mindfulness and improvement sessions
• A personalized take-home fitness plan
• Evening programs and lectures

• Detailed skin analysis and personalized treatment recommendations
• 5 skin care sessions including 1 body treatment
• Daily in-room massage
• 2 herbal wraps
• Manicure and pedicure
• A deep conditioning or a shampoo and finish