Events
“Plants & Romance” at S.D. Botanic Garden
Feb. 11-12. Take a romantic evening stroll through San Diego Botanic Garden and enjoy its special “Plants & Romance” 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 “Sweet and Sparkling” souvenir packages that include two embossed flutes of sparkling wine, 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. sdbgarden.org
Super Bowl Block Party at Firehouse
Feb. 13. Catch the big game on a 20-foot LED Jumbotron screen at this 10th-annual block party in Pacific Beach, presented by Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge. Football fans can order from a full bar—including an agave bar by Camino Riviera and a hidden tiki bar by The Grass Skirt—and enjoy live DJ music, URBN pizza, Dirtybird wings, a silent disco, and plentiful seating on couches and bleachers. See website for tickets and call for bottle service and table reservations. 1:30 p.m. $29 per person (general admission). 722 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 619.344.1951. More Info
Super Bowl Fun at Draft at Belmont Park
Feb. 13. Belmont Park’s sports-centric beachfront hangout hosts a fun Super Bowl celebration. Festivities include a tailgate-themed pre-party; game viewing on 30-plus LED screens; tasting samples, tequila shots and beers for sale by Ballast Point, Tap Truck and Patron; a photobooth; and discounted appetizers, including pretzel bites and shredded-beef nachos. Patrons can also enjoy the outdoor tailgate (until 5 p.m.); or buy into the “Square Game” to win prizes throughout Belmont Park (proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital). 1 p.m. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9305. draftsandiego.com
Super Bowl Party at Moonshine Beach
Feb. 13. Moonshine Beach is a designated bar for San Francisco 49er fans (sorry, guys!), but the party must go on. Watch the Super Bowl on two massive LED screens (inside and outside) and enjoy specials on shots, such as Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan Spiced Rum; and $30-$35 beer buckets, including Michelob Ultra, Budweiser and Kona Longboard. The fun also includes prizes and giveaways during halftime. Doors for the outdoor patio open at noon; main doors open at 2 p.m. No reservations needed. 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.999.0158. moonshinebeachsd.com
Posie’s Floral Co. Pop-up at One Paseo
Through Feb. 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 daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar, 858.523.2298. onepaseo.com
Food + Drink
Valentine’s Day Cocktails at Top of the Hyatt
Feb. 11-12. Celebrate early from 40 stories up, with jaw-dropping views of San Diego Bay and beyond. The lounge is offering special Valentine’s Day cocktails such as Cupid’s Punch with Campari, Antica vermouth and sparkling wine; and Love Bite with Absolut Elyx, prosecco, cranberry, orange, peach puree and Luxardo cherry. Pair them with the 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. topofthehyatt.com
Valentine’s Weekend Dinner at Marine Room
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 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 Nola Rose chocolates). 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, 858.452.7222. marineroom.com
New Dinner Menu at Garibaldi
Now Available. The Southern Italian-inspired rooftop oasis at InterContinental San Diego debuts a revamped dinner menu. 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. This weekend, order a shared cocktail for two at half-price; plus specialty Valentine’s Day-themed libations such as the Bleeding Heart, Single & Spicy and Vino Del Cuore. 901 Bayfront Court, downtown, 619.436.1081. Reservations
Arts + Culture
Going Places at Fleet Science Center
Opens Feb. 12. The Fleet’s newest interactive exhibit invites you to travel the world. Experience different modes of transportation as you fly a plane on a flight simulator, ride a mini hovercraft, guide a blimp through sky hoops, rebuild a virtual engine and more. And don’t miss a screening of Into America’s Wild (a still from the film is pictured)—exploring hidden wonders of the natural world, from Alaska to the Oregon coastline—now playing in the Fleet’s Giant Dome Theater. The center is open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See website for tickets. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.1233. fleetscience.org
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 event 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. sdmart.org
Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
