Los Angeles has a wealth of ways to relax your mind, body and spirit. Find your flow in a yoga session overlooking the marina, or take a stroll to a hidden gem garden.
From countercultural retreats in Big Sur’s Esalen to love-your-body feminist self-care clinics popping up on university campuses and ethnic neighborhoods, wellness has been embraced by many different communities statewide.
The Now
With a juice bar and spin studio in every neighborhood, it’s clear that Angelenos love all things related to wellness Los Angeles. But what exactly does that entail? For many, it means taking good care of oneself, body and soul. From luxe massage parlors to meditation sanctuaries, here are eight ways to up your self-care game.
When it comes to mind-body maintenance, few things rival a great massage. And while massage used to be considered a luxury service, more health professionals are recommending it on a regular basis for stress management, pain relief and muscle recovery. Plus, it can help with chronic conditions like asthma and arthritis.
Boutique massage chain the NOW is a local favorite for a blissed-out relaxation moment. With locations all over town including West Hollywood, Silver Lake and Studio City, they’ve become a cult-favorite for their perfectly styled Tulum vibes and affordable prices (a 25-minute session costs $40!). Their curated at-home skincare kits with items like Santal Tobacco candles, calm balm and gua sha crystal face tools make for the perfect souvenir of a relaxing visit.
The Well
Located on Mayflower Inn’s grounds, this countryside wellness escape is designed to bring your best self to life through restorative spa treatments that integrate East-meets-West healing practices and expert-led wellness coaching sessions. With a reverence for Pachamama, or Mother Earth, this is a place to be at peace with yourself and your surroundings.
A groovy hybrid bookstore/cafe, The Well offers books by local authors, a book of the week, watermelon basil agua frescas, smoothies and almond butter toasts. The staff here loves their jobs, which is evident in the service, making this a relaxing oasis to read and sip on coffee.
Director Thomas Hammock, who worked on several Adam Wingard titles, pares down this post apocalyptic exercise for a lean narrative exercise that might work on its own but is rendered moot by a lurching screenplay and miscast casting. Haley Lu Richardson, who plays the title character, is a wide-eyed ingenue whose inability to convey much other than her mud-dappled face is a disservice to viewers. This film needs a more robust script to stand out from other end-of-the-world offerings.
Wanderlust Hollywood
Wanderlust, the producer of yoga lifestyle festivals, is opening a wellness studio in Hollywood. The Highland Avenue location is a one-stop shop that will host a yoga studio, cafe and meditation zone. The 10,000-square-foot space will also feature a retail area and members-only social club.
The studio offers “Soulscape” classes that integrate music with yoga, a mini-festival experience where beat aligns with breath and musical intensity matches energy. Guests can also attend eye-opening lectures by health experts and business leaders.
Wanderlust Hollywood, directed by David Wain, offers multiplex-friendly happiness. The film stars Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston as a couple trying to escape modern society by joining a commune. The script avoids sketchy experimentalism and Wain’s typical wit, instead finding character and character development in the cult members, including a stock-raising performance from Justin Theroux as Seth. LA Wellness Home is a warm, welcoming facility treating addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions with clinically led detox, residential care, outpatient and sober living services. Clients receive a customized treatment plan that combines evidence-based and holistic therapies. Weekly outings immerse clients in the community and connect them to local attractions.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
The Four Seasons is the epitome of luxury and this resort is no exception. The service is impeccable. The concierge will remember your special requests, from how you like your coffee to the type of water you prefer. When you enter your room, a press of a button opens and closes the curtains—a welcome touch that shows attention to detail.
The hotel recently launched the Center for Health & Wellbeing to elevate next-gen wellness travel. The retreat-style program integrates the hotel’s time-tested philosophy with expert consultations and skill-based workshops led by accredited experts. Guests learn that wellbeing is not solely the absence of illness and they can cultivate mental and physical energy to enhance their lives beyond their stay.
The hotel is located about an hour northwest of LA in the quiet, family friendly affluent neighborhood of Westlake Village. It is an easy drive to Malibu beaches and the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. It also has a convenient location within the heart of Southern California’s wine country. The 270 rooms and suites have elegant English décor with classic wood furniture, patterned fabric drapes, and high-tech amenities including iPod docks, flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and premium toiletries.
Be DTLA
During this time of political, racial and natural turmoil it is more important than ever to take care of yourself. Our staff at UC locations across the country is proud to provide residents with the resources and tools they need to be resilient in this time of uncertainty.
A stylish and soulful apartment community with a contemporary aesthetic and a nod to City West’s historic context, Be DTLA (formerly Sofia) is built on a steep 4 acre site with two levels of subterranean parking and 7 stories of double podium residential. The project has 606 ground up apartments ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units. Located within walking distance of City National Plaza and FIGat7th, Be DTLA is a pedestrian’s paradise with top-notch public transportation and a TransitScore of 100.
