Editor's note: As 2010 dawns, a new wave of birthday plans surface-each loaded with unique purpose. Every astrological sign expects not only to be celebrated but feted with an extra dollop of style and originality. Tell us truly, haven't you always secretly thought that your birthday should be declared a national holiday? Of course you have. Why stop there, maybe a month-long festival, or perhaps something on an international scale. Are we right? Honest now, 'fess up. In order to launch the new year with an exhilarating opportunity for every birthday kid, here's a perfect party tailored to each astrological sign. Happy Birthday, Ho! Ho! Ho!

ARIES (March 20-April 19) Spring skiing. Action, reaction-visionary Aries thrives on excitement. A ski in/ski out slopeside condo at Bear Valley is tailor made to the super sign ever ready to leap tall buildings at a single bound. Legendary terrain, amazing snow. As the first sign in the astrological chart, the "baby" of the Cosmos, Aries represents birth and rebirth. How appropriate for the interdenominational spring service atop Bear Valley summit. Celebrants will ride up on the chair lift then have a choice of riding or skiing back down. Additionally snow bunnies can look forward to an Easter egg hunt April 3. Consider rustic but luxurious Bear Valley Lodge for dining and an over-night stay. GO: Take Highway 4 to the junction of 207, 8 Bear Valley Rd.. Phone: (209) 753-6421. Bear Valley Lodge, 3 Bear Valley Rd, Bear Valley. Phone: (209) 753-01227. stay@bearvalleylodge.com

TAURUS (April 20-May 19) The Ultimate Flower Show. Treat yourself to a floral extravaganza May 6 to 9 when exquisite arrangements and magnificent table settings complement the ongoing splendor of Filoli House and Gardens. A national treasure nestled on 654 acres, Woodside's Filoli is considered one of the world's ten garden greats. What better venue for a Taurus, the cosmic horticulturalist? Celebrate yourself with docent-led or self-guided tours, jazz concerts, talks or classes and enjoy lunch or tea in the leafy outdoor patio. GO: Filoli, located 30 miles south of San Francisco at 86 Ca–ada Road, Woodside, is open for the 2010 Season from Feb. 9 to Oct 24. Reservations for tours and classes or tickets for events can be purchased online at www.filoli.org or by calling Filoli weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (650) 364-8300, ext. 508.

GEMINI (May 20-June 20) An afternoon in no-wear land. Since no one can suck it in forever, a clothing optional beach is the ultimate equalizer. And if anyone can handle (even enjoy!) that, it's sophisticated Gemini, the "been there, done that" sign. The scenery at Gray Whale Cove Park is spectacular in every sense. Though essentially a bare bottom beach, the vibes are safe and accepting. Following your sunfest, consider a lusty tea (St. James with a cheeseboard of brie, tillamook and Irish Blarney cheddar accompanied by a fruit tart) and possibly an overnight at The Goose & Turrets B & B. GO: Gray Whale Cove Park, San Mateo County coast north of Montera at Highway 1, (650) 726-8819, www.nationalparkreservations.com Goose & Turrets, 835 George St., Montara, (650) 728-5451. www. goose.montara.com

CANCER (June 21-July 21) Moon watch. For the best celestial sightings this side of Venus, try a cliff-top hot tub at Big Sur's Esalen-ideally on June 25 when the moon waxes full in Cancer. If there are any other realities out there, you will surely experience them. Indulge your soul with a weekend seminar or just get naked some night between 1 and 3 a.m. Advisory: If not staying at Esalen, you'll want to book a room somewhere close like the Big Sur River Inn (800 548-3610) or Big Sur Lodge (800 424-4787). After the hot tub experience, you'll be too snoozy to go far. GO: 55000 Highway l, Big Sur, (831) 667-3047. $20 per person for the soak. Reservations required. www.esalen.org

LEO (July 22-Aug. 21) Theater Evening. Dahling, what could be more superbly divine! After a stunning performance at SF's Curran or Geary, divas will be ready for their close ups at the ultra inn across the street. Hotel Diva is super ala gorgeous and soooo Leo. When the play's the thing, dining divas will think: Location! Location! Location! They can't miss with the Cortez, located just across the street from both theaters. Excellent dinners are served by a staff dedicated to getting their patrons to the show on time. GO: Hotel Diva, 44 Geary, San Franciso (800) 553-1900, www.personalityhotels.com/ Cortez, 550 Geary. (415) 292-6360. Open nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

VIRGO (Aug. 22-Sept. 21) Mud bathing. Ooooooosh, gooosh . . .it's wonderful. Relaxation's name is mud. Getting down and dirty is what it's all about. Remember mud pies, the squishy-wishy ones made from puddles long ago? The gooey monument was poked and molded with fingers reaching eagerly into the ooze. It was hard to resist taking off your shoes and stepping in it. Ooh! Agh! Mostly you remember how good it felt. Mud baths are a bit more adult, but the sense of gooey abandon remains the same. Squeaky clean Virgos will love the excuse to get down and dirty in Calistoga. What follows is a mineral springs shower, then a bubble bath followed by a 50 minute massage. A happy birthday, indeed. GO: Spas in Calistoga run the gamut from from funky to fabulous. My favorite, Baths at Roman Spa, is also a hotel. The price for a mud bath, shower and massage is $150. 1300 Washington St. Calistoga. Phone:(800) 404-4772. Brunch is good at Cafˇ Sarafornia, 1413 Lincoln Ave. Sam Brannan, a pioneer bon vivant, would take pride in his namesake, Brannan's Grill. The food, ambience and service are first class.

