Cupcake queen Kara Haspel Lind shares top spots

Kara Haspel Lind is the founder of Kara's Cupcakes, the bakery that started the cupcake craze in the Bay Area. There are now six storefronts, including the one that recently opened in Walnut Creek, and a mobile cupcake truck, called the Karavan. The 40-year-old Pittsburgh native - whose father is a dentist - moved to San Francisco a decade ago to do advertising and marketing for Allure magazine. She launched her current career in 2006 after enrolling in pastry school at Tante Marie's in North Beach.

"I wanted to focus on one thing and do it really well," she said. Lind tells us about some of her favorite places to unwind when she's not whipping up a batch of frosting.

Abode of Iyengar Yoga, 765 Monterey Blvd. "I have a husband, toddler, six bakeries and 75 employees. This yoga studio is my savior. It helps restore my sanity and emotional and physical well-being. My teacher and studio owner, Manouso Manos, is committed to helping his students while working you to the core. Many of his students travel from all over the Bay Area to attend his challenging yet therapeutic classes. It is not for the faint of heart, but I love it."

Ragazza, 311 Divisadero St. "I go here for a family night all the time. The potato, cheese and bacon pizza is divine. The ricotta cheesecake - luscious, creamy and perfect - takes me back to my Italian childhood in one bite. If you go between 5 and 7 p.m. you can get a table with little to no wait. I feel like I can have an adult dinner with my toddler."

Dress, 2271 Chestnut St. "I am so busy I just don't have the time to shop like I used to, but this is my place. They make it easy for me. It is a small shop that has some of the best designer clothes in the city. I love their selection of jeans. I can always find a perfect fit. And the accessory collection makes it a go-to place to buy a great gift."

Giordano Bros., 303 Columbus Ave. "Their all-in-one sandwiches are made with fresh Italian bread, grilled Molinari meats, olive oil and vinegar coleslaw and, yes, homemade French. It is now my San Francisco staple. A great place to watch sports - the Steelers, of course - and enjoy the best sandwich you could ever eat."

Sea Trek Ocean Kayaking Center, 85 Liberty Ship Way, Sausalito. "When I want to get out of the fog this is a great place to pack a lunch, rent a kayak and see the beautiful bay up close. We usually paddle out past the houseboats and watch the sea lions sunbathing up close. It is like a mini vacation right in our own backyard."

Marina Deli, 2299 Chestnut St. "At the bakery we start early, so we eat early, too. I like to try and eat healthy and the staff here makes one tasty veggie sandwich, loaded with fresh sprouts and greens. It hits the spot and refuels me so I can go back to work feeling good."

Oxbow Public Market, 610 First St., Napa. "Local, sustainable, artisan purveyors of some of the best food the Bay Area has to offer. It's a great place for lunch or dinner while in Wine Country and the best place to shop for parties and picnics. We like to go up on Sunday afternoon to enjoy shopping and dinner at the market. I always pick up great produce, meats, cheeses and other goodies."

Urban Mercantile, 85 Carl St. "I live in Cole Valley, and this is my neighborhood spot to pick up great gifts for birthdays, weddings and baby showers. I love their collection of designer pillows, tableware and adorable note cards. Every time I buy something here, they take the time to wrap it perfectly in their signature brown wrapping and shimmery blue, pink, orange or green ribbon."

Crissy Field. "On Saturday, I love to grab a coffee and head down to the beach with my family. We pack up our sand castle gear and build the best sand castles. There are breathtaking views of the bridge, kite boarders, paddle boarders, sailboats and the fresh San Francisco Bay air."

Fish, 350 Harbor Drive, Sausalito. "One of my favorite indulgences is their crab roll. Made with local Dungeness crab and served on a warm buttered roll, it is amazing. All their seafood is sustainable, which is great, and most of it is local as well."

Wise Touch Acupressure. By appointment, wisetouchaccupressure.com. "A session with acupressure therapist Susie Plettner is the best. It helps restore harmony in my body and keeps me sane. It is a great way to end my hectic workweek and really keeps my body in tune. Owning my own business really takes a toll on my body mentally and physically. Taking care of myself is a key to my success. I love that she can come to my home too."

Follow Aidin Vaziri at twitter.com/MusicSF. E-mail him at avaziri@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page F - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle