There's a cat that lives in the garden at The Ranch Malibu. On any given day, guests of the wellness retreat can find the small tabby prancing among the strawberries and oregano, with a view of the Santa Monica Mountains to one side and the Pacific Ocean not far away on the other. Though I've envied the lives of felines from time to time, I've never wanted to be a cat more.
The Ranch Malibu is just an hour away for most Angelenos — located a few miles up the road from Neptune's Net, a mecca of fried fish, beer, and bikers — but it may as well be on another planet. Since first opening its doors in 2010, the retreat has become known for being no-nonsense with luxury flourishes: guests come for weeks at a time, and their daily routines consist of guided hikes, low-impact fitness classes, massages, and plant-based meals. While one week is the minimum for stays at The Ranch, I was recently able to get a taste of the program with a one-night stay with Fora , a modern travel agency.
Did my 24 hours at The Ranch help me better understand why guests will pay thousands to essentially do two-a-days on a vegan diet? I get into all that below. Here's what prospective travelers should know about what it's like to stay at The Ranch Malibu. About The Ranch Malibu What I Like About The Ranch Malibu I'm not too proud to admit that when I first arrived at The Ranch, I was intimidated.
I gathered with fellow guests in the common area, which looked straight out of a Nancy Meyers production wi.