The Getaways issue
Okaeri Calistoga, Golden Bear Station, Maui, The Lodge at Blue Sky, Paws Up, MORE
ABOUT FOUND • Getaways
FOUND is deeply interested in getaway destinations within driving distance (or a short flight) of San Francisco. That means Napa and Sonoma, the Central Coast, Tahoe, Palm Springs, and more. What do the regulars eat and drink, where should you stay and shop, and, to take this to its logical end — what about buying a second home of one’s own there?
Beyond the world of weekend escapes, FOUND closely tracks the local hotel scene and airports, particularly Bay area airports, and the need-to-know intel that can make or break a trip. From time to time, special correspondents will file reports from far-flung destinations like the French Riviera, because there are some experiences that transcend this mortal plane and beg to be shared.
Collect the full set here. In the meantime, enjoy a few selections from the past year in FOUND.
GETAWAYS • Napa Valley
Japanese breakfast
The Skinny: Japanese-inspired bed and breakfast Okaeri Calistoga opened in March in a restored 1875 Victorian home, a short walk from downtown Calistoga. Kanpai Wines owners Peter Chiang and Azumi Kubo took over the former Pink Mansion Inn as a passion project, tapping interior designer Meredith Rebolledo for the interiors.
The Scene: A steep driveway and elevated deck built around existing trees hides the hotel from the main road, while an adze-carved bamboo front desk sits at the entry. Imported shou sugi ban panels and hand-painted linen shoji screens line the walls. Napa Valley’s largest indoor koi pond fills a former swimming pool, which is flanked by a black olive tree.
The Rooms: Each of the seven rooms and suites is named after one of Kanpai’s wines and outfitted in calm neutral tones punctuated by original artwork and vintage kimonos. Cedar soaking tubs come with custom bath salts, coffee is Cento Coffee single-serve pour-over bags, and the sheets are super soft bamboo. The options range from the economical Toki No Kawa, with a futon bed in the carriage house, to the Hi No Tori suite with a tatami platform overlooking the Palisades.
The Amenities: There’s a daily 430-530p social hour offering Kanpai Wines and bites like chardonnay-poached apricots stuffed with ricotta cheese. Breakfast each morning includes sweet and savory dishes like port-poached pears and ultra fluffy Gruyère soufflés along with cold-pressed juice, tea, and coffee. The basement karaoke lounge, hidden behind sliding shoji doors, also has a turntable and vinyl records, and leads to a stone-walled cellar for private wine tastings.
Why It’s FOUND: Okaeri offers an intimate alternative to larger luxury resorts. There’s nothing else quite like this in Napa Valley. –Amber Gibson
→ Okaeri (Calistoga, CA) • 1415 Foothill Blvd • Rates from $800/wknd night.
–05/30/25
GETAWAYS • Sonoma
Italian comfort
Late last year, Chef Joshua Smookler and wife/partner Heidy He opened Golden Bear Station, their second Sonoma County effort since relocating there during the pandemic. The couple earned East Coast acclaim with their short-lived Mu Ramen in Long Island City, then opened Animo in Wine Country, where it was named one of Esquire’s best new restaurants in 2022. A desire for bigger digs prompted them to shutter that spot and head up the road to Kenwood for Golden Bear, their new pizza- and pasta-focused restaurant.
The kitchen’s efforts are centered around a wood oven, out of which comes perfectly blistered, Neapolitan-style pizzas, as well as roasted pork chops, dry-aged Porterhouse steaks, and loup de mer (whole branzino), all great for sharing. Smookler’s perfectly executed pastas include takes on amatriciana, bolognese, and cacio e pepe, each made with fresh pasta.
In the dining room, Heidy is a constant — a warm, smiling presence quick with a wine recommendation from a list heavy on local Sonoma bottles. –Jay Barmann
→ Golden Bear Station (Sonoma) • 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood • Wed-Sun 430-9p • Reserve.
–11/13/24
GETAWAYS • Hawaii
At the pass
Earlier this year, I found myself stranded in Maui, caught in the midst of a tropical storm. The rain was relentless, the kind that turns the ocean into a blurred horizon, and we resigned ourselves to a quiet night in at the hotel. Little did I know I was about to have one of the most unforgettable dining experiences of my life.
The Kitchen Table has only two seats available each night. Tucked inside The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, it offers a front-row experience to the inner workings of a high-end kitchen. The storm had created an unexpected opening in the book, and our timing was just right.
Seated on the pass, we watched as the chefs orchestrated the evening’s service, each movement precise and deliberate. Sous-chef Nicolas was our guide, chatting with us as he plated and checked dishes, creating an atmosphere both exclusive and unpretentious. The rhythm of the kitchen was mesmerizing — orders flying in, sauces spooned, proteins seared to perfection.
The Kitchen Table’s five-course menu takes full advantage of Hawaii’s diverse bounty. We started with a delicate tartlet of local fish and caviar, followed by a crudo with bright citrus. Then came duck ragù tagliatelle, leading into a perfectly cooked onaga (red snapper). The highlight: a duo of A5 Snake River Farms ribeye and Japanese Kobe beef, served with forbidden rice and bordelaise sauce. Dessert was a pineapple semifreddo, a refreshing conclusion to a memorable meal.
