Make a Reservation

For your next date night or gift idea, check out Piedmont Springs in Oakland where you can soak in a private wood barrel hot tub without spending a gazillion dollars. Then you’ll head over to one of my favorite ramen spots to cap off the night and keep the warm and cozy vibes going. 

Here's your plan for a private spa night and ramen in Oakland:

Soak in private hot tub at Piedmont Springs, then enjoy ramen at Marufuku

Private Spa Night + Ramen 

Start your evening at Piedmont Springs, where you can enjoy a private soak in a wood barrel hot tub for $27/person.

Private Spa Night

✅ Before you go: 
•Make a hot tub reservation on their website ($27/person for one hour)- https://www.piedmontsprings.com 
•Pack a bathing suit and a comfy change of clothes – they provide the towels

💪 Pro tip: Piedmont Springs has one “combination room” that has a hot tub and a sauna for $40/hour per person. It books up fast, so make a reservation 30 days in advance if you’re interested in this room.


Start by heading to Piedmont Springs

At Marufuku Ramen in Temescal, Oakland, devour delicious chicken paitan ramen after a quick 5-minute drive from Piedmont Springs.

Eating Ramen

🚗 Drive 5 minutes

💪 Pro tips:
•Put your name on the Yelp waitlist while you’re still at Piedmont Springs. The wait can get up to an hour on busy nights, so I’d check it towards the end of your hot tub session- https://www.yelp.com/biz/marufuku-ramen-oakland-oakland-5
•Order the Chicken Paitan – my favorite!


Slurp on noodles at Marufuku Ramen

Okay, so I found this surprisingly affordable spa night that I absolutely had to share.

You'll soak in a private wood barrel hot tub, then hit my favorite ramen spot.

Start your night at Piedmont Springs in Oakland.

This place looks like a normal storefront from the outside,

but after enjoying some tea in the lobby, they'll give you towels and robes,

then lead you to one of the wood enclosed private rooms in the back.

We spent an hour relaxing in the hot tub and absolutely loved it.

It's only $27 a person and you get the entire room to yourself. 

then you'll drive five minutes down the road to my favorite ramen spot Marufuku.

They seated us at the ramen bar where we got to watch the chefs in action.

We both ordered the pork buns and chicken ramen, could not

recommend both enough. Cheers to an all around cozy experience.

Perfect for a gift or for the next time you need some self care!

Tiya is a modern Indian restaurant in San Francisco’s Marina District, led by chefs Sujan and Pujan Sarkar. Their four-course tasting menu blends bold Indian flavors with California ingredients, featuring inventive dishes like Yogurt Chaat, Lamb Keema, and Coconut Payasam. Cocktails inspired by SF neighborhoods round out the experience.

Here's your plan for a delightful four-course tasting menu at Tiya, with innovative cocktails

Four Course Chef Tasting Menu 🍛🌸

Experience a modern Indian culinary adventure at TIYA in San Francisco’s Marina District with a four-course chef tasting menu and SF-inspired cocktails.

Chef Tasting Menu

✅ Before you go
• Reservations recommended: https://www.tiyasf.com/
• Dietary accommodations: Vegetarian and vegan options are available—inform them of dietary restrictions in advance.
• Plan for 1.5–2 hours: The chef’s menu is paced intentionally, so give yourself time to enjoy it fully.

💪 Pro tips
• Tasting menu only: The experience is centered around a four-course seasonal tasting menu, with optional wine pairing.
• Their neighborhood-inspired cocktails are unique and worth exploring. Try a neighborhood-inspired drink like the Japantown or Castro Valley before your meal.
• For a more immersive experience, request counter seating to watch the kitchen in action.

Dine at TIYA

cocktails inspired by San Francisco neighborhoods,

and a chef's imagination all meet for dinner?

where dinner feels like a fun and flavorful adventure.

which were inspired by San Francisco neighborhoods,

We ordered the chef tasting menu with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Our tasting journey began with pani puri with passion

fruit and edible flowers from nearby Hawk Creek Farm,

a playful dish combining cool yogurt mousse,

reminiscent of a beloved street snack elevated.

a rich and earthy course featuring wild morel mushrooms.

Just when we thought the meal had peaked,

chef Pujan made an appearance with dessert,

Then came the decadent chocolate murmura pave.

and imagination of a chef that invites you to taste San Francisco through his eyes.

Escape to the El Dorado Hills for affordable wine tastings and stunning scenic views! 

Here's your plan for a weekend wine country trip: tastings, bocce ball, and pizza

Weekend Trip to Wine Country 

Visit Boeger Winery in Placerville for a charming garden wine tasting, where you can picnic and enjoy standout Zinfandel.

Wine Tasting

✅ Before you go
• Bring items to picnic in their beautiful garden. 

💪 Pro tips
• The Zinfandel was our favorite. 
• Walk-ins welcome. 

