Three nights to a week in a quiet valley, with long sleeps, slow mornings and nothing on the calendar.
It's the second week of January. You wake up because you're done sleeping, not because anything told you to. The blackout curtains have kept the room dark, the house is still, and when you pad out to the kitchen the stove has a little warmth left from last night. You fill the kettle, open the curtains in the living room and watch a few deer pick their way across the frosted lawn under the oaks. There's nowhere to be today. That's the plan.
January is the quietest month in Scott Valley, and it's the one we'd pick for a reset. Before you choose dates, see what's on around Etna on our events calendar, though in January the best schedule is a mostly empty one.
Why a reset, and why now
You're not the only one craving this. In Hilton's 2027 trends report, 65% of travelers said they actively seek experiences that calm the body and reset the nervous system, and 79% said fresh air and the outdoors are essential to how they relax (Hospitality Net). Google says searches for solo travel and for slow travel both hit all-time highs this year (Google). After the holidays, a few days with no plans and no one to host is about as useful a trip as there is.
Alone, with a partner, or with a friend
This works for one, two or a pair of friends. On your own, the whole house is yours: the California King under the vaulted ceilings, the stove, the 4.2 acres of terraced gardens and old oaks. With a partner, you share the main bedroom and still have room to drift apart for an afternoon. With a friend, each of you gets your own bedroom, one with the California King and one with the queen, and you meet at the round table for meals. Hilton's 2026 report found that 48% of travelers add extra days to family trips just to make room for time alone (Hilton). Here, the whole trip can be that time.
Sleep first
Start with sleep, because everything else gets easier after it. Every bedroom has blackout curtains, so morning light won't wake you. January nights are cold, which makes good bedding and a warm stove feel even better. Bank the fire before bed, pull up the covers and let the house go dark and quiet. For the first night or two, don't set an alarm at all.
Slow mornings
Mornings here don't need a schedule. Make coffee or tea in the kitchen, sit at the round wooden table by the stove and watch the garden wake up. Read a chapter. Cook a real breakfast because you have time to. If you want a change of scene, Main Street in Etna is a short walk away. Our one day in Etna guide has ideas for an easy outing.
Move a little
The second bedroom has yoga mats and kettlebells, so you can stretch or do a short workout without leaving the house. Roll out a mat in the morning light, or after a long sit at the desk. Nothing formal, no class times, just a way to wake your body up before the day settles in.
The writing desk
The same room has a writing desk, which is where a lot of January resets quietly happen. Bring a notebook. Write the letters you've been meaning to write, plan the year, or just put down whatever's rattling around. Pinterest named letter writing, journaling and stationery among its 2026 trends (NBC Select), and a desk with a view of the garden is a good place to try it.
Walks
Walk the terraces and the walled garden after breakfast, when the frost is still on the grass. The deer are often out on the lawn. In the afternoon, walk into town for a coffee and back again. On a longer stay, our nature retreat in far Northern California post has more ideas for time outdoors. If you drive anywhere, go in daylight, stay together and check Caltrans QuickMap for chain controls first.
The Quadrantids, and the dark of the new moon
If your reset starts early in the month, the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on the night of January 3 to 4, 2027. Expect about 25 an hour under dark skies, with a slim waning moon mostly out of the way, and the best viewing before dawn on January 4 (American Meteor Society). The new moon on January 7 brings the darkest skies of the month. Dress warmly, turn the lights off, let your eyes adjust and look up from the garden. Then go back to bed, close the blackout curtains and sleep in.
Phones on silent
We won't tell you to lock your phone in a drawer. The Wi-Fi is fast, and if you need to check in with work or family, you can. But try putting your phone on silent for a day and leaving it in the bedroom. The house has voice-activated lighting, so you don't need it for that either. Most people find the first few hours odd and the rest of the day easy.
What a January reset costs
January is low season. At founding rates for Sovereign Circle members, a week is $2,000 plus the 14% county lodging tax, which comes to $2,280 all in. Three nights start at $1,090, or $1,242.60 with tax. Cleaning and every fee are included, and the tax is shown before you pay. Shared by two people, a week is $1,140 each.
Joining the Circle is free through December 31, 2026, and joining before then is how you lock in the founding rate for a January stay. If you're thinking about the new year, join now and choose your dates when you're ready.
Common questions
Is the house good for a solo retreat? Yes. You book the whole house, so you have it to yourself: a California King, a writing desk, yoga mats and kettlebells, a wood stove and 4.2 acres of gardens and oaks.
How much is a week in January? $2,000 plus 14% county lodging tax, or $2,280 all in, at founding rates for Sovereign Circle members. Cleaning and every fee are included.
Is there Wi-Fi if I need to work? Yes, the Wi-Fi is fast. Use it as much or as little as you like.
What is there to do in January? Very little, on purpose. Sleep, walk, read, write, stretch, cook and watch the stars. Main Street in Etna is a short walk away.
Good to know
Check-in is 3 PM and checkout is 11 AM. No pets.
Pack warm layers for cold mornings and starry nights.
For winter drives, go in daylight, stay together and check QuickMap before you leave.
Questions? Text the concierge at 530 572 1122 or email Concierge@blossomsanctuary.com.
The rooms and beds are listed on our facts page.
When you're ready, check dates and price your stay, and join the Sovereign Circle before December 31. See what's on around Etna on our events calendar too, then leave most of the week blank. The stove and the quiet will do the rest.
