This celebrity-favorite wellness retreat in Malibu, California recently underwent a major makeover

There’s a certain serenity that reigns over Malibu’s winding roads, where lush green and tree-covered hills gently roll at every turn. It’s no wonder that many flock to this area to focus on their well-being at Ranch Malibu. (The Ranch Hudson Valley opens in New York in 2024.) The luxury wellness retreat is known for its multi-day programs focused on hiking, nutrition and mindfulness.

I recently visited for a weekend — a standard six- to eight-day retreat — to find out what makes this property so popular with Hollywood’s A-listers and a 50 percent return rate of guests.

Last year, the farm began offering animal-based proteins for the first time since its founding in 2010: eggs, fish, and poultry. Chef Gerardo Gonzalez, formerly of El Rey and Lalito in New York City, revamped the culinary program at the Ranch to reflect a broader movement toward personalization while remaining comfort-focused and purposeful. Guests can request meals including protein when they sign up for the retreat, and notify the field team if they change their mind. Food options now include oyster mushroom shawarma with sage ganoush and green organic turkey with parsnip puree. The farm is actually a farm, with a working farm where many crops are grown, and chickens lay eggs.

After checking in, I made my way to the indoor dining area, anchored by a sturdy wooden table, where my departure group was already assembled. I was served a small roasted vegetable salad, with lettuce, tomato, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato squash and herbs.

However, the core of the retreat has remained the same for the past 16 years: a two- to four-hour morning hike through the Santa Monica Mountains. The land is demanding, but the setting—the expansive views, the changing light, and the quiet path—creates a rhythm that carries over the rest of the day. Includes fitness and yoga classes in the afternoon, as well as daily massages for each guest. Among the scheduled activities, there is time to use the property’s facilities, which include a pool, cold plunges, an infrared sauna, a dry sauna and a hot tub. Guests can also pay for extras, such as IV treatments, chiropractic treatments, acupuncture and more.

My private cottage – one of 21 on the farm – was immersed in a calm neutral. The bed was supportive without being tight and topped with a plush comforter. I had everything I could possibly need: a foam roller, a laundry basket, a shoe dryer, an umbrella, and a bath. A few extras stood out—a flashlight and a walkie-talkie, the main means of communication because Malibu has famous cell service. (Guests are required to take their own walking stick on the tour in order to be able to radio in any matter or be instructed by the staff.)

On the first night, sitting around the table, everyone shared their reason for staying. 30- and 40-something rearranged after the job change. There was a recent young graduate whose mother gave her the gift of a health leave to help her take care of her body. There was an old couple who wanted to challenge themselves. i did? I just wanted to be outside, listen to my body, and accept that it’s okay to not be okay in times of grief and change.

As we spent more time together, conversations flowed freely and people talked about their lives, their backgrounds, and what they were struggling with. Community has been the main focus of the farm since its inception. The property emphasizes on its website that “guests form genuine relationships that last long after their stay.” I spoke with many students who had come back for their second, third and fourth retreats. Many find that engaging with people outside of their usual friend groups and families provides a different sense of context and perspective.

The next morning, Bobby, the day guide, woke me up at 5:30 a.m. to the sound of wind blowing outside my door. After a group breakfast of berry muffins and peanut butter and hard-boiled eggs, we set out for the tour. Immediately, the trail climbs through the mountains, some guests moving faster than me and others lagging behind, each at their own pace.

The farm isn’t designed to be an escape of tranquil comfort—it’s a unique and unapologetic structure. It’s not the type of comfort to nap or check email between meetings. But despite the tight schedule, the experience doesn’t feel stiff or cold. The staff were supportive, guiding us with clarity, calmness and consistency.

I arrived at Ranch Malibu with excitement, and by the end of my stay, I found myself wishing I could have stayed a little longer. As for travelers looking for a complete reset, the experience offers something increasingly rare: sustained focus, thoughtful attention, and a sense of relaxation in the car that extends beyond the mountain roads.

It turns back Malbo Farm Starting at $7,710 for a two-bedroom, and $9,300 for a single.