Juliet ""let me tell you all about Temecula!"" G.'s Profile

Reading some of the Yelp reviews makes me think about people who go to Wine Country:  are you a "Napa side" or a "Sonoma side"?  Do you want things quietly elegant, with hushed attendants gently sprinkling rose petals over you, or do you prefer to "take the waters" in a communal, European-feeling setitng?  If you get a kick out of places like Doc Wilkinson's in Calistoga, you will enjoy Glen Ivy.

This is NOT a glitzy "spa."  It's really much more about health, relaxation, and a communal well-being experience than beauty treatments.  

The other HUGE thing that distinguishes Glen Ivy from a typical "spa" or "day spa" is that it is a very social experience.  Everyone is talking!  I love to socialize with family or friends at the spa and it's frustrating when we go to traditional spas because we can't talk or we'll disturb the other patrons.  At Glen Ivy, though, everyone is chatting away!  It's part of the fun, plus you're outdoors most of the time.

Glen Ivy has had a few makeovers and renovations over the years and I really like how it is now.  They have maintained (maybe even added to?) the vegetation so it feels very lush and secluded.  Also all of the trees and shrubbery offer much-needed shade.  

They completely redid the bathhouse and restaurant a few years ago and that was also long overdue.  Is it the Ritz?  No way.  Not even close.  But it is completely serviceable especially considering the $40-50 entry price (depending on weekday or weekend admission.)  

The clientele is a definite mix.  On weekends you get a lot of bridal shower/bachelorette parties and 30th/40th/50th birthdays.  You see groups of women-friends and mother-daughter teams.  Maybe 5-10% (at most) men.  I love that there are all ages, ethnicities, and body types.

There are many, many different pools, each with its own different qualities.  There is a basic lap pool, a warmer pool that is very shallow with pool floats, several warm or hot tubs at varying temperatures, a cold plunge, and natural sulfur baths (the rotten egg smelling ones.)  

There is also "Club Mud" which is their red clay mud area.  If you've had mud baths before, you might be expecting to either have an attendant paint mud on you, or to lie down in a tub filled with mud.  This is totally different.  This is an outdoor area (separated by vegetation.)  You dampen your body either in a sulfur/mineral pool (which looks very "natural" i.e. twigs etc floating in it; just go with it or you won't have any fun) or under misters, then you grab globs of mud off central post things and smooth it onto yourself.  You let it dry, either sitting out on lounge chairs or in the warm cave area called "wafa."  After it dries, you wash off under warm outdoor showers.  

After you do your soaking, you can go to the Grotto (for an optional $20-$25 fee depending on time of day.)  The Grotto is great because it is a spa-like treatment but again, it is social.  Your party is escorted by elevator underground through three levels.  A worker paints the lotion stuff on your body and you sit in a warm area while it soaks in, then you move through to a shower room, then in the final room you can drink tea or water and have an apple before reascending to ground level.  It's fun and definitely worth the separate charge.

You do need an appointment for the Grotto, which you can do as you are admitted at the front gate, but they do book up so you might want to reserve in advance.  (Advance reservations are NOT required just for admission.)

Admission covers everything except the Grotto and treatments (massage, facials etc.)  You could easily spend an entire day and not have any treatments though.  It's plenty fun to go from pool to pool, getting warmed up then going in a cool one, then back to warm etc.  

The restaurant has a very diverse menu with lots of choices beyond typical "spa food."  They do have a bunch of salads but also heartier dishes as well.  Everything is very fresh and clean looking and they prepare it to order.  Very vegetarian-friendly.  Wine and beer are served on the menu as well as waiter service poolside.

Lockers and small bath size towels are included with admission.  DON'T FORGET TO BRING:  flip-flops; larger towel if you like a beach-size towel; robe if you want one (e.g. for eating lunch); hat or visor; sunscreen.  

HOURS 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 or 6 p.m. depending on season (in "warm season" they stay open until 6.)  Nobody under age 16 admitted.  Free yoga on the grass lawn every Sat 11 am and 1 p.m.  Free admission on the day of your bday (must be exact day.)  Half-price admission on Wednesdays.  Many specials changing monthly listed on their site.

How delightful to find a small, locally-owned bakery with attentive and friendly service.  They interior is comfortable and they encourage lingering.  Don't be fooled by the outside, which makes the place look like it'll be cramped and dark inside.  It's not!  The interior is airy, clean, and inviting.  

We are not gluten-free, though we are vegetarian and my husband likes to eat vegan when possible.  In addition to gluten-free options, this shop also offers clearly-marked vegetarian and vegan selections.  

I appreciate that though it's a specialty bakery offering niche items, the prices are very reasonable .

If you have questions about any of the items, definitely ask whoever is behind the counter.  This shop is owned by a mother-daughter and they will be happy to talk to you about their creations.  I recommend the "yellowies" and their pumpkin muffins.

I should add one thing:  they are closed on Tuesdays.  In general their hours are convenient but there have been a few times (today included) when I've thought, "I'll pop in and see how they're doing" only to remember that it's Tuesday.  I even planned to meet a colleague for coffee there one day and yup, sure enough, I'd accidentally done it for a Tuesday.