February is the perfect month to make plans for a girls’ getaway. You may be surprised to hear a girls’ trip will have significant benefits for your mind and body. The purpose of your trip likely depends on your life stage. If you are a young mom, you may be looking for some adventure out of your ordinary routine. Middle-aged women seek breaks from the commitments of work and family life. Even grandmas may be looking for an escape to prove they are still confident and independent. You probably have some girlfriends that were there for your wedding, pregnancy and maybe even there to support you when you sent your adolescent off to college. What better way to thank them for their gift of friendship over the years than to strengthen your bond even further in a brand new and exciting territory? We are fortunate to have three great options close to Monterey, so you do not have to go far to experience the joy a getaway with your girls brings.
1. Las Vegas. Everything you want will be right before your eyes whether it is eating, drinking, shopping, seeing live shows, going clubbing or testing your lady luck at the casino. The Palazzo, The Venetian, and the action-packed Cosmopolitan are top hotel picks.
Once you have checked in you will be ready to get glam and hit the town. Drybar at Miracle Mile is a fabulous time where you can sit down with a stylist as you are among a full bar, DJ and even photo booth to capture the memories.
Vegas offers restaurants galore. Lago at Bellagio has a fountain show and plates big enough to share so you will be able to get a sample of everything your heart desires. If you are looking for a more feminine vibe, check out the Italian eatery Giada at the Cromwell which is run by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentis.
If you have been bogged down with households tasks and work obligations and want to see what it is like living in the fast lane, stop by SPEEDVegas. It is one of a kind attraction and probably the most thrilling thing you will do on your trip. Get your gals together to race one another around the track in a dream Ferrari or Lamborghini and try to beat one another’s speed.
History buffs can get to know the background of this wild city at Neon Museum where you can see signs from old casinos and other quirky Vegas memorabilia.
2. Healdsburg. In 3 hours you can find yourself in this charming small town with big offerings. You can take in the breathtaking scenery of Sonoma County while sipping your favorite wine.
Accommodations range from quaint bed and breakfast Haydon Street Inn to echo-friendly H2 Hotel to Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites. All are conveniently located near the downtown plaza which is filled with shopping, boutiques, restaurants and art galleries.
Healdsburg has become a dining mecca over the past few years and there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. For a big splurge, have one dinner at Valette. You can’t go wrong with any entree choice but be sure to leave room for Bread, Butter and Jam–toasted brioche with homemade jan and salted brown butter ice cream
You do not need to travel to Italy to treat your palette to the finest wines and visit the vineyards. Some favoritenot to be missed wineries are Reeve Wines, Davero Farms, and Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves where tastings are performed in a cave. If you’re going to put together your own winery list, plan on a stop at Dry Creek General Store for lunch. You can eat there or take it to go and have a picnic at one of your winery stops. You can also do a guided wine tour to make life easier–there are plenty of options available.
The Healdsburg area is a biking paradise so you will want to rent a bike and hit the trails.
3. San Francisco. Whether you are a first-time or seasoned visitor, the Golden City is sure to have something for every girl in your pack. Shoppers, foodies and art gurus may find themselves busy from morning until night.
For all the pampering your heart desires the InterContinental, the Four Seasons or the W San Francisco would be great picks for accommodations.
You can begin by walking or biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and snapping photos of the incredible views. For shopping, dining and street performers, stop by Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square and Ghirardelli Square for a chocolate sensation. For the artsy at heart, a walking tour of Mission Streets colorful murals or taking in a movie at the classic Castro Theater should be on your itinerary.
For the ultimate tourist experience, you can hop on and off a cable car and check out all of the attractions at your own pace. You can even take a ferry to historic Alcatraz. When you are looking to kick back and relax, try afternoon tea at the Palace Hotel, a float spa or Thai massage.
You’ll find awesome restaurants in every neighborhood ranging from the inexpensive (La Taqueria on Mission Street, the perfect late evening stop) to the decadent (Restaurant Gary Danko).
When you are ready to put your party shoes on there is no shortage of places to go. Some local favorites include Harry Denton Starlight Room and Top of The Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. There is so much to do here that you will likely be planning next winter’s girls trip back once again.
Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (www.getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics (and the occasional travel article). She can be reached at jamie@getpinkpower.com.