Month: April 2021

As we enter the thick of springtime, having San Francisco as a home base for Bay Area day trips only gets better as the air grows warmer and the wildflowers continue to blossom. While there are endless sights to see within driving distance of the city, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite spring destinations to visit below.

San Bruno Mountain

This year’s wildflower blooms have just peaked, so catch a day trip to San Bruno Mountain before you miss them. Only half an hour away from The Harrison, this parkland is home to blooms from the famed California poppy to the beloved Douglas iris. Keep your eyes peeled for lupine, fiddleneck, Indian paintbrush and yellow rocket among many others. Offering rugged terrain that’s not too far from home, this day trip is low-prep and low-stress.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Famed for its wildlife sightings of Northern Elephant Seals and the Tule Elks, Point Reyes National Seashore is a host to multiple enclaves worth exploring. Over 90 species of wildflowers have been sighted at the Chimney Rock Headland, and the neighboring Point Reyes Lighthouse is also a charming photo-op stop. Don’t forget to swing by Limantour Beach to view sprawling purple-hued Douglas irises.

Half Moon Bay

An hour drive from the city is Half Moon Bay — a sandy beach town that you’ve likely heard praises about. Here is the place to ring in summer early with a bit of sunbathing, surfing and picnicking. And if you’re still chasing spring blooms, there’s been a surge of yellow mustard blooms along the PCH just south of Half Moon Bay.

Mount Diablo State Park

All Bay Area residents ought to make the trip to Mount Diablo at any time of year, but especially during our temperate spring season. Hike among pockets of poppies, silver lupine, Pacific pea and periwinkles.

Calistoga

When you’re all tuckered out from the more high-energy adventures, two hours away from SF is Calistoga — famed for its hot springs and mineral pools. In the heart of Wine Country, enjoy mud baths, massages and healing waters in your time away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. For those seeking to refresh and rejuvenate, this is your go-to day trip.

When The Harrison is home, a five-star relaxation experience is always within reach. Each one-, two- or three-bedroom residence boasts spa-like baths with deluxe details steeped in soothing neutral hues. Within every primary bath, find porcelain Herringbone floors, custom unlacquered Waterworks brass fixtures, casted-glass wall sconces, beautiful Carrara marble countertops and subway tile. Expansive and inviting, this luxurious retreat is the perfect place to enjoy at-home spa rituals. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite home spa rituals we use to rejuvenate and renew.

Indulge in Epsom Salts and Bath Soaks

The most relaxing section of the spa-like primary bath— the soaking tub—is perfect for candlelit soaks. Indulge in a coconut bath milk or sprinkle some rose bath salts to create a leisurely spa day in your own home. Have a glass of wine and put on some relaxing records and voilà—your standard bubble bath is now an immersive spa-calibre soak.

Ban-shin-yok: The Korean Half Bath

Esthetician and founder of cult-favorite K-beauty brand Peach & Lily, Alicia Yoon, recommends ban-shin-yok, a spa practice from Korea. Fill a warm bath only halfway so that the water grazes your belly button as you sit up, then make sure your upper body stays above the water for at least 20 minutes. The contrast in temperature between the halves of your body promotes healthy circulation, aiding digestive and detoxifying processes as well as easing muscle tension. For those days where we simply need a reset, this soaking strategy resets our bodies from the inside out.

Aromatherapy Shower

Although there’s nothing quite like reclining into a hot bath, showers can provide an equally restorative experience. All it takes is adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a damp sponge or hand towel on the floor of your shower and letting the steam release the aroma. Plus, The Harrison’s large glass-enclosed showers offer the perfect setting for such a moment. Opt for lavender to unwind or de-stress with scents of bergamot.

Add Exfoliation to Your Routine

Exfoliation isn’t something necessary to do every day— however, 1-2 times a week can work wonders for your skin. An exfoliant removes the dead layer of cells on the surface and serves to brighten and prime your skin for later treatments. We recommend scrubs for the body and chemical peels for the face, as different sections of the skin need different kinds of attention. Prep a brown sugar scrub on the bath’s pristine Carrara marble countertop and store some chemical peel pads in a vanity basket, turning your sink area into a one-stop spa session.

Follow-up Facial

After cleansing and exfoliating, following up with a facial will grant your skin delightful rejuvenation. Choose a sheet mask for an intensive hydration or go for some additional exfoliation with a wash-off mask. Simply apply the facial while in the tub or at the sink, relax for 20-30 minutes and then continue with the rest of your bath rituals.

In their latest article, city publication San Francisco Business Times featured The Harrison’s recent sales success, noting that the landmark residential high-rise is quickly nearing total sellout. 

The Harrison, set high above SoMa’s Rincon Hill, sold 10 homes in the first quarter of 2021 — and now, only 21 homes remain available. SFBT writes that, according to The Harrison’s Compass sale team, this current wave of sale success is powered by the successful Covid vaccine distribution and sustained low-interest rates.

The article goes on to praise The Harrison for its post-pandemic resilience: “The S.F. condo market took a hit during the height of the pandemic — especially in terms of pricing and sky-high inventory — but may be eyeing a post-pandemic rebound. Now 95% sold, The Harrison has one remaining half-floor penthouse which is newly offered at $7.8 million.”

Read the full article, here.

The world of home goods and design is moved by artisans with standout ideas and unique sensibilities. Amplifying the voices of Asian and Pacific creatives is not just necessary — it’s what moves our industry forward. Here are some amazing artists and designers that we’d like to highlight in our homes.

Eliza Blank

Started by Eliza Blank, The Sill is your destination for potted plants to beautify your space. Gardening was a way that Blank’s mother maintained a connection to her home in the Philippines, so Blank grew up with a green thumb.  The Sill has both an online store and a brick and mortar location in Cow Hollow, so you can head out from The Harrison to select your botanicals in person, or browse foliage online and get it delivered!

Cindy Hsu Zell

Cindy Hsu Zell crafts amazing handmade sculptures with mindfully-sourced natural materials. Each piece of her’s is deeply unique, meticulously combining techniques of carving and hand-spinning rope. Zell also collaborates with Alyson Iwamoto on ceramics. Zell’s individual pieces serve as studies on gesture, curves, depth, and weight — and are readily purchasable online.

Syrette Lew

Syrette Lew’s Brooklyn-based design studio MOVING MOUNTAINS designs whimsical and minimalist furniture that seamlessly integrate into a high-rise interior. Lew’s pieces are typically made to order, but the artist also collaborates with select clients and retailers such as Colony (founded by Jean Line) on unique commissions.

Eny Lee Parker

Georgia-based designer Eny Lee Parker is an artisan of delightfully playful furniture pieces, ceramics and accessories. Lee Parker’s endlessly creative lighting sculptures in particular make for eye-catching sconces and lamps in a modern urban home, like our residences at The Harrison. All pieces are made to order.

Eunice Byun and Dave Nguyen

This Asian-American power duo founded Material when they saw a gap in the market for the kind of kitchenware they were looking for. Dedicated to stylish and functional cookware, Material curates beautiful designs with a minimalist sensibility. Their products are available online or in stock at retailers such as West Elm, Anthropologie and Verishop.

Image: Cindy Hsu Zell