FRIDAY FIVE
Life is stressful. But any Buddhist will tell you there can’t be joy without suffering. When the latter strikes, it’s hard to remember such wise advice, but that’s why we have #selfcare to carry us through. But self-care is different for everyone. For some, it’s relaxing with a bath bomb. For others, it’s going to a yoga class. In the Bay Area, thanks to legalized marijuana, good weather and, yes, even Good Vibrations, there are other ways in which to relax and treat yo-self in San Francisco that aren’t what the latest wellness blogger recommends.
If you haven’t tried these San Francisco self-care ideas yet, this weekend could be your best weekend yet.
1. Nob Hill Spa
OK, so this might be what the cool wellness blogger would recommend, but this place makes for peak treat relaxation, so it’s top of the list. If you want to feel like Queen Bey relaxing over the city skyline, Nob Hill Spa is your spot. Located in the Huntington Hotel, it’s where you can round up your friends, wear bathrobes, and clink champagne glasses after a treatment. The spa offers various massages and facials, but those who get a treatment also get access to an indoor pool with stunning views of the city. There’s also a hot tub and a steam room—a.k.a. the whole works—to make you feel like San Francisco royalty. Prices are on the higher side, so this one is a definite splurge.
1075 California Street (Nob Hill) | nobhillspa.com
2. Barbary Coast Collective
If self-care means lighting up a big fat blunt and tapping into your inner Snoop Dog, more power to you—and SF has many places for you. At Barbary Coast Collective—part dispensary, part lounge—you can relax and enjoy on-site. Think Amsterdam but with San Francisco flair. The SOMA joint (pun intended) is known to get a little smoky inside, but what else would you expect from a weed lounge? There are also a lot of weed experts on-site who can help you find the best marijuana remedy for your stress-related ailment.
952 Mission Street (SOMA) | barbarycoastsf.org
3. Kabuki Springs & Spa
Anyone who pencils in time to relax in our bustling city knows that Kabuki in Japantown is pure gold. Known as an oasis of sorts, this Japanese-style communal bathhouse has indoor hot springs, a cold pool, and a sauna. The spa also offers treatments, like Eastern massage or acupuncture, that include access to the hot springs. You can also pay a visit solely to the springs. Ladies-only nights are on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and men-only nights are on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. All genders are welcome on Tuesdays. Kabuki is meant to recapture a traditional Japanese bathhouse, making it a real treat for any night of the week.
1750 Geary Boulevard (Japantown) | kabukisprings.com
4. Good Vibrations
Self-care can definitely equal self-pleasure. We’re lucky to live in such a sex-positive city, one that’s also home to the beloved sex-toy store Good Vibrations. As The Bold Italic previously reported, the beginning of Good Vibrations in San Francisco signaled a shift in sex-toy commerce and culture, which has only grown since 1977. This store is known for having a wide selection of sex toys and educated sexperts who can help you find exactly what you’re looking for in order to learn more about your body and relax. Sometimes you just gotta invest in a good sex toy because you’re worth it.
603 Valencia Street (Mission) | goodvibes.com
5. The Center
If you need an activity to Zen the F out fast, the Center will deliver. Located in Hayes Valley, this tranquil tea and yoga house offers more than a good yoga session, including sound healing, women’s healing circles, yoga to restore the chakras, ecstatic dance and more on various days. Workshops vary between $40 and $60 but could be just what you need to reground yourself. It’s also just a warming and relaxing at which place to drink tea and dig into a good book.
548 Fillmore Street (Hayes Valley) | thecentersf.com
