Culinary Programs in California
Creating Mindful Menus
Savor a vibrant selection of gourmet cuisine at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, recently named the best wellness resort in the US for foodies by Forbes. Our dishes are thoughtfully crafted to promote health and happiness, using delicious ingredients sourced from the land around us. From the omelet du jour and king salmon to in-room popcorn and matcha lattes, dining is a true delight at every turn, with culinary programs that showcase the finest flavors of California.
Truly Farm-To-Table
As part of Cal-a-Vie Health Spa’s culinary experience, seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers are harvested daily from our gardens and cooked in our kitchen. Honey is gathered from the resorts on site apiary and sold in our boutique in its raw and unfiltered form. Every ingredient from our garden is hand tended and grown chemical free to offer guests the freshest and healthiest possible fare, bringing the farmers market right to your plate.
CULINARY GARDEN
Our Culinary Garden embraces a thoughtful, soil-first approach to growing. Kitchen produce scraps are composted and returned to our 300+ fruit trees, while no-till gardening practices, locally sourced organic-certified compost, and beneficial microbes help support healthy soil throughout our gardens. We grow more than 100 varieties of microgreens, herbs, and vegetables, alongside edible flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Six on-property beehives, managed in partnership with a local apiary and nonprofit, help pollinate our fruit trees and gardens while producing raw, unfiltered honey enjoyed in our kitchens and available in the Cal-a-Vie Boutique.
CULINARY GARDEN WALK
During your next stay, join our Culinary Garden Manager, Jacob Cooper, on one of our bi-weekly garden walks, where you will learn about our sustainable gardening practices focusing on soil health and environmental equilibrium. In this 45 minute experience you will get a chance to reground yourself surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of our herbal garden and orange grove. Hear the bees humming in our abundance of flowers, feel the different textures of edible plants and fruits, taste and smell the diversity of edible and medicinal herbs, and come see what makes Cal-a-Vie Health Spa so special.
Château Cal-a-Vie Wine
Transported from the heart of the Burgundy countryside, our Parish House dates back to the 17th century. The antique structure was fully restored and now serves as a tasting room for guests to sample Cal-a-Vie Health Spa's estate-grown varietals. From reds and whites to specialty rosés, sip on a variety of wines made and bottled on-property.
CHEF FELIPE GONZALEZ VARON
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Chef Felipe Gonzalez Varon has over 14 years of culinary experience, rising through the ranks of fine dining kitchens and luxury resorts, including the prestigious Park Hyatt Aviara. Now the Executive Chef at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, he is passionate about sourcing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, with a focus on local and wild-caught seafood. Chef Gonzalez Varon believes that exceptional dishes begin with great products, emphasizing the importance of freshness and thoughtful sourcing to create world-class culinary experiences for discerning guests.