Photographed at Kali Ma’s MahaSiddha Center, Berkeley
Photographed at Kali Ma’s MahaSiddha Center, Berkeley
San Franciscans Alissa Kriteman and Rick Snyder coach individuals and couples on creating thriving, loving relationships (askrisa.com). Alissa hosts a popular weekly podcast show called Just for Women: Dating, Relationships and Sex (justforwomenshow.com); Rick leads trainings on intimacy and somatic approaches to healing (ricksnyder.org); both facilitate workshops for men on deepening their relating with women. Hand in hand, they find romance across the city.
What makes San Francisco a lovers’ town?
People come here and find acceptance, connection and different ways of being in relationships. It’s at the heart of what San Francisco offers.
Where are some of the most romantic spots around the city?
We love to watch racy movies from the balcony at the Castro Theater. We also enjoy snuggling by a bonfire in the sand at Ocean Beach or picnicking in Dolores Park on a warm fall day. Sipping tea in the Japanese Tea Gardens surrounded by aromatic spring foliage or walking around Bernal Hill Park with a Maggie Mudd peanut butter Palooka vegan ice cream sundae in hand are must-do’s!
How about tables for two?
Zazie’s [in Cole Valley] was where we had our second date. We love it either for a sumptuous weekend brunch or dinner on the back patio. To feel a rush of romantic European energy, we love dining under the twinkling lights of Belden Place, especially Plouf with its great mussel dishes and fantastic wine list. Tao Cafe or Pomelo in Noe Valley are other cozy favorites. We recommend the exotic tea selections at Samovar Tea Lounge in the Castro — a tea service experience not to be missed!
Are there any rituals you have as individuals or a couple?
We meditate and do yoga daily, which helps in the practice of letting go. It is sometimes easier to hold onto unhealthy ideas of who we think our lover is, and have that become reality, than it is to be in a consistent practice of remembering the love and connection that brought us together. Meditation reminds us of who we really are: lovers.
What would you recommend to couples exploring a deeper connection?
Keep learning: take classes together that expand who you know yourself to be and share openly with each other. We like Charu’s yoga class at Stanyan Yoga Tree — it gets your heart and body energized — or any class with Rinpoche Kali Ma on Tantric Yogic Buddhism.