Boeger Winery 

Enjoy wine tastings and bocce ball at Fenton Herriott Vineyards, surrounded by stunning vineyard views and offering delicious Barbera paired with charcuterie boards.

✅ Before you go
• Practice those bocce ball skills. 

💪 Pro tips
• Our favorite was the Barbera. 
• Charcuterie boards available for purchase. 

Fenton Herriott Vineyards

At Hwy 50 Brewery in Camino, enjoy a tasting flight of beers, delightful pizzas, and live weekend music in a vibrant atmosphere.

Beer Tasting

💪 Pro tips
• Try a tasting flight to sample all the beers!
• Pizza, salad, and other sides available for purchase. 

Hwy 50 Brewery

Here's your plan for a weekend getaway to wine country.

You're head about 2.5 hours northeast to the El Dorado Hills.

This beautiful region is home to over 70 wineries,

and tastings typically cost around $15 per person,

and our tasting took place right in the middle of their charming garden.

the staff walked us through each wine that was poured,

but the Zinfandalle was a clear standout.

we made our to Fenton Herriott Vineyards,

where we enjoyed their wine and bocce ball courts,

all by taking in the stunning vineyard views.

Their Barbera was definitely our favorite.

some mouthwatering pizza and a refreshing pint.

now all that's left to do is share this plane with your crew and hit the road! 

Studio Sumi in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond offers cozy, beginner-friendly pottery workshops where you can handbuild pieces like mugs, bowls, and spoons. With tea, snacks, and a warm, creative vibe, it’s the perfect spot to slow down and make something meaningful.

Here's your plan for a cozy pottery workshop making a breakfast set at Studio Sumi

MYO Pottery Breakfast Set☕️🥣🥄

At Studio Sumi in San Francisco, partake in a beginner-friendly pottery workshop, crafting personalized mugs, bowls, and spoons. Sip tea, get cozy, and unleash creativity.

Pottery Workshop

✅ Before you go
• Reserve Workshop: https://www.sumiware.com/studio-sumi-workshops
• Wear Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Messy – Clay gets everywhere (in a fun way). Aprons are often provided, but dress casual just in case.

💪 Pro tips
• Workshops fill up fast, especially weekend and seasonal sessions.
• Give yourself time to settle in, enjoy the tea and snacks, and get comfy before the class starts.
• Bring Ideas or Molds (Optional) – If you want to personalize your pieces (like adding mushroom shapes, textures, or stamps), you’re welcome to bring small molds or inspiration.
• After the class, your pieces will be glazed and fired by the studio. You’ll get an email when they’re ready to be picked up (usually a few weeks later).

Head to Studio Sumi

learning new hobbies like pottery and overall,

tucked into San Francisco's quiet Inner Richmond neighborhood.

Our instructor wasted no time diving into what

we would be creating a full breakfast set,

thoughtful demo showing us the basic hand-building

techniques we need and laying out all the tools and clay we'd be using.

We brought our own mushroom molds from home and it

was really cool pressing them gently into the clay,

sipping tea from Something you made yourself.

Everything felt accessible and low pressure,

We then were instructed on how to make our spoons.

So if you've been craving a creative reset like us and

just want to get your hands messy in the best way,

a few weeks once they're professionally glazed and fired.

Learn how to decorate your own vintage-style heart-shaped bento cake in this hands-on, mimosa-filled workshop! You’ll practice piping techniques, get creative with colors and toppings, and leave with a cake that’s (almost) too cute to eat. Perfect for a fun day with friends, a date, or a solo treat-yourself outing.

Use code SPRINGCAKE20 to save 20% at checkout — valid through 5/12/25!


Here's your plan for a vintage cake decorating workshop with mimosas, snacks, and creative fun

Vintage Cake Decorating Workshop 🍰✨

At Olesia Cake Studio in Mission District, San Francisco, decorate a vintage bento cake with personalized piping techniques, mimosas, and snacks included.

Cake Decorating

✅ Before you go
• Buy your tickets in advance ($139/pp): https://www.olesiacake.com/cake-workshop

💪 Pro tips
• You’ll get a 4-inch pre-baked cake (choose from Chocolate, Red Velvet, or Vanilla)
• Mimosas, lemonade, and snacks are included
•  Come with inspo! You’ll get a general design guide, but you can fully customize your colors and toppings
•  Dress comfy—it’s a 2.5–3 hour class (aprons provided!)

Decorate Your Dreamy Bento Cake

I found the perfect workshop for anyone who loves

sweets and getting a little artsy along the way.

Olesia hosts the most dreamy vintage heart cake workshops in the Mission.

and there are even mimosas and light bites to enjoy during class.

and then you're walked through each step,

which was actually a lot harder than I expected.

You then learn three different piping techniques and are given

the freedom to experiment and make your cake your own.

I was told mine was giving Ursula vibes from The Little Mermaid,

I've never decorated a cake like this before,

but I loved being creative and also leaving with a sweet treat I was proud of.