By Zoey Lyttle By Zoey Lyttle | March 30, 2022 | Lifestyle,
From flying high above the bay to glamping in wine country, April offers countless options for a season of bliss.
Hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train for an out-of-the-box wine country experience this season
RIDE
The Napa Valley Wine Train rolls on this spring with a new afternoon tea service. Settle in for a three-hour passage through wine country that promises an elegant cruise with sparkling beverages, finger sandwiches, cheese and scones along with an optional caviar course. The antique Pullman railcars have been beautifully restored with Honduran mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions and plush armchairs. 1275 Mckinstry St., Napa, 707.253.2111
Seaplane Adventures offers an unforgettable journey.
EXPLORE
See the city and surrounding area in a completely new way this spring. Seaplane Adventures offers trips via a six-passenger aircraft to soar above San Francisco for breathtaking views of Alcatraz, Muir Woods and the Golden Gate, among other areas. Book the NorCal Coastal Tour, a 60-minute cruise out to Point Reyes or Sonoma wine country, or book the Golden Gate Tour, a 30-minute flight that catches sight of Oracle Park. Guests also can book the Sunset Champagne Tour and enjoy an effervescent bubbly to enhance a journey through the sky. 242 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, 415.332.4843
Lampocteis cruentiventer, bloodybelly comb jelly
LEARN
Explore beyond the shore at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s brand-new underwater exhibition, Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean.“This unprecedented exhibition tells the story of the deep sea and reveals the many ways the deep ocean sustains our lives on the surface,” says Julie Packard, executive director of the aquarium. Explore the strange and fascinating world of bioluminescent animals and the bloodybelly comb jellies that live along the Monterey coast and beyond. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, 831.648.4800
LuxFit SF’s new digs, The Crossing at East Cut
GET FIT
Time to shape up with LuxFit SF at its new location, The Crossing at East Cut. The premier outdoor gym offers several group classes, including a 50-minute, full-body Burn and Build session and a 60-minute Boxing Roadwork session, which focuses on footwork, boxing technique and conditioning. The Crossing is a 3 ½-acre urban haven, featuring food, drinks and family-friendly fun. LuxFit’s high-energy program is a welcome addition to the space. “We pride ourselves on delivering science-based programming led by world-class trainers and using the highest-rated training equipment,” says founder Yotam Israeli, who leads the brand with a focus on diversity, inclusion and well-being. 200 Folsom St., 608.957.2853
Unwind at Stavrand Russian River Valley hotel
VISIT
Located on nearly 6 forested acres in Sonoma County is the new Stavrand Russian River Valley hotel. Formerly the Applewood Inn, the property has been revamped into a 21-room, luxurious getaway. Resort-style service and amenities pair with the personality of a boutique hotel, bringing guests an intimate experience of relaxation and exploration. The staff creates customized itineraries, including massage treatments. Guests also can simply enjoy an evening aperitif while watching the sun descend behind the redwoods. 13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707.869.9093
Bella Note Adele coverlet and Frida pillowcases.
LUXURIATE
Novato-based Bella Notte Linens’ new Bria collection will drape an evening in soft tranquility. Created from 600-thread-count cotton sateen, the sheets and pillowcases come in 18 radiant colors. “Cotton sateen has always been a favorite fabric of mine, because it’s effortless without being austere,” says the brand’s CEO, Mitchell Gately. “We spent a year developing sheeting that would complement our elegant silk, linen and Tencel collections.”
Travel is made easy from the new Aero hub in SF.
FLY
Semiprivate, luxury jet service Aero has added a San Francisco hub with connections to Aspen, Colo., and Los Cabos, Mexico. Skip crowded-airport stress with Aero’s private terminals, exclusive lounges and contactless check-in. In the air, special beverages and locally sourced artisanal snacks are offered as passengers relax in handstitched Italian leather chairs. A custom sound system and modern lighting douse all 16 seats in comfort and luxury. Upon landing, the Aero concierge team books on-the-ground transportation. 415.650.2376
David Huffman, “Treehuggers #4” (2008)
SEE
This spring, the Museum of the African Diaspora brings a vibrant conversation to its halls through diverse exhibitions. In the first museum survey of his Traumanaut series, Oakland-based artist David Huffman tells his story across a range of media. The artist’s narrative weaves a tale of characters exploring the galaxy in search of cosmic freedom. Social justice and formalist abstraction intersect to reflect Black diasporic history and identity. Huffman’s name on MoAD’s spring roster is accompanied by influential international artists, including Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Sadie Barnette and Awol Erizku, among others. Through Sept. 1, 685 Mission St., 415.358.7200
Hotel Cerro’s edible gardens
ROAD TRIP
Hotel Cerro, which opened during the pandemic two summers ago, is ready for its close-up. The Central Coast property features 65 guest rooms, eight residences and full spa services. Our favorite options during a stay include edible gardens (allowing guests to experience the bounty of the region), wellness (Spa Cerro feature treatment inspired by the California coastline) and coastal French dining (guests will love the in-house distillery and brasserie). 1125 Garden St., San Luis Obispo, 805.548.1000
Amber Interiors and FREDA SALVADOR are melding home and footwear in a fabulous new space.
DISCOVER
Footwear brand FRÄ’DA SALVADOR has teamed up with Amber Interiors, a classically laid-back, upscale interior design group, to introduce a space that celebrates femininity and relaxation. Curated home design elements—including a wall of shoes, candles and soft furnishings—create an inviting aesthetic that celebrates womanhood and self-expression. To some, the pairing of home and footwear may seem unlikely, but with this collaboration, it’s a natural fit. “To us, there are no two elements of personal style that matter more—both a grounding force in a woman’s day and an environment and foundation of self-expression and comfort,” say Megan Papay and Cat Chen, the minds behind the collaboration space, which will be open for six months. 1201C Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, 415.785.4780
A stay at NewTree Ranch promises an elevated escape complete with impressive dining and accommodations.
ESCAPE
NewTree Ranch offers a glam getaway in the Pacific redwood forest. Retreat to this 120-acre property and enjoy luxury wellness experiences, such as meditation workshops and spa treatments. Opt for the four-bedroom Ranch Estate, the elevated two-bedroom Barn, or sleep under the stars in the glamping tent. Bonus: Dine consciously indoors or under a redwood canopy with the plant-based culinary detox dinners. 3600 Wallace Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707.433.9643
Photography by: FROM TOP: PHOTO BY TYSON V. ININGER/TVRPHOTOGRAPHY.COM; COURTESY OF NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN; COURTESY OF MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM; PHOTO BY EMMA K. MORRIS; BY CAMERON DANTLEY; COURTESY OF BELLA NOTTE; PHOTO COURTESY OF AERO; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST; BY BRAD DAANE; PHOTO BY BESS FRIDAY; NEWTREE RANCH PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND