Is Tuscany on your top-ten wish list? Do you dream of winding down the day-to-day hustle to be in the moment with a loved one or giggling with the girls — all the while gazing at the forever view of rolling hills rooted with grapevines, sipping a fine Chardonnay or Sparkling Cider and munching regional cheeses, olives and dried fruits? Would you believe you don’t need to travel to Italy to experience the flavors of Tuscany?

Closer to home, but comparable to any photo-view-stop in Tuscany is River Oaks Hot Springs Spa cloistered within the River Oaks neighborhoods of Paso Robles Wine Country. The open-air private soaking tubs are positioned to capture the beauty of the spa’s hilltop location, which also offers therapeutic massages, facials, and private indoor hot springs healing spas.

The restorative Artesian Mineral Hot Springs are at least as dated as Old Vines producing in Tuscany’s Chianti Vineyards. In the 1800s the Salinan Native Americans introduced the relaxing hot springs to the Franciscan padres pastoring at Mission San Miguel. Reports are that Outlaw Jesse James discovered that the healing baths could mend his gunshot wounds. And world-renowned pianist and former prime minister of Poland, Ignacy Paderewski swore his arthritic hands were soothed by soaking them in the artesian springs, thus was compelled to purchase property in the area. Pre-1960s’ Paso Robles’ healing bubbles from unimaginable depths below the topsoil became a magnet for ailing travelers worldwide searching for numerous benefits from the thermal pools, including arthritis and allergy relief and cures or enhancements for various skin conditions.

After purchasing Paso Robles Hot Springs in 2005 from the owners of Avila’s Sycamore Springs Mineral Resort, Estella Associates Inc. completed an extensive renovation and re-branding, including re-positioning the soaking tubs from the Salinas River area to their current location to take advantage of the incredible views and elevate the facilities to a contemporary, luxury spa. The therapy suites and open-air tub rooms underwent dramatic makeovers allowing guests to enjoy the hot artesian thermal waters under the moonlit sky.

The staff at River Oaks Hot Springs Spa promises indulgent services intended to turn a daydream about Tuscany into a reality day-trip without the hassle of crowded airports and long Trans-Atlantic flights. Once a guest enters the cozy fireside lobby of the intimate Tuscan-style retreat, he or she should be preparing to be pampered and soothed.

Getting Spoiled: Sandee Archibald, Supervisor, and Assistant Supervisor Melanie Strouss plus the contracted nine certified massage therapists and two aestheticians are ready to serve. Kiyoko Ujii Humes has served River Oaks for 15 years while Michael Alexander Lavez rounds out their newest therapy team. Spa packages or individual therapies are available by appointment at www.RiverOaksHotSprings.com from Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Whether Swedish, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue or Prenatal, all 60-minute massages include a 30-minute indoor artisan mineral spa prior to treatment as does all face and skin therapies, wraps, glows and waxing for women and men.

 

Strouss said the Winemaker’s Couples Package was one of the most popular, which offers a 60-minute indoor spa sipping a bottle of Le Vigne wine and a mini-Charcuteries tray provided by Chef Nicola Allegretta of Mistura Restaurant. This is followed by 60-minute Swedish massages in the same room. Alternative beverages may be requested.

 

Equally as popular for individuals is the “Day at the Spa” offering champagne and scenic views in one of the five open-air spas followed by a 90-minute Swedish massage topped off by a Grand European Facial.

 

Several other packages are just a lavish. For appointments contact ComeRelax@RiverOaksHotSprings.com.

 

“We have a frequent soaker program,” said Strouss. “After nine spas guests get one free. During the winter guests don’t always think about getting into our open-air private spas, but when I’m chilled I crave the heat of our artesian mineral springs with the beautiful farmland hills, willow trees and vineyards to look at. I have active young children at home. Here it is so peaceful and quiet even with the easy access to the Paso Robles highways.”

 

Getting More: Strouss also manages the private party weddings and special events. “The Pavilion can accommodate 200 guests at a catered event with a 6-hour minimum. We have rounds and banquet tables and chairs available and enjoy working with Chef Nicola for catering.” She explained the Gazebo will accommodate 200-seated guests and has a 2-hour minimum usage fee. Including the amphitheater by the lake the three areas can handle 1,200 guests with onsite parking for 700.

 

Getting there: Motor off CA 101 to Hwy. 46 then turn left onto Buena Vista Drive. Another left and immediately the bustle slows to the calming residential living of Traditions and The Cottages, single-family and senior-living homes in the burgeoning 200-acre master planned communities developed by Estella Associates.

 

GPS 800 Clubhouse Drive. It will amble past River Oaks Golf Course, the nation’s one-of-a-kind six-hole “player development” course by Rudy Duran and Gary Wishon. Golfing level of play becomes a choice, as will the numerous Peruvian cuisine menu items offered by Chef Nicola Allegretta at Mistura Restaurant served onsite at the clubhouse.

 

Glance to the right and view the special event areas, including the Pavilion and Gazebo available for special events. A walking tour of the grounds between the golf course and River Oaks Hot Springs Spa will reveal a lake and adjacent amphitheater for private bookings.

 

For questions and bookings contact her at Melanie@riveroakshotsprings.com or call at (805) 238-4600.

