Restaurant reservations for Valentine’s Day 2026 filled up reeeeally quickly at San Diego’s romantic hot spots. (February 14 falls on a Saturday this year!) But not to worry; we’ve rounded up a few fabulous places that still have openings (last we checked) and other Cupid-approved ideas to celebrate the holiday—whether single or with your sweetheart.
Bubbles & Sweets Bar at Extraordinary Desserts
Feb. 12. Get your sweet tooth satisfied (along with a little mingling) before the Valentine’s Day sugar rush at the Little Italy location of Extraordinary Desserts. The bakery/restaurant is serving complimentary bubbly and a decadent array of house-made sweets and treats, including cookies, cake slices and brownies. Specialties include the XO Romeo, a chocolate brownie smothered with chocolate ganache and salted caramel; and the Juliet Cake, made with white chocolate, roses and raspberry. 6-9 p.m. $42 per person (reservations required; see website). 1430 Union St., Little Italy, 619.294.7001
Valentine’s Fun at San Diego Botanic Garden
Feb. 12, 14-15. A visit to this 37-acre oasis in Encinitas—home to lush gardens, a rainforest and more—makes for a perfect romantic afternoon. Stroll among the garden’s charming paths, which lead you by more than 5,000 plants from around the world; and/or take a fun class or workshop together. There’s the Succulent Heart Workshop on Feb. 12; and the Heart in Harmony Sound Healing experience on Feb. 15. Or celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 with an intimate evening in the Candlelit Conservatory, complete with cascading plant chandeliers, drinks, light bites and live music. See website for hours and admission info. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036
Flagship Valentine’s Weekend Cruises
Feb. 13-15. Take to the sea with a romantic cruise aboard a modern yacht along San Diego Bay. Flagship Cruises & Events is offering its Sweethearts Dinner Cruise, Feb. 13-15, including a three-course meal, Champagne, a professional couples photo, DJ music and dancing. Or opt for the Valentine’s Day Champagne Brunch Cruise, Feb. 14, with a chef-prepared breakfast buffet, from carving stations to seafood to desserts; plus DJ entertainment, unlimited mimosas and more. See website for departure times and ticket pricing. 990 N. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.234.4111
San Diego Opera: The Barber of Seville
Feb. 13-15. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, San Diego Opera stages The Barber of Seville, with music by Gioachino Rossini and libretto by Cesare Sterbini. Rossini’s prequel to Mozart’s funny, romantic opera, The Marriage of Figaro, centers on Figaro, the witty, charismatic barber. He plays matchmaker for his friend, Count Almaviva, who is desperately in love with the lovely Rosina—all challenged by Rosina’s greedy, paranoid guardian, Dr. Bartolo. Mistaken identities and hilarious hijinks ensue. See website for showtimes and tickets. Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.533.7000
Saint Valentino Cruises with the Gondola Company
Feb. 13-15. Float away for Valentine’s Day with The Gondola Company, offering exclusive Saint Valentino Cruises during the holiday weekend. Enjoy a private 50-minute tour aboard a Venetian gondola through the canals of the Coronado Cays, led by a professional gondolier. The experience includes a heart-shaped box of chocolates from See’s Candies and a single red rose. Upgrades include select wines, non-alcoholic beverages, a bouquet of roses, a gondolier serenade, and a live mandolin player. See website for pricing and reservations. 503 Grand Caribe Causeway, Suite C, Coronado, 619.429.6317
“Bubbly on the Star” at Maritime Museum of San Diego
Feb. 14. After dinner on Valentine’s Day, surprise your sweetheart with “Bubbly on the Star,” a special nightcap experience aboard the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s iconic Star of India. (Built in 1863, it’s the world’s oldest active sailing ship and a National Historic Landmark.) Each ticket includes open-deck access for stargazing and mingling dockside, a drink from the wine and mimosa bar, a box of sweet treats, a fresh rose, and live acoustic music. 7:30-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (21+). 1492 N. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.234.9153
“Puppy Love” at Swing Social
Feb. 14. Find your next “fur-ever” friend on Valentine’s Day at Swing Social—the Gaslamp’s high-energy interactive sports bar and eatery—which has partnered with Amazing Strays Rescue for this fun “Puppy Love” adoption event. Get to know some adorable pups in need of homes on Swing Social’s patio (no pressure!), and enjoy a brew or two. In fact, $1 of every Ballast Point beer sold during the event will be donated to Amazing Strays to support their mission. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 527 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Rancho Valencia
Feb. 14. The five-star Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe invites guests to dine at its elegant restaurant, The Pony Room. Among its myriad decadent choices, the four-course Valentine’s Day Dinner experience for-two offers lobster bisque, butter-poached Maine lobster, black truffle ravioli, Brandt Beef Filet Oscar, Alaskan king crab, a red-velvet heart-shaped souffle, and chocolate crème brulee. For an indulgent add-on, start the evening with Royal Petrossian caviar. $195 per person (plus optional wine pairings). Call for reservations. 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.759.6246
Jacobs Music Center: Jazz @ The Jacobs Concert
Feb. 14. San Diego Symphony presents a special Jazz @ The Jacobs concert on Saturday at Jacobs Music Center. “Songs for Lovers” celebrates the music of jazz legends Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker and Dina Washington. The lineup of performing musicians includes trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos (pictured), saxophonist Charles McPherson, pianist Randy Porter, vocalist Melissa Morgan, bassist Luke Little and drummer Willie Jones III. 7:30 p.m. (Preshow performance by Young Lions Jazz Conservatory at 6:30 p.m.) See website for ticket pricing. 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804
Valentine’s Week Dining at STK Steakhouse
Through Feb. 16. Celebrate anytime during the full week surrounding Valentine’s Day at STK. In addition to its regular dinner menu, the posh steakhouse is offering a special limited-time menu of romantic, decadent dishes. Offerings include a chocolate-covered strawberry cocktail, blending Don Julio Blanco, strawberry and Baileys Chocolate; Kaluga caviar served with blinis and cream; a classic surf & turf entrée with an 8-ounce filet mignon, roasted half-lobster tail and truffle butter; king crab pasta gratin, layered with creamy tomato sauce and bubbling cheese; and a lobster tail paired with garlic chili butter, drawn butter, grilled lemon, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Save room for the molten-chocolate-lava marshmallow cake, finished with raspberries and vanilla ice cream. See website for full menu and to make reservations (strongly encouraged but not required). 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.354.5988
Valentine’s Weekend Whale Watching
Ongoing. Make your Valentine’s weekend an adventurous one with a whale-watching excursion. Spotting whales in San Diego waters year-round is common, but wintertime here is your best bet for spotting Gray Whales. Weighing up to 45 tons each, Gray Whales pass by California every year during the winter months as they migrate from Alaska to the warm lagoon waters of Mexico. San Diego Whale Watch is one of our favorite local companies, offering three-hour whale-watching tours, complete with a marine naturalist on board; as well as private charters. In addition to whale spotting, you’re likely to see a variety of marine life on your tour, including harbor seals, sea lions and pods of dolphins. See website for reservations and pricing. 1617 Quivira Road, Mission Bay, 619.542.9931
Photo credits: Gilbert Castellanos is by J. Grant Brittain. All other images are courtesy of the businesses featured.
