[Editor’s Note: We suggested a great Labor Day weekend getaway idea yesterday: Snow Valley (without the snow). It seemed pretty cool. But our news department failed to inform Weekendr section Editor Eddie Rivera that the mountains were about to be closed. Not to let down readers, staff writer Cynthia Yang is back today with some alternate ideas.]
While the mountains always sound like a terrific getaway any time of year, Snow Valley Mountain Resort won’t be your mountain getaway this Labor Day weekend. Nor will any other mountain resort or getaway, including the nearby Angeles National Forest.
All roads through all the national forests are now closed.
As we learned yesterday following publication of our story on Snow Valley Resort, according to the U.S. Forest Service, the San Bernardino National Forest, as well as all other National Forests in California, were to be closed beginning on Tuesday through at least Friday, September 17.
An announcement from Snow Valley said, “Although there is no fire activity in proximity to Snow Valley, firefighting resources are currently challenged due to fires elsewhere in California. While our operations are currently suspended, please know that we were the first lift-serviced bike park to open in Southern California for this season and still plan to be the last to close on October 31.
“We are prepared to reopen at a moment’s notice and look forward to seeing everyone on the mountain again soon,” added the announcement.
But, if a drive to the beach, a stroll through the Arroyo or a jaunt around the Rose Bowl doesn’t light your sparkler, it’s not too early to make fall or Halloween plans.
We’ve curated a small handful of ideas further south on the 5 and east on the 10, just for this occasion.
In anticipation of California Surfing Day on Sept. 20 and the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Pasea Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach recently debuted a new surf-centric program, including a “Surf Massage” at Aarna Spa, which features a sea salt scrub, followed by a deep tissue sports massage, all set to sounds of ocean waves.
Additionally, surf lessons are available for hotel guests in partnership with Learn to Surf HB. Pasea’s signature restaurant, Tanner’s, will also be offering a special surf menu, beginning in September, featuring healthy plant-based items perfect for before or after a surf session.
Guests of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, can enjoy “Core & Cocktails” classes that include a 45-minute core workout followed by cocktails. Ticket holders will also receive complimentary valet parking, 15% off at Mustangs & Burros, and the pool will stay open to swim under the stars. Events will feature a mindful activation from Spa Estancia and kick off at 5:30 p.m. Upcoming dates include Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.
Estancia will also host its first-ever Bridgerton Masquerade Halloween Soirée on Sunday, October 31 from 5-9 p.m. Guests may indulge in an evening featuring live entertainment, performances, unlimited food and beverage experiences.
More information is available here. For even more festive fall fun at the property, Estancia will also house a pumpkin patch, cider bar and more.
Out eastward, Palm Springs is gearing up for the fall season with a host of events as well.
The BNP Paribas Tournament, which begins October 4-17, is one of the country’s premier annual men’s and women’s tennis tournaments, taking place on the hard courts of Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The two-week long BNP Paribas Open is classified as an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for the men and a WTA Premier event for the women.
The annual and popular Modernism Week Fall Preview, which will run from October 14-17, offers visitors a chance to celebrate all things mid-century modern design with the Modernism Week Fall Preview.
The four-day long “Mini-Modernism Week” features more than 50 events, including tours, talks, and parties in unique locations not regularly open to the public.
Just a few hundred miles north of here, the luxurious Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, is hosting a series of Wellness Retreats on the first Saturday of each month. Future dates include the September 19th Soul Journey Retreat Trusting Your Intuition Retreat, on October 17th.