 

Is Tuscany on your top-ten wish list? Do you dream of winding down the day-to-day hustle to be in the moment with a loved one or giggling with the girls — all the while gazing at the forever view of rolling hills rooted with grapevines, sipping a fine Chardonnay or Sparkling Cider and munching regional cheeses, olives and dried fruits? Would you believe you don’t need to travel to Italy to experience the flavors of Tuscany?

 

Closer to home, but comparable to any photo-view-stop in Tuscany is River Oaks Hot Springs Spa cloistered within the River Oaks neighborhoods of Paso Robles Wine Country. The open-air private soaking tubs are positioned to capture the beauty of the spa’s hilltop location, which also offers therapeutic massages, facials, and private indoor hot springs healing spas.

 

The restorative Artesian Mineral Hot Springs are at least as dated as Old Vines producing in Tuscany’s Chianti Vineyards. In the 1800s the Salinan Native Americans introduced the relaxing hot springs to the Franciscan padres pastoring at Mission San Miguel. Reports are that Outlaw Jesse James discovered that the healing baths could mend his gunshot wounds. And world-renowned pianist and former prime minister of Poland, Ignacy Paderewski swore his arthritic hands were soothed by soaking them in the artesian springs, thus was compelled to purchase property in the area. Pre-1960s’ Paso Robles’ healing bubbles from unimaginable depths below the topsoil became a magnet for ailing travelers worldwide searching for numerous benefits from the thermal pools, including arthritis and allergy relief and cures or enhancements for various skin conditions.

 

After purchasing Paso Robles Hot Springs in 2005 from the owners of Avila’s Sycamore Springs Mineral Resort, Estella Associates Inc. completed an extensive renovation and re-branding, including re-positioning the soaking tubs from the Salinas River area to their current location to take advantage of the incredible views and elevate the facilities to a contemporary, luxury spa. The therapy suites and open-air tub rooms underwent dramatic makeovers allowing guests to enjoy the hot artesian thermal waters under the moonlit sky.

 

The staff at River Oaks Hot Springs Spa promises indulgent services intended to turn a daydream about Tuscany into a reality day-trip without the hassle of crowded airports and long Trans-Atlantic flights. Once a guest enters the cozy fireside lobby of the intimate Tuscan-style retreat, he or she should be preparing to be pampered and soothed.

 

Getting Spoiled: Sandee Archibald, Supervisor, and Assistant Supervisor Melanie Strouss plus the contracted nine certified massage therapists and two aestheticians are ready to serve. Kiyoko Ujii Humes has served River Oaks for 15 years while Michael Alexander Lavez rounds out their newest therapy team. Spa packages or individual therapies are available by appointment at www.RiverOaksHotSprings.com from Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Whether Swedish, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue or Prenatal, all 60-minute massages include a 30-minute indoor artisan mineral spa prior to treatment as does all face and skin therapies, wraps, glows and waxing for women and men.

 

Strouss said the Winemaker’s Couples Package was one of the most popular, which offers a 60-minute indoor spa sipping a bottle of Le Vigne wine and a mini-Charcuteries tray provided by Chef Nicola Allegretta of Mistura Restaurant. This is followed by 60-minute Swedish massages in the same room. Alternative beverages may be requested.

 

Equally as popular for individuals is the “Day at the Spa” offering champagne and scenic views in one of the five open-air spas followed by a 90-minute Swedish massage topped off by a Grand European Facial.

 

Several other packages are just a lavish. For appointments contact ComeRelax@RiverOaksHotSprings.com.

 

“We have a frequent soaker program,” said Strouss. “After nine spas guests get one free. During the winter guests don’t always think about getting into our open-air private spas, but when I’m chilled I crave the heat of our artesian mineral springs with the beautiful farmland hills, willow trees and vineyards to look at. I have active young children at home. Here it is so peaceful and quiet even with the easy access to the Paso Robles highways.”

 

Getting More: Strouss also manages the private party weddings and special events. “The Pavilion can accommodate 200 guests at a catered event with a 6-hour minimum. We have rounds and banquet tables and chairs available and enjoy working with Chef Nicola for catering.” She explained the Gazebo will accommodate 200-seated guests and has a 2-hour minimum usage fee. Including the amphitheater by the lake the three areas can handle 1,200 guests with onsite parking for 700.

 

Getting there: Motor off CA 101 to Hwy. 46 then turn left onto Buena Vista Drive. Another left and immediately the bustle slows to the calming residential living of Traditions and The Cottages, single-family and senior-living homes in the burgeoning 200-acre master planned communities developed by Estella Associates.

 

GPS 800 Clubhouse Drive. It will amble past River Oaks Golf Course, the nation’s one-of-a-kind six-hole “player development” course by Rudy Duran and Gary Wishon. Golfing level of play becomes a choice, as will the numerous Peruvian cuisine menu items offered by Chef Nicola Allegretta at Mistura Restaurant served onsite at the clubhouse.

 

Glance to the right and view the special event areas, including the Pavilion and Gazebo available for special events. A walking tour of the grounds between the golf course and River Oaks Hot Springs Spa will reveal a lake and adjacent amphitheater for private bookings.

 

For questions and bookings contact her at Melanie@riveroakshotsprings.com or call at (805) 238-4600.