Always, in the back of
my mind, was the thought of getting away to Rancho La Puerta.
Over the years I had listened to many people describe experiences
of their time there in glowing terms. They returned to the
property again and again, a fact that was, in my mind, a
real testament to the verity of their rave reviews. Everyone
who mentioned it to me said, “You need to get there.
It will change your life,” and somehow I believed
them. In fact, I put this at the very top of my priority
list of things to do for myself. But, it took years before
I finally made myself enough of a priority to actually do
it. I have just returned from my long awaited visit to the
ranch, which not only lived up to the reports, but exceeded
my highest expectations. My only regret is that I waited
so long. I now want to share my experience with you.
Rancho La Puerta was started in 1940 by Edmond and Deborah
Szekely, as a natural health retreat right on the US and
Mexico border. The stunningly beautiful, unspoiled land
lay at the base of Mount Kuchumaa, a 3885 foot peak that
was considered a sacred place by the local Kumeyaay tribespeople.
Deborah was just 17 years old at the time, and a new bride
on a real adventure. They lived in a tiny converted cattle
feed storage shed and guests initially stayed in tents.
Edmond Szkeley, a man who was clearly ahead of his time,
was a 34 year old scholar and philosopher who preached
the gospel of vegetarianism, eating pesticide-free fruits
and vegetables and exercise for good health, radical ideas
to be sure in the 1940’s. Even though he was considered
a health-nut cult leader at the time, the Ranch attracted
many guests, including Hollywood actors and famous authors,
who were more than ready to rough it and pitch in with
the daily chores in order to learn how to live healthier
lives from this charismatic visionary.
The ranch today, which is still overseen by the Deborah
Szekely in the same beautiful setting, still maintains
the aura of the founders’ original vision. There
are the spectacular organic gardens from which the brunt
of the bounty that is set out for guests each day is obtained,
there are breathtaking trails for hiking, plenty of opportunities
for exercise, and classes on how to take some of this
healthy lifestyle home with you. I think that Professor
Szekely would approve of the evolution of his humble retreat
into a destination spa that attracts guests from all corners
of the world who leave their “real” world
behind for a little taste of paradise
Thanks to founder Deborah Szekely’s ongoing determination
to cater to her guests every whim, the ranch has evolved
into one of the finest destination spas in the world.
In the last sixty-four years, she has taken the time to
listen to her guests, and it shows in every single detail
that one encounters during their stay at the ranch. I
heard not one complaint during my recent visit. How can
one complain when truly, every single guest’s wish
is the extraordinarily attentive staffs’ command?
Far from roughing it, guests today are afforded the opportunity
to be pampered to their heart’s content in a profoundly
beautiful setting that words fail to adequately describe.
As destination spas go, Rancho La Puerta is a terrific
value. In fact, the recipient of numerous awards over
the years, the ranch recently garnered first place in
Spa Finders Reader’s Choice awards in the following
categories: fitness, health-related programs, hiking,
meditation programs, over-all recreational programs, spa
cuisine, tennis programs and value for your money.
Is it any wonder that guests return again and again?
One vigorous older gentleman, who first visited the ranch
in 1962, was on his 108th visit! In fact, the majority
of the guests who were visiting during my week had been
to the ranch before. Let me see if I can give you a taste
of what your will find on your visit that may very well
add you to that list of repeat customers.
Upon arrival, you are immediately taken by the physical
beauty of the grounds. All the elements that make up the
ranch including the dining hall, the lounge, library,
numerous gyms and workout areas, pools, tennis courts
and very privately hidden rooms are sprawled over many
beautifully landscaped acres. Everything is connected
by a maze of meandering brick pathways that are lined
with a verdant array of flowering oleander, lavender,
sage, rosemary, flowers, cacti, pomegranate, cherry, fig,
oak trees and hundreds of specimen plants. There are water
fountains surrounded by papyrus, koi ponds with lotus
flowers, grassy knolls with beautiful sculptures, bunnies,
bluebirds and hummingbirds. There are vineyards, the vines
laden with sweet ripe grapes. I picked many a grape during
my treks to and from classes and hikes. You can not help
but wonder if you just landed in paradise. (Well, maybe
you just did!)
The rooms are well-hidden off the main brick pathways,
discreetly tucked in among the landscaping. My room as
it turns out was actually a very private little brick
casita with high beamed ceilings, kitchenette, fireplace
and terracotta floors. The hand-painted tiles, roughly-carved
arched wooden doors and Mexican inspired décor
gave the room a folksy feel with a taste of local flavor.
The large tiled veranda afforded an awe-inspiring view
of Mount Kuchumaa.
To fill your days, there is a mind-boggling array of
fitness classes, lectures, special programs, three pools,
tennis courts and, of course, the hiking. I consider my
early morning hikes to be a highlight of my stay. During
the morning hikes, you really get a chance to immerse
yourself in the fresh air and natural beauty of the surrounding
countryside. There are hikes for every fitness level with
some even offering an ‘I am too out of shape to
finish this hike’ short cut back to the ranch. If
you are a beginner, your hike options will be in the beautiful
rolling foothills of Mount Kuchumaa – more advanced
hikers chose from several options that take them up the
mountain. One choice I highly recommend for everyone is
the easy hike to the organic gardens. You will get a memorable
breakfast in a stunning setting surrounded by the bounty
and unparalleled beauty of the Tres Estrellas organic
gardens. After your breakfast and tour of the garden,
you then hike back to the ranch, about a 4 ½ mile
trek round-trip.
