Happy Valentine’s Day, San Francisco! Make it a day to remember with these memorable activities, concerts, events, and restaurants in the Bay Area. Read on to get inspired, whether you’re spending the day with your partner, friends, family, or yourself.
1. Enjoy a dreamy Valentine’s Day concert by candlelight
Spend a romantic evening at the Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special on February 14th at the International Art Museum of America. This special “Romeo and Juliet” concert includes classics such as Love Theme” from Romeo and Juliet, “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and more. There are two showtimes available, 6:30 and 9:30 pm on Valentine’s Day. If you can’t make the Valentine’s show, there are more upcoming Candlelight concerts that are equally as breathtaking.
- Feb 1: Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
- Feb 10: Candlelight: Timeless Love Songs From Classic Films
- Feb 17: Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
2. Scroll our list of creative date ideas in the Bay Area
San Francisco is full of lovely romantic places to have a date, from fine dining to intimate outdoor adventures. Are you looking for a new activity to enjoy with a partner? Read on to get inspired.
3. See dozens of magnolias in bloom now at SF Botanical Garden
Every year, the San Francisco Botanical Garden explodes into a beautiful spectrum of deep magentas and bright pinks. The “Magnificent Magnolias“ event occurs in late January through March. The garden has announced that we’re now entering peak bloom, so be sure to find a day soon to see these spectacular blossoms at their best.
The garden announced that peak bloom will last about 2 weeks, so we have until around Feb. 21 to enjoy the show! SF residents can enjoy free admission to the SF Botanical Garden every single day, and non-residents can visit for free between 7:30 and 9 a.m. daily or on Valentine’s Day, February 14th!
If you want something more unique and memorable than just a typical dinner, Dining in the Dark is the perfect experience. Guests are treated to dinner completely blindfolded, so you can focus solely on the food. SF restaurant Coppa’s hosts the experience, treating guests to a 90-minute dinner that is perfect for couples looking to make dinner dates more interesting.
5. Cook a romantic dinner with fresh crab off the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf
After long delays it’s finally Dungeness crab season, which means you can buy it right off local boats at Fisherman’s Wharf. This means you get the freshest catch, and its a great way to impress your Valentine with a classic SF meal. Check out the Off-Boat Fish Sales page for more information on how to buy Dungeness crab from local fishermen.
6. Check out yoga, cooking classes, and more at the Ferry Building
San Francisco’s Ferry Building is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, serving as a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. It’s a center for events, pop-ups, a farmers’ market, and countless excellent merchants who sell their wares daily in the building’s many stalls. Here are a few things to look for in February:
- Now through Feb. 7 – Hearts in SF – The SF General Hospital Foundation’s 19th annual Hearts in San Francisco art project showcases 21 heart sculptures at the Ferry Building, which will be auctioned off to benefit the Foundation.
- Feb. 8 – Love Bites! – An evening of gourmet food, wine, cocktails, music, and art to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
- Wednesdays: Wellness Wednesdays – An hour of yoga overlooking the Bay for a relaxing break from your day.
- And more
7. Dance the night away at the Academy of Science’s NightLife party
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we’re thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar! On February 8th, NightLife will celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary. Guests are invited to attend the night, which is full of cocktails and great music, starting at 6:00 pm.
8. Snap pics with the iconic Hearts in San Francisco sculptures
The San Francisco General Hospital Foundation’s (SFGHF) 20th annual Hearts in San Francisco art project has now revealed its 2024 display. Generous donors can bid on the beautiful sculptures (starting bids are in the thousands) to benefit the foundation, and you can see existing hearts all throughout the city. Stroll through the Ferry Building to see 21 beautiful hearts on display until Feb 29, perfect for enjoying with your Valentine. You can find a map of all the sculptures on display here.
9. Pick up some gourmet chocolate from these unbeatable SF chocolate shops
Whether as a gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself, good chocolate is always appreciated. Luckily, SF is home to several world-renowned chocolate shops for you to visit. Here are some of our favorite chocolate shops to snag something sweet for Valentine’s Day.
