The Ranch Malibu

Whether you are a solo traveler, couple or group, The Ranch Malibu guests participate together in an active daily schedule consisting of 6 hours of low impact exercise. Following a varied 4-hour hiking excursion each morning, guests enjoy lunch, an afternoon fitness class, restorative yoga and a daily massage. To ensure proper distancing, hiking groups are staggered and all stretching, fitness and yoga classes are held in smaller numbers. The intense physical regimen is complemented by a 1,400 calorie-a-day organic, plant-based diet. The program also includes a mid-week 60-minute sound bath, a cooking class and tour of their onsite, certified organic garden. Bod-pod body fat analysis is included in the program and pre and post-program cholesterol testing and cryotherapy are offered at an additional fee.

To assist in calming the mind, their comfort-chic accommodations do not include televisions and they recommend disconnecting from your electronic devices to further benefit your mental health. For those that need to stay connected, they ask that you limit usage of your devices to your private room equipped with Wi-Fi. Following the daily fitness schedule, you retreat to one of 19 private cottages, each beautifully decorated with reclaimed wood floors, limestone bathrooms, and linen-covered queen and king-sized beds. The calming colors and beautiful aesthetic of your private room adds to your relaxation and supports a restful night’s sleep.

I had tried getting back in the habit of hiking my neighborhood hills and doing a little yoga since returning from shooting a movie in Malta, a group of islands in the central Mediterranean, between Sicily and the North African coast. It was an amazing experience making Love on the Rock due out in 2021. However, it was also a decadent trip of over indulgence in most everything you could think of including Mediterranean meat and cheese platter dinners, late night winding down with cast and crew, and extra espressos on set all day. My sleep was whacked from jet leg, travel anxiety, constant Covid-19 testing, and night shoots. Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful to have been able to do what I love and work as an actress in a movie in these crazy times in a gorgeous place where Covid-19 had been under control. It was an absolute dream to explore the ancient cities and breathtaking islands on my days off. Malta is an amazing place with beautiful, kind people and an intoxicatingly vibrant energy. It was also it was exhausting.

After testing negative throughout the trip, shoot, and now back in the states, I was grateful to be able to do some social distance visiting with family for the holidays. Though the rush of it all, only to be put back on stay at home orders, left me depleted. After such a high of an adventure I was back to the low of lockdown. I started to fall into despair and did not have motivation to do much of anything except order copious amounts of Thai food and watch Netflix on the couch. I was still not back on a regular sleep schedule and workouts were sporadic at best. I knew I needed a re-set. I didn’t want to travel far after just returning from the ends of the earth. So a short drive to The Ranch Malibu was the perfect choice. I knew what I was getting myself into and it felt comfortably like heading back to my happy place. I was not going let 2020 beat me. It had been a roller coaster of a year and I didn’t want to go off the rails. I ached to stay on track for more than a few weeks at a time. A healthy lifestyle must become a habit, not a Kamikaze thrill ride of detox just to re-tox, even if the planet is spiraling out of control. I drove to Malibu from my Eastside L.A. bungalow where I had semi-prepped the week before doing a little hiking in the Hollywood Hills and dog walking around the block. I arrived to a welcome committee of staff that I knew by names and faces, even behind the masks, as it was my third time with many of them. I immediately warned them I had not properly prepared and would be easing my way into the program.

Day one was lovely with a welcome smoothie and tour of the lush grounds and organic garden. I settled into my calming cabin before a mild 4-mile, on property, warm up for the week hike. I strolled by where the fires ravaged the hills in late 2018 leaving charred trees as evidence of nature’s ferocity. The former gym was literally melted, kettle bells and all, by the firestorm. Gratefully the main house, cabins, yoga studio (temporarily doubling as a fitness room) was not touched. After the hike we had an early and later seating of a delicious introductory dinner. It was not all 19 of us at one table as it used to be. Now we sat spread out 6 feet a part at 2 different times. Communal has new rules in this day and age but the food was just as tasty as I remembered. Inspired by nature, The Ranch Malibu’s artfully prepared, organic plant-based cuisine is a key component of their results-driven approach to health and fitness. The Ranch team has been cooking with plant proteins for more than 20 years and is passionate about offering meals with an element of surprise. The nutrient rich food fuels your active days, promotes weight loss and builds a healthier mind and body. Using ingredients sourced from their onsite certified organic garden and local farms, their chefs are constantly adjusting the menu, based on what’s in season. Offering innovative, plant-based takes on classic comfort foods, favorite meals of guests include warm spinach and zucchini lasagna prepared with marinara sauce and nut-based ricotta cheese, gluten-free pizzas with an ever changing list of toppings and sauces, their signature Burrito Bowl, and a hearty Portobello steak.