Saturdays at the Ranch: A One-Day Spa and Culinary Adventure at Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Baja California, Mexico

The MEXICO Report

By Susie Albin-Najera

Multi-award winning destination health spa and resort, Rancho La Puerta, located less than five miles south of the U.S.-Tecate border, now offers visitors a one-day visit called “Saturdays at the Ranch”.

Typically, this upscale, eco-friendly retreat requires a one-week reservation in order for guests to truly relax and enjoy all the amenities it has to offer. However, with Saturdays at the Ranch, visitors can now get a sampling of this extraordinary oasis in one day. The “Saturday” experience (7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) includes round-trip transportation from San Diego via luxury motor coach (approximately one hour drive), a choice of fitness classes (including yoga, pilates, tai chi, tennis, sand volleyball just to name a few), a gourmet, buffet-style spa lunch featuring semi-vegetarian Mexican-Mediterranean cuisine and fresh seafood from the port of Ensenada. All meals offer both vegetarian and modified-vegetarian alternatives.

The day also includes time for exploring the 32 acres of world-class gardens and natural landscape, or swimming and relaxing by the pool, a three-hour hands-on culinary experience plus dinner at the new La Cocina Que Canta Cooking School and Culinary Center.

In preparing a menu with the Ranch’s Creative Chef, guests will visit the organic garden located within walking distance to select an abundance of organic fruits and vegetables for their dinner meal. 

After learning how to prepare organic spa cuisine, participants sit down together to watch the sunset against the rugged Mt. Kuchumaa Mountains and enjoy the meal they prepared.

Spa treatments such as facials, wraps, massages or manicure/pedicures can be pre-arranged for your one-day visit for an additional cost once you have confirmed your Saturday at the Ranch reservation.

For a sample itinerary, click here.

Cost:

2009 Costs: $195.00 per person, 2010 Costs: $215.00 per person. The full amount will be charged to your credit card when you make your reservation. Group rates are available;

Please note, November is already sold out.  To check availability, click here.

Class sizes and groups: A typical excursion has approximately 21 guests. Special dates are available for private parties or corporations.

Additional notes about the drive, what to bring:

Transportation from Old Town, and return: The bus leaves promptly at 7:30 a.m. from the parking lot on the west side of Old Town Transit-Trolley Station located at 4005 Taylor Street, San Diego, CA 92110. Parking is complimentary. Entrance to the lot is off Pacific Highway. Rancho La Puerta is reached via California State Highway 94, which runs southeast from downtown San Diego. The 22.3-mile stretch between Jamacha Junction and Tecate is a very scenic, but curvy road through the mountains. Return arrival time is approximately 8 p.m.

For passport information, physical requirements, recommended attire and more, click here.

What I like about this:

I found this opportunity to be a reasonably priced deal that would be great for a mother-daughter retreat, an excursion with girlfriends or a nice day get-away with your spouse. It would also be an ideal individual activity or a great option for your bridesmaids.

Additionally I was impressed to learn that Rancho La Puerta practices sustainable organic gardening and resource conservation, and leads the way in environmental protection and education efforts in the region.

Reservations Office:

Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort & Spa
3323 Carmel Mountain Road
San Diego, CA 92121
T: 800.443.7565, 858.764.5500 
F: 858.764.5560
E: reservations@rancholapuerta.com
www.rancholapuerta.com