12 Non-Dinner Ideas for Valentine’s Day in San Diego
Love it or leave it, Valentine’s Day is back and we’ve got your guide to celebrating in America’s Finest City. We trust you to make your own dinner reservations, but here’s some ideas for what to do pre- or post- dinner —some classic, some out-of-the-box, but all distinctly San Diego.
WINE & CHOCOLATES
Venissimo
Feb. 14. Savor a selection of cheeses, chocolates and champagne at Venissimo in Flower Hill Promenade. Learn the secret to perfectly pair cocoa, fromage and bubbles in an intimate, hands-on class with plenty of scrumptious samples. 5-6:30 p.m. $50/pp. 2650 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.847.9616. venissimo.com
Sweet Petite Confections
Feb. 13, 14. Artisan chocolate shop, Sweet Petite Confections hosts an afternoon of wine and chocolate pairings perfect for a pre-dinner activity. Enjoy three wines paired with three of the shop’s limited edition Valentine’s chocolates plus a goodie bag to enjoy later. 4-5 p.m. $35/pp. Reservations required. 3582 Mount Acadia Blvd., Bay Park, 858.688.0210. sweetpetiteconfections.com
DESSERT
Bake Sale
Feb. 10. Learn the art of romantic recipes (and take home the sweets) with a Bake! class at Bake Sale. Terryl Gavre hosts a Valentine’s-themed class where you’ll learn techniques for tempering and dipping chocolate, beginner’s lesson in fudge, and how to make the bakery’s famous chocolate sables. $75/pp. 815 F St., East Village, 619.515.2224. bakesalesd.com
Cravory Cookies
Bring home some serious sweetness from Cravory Cookies in Point Loma. Featuring new and unique variations every month, the February lineup includes such flavors as “Her Chocolate Covered Strawberries,” “My Heart Beets for You,” “His Peanut Butter IPA,” and “Horchata Picante” as well as their classic flavors. 3960 W. Point Loma Blvd., Point Loma, 619.795.9077. thecravory.com
DANCE
Lafayette Hotel
Feb. 14. Lafayette Hotel hosts “Some Like it Hot” for a Valentine’s Day event with flare. Enjoy a three-course dinner featuring dishes like poached Mexican shrimp, Baja-style wedge, churrasco New York strip steak and tres leches cake. After the meal, get moving with live Latin music by Gipsy Menco and dancing. Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park, 619.780.0358. lafayettehotelsd.com
PAMPER
Spa L’Auberge Del Mar
Through the month of February, enjoy the “Love Me” botanical body treatment, featuring a full body scrub with sugar cane and Noni oil, a hydrating body wrap and a relaxing scalp massage for an indulgent spa day. 80 minutes, $185. L’Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 858.259.1515. laubergedelmar.com
Blush Tan
To look as though you just stepped off a Caribbean cruise, head to Blush Tan in La Jolla for an all-natural sprayed glow without the skin damage. The salon is a perfect stop to pamper before heading to a fabulous date night. 7450 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.412.4029. blushtan.com
RUN
Jump Start Your Heart 5K
Feb. 14. For a non-traditional start to your holiday, get your heart pumping by heading over to Mission Bay Park for the 5th annual Jump Start Your Heart 5K Walk/Run. Participants can enjoy the hosted beer garden at the finish line as well as live music, a t-shirt and sunglasses. Race starts at 10 a.m. 2688 E. Mission Bay Dr., Mission Bay. jumpstartyourheartsd.com
Coronado Valentine’s Day 10K, 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
Feb. 14. The 6th annual Coronado race doubles as a match-making event as participants pick up their choice of bibs announcing “available,” “it’s complicated” or “I’m taken.” The route takes runners along the beautiful San Diego Bay. Stop at McP’s Irish Pub and Grill (1107 Orange Ave.) after the finish line for the post-race party with free cold beer for all participants. Race starts at 7:30 a.m. Tidelands Park, 2000 Mullinex Dr., Coronado. coronado10k.com
WATCH
San Diego Opera’s Tosca
Feb. 13-21. Love is just so complicated. Step into the web of politics, police brutality, betrayal, jealousy and murder in Puccini’s blood-soaked Tosca. In Rome, the fiery and celebrated singer Floria Tosca has no idea that her life and that of the man she loves, will irrevocably change the very next day. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. sdopera.org
Outdoor Movie Night at the Headquarters
Feb. 12. Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day outdoor movie screening featuring Bonnie & Clyde. The free event takes place in the courtyard of the former Police Headquarters. Bring a couple chairs, blankets, hot cocoa and then pick up a box of Dallmann Fine Chocolates before settling back to watch the 1939 love and crime classic. 789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego Marina, 619.235.4013. theheadquarters.com
TOAST
Themed Cocktails at The Nolen
Downtown’s newest rooftop bar is serving up something special in honor of Cupid’s favorite day. Whether headed out with a significant other, or hitting the town for a singles’ night out, Robert Yumul’s “Love is a Four Letter Word” might just be the perfect irreverent libation to kick off the festivities. The classy cocktail features bourbon, cherry liqueur, orgeat and Aztec chocolate bitters. 456 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.237.0678. thenolenrooftop.com
