Pallavi is a Los Angeles and Mumbai-based freelance journalist. She writes about design, travel, and lifestyle for leading publications like Travel & Leisure, Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveller, GQ, Thrillist, and Observer. An avid traveler and design enthusiast, she finds inspiration in everything she encounters, be it her immediate environment or her travels around the world.
Not only is Los Angeles one of the most glamorous cities in the world, but it’s also a haven for wellness seekers, offering a blend of unique fitness classes and holistic practices. The availability of year-round outdoor activities and its fitness-obsessed culture have made the city a pioneer of the global wellness movement. Here’s a guide on how to spend two days in Los Angeles nurturing your mind, body, and soul. Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, a fitness maven, or simply seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, this Los Angeles wellness guide definitely has something for you.
Day 1
Begin your wellness getaway with a stand-up paddleboard yoga session at YOGAqua in Marina del Rey (pictured above). Make the ocean your yoga mat with YOGAqua, which brings the practice and art of yoga into perfect fusion with stand-up paddleboarding. This fitness center offers group and private sessions on the calm cove at Mother’s Beach, so there are no waves or currents to discourage beginners. A class is 90 minutes long, the first 30 minutes is dedicated to learning how to use a paddleboard and peacefully paddle around the harbor properly, and the remaining hour is dedicated to yoga on the paddleboard. Each board has an individual anchor that’s dropped down before the yoga portion of class begins so that you do not drift while focusing on your practice.
Now, it’s time to bring harmony and balance to your mind and spirit at Vie Healing, a healing center in West Hollywood. Founded by celebrity herbalist and acupuncturist Mona Dan, LAc., MTOM, Vie Healing, is a multifaceted brand and trusted innovator in the Chinese Medicine space. At their wellness and acupuncture clinic, Vie Healing uses traditional Chinese medicine to treat people for numerous symptoms and target the root of internal imbalances, with a menu of services, including acupuncture, moxibustion, Reiki, energy work, fire cupping, 24k gold ear seeds, and more.
Next, head down the boulevard to Rumble Boxing Gym for a high-energy, full-body boxing-inspired group fitness class. We recommend taking Rumble’s signature class, which is a 45-minute, 10-round sweat fest that alternates between pounding water-filled aqua bags and strength training circuits using dumbbells and bodyweight exercises. It’s great that no boxing experience is necessary, as each class starts with a quick rundown of the basic punches. You’ll leave feeling empowered and energized. Rumble Boxing Gym’s expert trainers are also available for private sessions and virtual classes for added personalization and flexibility.
After the workout, you could use a little pampering, so head over to Spa Pendry in the heart of the Sunset Strip for some much-needed relaxation. Located in Pendry West Hollywood hotel, Spa Pendry is a wellness haven with four treatment rooms, including a couple’s room, a nail salon, two eucalyptus-infused steam rooms and a serene lounge. The spa’s treatments use world-class, modern skincare technology in a calming and healing environment with an Art Deco design, conceptualized by award-winning interior designer Martin Brudnizki. We suggest opting for their signature Energizing Massage, which is a 60-minute session using a combination of Swedish, deep tissue, and aromatherapy techniques. After the massage, unwind at Pendry West Hollywood’s outdoor pool, which overlooks the Los Angeles skyline.
Retire for the night by walking over to the neighboring Sunset Tower Hotel for a hearty dinner and repose. This iconic hotel was originally a luxury apartment building and home to several famous residents over the years, including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Presently, this hotel retains its old Hollywood charm while offering well-appointed guest rooms, some with unobstructed city views and private balconies.
Day 2
Kickstart day two of our Los Angeles wellness guide with an intense sweat session at Heated Room, a boutique gym hosting workouts in an infrared-heated room. Their classes focus on your core, strength and alignment with the help of world-class trained instructors. Heated Room’s most popular offerings include Core Sculpt, their signature class, which uses Pilates to sculpt the core muscles, and Full Body Burn that combines HIIT and Pilates for a full-body sweat. Additionally, this one-of-a-kind fitness center’s Heated Flow class, which features dynamic sequences in moderate heat, is also a crowd-favorite.
Thereafter, de-stress and find inner peace with a soothing meditation session at Unplug Meditation in Santa Monica, the world’s first secular drop-in meditation studio. Meditate with world-renowned teachers and explore a variety of class offerings, including mindfulness, sound healing, breathwork, yoga, aromatherapy, hypnosis and guided visualization. Unplug’s secular approach and calming ambiance make it a great venue for beginners or seasoned meditators. Choose a class catering to your needs, from quick 15-minute sessions to deeper 45-minute dives.
Next, indulge in Malibu’s fine wines while hiking its awe-inspiring natural landscape with Saddlerock Ranch’s Malibu Wine Hikes. This ranch boasts not only exceptional grape yields but also offers breathtaking vistas and an adventure-filled landscape. Their Hike and Wine Tour is a 2.5-mile loop hike through Saddlerock Ranch, a working vineyard and ranch. Guests walk through rolling hills, soak in panoramic views, and even encounter ranch animals. Mid-hike, visitors savor four Saddlerock Ranch wines paired with snacks, while an expert guide shares the secrets of local winemaking and the intriguing history of the region.
Wind down for the day at Surya Spa, a 3,000-square-foot wellness center that offers treatments curated by internationally acclaimed Ayurvedic Panchakarma expert Martha Soffer. Choose from Surya Spa’s Ayurvedic four-handed massages, cooking sessions, yoga and transcendental meditation classes, and customized culinary experiences. Conceptualized by interior designer Kelly Wearstler, the spa houses six treatment rooms, a meditation space, patios, lounges, a kitchen, and an interactive retail space.
Finally, get a good night’s rest in Fairmont Miramar – Hotel & Bungalows’ Serenity Suite. As the first wellness suite in Santa Monica, this new state-of-the-art experience offers a haven for guests who want to relax, rejuvenate, and restore a sense of well-being during their stay. Guests can expect on-suite fitness and meditation classes available on the Lululemon Studio Mirror, a complimentary in-person Exhale Spa fitness or yoga class, hypoallergenic pillows and down duvets, a special in-room wellness dining menu and a mini-bar stocked with plant-based snacks, organic drinks and wellness shots.