Your correspondent has it under good authority that right now, at this very Gregorian moment, a not-small percentage of women have a single phrase on their mind: “get right for summer.” Step one in their quest: the gym. Step two: the spa. Step two is where you come in. Here’s Where to Take Her, Spa Edition.
Your key:
Calistoga Ranch – Napa – With 140 hikable acres in the serene Upper Napa Valley and all the massage, yoga, tai chi, mineral pool soaking, picnicking and bocce you can realistically fit into a list of activities, you won’t be at a loss for how to spend your week.
Cavallo Point – Sausalito – Seated at the foot of the bridge with stunning views of the Bay, Cavallo Point is many things, but most importantly for our purposes, it’s a picturesque spa and resort in your backyard with plenty of strolling and après-massage beverages to enjoy on the fireplace-bedecked patios.
The Claremont – Berkeley – No, we don’t usually think of Berkeley as a getaway destination either, but the Claremont is the exception — a hillside castle resort with pristine views and dizzying spa and fitness options, this is about as far from home as you can get without leaving the Bay.
CordeValle – San Martin – Just south of San Jose in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you’ll find this perfect storm of happy escapes. On one hand, you’ve got a world-class spa. On the other: a tour-quality, par-72 course. All of it hemmed in by unforgettable vistas. And wine.
International Orange – Pac Heights – IO is the color of envy in Special Lady Town. Home of light yoga, skin treatments on skin treatments on skin treatments and the four-handed massage — you really can’t lose, here.
Kabuki Springs & Spa – Japantown – With everything from massage and facials to whatever-the-hell grounding is, they’ve got something for every grade of eastern appreciation. The real move is the communal bath and schvitz — bathing suit optional except on co-ed Tuesday.
Mandarin Oriental – FiDi – The city’s third tallest building houses some impressive cocktails, some doubly impressive views and one damn fine luxury spa. The proximity to the boardroom just means she can skip the black car and go straight to the cosseting.
Nob Hill Spa – Nob Hill – Lodged in the Prohibition-era Scarlet Huntington, Nob Hill Spa is in-town luxury incarnate. With full and half-day packages, tubs and saunas, and premium spa suites available, you won’t lament being dragged along.
Post Ranch – Big Sur – While it may be enough to just say “luxury cliffside retreat,” it’d be a shame not to mention the opulent couples’ treatment rooms and heated infinity spas with awe-striking drop-off views of the North Pacific.
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