Chef AJ Retreat - Rancho La Puerta
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Rancho La Puerta > Chef AJ Retreat

Cooking Retreat

with Chef AJ

Cooking Retreat with Chef AJ
July 19-26, 2025

Chef AJ is well-known for her recipes that begin with excellence in healthy nutrition and then build upon that to create dishes that are both delicious and satisfying. With an artful blend of flavors and spices, she delivers full flavor while relying on the absolute highest standards of healthy nutrition. Whether you’re looking for tantalizing appetizers, satisfying entrees or spectacular desserts, she has the recipes to delight your palate.

In addition to her catalog of top-selling cookbooks, Chef AJ is known as the host of her ever-popular daily YouTube show, where she showcases authors, leaders in the fields of nutrition and culinary arts, as well as real-life success stories of people who have transformed their own health. She tirelessly delivers high-quality interviews that are both educational and entertaining on a demanding daily schedule, bringing an enviable level of energy to each episode.

As the summit host of such events as the annual The Truth About Weight Loss, Chef AJ digs deep to get you the answers which can unlock your own success.

Bringing fun back into the kitchen, Chef AJ especially enjoys delivering hands-on cooking instruction. Rancho La Puerta offers the perfect set up for these one-of-a-kind culinary classes. This is a rare opportunity for you to roll up your sleeves and work alongside Chef AJ as you learn how to create these recipes for yourself.

We hope you’ll consider spending an absolutely delightful week with Chef AJ, enjoying all that she has to share with you for an unforgettable spa retreat. It will be a magical experience you won’t soon forget.

Also attending the cooking retreat will be Dr. Alan Goldhamer, co-founder of The TrueNorth Health Center, co-author of The Pleasure Trap and Can Fasting Save Your Life? In the last retreat, Dr. Goldhamer not only answered our health-related questions, he also delighted us with hand-on instruction on how to play basketball.

Retreat Details

Details

Dates:
Saturday to Saturday July 19-26, 2025

Cost:
$4787-$6716 per person includes a cooking class, private group presentations and dinners with Chef AJ, lodging, meals & snacks (including accommodations for numerous food preferences), hikes, classes, concerts, all Ranch classes, roundtrip transportation from San Diego Airport AND $150 resort credit.

85th Anniversary Summer Savings & Wellness Package
All 7-night stays include a complimentary wellness package:

  • Ranch Classic Massage (50 min.)
  • La Puerta Core Essentials Facial (50 min.)
  • Two juices/smoothies at juice at Tierra Alegre juice bar
  • 85th Anniversary Treatment (85 min.)

This is in addition to $150 resort credit!

Location:
Rancho La Puerta is located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, 3.5 miles south of the U.S. Mexico border. Guests must have a valid U.S. passport.

Transportation:
Roundtrip transportation is included from SAN DIEGO AIRPORT.

To register or submit questions, contact Donna Sher at 858-449-3672 or dsher52@hotmail.com
Note that accommodations are limited, so please contact Donna at your earliest convenience.

Deadline to Register is March 21, 2025. Limited availability.
Cancellation policy

Rates & Rooms
The rates are per person and include all taxes, hikes, classes, presentations, meals, snacks, $150 resort credit and a cooking class taught by Chef AJ.

Junior Villa

A casita featuring a large sitting area with a fireplace, an alcove with bed(s) – two double or one king – and a large private patio.

Junior Villa Single $6716
Junior Villa Double $5257 (2 guests sharing)

Villa Studio

A large studio featuring a living area, fireplace and writing desk along with private outdoor patio capable of accommodating up to three guests.

Villa Studio Double $6167 (2 guests sharing)
Villa Studio Triple $4787 (3 guests sharing)

 

Villa Suite

These feature two separate bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a living room, wet bar, dining area and fireplace. These are our most spacious villas, and are truly comparable to a small vacation home. They comfortably welcome up to four people.

2BR2BA Villa Suite $5767 (3 guests sharing)
2BR2BA Villa Suite $5141 (4 guests sharing)

A $500 deposit per person is due at time of booking to guarantee registration. Full balance is due within 60 days of registration or within 30 days of start of Retreat, whichever comes first.

All accommodations are limited.

