From romantic meals to Romeo and Juliet to outdoor adventures, your Cupid-approved roundup of food and fun is here.
Valentine’s Day in San Diego promises to be an especially busy one this year. Reservations at your favorite restaurants are filling up fast, and many are already fully booked. (We’ve researched dozens!) But there’s still time to plan something special for your sweetheart, and we’ve rounded up some fun options—from romantic restaurants, to decadent to-go meals, to cocktails served 40 stories above San Diego Bay, to a live performance of the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet … Please celebrate safely and enjoy. (PSA: Cupid approves this message.)
FOOD & DINING GUIDE
Cafe Sevilla | Dine-In, Takeout
Preorder by Feb. 11, 4 p.m. Be transported to Spain with Cafe Sevilla’s three Valentine’s Day experiences. Dine in and enjoy the four-course “Lovers in Spain” menu boasting your choice of grilled filet and saffron shrimp or Lobster Paella Valentin, with a shared sangria-raspberry tart for dessert—along with live Latin music. Or choose the three-course, flamenco dinner show experience—with seasoned flamenco dancers, who were professionally trained in Spain, performing live. The “Lovers in Spain” menu is also available for pickup (email holly@cafesevilla.com to order). Call for reservations, pricing and additional pre-Valentine’s Day offerings available. 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979
Garibaldi | Dine-In
Feb. 11-14. Offering postcard-worthy bay views, this Southern Italian-inspired rooftop oasis at InterContinental San Diego offers a newly revamped dinner menu to enjoy over the holiday weekend. New dishes include house-folded culurgiones made with sweet potato, house ricotta, Swiss chard and hazelnut; local spiny lobster Fra Diavolo with red and green chilis, San Marzano tomatoes and saffron fregola; and roasted pork belly with smoked braising greens and white-bean mash. Guests can also enjoy a shared cocktail for two at half-price; along with specialty Valentine’s Day-themed libations such as the Bleeding Heart, Single & Spicy and Vino Del Cuore (or “wine of the heart”). 901 Bayfront Court, downtown, 619.436.1081
Marine Room | Dine-In
Feb. 11-14. The iconic oceanfront restaurant of 80-plus years presents a special holiday weekend menu, designed by new executive chef Mike Minor—complete with candlelight and epic views of waves literally crashing up against the restaurant’s windows. Couples can indulge in a decadent, four-course meal with choices that include salmon-belly cornets with caviar, pan-seared diver scallops, wagyu ribeye and lemon-lavender cake for dessert. (The Marine Room’s regular dinner menu will also be available.) $150 per person (price includes a box of locally made Nola Rose chocolates). 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, 858.452.7222
Melting Pot | Dine-In
Feb 12-14. Pick a date during Valentine’s Day weekend and celebrate with a fun fondue dinner. The Melting Pot is offering a special five-course menu that includes offerings such as gruyere-cheese fondue blended with Champagne; the Cupid’s Feast fondue with lobster tail, filet-mignon Florentine, garlic-crusted chicken and more; and chocolate fondue for dessert, with dippers like strawberries, blondies and pound cake. 4-9:30 p.m. $60 per person. 901 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.234.5554
The Pony Room | Dine-In
Feb. 14. The posh Rancho Valencia Resort in Rancho Santa Fe invites guest to dine at its elegant restaurant, The Pony Room. Among its myriad decadent choices, the four-course experience offers blue-fin-tuna aguachile, seared diver scallops, herb-crusted Maine lobster tail and Chino Farms strawberry pavlova. $130 person (overnight packages also available). 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.759.6246
Ranch 45 | Dine-In, Takeout
Feb. 11-12; preorder by Feb. 9, noon. The Solana Beach butchery and eatery is offering a special outdoor dining experience Feb. 11-12; relax on the firelight patio with dishes such as steak ‘n’ eggs, pan-roasted ocean trout, grilled lamb loin and chocolate pot du crème. (Reservations required.) If you’d prefer to celebrate at home, Ranch 45 is also offering meals available for pickup, including entrees, sides, dessert and add-ons such as shrimp cocktail and pan-seared crab cakes. (see website). 512 Via de la Valle, Suite 102, Solana Beach, 858.461.0092
Solare Ristorante | Dine-In
Feb. 14. Known for its authentic Italian fare—including house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, classic antipasti and traditional desserts—and romantic ambiance, Solare is offering a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu with all your favorites; plus a rose for each couple. Call for menu details and wine-pairing options. 2820 Roosevelt Road, Liberty Station, 619.270.9670
Top of the Hyatt | Cocktails
Feb. 11-12. Celebrate early and 40 stories up at the tallest waterfront hotel on the West Coast, Manchester Grand Hyatt—boasting jaw-dropping views of San Diego Bay and beyond. The elegant lounge is offering a special menu of Valentine’s Day cocktails with fun names such as Cupid’s Punch and Love Bite; plus a Valentine dessert trio of chocolate-dipped strawberries, flourless chocolate cake with raspberry coulis, and vanilla-bean cheesecake with blueberry compote. Seating is first come, first served. 4 p.m.-midnight. 1 Market Place, downtown, 619.232.1234
La Valencia Hotel | Dine-In
Feb. 14. La Jolla’s landmark “Pink Lady” invites you to dine in the reimagined Mediterranean Room, with a special four-course menu created by chef Timothy Ralphs. Choose from lobster ravioli, filet-mignon Oscar and more, with the option of wine pairings—all while taking in panoramic ocean views. $110 per person. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 844.602.5048
Verbena Kitchen | Dine-In, Takeout
