5 Ways to Find Peace at the Picture Perfect Post Ranch Inn

4. Spa.  What better way to seek serenity than with a soothing spa treatment? Post Ranch Inn’s treatments have won awards for a reason: not only do you feel like you’re lost in the woods, at one with nature in the rustic spa suites, but the treatments are so unique that you’ll have a hard time deciding which suites your needs best. There are gemstone massages including the Big Sur Jade Stone Therapy, using warmed Big Sur jade collected from nearby beaches to relieve sore joints and increase circulation; Crystal and Gemstone Therapy to balance your chakras; Ayurvedic treatments; reiki, drum rituals; painting rituals; and, the coolest (in our opinion), sessions with a legit shaman. Starting with deep explanation and discussion, the shaman establishes a sacred and safe space. He engages the forces of nature and the worlds ancient wisdom to create lasting changes for physical, mental and emotional well-being. Shaman sessions include clearing and protecting you from negative influences in this life, past lives, and ancestors, healing and retrieving your power from past wounding, and remove limiting beliefs, incorporating the energy of your power animal to help you going forward and aligning your energy with your ideal destiny and offering the tools to achieve it. Whoa.

Photo Credit: Kodiak Greenwood

5. Healing activities. Given that the Inn is all about healing, its owners go out of their way to make sure you’re as relaxed as possible. You’ll walk through a meadow to get to the gym, an isolated structure with a plethora of equipment located adjacent to the swimming pool, located on a sunny knoll with mountain views. There are two therapeutically heated basking pools, each with an infinity edge overlooking the Pacific so that you’ll feel like you’re on the edge of the world. There is a chef’s garden and a gallery, which showcases a range of fine art from photography to sculptures to jewelry and more. There are wild animals, like deer, who will just gaze at you as you walk by; you will both respect the other’s space. Last but not least, there are a crazy amount of complimentary, relaxing activities, including yoga and meditation classes, guided nature hikes and garden tours and nightly star gazing on the deck at Sierra Mar using a computerized 12-inch Meade telescope, one of the largest hotel telescopes in the U.S., which is appropriate because Big Sur has some of the clearest atmospheric conditions for viewing the stars, nebulas, and even the rings of Saturn. On that note, all we can say is this: this hotel is out of this world. It’s an experience, not just a property, and one that every single one of your deserves to have.