My husband and I commute to Santa Cruz — not to a job, but to spend as much time as possible with offspring who have become steadfast Northern Californians.
Nonstop — straight up the 101 — the drive from La Jolla can be as short as eight hours and 15 minutes, but I really prefer the times when we have the luxury of taking an intermission along the way. It’s fun to picnic near the beach in Ventura or Oxnard, and we enjoy driving onto Sterns Wharf in Santa Barbara in search of the perfect clam chowder.
Once past Santa Barbara, the scenery goes from good to better to best. The views around Buellton, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo could all be posters promoting Golden State glories. In these areas, we pause to admire the scenery. Further north around King City, we slow down to avoid over-zealous ticket-writing gendarmes.
One time when I was driving south by myself, I discovered a place so interesting that I opted to stay overnight.
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is a wellness retreat in Avila Beach, about ten miles south of San Luis Obispo and a mile west of Highway 101 (exit Avila Beach Drive). Here, 74 rooms — each with its own hot tub on a wooden deck — are surrounded by 100 wooded acres and facilities promoting health and relaxation. (www.sycamoresprings.com)
After checking in, I looked at the class schedule of the Healing Arts Institute and realized if I hurried to the Yoga Dome, I’d be just in time for Pilates. The quality of light that shines through this spacious tent-like structure and the Asian-inspired décor create the perfect ambience for mind/body work.
I shared this experience with a honeymooning couple, a few other women on their own, and two girlfriend getaway groups. In fact, this place is so perfect for informal women’s retreats that I started imagining how fun it would be to come back with my bridge group or my sisters and nieces or — don’t get me wrong, this place isn’t posh, but it’s charming in a semi-rustic kind of way.
Guest rooms, with names like Kindness and Harmony, have good beds with high thread count linens. Heavenly and Eloquence are spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom units with large living rooms and kitchenettes. All luxury suites have fireplaces.
The Sycamore Treatment Center is staffed by massage therapists and aestheticians offering a range of services, including two signature treatments: hot stone massage and the wine therapy, which includes grape seed extract in the massage oil. Other unique options include a Chocolate Champagne Anti-Aging Facial, a Chardonnay Anti-Aging Body Treatment, and a Quick-Fix Massage.
In keeping with its zen-like atmosphere, Sycamore Springs provides a labyrinth for meditation walks, a traditional cairn, a wooden swing overlooking a river where steelhead run, a garden of drought-resistant plants and native grasses, a hiking trail to a scenic ocean vista, and a pool heated to 82 degrees.
The resort also has a restaurant, but I was anxious to explore the area and get a sense of my location. As I drove around, I came across DePalo & Sons Gourmet Grocery and Deli on Shell Beach Road. I went in just to look around and came out with a perfect picnic supper. (www.depaloandsons.com)
But where to eat? I drove out to the end of Avila Beach Road and found a wooden pier, a yacht harbor, a plethora of pelicans, myriad sea lions, and a great view across the bay to the south. Voila! The pier was the perfect spot to watch the sunset and enjoy my meal. Next time, I might dine at the Olde Port Inn, where some glass tables are positioned over holes in the floor so you can watch sea lions while dining. (www.oldeportinn.com)
After a day of classes, a hot tub soak, a great massage, and a walk around the labyrinth, I was feeling pretty mellow.
As the sun sank into the ocean, I thought of our yoga instructor’s visualization: “Imagine that you own a factory and for 30 years you’ve gone in and out and never said hello or smiled at the workers. The workers are your body and inner self. Take care of them, hug them, pamper them, love them.”
Which is just what I was doing. ELIZABETH HANSEN
