September brings excitement, yes, but along with that brave-new-start feeling comes a wallop of stress. It’s easy to feel like there’s just way, way too much to do and not enough time, money, energy, and attention to get it all done.
When you feel you’re about to lose it — or ram someone who’s going 50 in the fast lane — that’s when it’s time to go on vacation and retreat for a few hours to a wellness spa. If you’re headed to San Francisco, which boasts a strong Asian heritage, you can visit Japan, India and Thailand without any more hassle than hunting for a parking place. While the City is chock-a-block with luxe day spas, these three stand out for their atmosphere of retreat and reflection – and the chance to infuse your life with the influence of another culture and perspective. Whether you’re in San Francisco for work or play, a few hours of self-imposed isolation will bring the fall back into focus.
1. Kabuki Springs & Spa, Japantown
Created to follow the strict ritual of Japanese communal baths, Kabuki Springs has the almost austere simplicity of a Zen monastery, softened with the comfort for which the Joie de Vivre brand has become known. Chip Conley’s beloved local brand also brought in a bit more color and zing, while preserving the space’s sense of timeless tradition. The best value is to get a massage; my favorite is the Shiatsu. The communal baths are just $15 more and you can stay as long as you like. One thing to keep in mind: Women get the baths Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; Men have their turn Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tuesdays are co-ed and clothing is required.
Read More »
Tagged as:
Beauty
Social Kitchen and Microbrewery
At brand new Social Kitchen and Microbrewery, which opened in the Inner Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco last week, the concept of handcrafted microbrewed beer is getting a dose of “slow food” style refinement. Owner and brewmaster Rich Higgins is chief of the San Francisco Brewing Guild and takes the art of locally made and handcrafted beer very seriously. His passion shows up in plans for an extensive educational program of beer tastings, brewery tours, and even monthly brewing days where the beer-curious can come observe Higgins at work. And of course beer-and-food pairing dinners. Want to know what goes well with kolsch? Come find out.
Fish, chips and beer at Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant, one of San Francisco's best brewpubs
This is actually the sixth brewpub to open in this space, which was originally the old Wunder Brewery, so let’s wish Higgins well and offer our support. The newly redone atmosphere is all rustic wood and metal, with the brewery upstairs and the restaurant downstairs. Chef Rob Lam is finding clever ways to cook with beer; the menu includes beer-batter sweet potato tempura and short ribs braised in ale. Higgins is a veteran of popular brewpubs Thirstybear and Gordon Biersch, but with Social Kitchen he’s trying to do something different; create a low-key, sophisticated atmosphere more conducive to romantic dates and girlfriend chats than tossing a pitcher back with the guys. Even the names are different; ask for a pint of Rapscallion Belgian Dark or L’Enfant Terrible Strong Belgian Golden and see if you can keep from smiling while you do it.
Read More »
California poppies scatter the walking trail along Ring Mountain in San Francisco
Spring flowers may be the primary product of April showers according to conventional wisdom, and in the hills and green belt areas that ring the San Francisco Bay Area there are plenty of those. But another result of all that water is, well…. more water than most of us are used to. Which means certain types of wildflowers, particularly the delicate ones that like marshy meadows and moist crevices are blooming in abundance. It also means creeks and streams are running higher than usual — though sadly, that hasn’t brought the spawning salmon back — and waterfalls are absolutely spectacular.
When you’re cultured out and ready to take a break from San Francisco’s overwhelming wealth of arty neighborhoods and eclectic restaurants, all it takes is a quick spin north or east and you’re alone under big skies. Here are three of my favorite wildflower hikes, all within an hour’s drive of San Francisco. Read More »
Tagged as:
Hiking,
San Francisco