Depending on the season, the Ranch gets 40 to 75 percent
of food for the guests from the gardens. The chefs do
a stupendous job of coming up with creative vegetarian
dishes that are artfully presented to be as pleasing to
the eye as to the palate. This fare, I dare say, was the
genesis of what has now become known as spa cuisine. Although
the menu is predominantly vegetarian, fish is served as
an entrée twice a week. For those of you who may
have qualms about the water in Mexico you can rest easy.
The ranch has a special filtration system that gives you
easy access to purified water.
Along about mid-day it is time to be pampered. The beautiful
Villas Wellness Center offers a tantalizing array of services
to ease you out of your normal reality into a place of
total relaxation. Since you will probably begin your day
with a hike, it helps with your recovery to have your
muscles massaged and the lactic acid released. But just
so you feel completely pampered, you should also try the
Golden Door Facial, Happy Hands and Feet, a combo of reflexology,
massage and paraffin dip, the loofa salt scrub which leaves
your skin glowing and many other intriguing options. All
services are surprisingly inexpensive, so go for it. You
came to get pampered and relax and this will jump start
you down that path.
So are you convinced yet? I can’t imagine that you
are not. But there is more. As the week progresses, subtle
changes are occurring. In the faces you are now starting
to recognize, you notice habitual stress lines beginning
to fade, cheeks starting to glow and eyes becoming clearer
with a previously non-existent sparkle. Yes, all those
healthful home-grown vegetables, and all that exercise
and fresh air is definitely having an effect.
But other more subtle changes are occurring as well.
Just being in the pure fresh air, walking the beautiful
trails, drinking in the natural beauty is a meditation
in and of itself. Surrounded by so much beauty and perfection
you are transported to a place of real inner peace –
a place from which one’s inner beauty can emerge
and shine through. During a conversation with Mrs. Szekely,
the engaging and utterly charming founder of Rancho La
Puerta, she mused, “The ranch simply creates a space
to be your true self.” I think that really sums
it all up.
Do I still wonder why guests return again and again?
I think it is clear. The simple fact is this – Rancho
La Puerta literally has something for everyone. Each guest’s
experience will be completely different depending on what
they are looking for. You can try to squeeze it all in,
or do nothing but relax by the pool and revel in the beauty
and silence. Or you can strike a balance, which is a great
model to take home.
This is a place that you can come to with a friend or
alone. Since everyone arrives on the same day, (the week
runs Saturday to Saturday) you see the same faces and
you get to know people. You can sit alone at dinner or
at a group table – your choice – no pressure.
This is a particularly good place for women traveling
alone. You will feel completely safe and cared for from
the time you get your bags in San Diego and are met by
a ranch representative until you are dropped off back
at the airport.
The Transformation
After a week of all this healthful activity you notice
a real difference in how you look and how you feel. It
is unmistakable. You find yourself re-evaluating your
life. You wonder how you can feel this way all the time
- what changes you need to make in your real life to capture
this feeling.
Just how well you translate what you learn during you
visit is up to you. But one thing is for sure. You will
leave transformed, carrying with you indelible images
and memories that you can call upon in your day-to-day
life for solace and inner peace. Once you have visited
Rancho La Puerta, you will never forget it. And you will
find it calling you back. As so many others can attest
to, it is here that you feel most alive. Why? Because
you’re entire experience is an opportunity to be
immersed in a succession of most exquisite now moments.
I needed to make some changes on many levels, and the
Ranch was a wonderful place to re-evaluate my lifestyle.
I also wanted to loose a few stubborn pounds and this
experience put me on the road to weight loss and an even
healthier diet.
Now that I have been back in “reality” for
a few weeks, I still notice lasting effects of my visit.
I look and feel better, and, maybe even more importantly
my mind is clearer. I feel more alive, as though I just
emerged from a deep rut. It gets clearer to me with each
passing day why folks keep returning to this place for
tune ups. Yes,
the ranch has a definite mystique that draws to it those
that are ready to clear out psychic baggage and make room
for a real sense of joy and aliveness.
If you find that you need to sort through life changes,
or you are going through life’s inevitable trials
and need time and space to re-evaluate, give yourself
the opportunity to experience this place. The energy of
love, acceptance and the pure essence of beauty will offer
solace to your soul and inspiration to your mind. Or if
you just need to relax and reconnect with your inner self,
it is here you will find the space you need to do just
that.
If you resonate with these words then your soul is calling
you. Give your true self the respect it is craving and
indulge yourself in the experience that is Rancho La Puerta.
For more information check out Rancholapuerta.com
or call 800-443-7565.
Copyright 2005. Jeanne Randolph. No portion of this article may be reproduced with written consent of author.