The Ranch Program

The Ranch Program

Spend a week at Rancho La Puerta, one of the world’s top destination spas—set on thousands of acres of wildlands and landscaped gardens in sunshiny Baja California. Customize an ideal routine to energize your body, calm your mind and lift your spirits. You’ll enjoy:

  • Guided hikes on 40 miles of mountain trails.
  • More than 50 daily fitness classes, including Pilates, Barre, TRX, circuit training, Hydro-Fit, yoga and Zumba.
  • Three farm-to-table meals, sourced from our organic garden and other local farms.
  • Eleven gyms, four pools, a running track, as well as tennis, Pickleball, basketball and volleyball courts.
  • Three full-service spas offering massage, facials, wraps, scrubs and other holistic therapies.
  • Meditation, Feldenkrais, sound healing and other mind-body activities.
  • Painting, sculpting, jewelry making and various art classes.
  • Presentations on culture, history, health, science and psychology.
  • Nature activities including bird walks, garden tours and farm hikes.
  • Live concerts, talks by special guests and other evening entertainment.
Getting To The Ranch
Transportation To and From Rancho La Puerta

Transportation To and From Rancho La Puerta

Arrival and Departure plans must be submitted no later than two weeks in advance prior to your arrival. Any additions or changes beyond this date are subject to availability.

Arriving at Rancho La Puerta...

We provide scheduled, complimentary ground transportation for your Saturday arrival and departure to and from San Diego International Airport.
Our shuttles depart promptly at the time noted and cannot be held for those who arrive late.
Wednesday pick up at the SD Airport? Which shuttle would you like to take?
If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head over to our Terminal 1 meeting point. We are located directly in front of Pacific Breeze Café, to the right, just before the escalators. If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head over to our Terminal 1 meeting point.
If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head over to the Courtesy Shuttle Island in Terminal 1. Our representative will be waiting for you there. Please note that the shuttle cannot remain parked in this area for an extended period of time. If you arrived on time and do not see the shuttle, rest assured it will return shortly. The shuttle will depart promptly at the specified departure times (9:30 am and 1:00 pm). Feel free to call us if you need assistance – 858-925-1214.
Our shuttles depart promptly at the time noted and cannot be held for those who arrive late.
Please call us when you reach Campo Road (858-925-1214) and plan to meet the shuttle driver promptly in front of the Baja Duty Free store on the U.S. side of the border.  The Baja Duty Free store is not associated with Rancho La Puerta.

On Saturday, a Ranch Driver can meet you at the DVH Parking Lot: 416 Tecate Rd, Tecate, CA 91980, USA, at scheduled times.

Note: If you are parking at the Tecate border, please arrive 30-minutes prior to the shuttle departure time and remember to bring $15 cash per day for parking fees. If you are being dropped off arrive 15-minutes prior to shuttle departure time.

On Saturday, a Ranch Driver can meet you at the DVH Parking Lot: 416 Tecate Rd, Tecate, CA 91980, USA, at scheduled times.

(Due to high tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border.  Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)

PLEASE NOTE: We recommend Mexican Auto Insurance when driving in Mexico. Please discuss this with your current insurance provider, as you may have coverage for a short distance across the border (we're only 3.3 miles in). Another option would be AAA or, just before you cross the border, there is a place that provides insurance, though it might be ideal to arrange for insurance in advance.

Learn more about Getting To The Ranch

Departing from Rancho La Puerta...

Please check in with the concierge while on property for luggage tags and to confirm travel times.
We provide scheduled, complimentary ground transportation for your Saturday arrival and departure to and from San Diego International Airport.
Please allow 3 hours for transportation time to the airport plus additional time for checking in at the airport.
Pick a Wednesday departure shuttle time *
Please allow 3 hours for transportation time to the airport plus additional time for checking in at the airport.
Please have your luggage ready and waiting inside of your room at 6:30 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building as you board the bus.
Please have your luggage ready and waiting inside of your room at 8:30 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building as you board the bus.
Check out time is 11 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage at this time, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building. You are welcome to stay for lunch, take advantage of a class or two, have a massage, or just relax. You can use the showers in the Health Center to change for your trip home.
Check out time is 11 am. A porter will come around to each room to collect the luggage at this time, and have it waiting for you to claim just outside of the Admin building. You are welcome to stay for lunch, take advantage of a class or two, have a massage, or just relax. You can use the showers in the Health Center to change for your trip home.
(Due to high tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border.  Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)

PLEASE NOTE: Please check-in with the concierge for the driving directions and map to the Tecate border.

Traveling with friends...

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24 hours advance notice is required if you must cancel or change an appointment. Missed scheduled treatment times will be charged at full rate plus tax

  • Some restrictions apply.
  • Prices can change without notice.
  • Additional Mexican tax is not included in these prices.

To add over 14 Spa Treatments please list your additional desired services in the area below. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

If you have any questions, please email appointments@rancholapuerta.com or call us directly at 858-925-1214

Contact Us

To register or submit questions, contact Donna Sher at 858-449-3672 or dsher52@hotmail.com.