Enjoy the view from California, that melting pot of spiritual traditions. Yoga and Buddhism have now taken root firmly in the West, but the first seeds were planted in California. California was the location of choice for many Indian Swamis and Japanese Roshis looking to establish headquarters for their traditions in the West.

But if California provides a supportive climate for transplanting spiritual traditions, it is also a hotbed of experimentation. This petri dish of spiritual life has produced wild riffs on traditional spiritual themes. From the human potential movement, to juice cleansing, to the psychedelic community, California has always been at the leading edge when it comes to spirituality and wellness.

The natural beauty of California is hard to deny—and some would assert that the geography of the region has unique spiritual qualities. Particularly, Mount Shasta is recognized as one of the most energetically powerful locations in the entire world. It is even considered one of the Earth’s chakras. Whatever your esoteric views on the matter, one thing is clear: the wilds of California—from Joshua Tree to Napa Valley—are a fantastic place to find your center.