Our Legacy

The Golden Door was founded in 1958 by Deborah Szekely. Szekely was born in New York and raised in Tahiti during the Great Depression where she and her family thrived off the  nutrition of the land. It was here where she met Professor Edmund Bordeaux Szekely who focused his studies and research on ways to live naturally in a culture that had begun promoting unnatural ways of living. Together on their mission to spread the message of optimum health and wellness, Mrs. Szekely and Professor Edmund Szekely, opened their first spa in Tecate, Mexico in 1940. As a celebration of their twentieth wedding anniversary, the Golden Door opened its iconic doors in Escondido, CA for the first time in 1958 on old highway 395.

Golden Door was not just for the ladies – in 1960 Golden Door established their first Men’s Week which gave men the opportunity to experience their own version of self-care – and fun! There were four men’s week added: the first week of every March, June, September, and December. Soon the men’s week became so sought after that a second men’s week was added following each of the originally scheduled weeks.

In 1968 Deborah Szekely purchased 125 acres on Deer Springs Road – the future location of Golden Door.

After a visit to Japan, Mrs. Szekely and architect Robert Mosher were greatly inspired by the old traditional Honjin inns that were designed to welcome weary travelers. With this Japanese influence – and Deborah’s vision- the Golden Door, as it stands today, opened in July 1975, bringing the already nurturing and restorative qualities to an even higher level.

The Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Ship receives an extensive remodel that includes a Golden Door Spa at Sea to bring a comprehensive wellness program to an all-inclusive 80-day, world cruise. Each day of the QE2 “Golden Door Experience” begins with various wellness class options which include jogging, water exercise, yoga, and nutritional lectures lead by Golden Door staff.

Feb 1998 Golden Door was sold by Deborah Szekely to Patriot American Hospitality (later renamed Wyndham Intl.) $28 million.

Golden Door is sold by Wyndham and acquired by private ownership to maintain the resort’s iconic Golden glow.

Golden Door reinvents their culinary program with the addition of their main herbal and vegetable garden along with new agricultural practices which include biointensive farming techniques, garden-to-table focused cuisine, and locally sourced ingredients.

Golden Door’s Farm Stand opens on Deer Springs Road to share their products and produce with neighbors.

The Farm Stand is upgraded to the Golden Door Country Store. Product selection expands to fair trade and ethically sourced grocery items and local produce. Seasonal Maker’s Markets and in-house events draw attention from all over the county.

Golden Door acquires the 2,000 acre Newland Sierra development site to preserve it as open space and wildlife habitat for generations to come.

Golden Door unveils its unique 360-degree interactive experience: The Circle, allowing guests to feel the healing effects of music, combined with immersive imagery.