Originally built in the ’80s as a private club for Japanese members, Hotel Wailea was acquired in 2008, transformed into an adults-only locally owned and independently operated Relais & Châteaux retreat. With just 72 suites, it’s the antithesis of the mega-resorts lining the island’s shores — the area itself provides a more intimate experience compared to Kaanapali, which feels like a cross between The White Lotus and Vegas-on-the-sea.
Hotel Wailea offers two other private dining experiences: The Treehouse, a single table set beneath a canopy of mango and avocado trees with a private chef and ocean views, and Table 24, nestled in the lush garden offering a curated menu served tableside by the chefs themselves. Guests often need to book these well in advance — unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to find yourself caught in a tropical storm. –Victoire Loup
→ The Kitchen Table at Hotel Wailea (Maui) • 555 Kaukahi St • $1100 for two (optional $250+ per wine pairing) • Booking instructions.
–06/13/25
GETAWAYS • Utah
Sky high
Blending alpine chalet charm with sleek minimalist design, The Lodge at Blue Sky is an elegant retreat on a 3,500-acre private ranch that’s a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City’s airport. Though part of a larger hotel group (the Auberge Resorts Collection), the property exudes a warmth and intimacy — a reflection of the personal touch of its hands-on horse-loving owners, Mike and Barb Phillips. Their presence and care infuse the Lodge with a welcoming, home-like energy. It’s a place that feels personal, grounded, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
The low-slung equestrian-themed retreat blends into its mountainous landscape, offering 46 rooms, suites, and houses, which come wrapped in honeyed blonde cedar wood accented with local stonework. Soaring floor-to-ceiling windows lead to private terraces that offer panoramic views of the Wasatch Mountains, some with fire pits (ideally deployed for the house-made s’mores kit). Minibars stocked with complimentary Ritual Chocolate, bath products infused with mineral-rich salts from the Great Salt Lake, and even Coterie diapers for unpotty-trained guests further sweeten the deal.
The hotel proper, with its main lodge and New American signature restaurant Yuta, claims a comparatively small footprint on the sprawling property. Panning out, there are horse stables (Barb rescues neglected horses and other animals), a sheepskin-adorned yurt equipped with lavender and wildflower honey-laced hot toddies (in partnership with The Macallan), a sporting clay range, and even acclaimed whiskey-maker High West Distillery.
Food is a major focus here, with produce, eggs, and more coming from its own nearby Gracie’s Farm. Last year, the team debuted WildKitchen, a seasonal, open-fire dining experience available from May through October. At the heart of this setup is a custom-built grill (available for home purchase) and oven designed by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie, who featured an early version in his 2019 film The Gentlemen. The meal takes place under a tent about five minutes from the main lodge, where guests gather around a multifunctional dining table for an elevated twist on rustic live-fire cooking (like a souped-up take on Korean barbecue). There are also special events, like next month’s California kaiseki 12-course omakase with SingleThread Farms, visiting from Sonoma.
The resort also maintains an exclusive lounge at the base of the Silver Star chairlift at Park City Mountain, about a half-hour drive away. As an escape for skiers — or those simply seeking a peaceful mountain retreat — The Lodge at Blue Sky embodies the ultimate home-away-from-home destination. –Kat Odell
→ The Lodge at Blue Sky (Wanship, UT) • 27649 Old Lincoln Hwy • Rates from $2089/weekend night.
–05/16/25
GETAWAYS • The Nines
Ranch stays, California & beyond
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of the Bay Area’s best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundsf.com. For the full archives, click here.
Alisal Ranch (Santa Ynez Valley), 10K acres of private land north of Santa Barbara, quaint, private cabins, horseback riding, lakeside barbecues
Cibolo Creek Ranch (Chihuahuan Desert, TX, above), West Texas hospitality at 30,000 acre pre-Civil War cattle ranch and fort on Mexican border
Paws Up (Blackfoot Valley, MT), gold standard luxury dude ranch with excellent food, all-inclusive, Yellowstone adjacent
The Ranch at Rock Creek (Phillipsburg, MT), Relais & Châteaux-recognized all-inclusive w/ historic barn, glamping, luxury cabins, and blue ribbon fishery
Spring Creek Ranch (Jackson Hole, WY), family-owned mountain resort w/ villas and townhomes, sweeping views of Tetons
Reid Creek Lodge (Rocky Mountains, WY), private, rustic 20-person log cabin on Wagonhound’s 300K acre livestock ranch, personal chef included
Montage Big Sky (Spanish Peaks, MT), charming, alpine-inspired resort w/ family-focused offerings and residences
Brush Creek Ranch (Medicine Bow National Forest, WY), bountiful culinary programming, premier fly-fishing, private glamping enclave
The Lodge at Blue Sky (Wasatch Mountain Range, UT ), majestic Auberge property in Utah, cutting-edge wellness offerings, on-site distillery and in-yurt whiskey speakeasy
–05/28/25