10. Get a new perspective of the city with these sailing and bike trips
Turn an otherwise normal day in SF into a totally memorable one with these sailing and bike trips. Whether you want to rent some bikes and take a spin around Golden Gate Park or look for porpoises and whales in the Bay, here are some links to get you started.
- Golden Gate Park eBike rentals and bike rentals
- Golden Gate Park highlights bike tour
- Escape from the Rock: Bay Cruise
11. Plan a relaxing day at these local spas and saunas
San Francisco is known for its famously chilly weather but is luckily also home to some world-class saunas and spas. Enjoy an intimate and romantic day at these popular saunas in and around the city.
12. Check out the most romantic spots in the city, according to San Franciscans
We wanted to get to the bottom of the most romantic spots in San Francisco, so we asked our Instagram followers. These beautiful outdoor spots are absolute musts if you just want to create a special moment.
- Ina Coollbrith Park at night
- Pier 7
- Baker Beach
- And more
13. Take an unforgettable day trip around the Bay Area
Here in San Francisco, we’re quite well-located to check out some neighboring California gems. Be sure to put these day trips on your to-do list for the next time you want to get out of the city and into nature.
14. Take a charming voyage on the Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train dates back all the way to 1864, and stepping aboard feels like traveling to another century. The antique Pullman rail cars have been carefully restored to their former glory in order to evoke the luxury of early-20th-century train travel. The vintage train is amazingly elegant and luxurious, providing visitors with unique and sprawling views of California’s famous wine country while enjoying gourmet meals showcasing local products.
15. Indulge in a champagne brunch or dinner & dancing aboard a yacht in the SF Bay
Take your romantic meal plans up a notch with these brunch and dinner cruises on the Bay. The voyages take off from the Hornblower Cruises & Events Landing and include some amazing photo ops with the SF skyline and Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
16. Dine in style at one of SF’s most beautiful restaurants
These beautiful restaurants in San Francisco didn’t skimp when it came to the design of their dining rooms, and the results are absolutely phenomenal. Here’s a list of some of the most beautiful restaurants in the city, compiled with a little help from our Instagram followers. Check them out this Valentine’s Day!
17. Get cozy with a cocktail around the best restaurant fireplaces in SF
A homey, roaring fire is a hot commodity during winter (and basically any other season) in SF’s characteristic foggy weather. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite fireplaces in San Francisco, ranging from outdoor patios to neighborhood bars to fine dining restaurants. Read on to discover your next cozy haunt.
18. Enjoy a meal al fresco at these romantic outdoor restaurants and patios
The perfect romantic date spot for Valentine’s Day can take various forms, but a night of upscale dining al fresco in San Francisco is a classic go-to. These 10 restaurants have magical outdoor patios where you can enjoy a variety of delicious food options, creative cocktails, and much more.
19. Top it all off with some delicious pours at SF’s best wine bars
San Francisco is a wine lover’s paradise. Between our proximity to wine country and a world-renowned restaurant scene, it’s no surprise that you can find amazing vino in nearly every corner of the city. Our wine bars range from chic and sophisticated to wine-fueled dance parties and everything in between.
20. Learn something new at the Exploratorium’s After Dark: Sexplorations
The Exploratorium is bringing back their annual Valentine’s Day After Dark event Sexplorations. The festive event explores all the ways sex occurs in nature. Think mating rituals, pant’s sex organs, and more. If middle school you couldn’t stop giggling in biology, we recommend you check this out. The event takes place on February 15th at 6:00 pm.
21. Watch adorable penguins exchange Valentines
Every year, the Academy of Sciences holds the cutest Valentine’s Day tradition. They present the penguin colony with red felt valentines with adorable messages written on them. The penguins then use the felt hearts to line their nests, plus it’s just too cute to watch. The Valentines are presented during the penguins’ normal feeding time at 10:30 am on the 14th, but if you can’t make it in person, you can watch via a live stream.
22. Walk through Golden Gate Park and see the latest installment of Entwined
Entwined: Elder Mother has been open since early December, but if you haven’t had the chance to see it yet it’s a great free way to spend the holiday. The massive tree stands at 30 feet tall with a 25 foot canopy that still blows in the wind. You can even change the color of the lights, or just admire the glowing sculpture from one of the many benches.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn