03.23.11 home | north bay bohemian index | news | north bay | Best of the North Bay 2011 ## Recreation Reader's Picks ### Best Love / Hate Relationship with Core Muscles Pilates is no joke. The first time I tried it, I went in confident in my strength and flexibility. I walked out realizing just how weak and inflexible I really am. Who knew that using one's own body weight as resistance for a mere half hour could cause days-long soreness? That said, it's certainly a workout worth trying, and Downtown Pilates is your pick for Best Pilates Studio in Napa County. Along with regular pilates mat classes, Downtown Pilates teaches fusion, a challenging exercise done to music and a style that combines elements of pilates, yoga, ballet and Lotte Berk. Equestrian pilates classes are also available, an innovative workout that enhances the muscles,which benefits both horse and rider. If you're able to keep it up (unlike me), eventually your body could be as ripped as Madonna's—pilates is her fitness secret of choice.—M.S. ### Best Antecedent to Coit Tower Sometimes there's nothing more refreshing than being surrounded by mile-high redwoods, forest vegetation and the reassuring sound of running creek water. Doesn't sound like a bad way to spend a relaxing day or even a weekend, which is why so many locals and wine tourists alike are drawn to Bothe State Park, your pick for Best Park in Napa County, located in the heart of Napa Valley. Named after Reinhold Bothe, the park has a long history. In the 1870s, much of the park was acquired as a country estate for Charles Hitchcock (whose daughter, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, would eventually have a tower erected in her name) for social gatherings and a popular vacation spot for San Francisco's elite. The valley's attractiveness prompted Bothe to acquire part of the estate when the last of its original owners passed away in 1929. Initially calling it Paradise Park, Bothe continued operations as a private resort until the state park system acquired it in 1960. With over 50 campsites meant for family camping and five historic hiking trails stretching over 10 miles of land, Bothe Park is every nature lover's happy place. Because of its prime proximity to many wineries, many visitors discover it on accident, not having known it's even there. Large picnic grounds are available for day use and a swimming pool is open for visitors in the summer. The park is principally located on volcanic ground, and ash from its tectonic past can be seen on the cliffs of Ritchy Canyon. Sun, trees, historic grounds and delicious sandwiches packed for lunch. What could be better?—M.S. ### Best Bike Shop Marin Mike's Bikes 836 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.454.3747. 1 Gate 6 Road, Sausalito. 415.332.3200. Napa Calistoga Bike Shop 1318 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga. 866.942.2453. Sonoma Mike's Bikes of Petaluma 264 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707.776.0606. Honorable Mention Bike Peddler / NorCal Bike Sport 605 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.571.2428. 425 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.573.0112. ### Best Independent Bike Frame Builder Marin Otis Guy Cycles 115 Ridge Road, Fairfax. 415.250.2585. Napa Curtis Inglis, Retrotrec www.ingliscycles.com Sonoma SyCip Bicycles www.sycip.com Honorable Mention Soulcraft Bikes www.soulcraftbikes.com ### Best Gym Marin Tamalpais CrossFit 555 Francisco Blvd. E., #19, San Rafael. 415.256.9400. Napa First Place Tie Synergy Medical Fitness Center 3421 Villa Lane, Napa. 707.251.1395. Fitness First 1330 Gerard St., Calistoga. 707.942.5275. Sonoma Coaches Corner 420 Morris St., Sebastopol. 707.829.5180. Honorable Mention Powerhouse Gym 515 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.284.4664. ### Best Health Club Marin Bay Club Marin 220 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera. 415.945.3000. Napa Synergy Medical Fitness Center 3421 Villa Lane, Napa. 707.251.1395. Sonoma Airport Health Club 432 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa. 707.528.2582. Honorable Mention Parkpoint Health Club 1200 North Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.578.1640. 19111 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 707.996.3111. 195 Foss Circle, Healdsburg. 707.385.2500. ### Best Pilates Studio Marin Fit First Pilates 21 Tamal Vista Blvd. #162, Corte Madera. 415.264.2157. Napa Downtown Pilates 1338 Pearl St., Napa. 707.257.7382. Sonoma Tone 850 Fourth St. #A, Santa Rosa. 707.526.3100. Honorable Mention Pilates Collective 132 Weeks Way, Sebastopol. 707.829.8746. ### Best Yoga Studio Marin Bikram Yoga San Rafael 1295 Second St. # 201, San Rafael. 415.453.9642. Napa Ubuntu Restaurant 1140 Main St., Napa. 707.251.5656. Sonoma Bikram College of India 522 Wilson St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.9642. Honorable Mention Three Dog Yoga 2097 Stagecoach Road, Santa Rosa. 707.528.1071. ### Best Martial Arts School Marin Kim's Martial Arts Institute 85 Red Hill Ave., San Anselmo. 415.455.0471. Napa Red Dragon Karate 2000 W. Pueblo Ave., Napa. 707.255.5470. Sonoma New School Aikido 880 Piner Road #55, Santa Rosa. 707.571.2013. Honorable Mention ATA Martial Arts 1415 Fulton Road, Ste. 221. Santa Rosa. 707.523.1144. 1416 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.568.4321. 397 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa. 707.591.0800. ### Best Outdoor Gear Shop Marin Demo Sport 1101 Francisco Blvd., San Rafael. 415.454.3500. Napa Napa River Velo 796 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.258.8729. Sonoma Sonoma Outfitters 145 Third St., Santa Rosa. 707.528.1920. Honorable Mention Clavey Paddlesports 409 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma. 707.766.8070. ### Best Park Marin Samuel P. Taylor State Park Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Lagunitas. 415.488.9897. Napa Bothe Park 3801 St. Helena Hwy. N., Calistoga. 707.942.4575. Sonoma Howarth Park 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 707.543.3282. Honorable Mention Helen Putnam Regional Park 411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. ### Best Public Golf Course Marin StoneTree Golf Club 9 Stonetree Lane, Novato. 415.209.6090. Napa Napa Golf Course 2295 Streblow Road, Napa. 707.255.4333. Sonoma Bennett Valley Golf Course 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.528.3673. Honorable Mention Windsor Golf Club 1340 19th Hole Drive, Windsor. 707.838.7888. ### Best Snow / Skate / Board Shop Marin Battens & Boards 2640 Northgate Mall, San Rafael. 415.479.0103. Napa Boardgarden 2740 Jefferson St., Napa. 707.253.7949. Sonoma Brotherhood Board Shop 1216 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.546.0660. Honorable Mention Santa Rosa Ski & Sport 1125 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. 707.578.4754. ### Best Surf Shop Marin Battens & Boards 2640 Northgate Mall, San Rafael. 415.479.0103 Napa Snowdrift 3090 Jefferson St., Napa. 707.255.3509. Sonoma Northern Light Surf Shop 17191 Bodega Hwy., Bodega. 707.876.3032. Honorable Mention Brotherhood Board Shop 1216 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.546.0660. Send a letter to the editor about this story.