There is more to Orange County than what is seen on television. Pop culture has painted a picture of Southern California that is teeming with blondes, Bentleys, Botox, and brats. In reality, what welcomes visitors is a stylish and sophisticated seaside paradise that lends itself to lavish getaways.

Perched high on a bluff that spills into the ocean, the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach (Dana Point, CA) is a mission-style oasis that is built into the hill and invites guests to enjoy supreme relaxation in a beautiful setting. When not hitting the links or lounging poolside, guests flock to the property's Spa Gaucin, another one of the spoils of California's only five-star, five-diamond resort.

The mission-style property is the only five-star, five-diamond resort in California.

Named after a mountaintop village in Southern Spain that is known for its breathtaking views of Gibraltar and Morocco, the spa honors its namesake by offering a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Launched in February, the revamped menu features indulging treatments such as the nourishing Olive Stone Scrub ($175, 60 minutes), which incorporates lavender, juniper, olive leaf, and rosemary; and the detoxifying Devine Grape Seed Mud Wrap ($175, 60 minutes), which uses clay mixed with grapeseeds to absorb impurities. Couples can enjoy the Wine Escape ($635, 2 hours), which invites them to enjoy a fruit and cheese plate with California white wine while soaking in an Anti-Oxidant Wine Bath par deux. A 90-minute Couple's Therapeutic Massage with natural grapeseed oil ends the treatment on a sweet note.

These services, in addition to a host of others, are part of the updated menu. Spa director Valory Reed chose to overhaul the offerings in order to maintain a superior level of service for her discerning clientele. "Our typical clients are quite spa savvy, so they are looking for an experience they can't get elsewhere," she says. To complement the menu's makeover, the spa also introduced several product lines, including Being TRUE, Innovative Body Science, Kate Somerville, Le Vin, and Olavie. "I wanted to ensure that our menu choices were fresh and rewarding for our guests," says Reed.

The spa's revamped treatment menu gives guests a taste of the Mediterranean.

The partnership between the spa and esthetician-to-the-stars Kate Somerville has led to many glowing reviews and complexions. One of the spa's most popular treatments is the Customized Kate Facial ($175, 60 minutes; $260, 90 minutes), which provides guests with the personal touch needed to achieve flawless skin. Along with using Kate Somerville signature products, estheticians employ a Clarisonic Skin Care Brush for deep cleaning and end the facial with an application of Being TRUE's mineral makeup.

The decision to add Kate Somerville to the roster was a personal one for Reed, who had been following the skincare regime herself before introducing the line to the spa. "My skin weathered my second pregnancy beautifully, and I owe that to Kate," she says. "I truly fell in love with the products and wanted to share this success with our St. Regis guests." It is this type of quality control that keeps the 30,000-square-foot spa buzzing with almost 300 guests per day.