Bernardus Spa Gets in the Spirit of Fungi Season

I don’t particularly care for mushrooms, but mushroom hunting, decked out in festive fall garb and following a foraging pig or dog, has always seemed like a fun thing to do. So I’m loving the new fungi-focused fall offerings from Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, CA. In honor of the seasonal forage for local porcinis, chanterelles, and candy caps, the property is featuring Big Sur foraging treks, mushroom-infused cocktails, antioxidant “FunGal” spa treatments, and a special a la carte menu at Marinus Restaurant that is focused on the coveted gems of the forest. While I’m sure the culinary options are divine for mushroom aficionados, I’m more interested in the offerings at the Spa at Bernardus Lodge, which I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago. This fall, they will be offering the new Mushroom Medley ($150, 50 minutes), which includes an exfoliating body scrub followed with a hot rock massage combining a custom Bernardus blend of oak, moss, and mushroom-infused oil. An add-on option is a 25-minute mushroom soak. I can think of a more fun way to celebrate Fungi Season.