Nearly two decades after its debut, the luxuriously romantic Rancho Valencia Resort unveils an equally lavish and romantic spa. Consultant Tracy Lee, known for her exquisite Auberge du Soleil and Esperanza spas, brings similar touches but with a Southern California twist. Here, massages are citrus-infused, culling tangerines and oranges from the property’s own groves; lush gardens spill onto hidden hot, cold, and warm pools; and there’s a strong connection between treatment room and nature.

All 10 spa rooms have private outdoor patios with fountains or deep-soaking tubs (the perfect after-treatment relaxation tonic) and couples suites come with cozy fireplaces, tubs for two, and alfresco showers. The signature Zest for Life treatment ($260, 120 minutes) takes place in a private Vichy rain room, one of only a handful in the country, and starts with an enveloping citrus and rosemary steam followed by an exfoliation with lemon zest and sea salt, and a bergamot-lemon massage. Only one offering promises to be more uplifting — a hot-air balloon ride over Rancho Santa Fe, which the concierge will happily arrange.

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