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Spa Vacation Ideas

We all deserve a little R&R in a peaceful, sunny, scenic resort destination that can make us feel younger, happier, and fresher—and we also deserve a spa weekend we can plan, access and afford without causing more wrinkles and kinked necks in the process.

Recently featured on Oprah as the Happiest City in America, San Luis Obispo’s weekend spa vacations, sumptuous spa treatments, sandy beaches, health spas, mineral and mud baths, hot tubs, and wine country spa getaways are sure to improve emotional, physical and spiritual wellness.

Luxury Spa Day

• Stay at or tour the Madonna Inn and experience one of the area’s newest spa offerings. Perched on a hillside overlooking the city, this fully outfitted spa features special treatments such as a head-to-toe indulgence called “Cloud Nine.”
• Indulge in the unique ocean-influenced treatments such as the Marine Healing Facial, White or Red Algae Body Wraps, and Salt of the Earth Scrub at Nekkid Day Spa in Avila Beach before getting “nekkid” at the nearby picturesque Pirates’ Cove, San Luis Obispo’s unofficial nude beach.
• Take a self-guided tour of downtown San Luis Obispo day spas like Bliss Body Spa next to the historic Mission, offering divine treatments such as “A Touch of Heaven,” or the Bladerunner with treatments like the Acti-Sea Body Mud Wrap.

Health Spa Days

• Try the healing waters (and spa) at Sycamore Mineral Springs where a network of hillside hot tubs bubble under a canopy of trees.
• Try out eastern and alternative healing therapies like yoga at the Smiling Dog Yoga center, reiki at the Banyan Tree Healing Center, or schedule an Ayurvedic health assessment at Balanced Living Ayurveda.

Affordable Spa Day

• Dip a toe in the new foot spa trend by visiting one of several affordable Chinese foot massage spas after a day of shopping or wine tasting, or get the Foot Reflexology Treatment at Kim & Co. Salon & Day Spa.
• Nothing says luxury like a little on-vacation mani-pedi or uplifting up-do; stop by Salon Lux, Tigerlily, Reveal Salon, Studio 23 and more.
• Step into Ashé day spa and get the “Bronze and Beautiful” treatment before heading to the beach with your new tan.