Activities: Relaxing

Take a trip from Haight on down to Sunset with these acoustic-centric songs by California artists from the late '60s and early '70s. Singer-songwriter, folk rock, country rock, soft rock. Lots of harmony, and plenty of mellow.

Introspective folk-based songs to help you reflect during the fleeting moments of magic hour when the sun has dipped below the horizon but hasn't yet set.

Delve into the quiet, ballad-oriented side of Miles Davis, along with a wide selection of the contemplative moods of members of his classic 1950s and '60s bands. Get mellow with Miles.

Starting in the late 1940s, a new, more cerebral and mellower response to bebop became one of the dominant strains in jazz. Enjoy the birth, maturation and continuation of cool jazz, with an emphasis on ballads.

This playlist is the cure to a long, hard day at work; real music that's really relaxing.

The perfect soundtrack of warm, acoustic songs handpicked for enjoying crisp autumn air, fall foliage, and hot apple cider.

Tired? Angry? Need some peace of mind? Put down whatever you're doing and enjoy some relaxing and inspiring musical moments at a nice slow tempo.

Since the late 1950s, bossa nova has entranced listeners around the world. Enjoy over five decades' worth of music from Brazil and beyond, all influenced by the languid sensuality that began on Ipanema beach.

Get intimate with these lushly arranged records full of artful elegance -- from idiosyncratic alt-pop to moody soul and cool, classy balladry.

This playlist of mostly acoustic, guitar-based songs is perfect for long, relaxing nights in your bedroom. By yourself, or with someone special, listen to this until the sun rises.

Nocturnal and textural electronica for long nights. By yourself, or with someone special, listen to this until the sun rises.

A journey through the history of France's vibrant electronic music scene; from the early pioneers inspired by "musique concrète" to today's chillout masters.

Turn any old room into a trendy cocktail lounge with this jet-setting collection of swank, laid-back grooves.

Trip-Hop began in the mid-1990s when England's hip hop and house scenes converged to create a unique hybrid of downtempo electronic music.

Not all electro acts aim for the dance floor. Explore the low-key, laid-back side of the style though these well-known names and under-the-radar indie acts.

Let the cool breezes of these laid-back R&B classics put you in a place where stress evaporates on contact and you drift off into an otherworldly plane of sweet soul music from every era.

This playlist features mellow indie tunes that provide the perfect soundtrack for working, studying, or just plain old relaxing.

A varied mix of smooth downtempo and electronic grooves handpicked for sitting by the ocean with a refreshing beverage.

An introduction to classical solo piano music, featuring the best recordings of the most important works.

Listen to the breeziest lite rock songs of the '70s.

Settle into the hip, cool lounge of a trendy European hotel with these stylish tunes. Order a cocktail and let the evening take you away.

Tie a sweater around your neck and set sail for the high seas with these smoother than smooth yacht rock classics.

Originating in the 1950s, bossa nova (Portugese for "new trend") combined harmonies and rhythms from American jazz with Brazilian samba. Now these songs have become standard jazz repertoire.

Whether you're lounging in a hammock or soaking up rays on a summer afternoon, this eclectic mix will help you reach your full potential for relaxation.

If it's raining outside, you should be listening to this.

Enjoy the best soft and soothing pop songs from the '90s through today. The perfect soundtrack to melt away the stress of your day.

This playlist features comforting folk songs from the '60s to today, replete with warm acoustic guitars and soothing vocal harmonies.

Like Vinyasa, this playlist is both flowing and dynamic; some songs function to clear the mind while others work to energize the body. The focus here is on left-of-center acoustic and electronic songs.

The best relaxing, sleep-inducing songs for passing out and getting some zzzzzz's.

Folk and folk-like tunes from both sides of the pond that evoke a forest setting.

There is nothing quite like the seductive sonority of a finely played cello. Every composer has tried to win her affection through the centuries; here are the mellow classics that make her the great lady of the orchestra.

Classic female blues singers from the 1920s through the '50s, from the lowdown dirty Beale Street blues to the sanctified gospel of the storefront churches.

Explore this producer-focused style of hip hop, a combination of rap and electronica.

Put on your slippers, wrap yourself in a blanket, and get cozy by the fire.

Low-tempo indie tunes perfect to take your mind off being cramped up in coach, whether you're trying to fall asleep or just get into a zen-like zone.

Your mornings need a soundtrack. This is music for taking it easy with a newspaper and a big cup of coffee.

The islands call with this mix of hip-swaying Hawaiian classics, contemporary singers, and tunes for ukelele or slack-key guitar for that luau state of mind.

Jazz on the light and easy side, spanning the decades with plenty of mellow R&B flourishes.

Nothing helps a blue mood like hearing from someone who knows just how you feel. From the sensitive singer-songwriters of the early '70s to the gloomy indie rockers of today, this is the perfect playlist when you're in the mood to mope.

The solo piano piece is music at its most contemplative. Enjoy these works from the classical, romantic and modern eras in any setting that calls for the quiet intimacy of the pianist and his or her instrument.

A sophisticated, earthy soundtrack of classical music inspired by autumn. Listen closely and you'll hear leaves changing color.

Sometimes you just need some "me" time, with a good book and a cup of tea. Here's some calming classical music for your quiet moments alone.

These quiet, pensive tunes are perfect for an overcast afternoon, either curled up at home or settled in at a cozy cafe.

A full orchestra is not always needed for classical music; in fact, more music has been written for intimate spaces than grand concert halls. Explore the chamber music of the great composers.

Enjoy these predominantly acoustic, unplugged songs with a distinctly wintry feel. Imagine yourself snowed-in on a winter day, sitting by the fireplace with little to do but reflect.

These are the women who wander freely through the worlds of folk, country, bluegrass, and other Americana styles, stirring up a sound that evokes an evening spent watching the sun go down on a rural back porch.

Time to celebrate, get high, and groove to some of the best reggae music from the timeless roots and dub period.

Clear, concise and creative solo piano recordings that evoke a contemplative and, at times, nocturnal feeling. Perfect for late night unwinding.

Bring together 10 fingers, one guitar, and a head full of jazz, and a whole world will spring into view right before your very ears. Listen to these solo-guitar performances by some of the finest fretmasters ever to sling a jazz axe.

Recently popularized by the movie "The Descendants," Hawaiian folk is a soothing style of acoustic folk music featuring slack-key guitar, ukulele, and warm vocal harmonies. Say aloha to traditional Hawaiian folk's best artists, both past and present.

The term "indie" may conjure up thoughts of a scrappy aesthetic, but as these exceptional acts prove, there's plenty of room for a more refined sound as well.

It wasn't all about grunge at the birth of The Alternative Era. Some artists took from the rich history of elegantly-constructed pop and made their own indie-minded version of sophistication.

As garish as the decade could often be, the 1980s were also a time of musical sophistication. Especially in the post-punk UK, a suave persona and musical creativity were admirable traits even among DIY indie types.

The 1970s saw the once-homogenous rock audience split into factions like soft singer-songwriters, bluesy hard rock, and artsy progressives. et a fondness for complex arrangements and thoughtful lyrics united listeners like never before.