Around the World in a Spa: San Francisco, Sonoma, Hawaii
One of today’s picks is just outside San Francisco — a shout out to our #2 ranked City in Page Views, is that you Uncle Tom? It was one of the most divine experiences I never had. As a Classic, I often try to fit two days into one — even on vacation. So, my experience at Cavallo Point, a Spa & Resort located just under the Golden Gate in a former Army Base, was maybe 2 hours long when it should have been 2 days.
I had the perfect day planned for my husband who’d never site seen in San Fran:
7:30 Breakfast, 9:30 Bike Ride to Cavallo Point over the Golden Gate, 12:00 massages, 1:30 my husband’s conference call while I sipped tea overlooking the bay, 2:00 leisurely bike ride downhill to Sausolito, 3:30 catch the ferry back to San Fran, 5:30 dinner with Uncle Tom and Aunt Max, 8:30 drinks with one of my husband’s high school buddies and his lovely wife. Unfortunately, there was a snafu with our return flight to NYC so my husband spent 2 hours on the phone after breakfast and we didn’t leave the city until 10:30 on our bikes.
We raced the entire way to the Golden Gate as it took twice as long as I expected. I should have arranged for a car service. Bike riding always seems so carefree when I see images of other people doing it. It was — in hindsight — a monumentally idiotic plan. Here’s why: CAVALLO POINT is amazing. Not only do they have regular spa services, they have healing arts services — acupuncture, hypnotherapy/guided imagery, and energy healing — plus an integrative medicine doctor, an actual MD, who blends western and eastern medicine. Every time I see an image of it, I long to return for REAL this time.
MacArthur PlaceDoes anyone visit San Francisco and not go to wine country? If so, you should. According to one friend who is a spa queen, the place to go in Sonoma is MacArthur Place, a historic inn & spa. “Best facial I’ve ever had” After visiting their website, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t go last summer when I was in Sonoma. Next trip.
Princeville KauaiFinally, Hawaii. It was painful to visit those websites as I could feel the temperature dropping outside my window. We have two suggestions. First is from our in the know LA friend, a frequent visitor to the Big Island of Hawaii. She swears by The Fairmont Orchid. Next the Princeville in Kauai. Our mom still talks about her two massages there 7+ year ago.