LIBRA (Sept 22-Oct. 22) Vineyard carriage ride. Romantic Libras will delight in the elegant high stepping horses, charming carriages and picturesque routes past lush ripening grapes. A highlight of the four-hour excursion is a gourmet picnic featuring artisan cheeses, herbed meats, fresh baguettes, assorted olives, French chocolate truffles and organic strawberries. Lucky Libras will have an opportunity to toast themselves at four wineries-Alexander Valley, White Oak, Hanna and Sausal-along the way. GO: $145 per person includes everything. The ride leaves from the Alexander Valley Winery, 8644 Highway 125, Healdsburg. (707) 849-8989, www.flyinghorse.org

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Go ghost hunting. Picturesque Mokelumne Hill boasts a resident ghost. George Leger, a French bon vivant, was a colorful figure during Gold Rush days. Rumor has it that an irate husband gunned him down. Those Frenchmen! Whatever his indiscretions, George's remains were taken from his Hotel Leger and interred in a nearby graveyard. Some say that was the end of it. Some say not. Does George still walk the town? Since secrets are a Scorpio's passion, the Hotel Leger is your cup of spirits. Set up your Ouija board there. What does it spell? W-E-I-R-D! W-I-L-D! W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L-L! GO: Mokelumne Hill, the town that time forgot, is a Gold Rush village in the Sierra foothills off Highway 49. The bar of the Hotel Leger (pronounced "lah-zay") is the town living room. You'll find spirits of all kinds there. 105 Main, Mokelumne Hill. Phone: (209) 286-1401.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 20) Gaming Night. High rolling Sagittarians-the sign that spends most of its time in the fast lane-is right at home at the Cal Neva. Archers like the "Rat Pack" aura that still pervades and appreciate a venue where luck remains a lady. The lodge was built in 1926 to straddle both California and Nevada, later becoming a not so secret haven for Frank Sinatra and his assorted playmates. Today, besides gambling, dining and checking out shows, visitors can explore underground passages that once facilitated the bed hops of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Frank Sinatra. GO: Cal Neva Resort, 2 Stateline Rd., Crystal Bay, NV 89402, (800) 225-6382, www.CalNevaResort.com

CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 18) Ahwahnee holiday. Tradition is a Capricorn thing. Beamed ceilings? Massive stone hearths? Richly-colored Native American art? One great architectural wonder of the world has them all. Saturn's kids are not only ambitious but decisive. Many have already reserved for Christmas 2011. Completed in 1927, Yosemite National Park's Ahwahnee Lodge with its striking granite fa¨ade, magnificent log-beamed ceilings, and richly colored Native American artwork is one of the world's el primo lodges. It's also the perfect location to view Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point and what better time to enjoy it all than with the winter full moon beaming right on you. GO: Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, (559) 253-5636, ww.nationalparkreservation.co

AQUARIUS (Jan. 19-Feb. 17) Murder mystery dinner. Sleuth and snoop while dining at a historic Gold Rush hotel. The Volcano Theatre Company's productions are to die for-as is the food at their most frequent venue, Volcano's St. George Hotel. Brainy Aquarians will love matching wits with the actors and, hopefully solving the mystery by dessert time. Or, consider this: Volcano Theatre is a have crime will travel company. Want a mystery drama performed at a venue of your choosing? Decide where and the players will come to you. GO: Dinner Mystery Theatre at the St. George is $35. 16104 Main St., Volcano. Phone: (800) 276-7415. For a performance tailored specifically for you choice, call Beth Barnard at (209) 295-5838.

PISCES (Feb. 18-March 19) Visit the alpha aquarium. Like most fish stories, Monterey's aquatic shrine just gets better and better. This is where the good Pisceans go on their birthdays. They know Neptune's temple when they see it, love to watch the seahorses frolic, the sharks circle. In fact, the sharks are doing a special thing for you this year. Pisceans will feel awe, fear, wonder and respect during "Shark Days," Feb. 20 and 21 when shark feed experts share their secrets. Afterwards drop by the aquarium's Portola Cafˇ for lunch or have dinner at the Passionfish. (So Pisces!) GO: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, (831) 648-4800, www.montereybayaquarium.org/ Passionfish, 701 Lighthouse Ave. Phone: (831) 655-3311.