Just because economic times are tough doesn’t mean you have to forego the simple pleasures in life, such as a good long soak in a naturally carbonated mineral pool followed by a soothing foot massage. Like most other businesses, even the local spa resorts are feeling the pinch, so many have lowered their rates in hopes of enticing you to take a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway that you so deserve. And why not? It’s a great excuse to take a road trip to the coast or Wine Country and give your brain, soul, and body a well-needed mini-vacation. Ergo, this week’s theme covers my favorite-yet-affordable spas in Northern California.

VICHY SPRINGS RESORT, Ukiah
If you’ve never been to 150-year-old Vichy Springs Resort in Ukiah, you simply have to visit this place. It’s not only a piece of classic Americana—it’s a California Historic Landmark and was a favorite retreat for Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, and Jack London—it’s the only naturally warm and carbonated Vichy mineral baths in North America. Located about 100 miles north of San Francisco, the no-frills resort is quite affordable, with room rates starting at $135, which includes breakfast, full use of the mineral baths (bathing suits required), hot soaking pool, Olympic size swimming pool, and unfettered access to 700 private acres for walking and hiking. Massage and facials are available by appointment daily until 8pm and are reasonably priced as well. For more info log onto www.vichysprings.com or call 707/462-9515.

SWEETWATER SPA & INN, Mendocino
The Sweetwater Spa & Inn, located in the heart of Mendocino, offers a wining combo of gorgeous location, reasonably priced lodging, private saunas and hot-tubs, and massage therapists that are highly skilled in a full range of massage and bodywork styles. For overnighters the inn offers a wide array of romantic lodgings to choose from—private fireplace cottages, historical water tower suites, ocean view luxury suites—and is even pet-friendly. They’re currently offer several spa/lodging deals, including “Make That Deal” (up to 40% off rack rates if you call their toll free number no more than two days before your desired arrival), and a “Rub-A-Dub Special” (free hot tub with your massage). For more info about their current specials log onto www.sweetwaterspa.com or call 800/300-4140.

DR. WILKINSON’S HOT SPRINGS RESORT, Calistoga
Located in the heart of Calistoga, Dr. Wilkinson’s offers one of the best lodging/spa deals in Napa Valley. Facilities include three mineral-water pools (two outdoor and one indoor), a Jacuzzi, a steam room, and mud baths. All kinds of body treatments are available at the spa, including their famed mud baths (which I tried once and enjoyed but it’s not really my thing), steam treatments, skin care, and massage. They also offer fantastic facials in their specially built facial cottage, and their hot stone massage therapy is pure bliss. If you log onto their website and click on the “special spa packages” link you’ll find deals that include lodging and massage for two for under $300 (that, my friends, is a Wine Country bargain). The rooms range from attractive Victorian-style accommodations to modern, cozy guest rooms in the main 1960s-style motel. For more info log onto www.drwilkinson.com or call 707/942-4102.

STEWART MINERAL SPRINGS RESORT, Weed
Stewart Mineral Springs is one of the most unusual spa resorts in California, rich with lore and legends. Located in the town of Weed (about 10 miles south of Mount Shasta), this place is deliberately primitive—it houses ancient springs that Native Americans valued for their healing powers for centuries—so don’t expect anything approaching a European spa or big-city luxury here. The resort occupies a 37-acre site of sloping, forested land accented with ponds, gazebos, and decorative bridges. The bathhouse is the resort headquarters, with 13 private rooms where spring water is heated and run into tubs for soaking. A staff member will describe the rituals for you: A 20-minute soak is followed by a visit to a nearby wood-burning sauna and an immersion in the chilly waters of Parks Creek, just outside the bathhouse (all for only $20 for lodging guests). On Saturdays, medicine man Walking Eagle guides guests on a spiritual journey within the Native American Purification Sweat Lodge. Heck, they even have a juice bar. Lodging ranges from $30 camp sites and $35 teepees (yes, teepees) to $55 motel units and $90 cabins; massages (by appointment only) start at a reasonable $75 per hour. For more info log onto www.stewartmineralsprings.com or call 530/938-2222.

THE LODGE AT SONOMA
If sweat lodges, teepees, and motel rooms are all a bit too… rustic for you, but you can’t afford the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa these days, I have an alternative for you: The Lodge at Sonoma. This low-key 4-diamond resort allows you to have all the perks of a Sonoma County spa getaway without the typically exorbitant price. A combo of cottages, suites, and lodge rooms surround a blissfully serene courtyard with an enticing pool and hot tub. The adjoining Raindance Spa offers a variety of rather unique massage experiences, such as their Lavender Shea Butter Massage (local butter even). You’ll like the location as well—within walking distance of the dozens of shops and restaurants surrounding Sonoma Plaza. For more information log onto www.thelodgeatsonoma.com or call 707/935-6600.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 2:23 pm by Getaway Guru and is filed under Mind, Body & Spirit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.