Feb. 14. The quaint North Park outpost is offering a special dinner menu on Valentine’s Day, with the option to add on a wine or cocktail pairing. Choose from dishes such as Roman-spiced prime ribeye, house-made spaghetti with crab and pumpkin-seed pesto, parsnip-and-truffle ravioli, and a seasonal fish entrée; with your choice of pot de crème, a cheese plate or brown-butter lemon curd for dessert. In addition, guests can purchase select items ahead of time, including bottles of bubbly, flower bouquets and cocktails to be enjoyed later at home. 4-9 p.m. The three-course menu is $77 per person. 3043 University Ave., North Park, 619.269.5776
Waverly | Dine-In
Feb. 13. Cardiff’s casual-chic hangout invites you to celebrate a day early with a special prix-fixe menu by executive chef Brian Redzikowski. Dishes include harissa-grilled prawns, grilled Australian lamb chops, short-rib tagine and “Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate” for an extra-sweet finish. $95 per person. 2005 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 760.230.1682
Wormwood | Dine-In
Feb. 12-14. The new Parisian bistro and absinthe bar is offering a six-course dinner experience in its low-lit dining room and on its romantic garden patio. Feast on Baja Falsa oysters; Baja-striped-bass crudo; beets with duck-liver mousse, blood orange and endive; local Petrale sole meuniere with artichoke hearts; Liberty Farms duck breast and mushroom-stuffed quail with confit chile relleno and pomegranate; and absinthe-flambéed Baked Alaska to finish. Add-ons include wine pairings and specialty cocktails such as the pink-hued Le Volcan—made with absinthe, tequila blanco, pomegranate, watermelon and pink-peppercorn lava salt. Reservations highly encouraged. 4677 30th St., North Park, 619.915.6706
FESTIVE HAPPENINGS
Posie’s Floral Co. Pop-up at One Paseo
Feb. 9-14. In honor of Valentine’s Day, One Paseo is hosting a special flower pop-up with Posie’s Floral Co., near the property’s koi pond. The “cutest flower cart you ever did see” will be stocked with blooms of nearly every type; Posie’s specializes in creating eye-popping, one-of-a-kind bouquets. After flower shopping, pop into any of One Paseo’s curated boutiques for more gift ideas. Our favorite shops include jeweler Marrow Fine, Pigment, West of Camden and Whiskey x Leather. The pop-up is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar, 858.523.2298
“Plants & Romance” at San Diego Botanic Garden
Feb. 11-12. Take a romantic evening stroll through San Diego Botanic Garden and enjoy its special “Plants & Romance” Valentine’s Day experience. Guests can walk among thousands of twinkle lights, relax around outdoor firepits, sample free chocolate while learning about cacao and the chocolate-making process, and listen to live classical guitar music. The garden is also offering a limited number of “Sweet and Sparkling” souvenir packages (sold separately from admission) that include two glasses of sparkling wine, Champagne flutes, a box of Chuao Chocolatier chocolates and an air plant to take home. 5-8:30 p.m. See website for tickets and pricing. 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Encinitas, 760.436.3036
Romeo and Juliet at San Diego Museum of Art
Feb. 13. There’s nothing like a little Shakespeare—particularly his most famous romantic tragedy—to get us into the Valentine’s Day spirit. The San Diego Museum of Art hosts Romantic ArtStops, in partnership with The San Diego Shakespeare Society, for a performance of the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. The two-part production unfolds in the museum’s upper and lower rotunda (free with museum admission), and at Plaza de Panama in front of the museum (free to all). 1-3:30 p.m. (see website for individual performance times). 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931
“Valentine Aphrodisiac Celebration” at Lips
Feb. 14. Worried the holiday might be a drag this year? The fabulous ladies of San Diego’s premier “drag palace” are here to lift your spirits on Valentine’s Day. Hosted by “Tootie” (of course!), the “Valentine Aphrodisiac Celebration” comprises a three-course dinner, libations, music and Vegas-style drag shows. Expect plenty of big hair, high heels, dancing and consumption of cheeky cocktails such as the Screaming Kiki and Pick That B*tch Up Off the Floor. Call for reservations and pricing. 3036 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, 619.295.7900
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Through March 6. Make your Valentine’s date night an artsy one. The works of Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) come to life, literally, in this awe-inspiring exhibit—presented by Keurig at the Wyland Center at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Created by Mathieu St-Arnaud of Montreal’s Normal Studio, the walk-through experience showcases more than 300 of Van Gogh’s masterpieces via 3D projection technology. The space features projection-wrapped walls of shapes, lights and colors that dance and morph into the artist’s famous landscapes, flowers, cafes and portraits—all set to a symphonic score. The dreamy backdrops are downright romantic. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar
Whale Watching Kayak Tours
Ongoing. Attention, thrill-seeking couples: Imagine the awe of spotting a 45-ton gray whale while aboard a kayak in the calm waters of La Jolla Shores … while on a Valentine’s Day date? There’s nothing more thrilling or romantic if you ask us. Everyday California is offering guided, two-hour kayak tours during which your whale-sighting chances are good. (The whales migrate every winter from Alaska to the warm lagoon waters of Mexico, passing by California along the way.) The ocean adventure company also offers stand-up paddleboard rentals. See website for reservations and pricing. 2261 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla Shores, 858.454.6195
Photo credits: Garibaldi by Kimberly Motos. Wormwood by Arlene Ibarra. Beyond Van Gogh courtesy of Paquin Entertainment Group.
