A rare sanctuary rooted in American spa culture and Provençal elegance
Tucked into the hills of northern San Diego County, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa is more than a wellness retreat—it’s a storied sanctuary that helped shape the very concept of the destination spa in the United States. Established in 1986, it was among the earliest to offer a fully immersive, all-inclusive wellness experience grounded in fitness, mindful eating, and restorative spa therapies. From its earliest days, Cal-a-Vie championed the belief that true wellbeing should be deeply personal, profoundly restorative, and intentional.
Terri and John Havens
A Revelatory Moment
Before they ever set foot on the grounds of Cal-a-Vie, Terri Havens—an ardent spa-goer—and her husband John Havens—a runner of marathons—had a moment that would unknowingly set the course for their future. After running a marathon in Austin, John agreed—at Terri’s urging—to try a massage at Lake Austin Spa. “He came out and said, ‘So this is what I’ve been missing all these years,’” she recalls. That single moment of revelation marked the beginning of something far greater than a relaxing weekend—it sparked a shared vision that would eventually reshape their lives.
The Havens first visited Cal-a-Vie in the late 1990s, and returned often, drawn not just to the peace of the place, but to something deeper. “It felt sacred,” Terri says. “There was an energy to the land that we both felt.” In 2000, they purchased Cal-a-Vie and began the quiet work of transformation—shaping a place that reflected their shared devotion to wellness, design, and the art of thoughtful living.
“He loved this place so much,” Terri remembers. “He said, ‘I think health and wellness is the future.’” That was 25 years ago—“the understatement of the year,” she adds with a smile.
An overview of the spectacular property
Tapestry of Treasures
At the time, Cal-a-Vie was modest but promising. “Back then, it was designed with celebrities in mind, so the focus wasn’t really on aesthetics—it didn’t matter what it looked like,” says Terri. “They came for the results. But I said, ‘What if we made it luxurious, and it still stayed a health spa?’” With roots in New Orleans and a passion for French antiques, the Havens spent years renovating and transforming the property—adding antique wood, cobblestones from France, and architectural pieces collected during travels abroad. There’s even a 17th-century chapel from Dijon, which now graces the grounds as a space for reflection and ceremony. Among Terri’s most treasured finds is an 18th-century tapestry hanging in the great room. “It’s one of the Four Seasons, made by the same workshop that created tapestries for Versailles,” she says. “I bought it for my house, but it was too big. It took me three years to give it up.”
Cal-a-Vie is one of the few original destination spas in the United States—a place that helped define the category and continues to set the standard.
Sound healing in the 17th-century chapel
That deep connection to European design is lovingly curated by Beryl Dusenberry, Interior Designer and Cal-A-Vie Antique/Design Project Coordinator. Dusenberry manages the on-property Antique Boutique and oversees the inventory of every historic piece across the estate. “The Havens are true Francophiles, and the boutique was created so guests could bring the Cal-a-Vie lifestyle into their own homes,” says Dusenberry. “I love gilding, I love an old finish that shows the wear and tear of time passed . . . and yes, silly me, my knees get weak with tapestry.”
A Boutique Experience with a Devoted Following
Today, Cal-a-Vie spans 500 acres and hosts just 30 guests at a time, with a rare 5:1 staff-to-guest ratio. Guests who’ve stayed 70 nights or more are invited to plant an orange tree on the property—a growing grove of over 250 trees, lovingly watered and watched over by returning visitors who consider Cal-a-Vie their second home.
“We have 150 employees for 30 guests,” Terri notes. “It’s about intimacy, personalization, and creating an experience where you can either be on your own or make a ton of friends.”
That intimacy is what struck newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Deirdre Strunk most when she joined the team. “The property is breathtaking, but it’s the connections that make Cal-a-Vie so special,” she says. “Guests come alone and leave with new friends. Week after week, we watch those bonds form—it’s truly magical.”
A peek inside the indoor dining room
Meeting Guests Where They Are
Despite a 65 percent return rate, Cal-a-Vie never grows complacent. “We always strive to have something new,” Terri says. The resort offers more than 150 fitness classes, refreshed annually to include innovations like trapeze yoga and expanded nutritional programming. “We check in with guests when they arrive—ask what they’re going through and what they want to get out of their time. Some are grieving, some want to detox, others just need space to reset. We meet them where they are.”
For those not drawn to physical activity, options range from journaling, guided meditation, and crystal sound baths to stargazing at the outstanding Observatory. “We offer five levels—from doing nothing at all to really pushing yourself. The idea is to match you to what you need, not what we think you should do.”
Where Rituals Remain & Trends Refresh
The spa’s treatment offerings evolve in tandem. While Cal-a-Vie embraces current modalities—like CBD massage, a guest favorite among hikers—Terri still treasures the classics. “My favorite is the seaweed wrap. I had it my first day here. I’ve tried everything since, but I always come back to that wrap.” Packages typically include a combination of massages, facials, wraps, reflexology, and Cal-a-Vie’s signature hair and scalp treatment, which Terri says is “by far the favorite—especially with the guys.”
The spa’s waiting area and relaxation room
The spa features 15 treatment rooms, with rooms dedicated to thalassotherapy, Vichy shower, steam bath, and sauna. Product lines are plentiful and include Kerstin Florian, Cause Medic, Bathorium, Phytomer, Knesko, and Voya. A popular grape-seed scrub is crafted from grapes that grow on property. Though the original spa facilities could benefit from a refresh, the quality of care remains exceptional—deeply personalized, skillfully delivered, and consistently top-tier.
To mark its 40th anniversary, Cal-a-Vie recently introduced three new luxury villas—two four-bedroom and one six-bedroom—designed to host families or small groups. “Some guests want to be in the heart of everything,” Terri says, “and some want to feel completely tucked away.” Complete with private massage rooms, travertine soaking tubs, and sweeping views of the valley, the villas offer a more secluded yet equally refined retreat experience.
Preserving Heart & Heritage
And with an eye to the future, Strunk adds: “My role is to make sure we stay current while holding tight to what our guests have always loved—our intimacy and heart. That’s what sets us apart.”
Cal-a-Vie isn’t just a luxury spa. It’s one of the few original destination spas in the United States—a place that helped define the category and continues to set the standard. A rare hybrid: a boutique wellness haven with the soul of a French village, the heart of New Orleans hospitality, and a legacy that evolves quietly, gracefully, and always with intention.
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. An advocate for all things spa, Mary forged a vocabulary for spa reportage that is widely used by those who cover the issues today. Recently honored as a Top 30 Influential Voice Transforming Wellness by Medika Life, Mary is an inaugural honoree of Folio’s Top Women in Media Award. Her spa media roots run deep—in 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, in 2007, she co-founded Organic Spa magazine, and in between serving on the ISPA and NYSPA Board of Directors, she was on the launch teams of Luxury SpaFinder and New Beauty magazines. Named a "Wonder Woman of Wellness" by American Spa magazine, Mary was honored by the International Spa Association with the distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. She is a special advisor to the non-profit Global Wellness Day.
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