Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and there’s love in the San Diegan air along with all the rain we’ve been getting. Valentine’s Day can be a romantic night in boat in the ocean or you can grab couple of burritos and a picnic blanket on the beach.
If you’re lucky, your date won’t flake on you – it is San Diego after all. Using our extensive insider knowledge and experience, we’ve searched for beautiful coastal escapades, hidden cultural gems and the best of traditional SoCal romance to help you sweep your beloved off their feet this February 14th.
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Harbor Sunset Cruise with Triton Charters
What’s better than owning a boat? Having Triton Charters own a boat!
This Valentine’s Day, you can take your date out on a boat! Imagine you, your special someone, or your merry band of lovebirds aboard a stunning 75-foot catamaran, cruising through the tranquil waters of San Diego’s Harbor. As the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the sea, you’ll be toasting to love with a cocktail in hand from the fully stocked bar.
Set off from 2700 Shelter Island Dr. and enjoy a 2 1/2 hour cruise from 4:30 to 7:00 PM
Tickets are a steal at $55 per person, or bring a date and get a lovebird discount at $85 for two. If you’re feeling lucky that night, why not go the extra nautical mile and add those mouth-watering charcuterie and dessert boxes to your ticket? It’s Valentine’s Day, after all – a perfect excuse to indulge. Anchors away for romance!
Get your tickets here.
Gondola Ride in North County
For a swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day escapade, set sail on a dreamy adventure with San Diego’s own Black Swan Gondola. Tucked away in North County, under the spell of enchanting sunsets and the serene Lake San Marcos, this hidden gem is your ticket to an evening of unparalleled romance.
It’s not just a gondola ride; it’s a plush, picturesque journey into a world of tranquility and charm, where every little detail from the plush seating to the gentle sound of water lapping against the gondola creates a love story as unique as your own.
So, if you’re looking to dazzle your date with something truly extraordinary this Valentine’s Day, Black Swan Gondola offers an experience that’s not just memorable, but utterly enchanting.
You can find out more about the Gondola rides and book your tour here.
Soar through the Skies with a Sunset Hot Air Balloon Ride
One of the most exciting ways to experience the enchanting majesty of San Diego and the surrounding countryside is from a bird’s eye view. So this year for Valentine’s Day, why not book you and your special date onto a private sunset hot air balloon ride? You’ll float through the skies and see the awe-inspiring Del Mar coastal scenery, San Diego’s high rises and the Torrey Pines below while you make magical memories together.
Sip champagne, or fruit juice, and toast your shared love as you marvel at the aerial views around you. And more than just making memories that will last a lifetime, you’ll also be able to snap some pretty unique selfies as you drift, arm in arm, through the clouds.
Have a Picnic in Balboa Park
San Diego’s magnificent year-round weather means that even in February it’s still warm enough to find a quiet spot in a beautiful city park to enjoy a sumptuous picnic with your loved one this Valentine’s Day. You can stop by the Zoo or just stroll around the park. We have gathered all the fun things you can do in and around Balboa Park in a post here.
Balboa Park, near Downtown, is undoubtedly one of the city’s most enchanting landscapes and is home to a lush oasis of gardens, museums, public art, and a wealth of footpaths that crisscross the 1,200-acre urban cultural park.
Beach, Blanket, and Burritos
Finding a dinner reservation on Valentine’s Day is tougher than affording rent in San Diego. If you and your date want to skip the hype, you can embrace the laid-back San Diego vibe instead. We’ve listed the best California burritos voted by locals in a blog post here. Go through the list and find the closest one near a beach!
There’s something undeniably romantic about sharing a burrito with your toes in the sand, under the vast, starlit sky. It’s the perfect way to enjoy each other’s company and the natural beauty of San Diego, all while avoiding the Valentine’s Day restaurant rush.
Take an After-Dark Night Trolley Tour of San Diego
An unusual way to celebrate your Valentine’s Day is to take a City Lights night tour of the city. This dreamy trolley tour showcases the city’s night-time skyline in all its glory and will let you see a completely different side to sunny San Diego! So hop aboard the trolley bus and set off on a romantic escapade that will take you from the glittering waterfront to many of the city’s major landmarks, stopping off at picturesque viewpoints along the way.
You’ll board the trolley at Seaport Village and then head to the Gaslamp Quarter, drive through Balboa Park which is transformed with lighting effects on the buildings and fountains, before heading to the Coronado Bridge, San Diego Bay and the Downtown district. You’ll stop off at Coronado’s Ferry Landing for a special photo opportunity of the entire San Diego skyline before making your way back through the historic city and being dropped off again at Seaport Village.
You can find out more and book your Valentine’s Day night tour, here.
Bike Around Coronado Island
What better way to help your date shed a few pounds before dinner and chocolates than a bike ride around Coronado?
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to explore the island’s picturesque scenery up close. As you pedal along, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline, the majestic Hotel del Coronado, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. It’s not just a workout; it’s an adventure wrapped in scenic beauty.
And let’s be honest, a little exercise before indulging in a romantic dinner and sweet treats is a perfect balance. You can rent bikes easily on the island, and there are plenty of routes for every fitness level, ensuring a fun and enjoyable experience. Just remember to take it easy – the goal is to still have enough energy for the rest of your Valentine’s evening!
Romantic Views: San Diego Skyline Sparkles from Coronado
Skip the cliché candlelit dinners and head to Coronado for a view that’ll make your heart skip a beat (and not just because you forgot to make dinner reservations).
Set up a picnic with the essentials – chocolate, wine, and maybe a burrito – and plop down on the grass. As the evening sky puts on a show, just remember to nod agreeably every once in a while; your date might actually be saying something important.
But hey, even if the conversation falls flat, you can always count on the view to sweep them off their feet. Who needs Cupid when you’ve got the whole San Diego skyline playing wingman?
Sunset Paddle Board in Mission Bay
Looking for a Valentine’s Day splash? Try Sunset Paddleboarding in Mission Bay, where romance meets adventure. Picture you and your partner, each on a paddleboard, gently floating on the calm waters. As the sun dips into the Pacific, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, you’ll have front-row seats to nature’s most spectacular show.
It’s a bit like a romantic movie, except you’re actually in it and trying not to fall in! Whether you’re a paddleboard pro or a wobbly first-timer, laughter is guaranteed as you balance love and buoyancy. It’s the perfect blend of tranquility, scenery, and the occasional splash for good measure!
A Valentine’s Day Among the Wild at the Zoo
This Valentine’s Day, why not go wild and take your date to the San Diego Zoo? It’s the perfect opportunity to find out if your significant other is as brave as a lion or just a big fan of the meerkat manor. Stroll hand-in-hand, marveling at exotic animals and whispering sweet nothings… about the flamingos.
The zoo is not just about animal watching; it’s an adventure filled with ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ and maybe a few ‘I didn’t know they could do that!’ moments. Share a laugh at the monkey enclosure, find out who’s more fascinated by the reptiles, and remember, if things get awkward, you can always blame it on the penguins. A day at the zoo is a unique twist on Valentine’s Day – full of fun, furry friends, and maybe a little love in the animal kingdom!
