Happy Valentine’s Day, San Francisco. With the holiday quickly approaching, we compiled a list of some of our favorite ways to spend the holiday. While a romantic dinner is always fun, there are plenty of other creative ways to celebrate, including a scenic cruise or a unique cabaret show. How will you spend February 14th?
1. Scroll through 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.
2. 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!
3. Check out this steamy Cabaret experience
AfterDark by Pink Puma is an exciting show that blends cabaret, acrobatics, burlesque, and aerial art to create a truly unforgettable show. The show features world-class athletes from Cirque du Soleil to Team USA. The show is only here for a limited time, so make sure to get your tickets now.
4. 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 it’s 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.
5. Check out this festive event 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. This February, the Ferry Building is hosting their annual Love Bites! that features food and wine samples, all benefiting a local non-profit, Foodwise. The event is February 13, from 5 to 7 pm.
6. Dance the night away at the Academy of Sciences’ 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.
7. Listen to romantic Frank Sinatra songs at the W Hotel
This Valentine’s Day, the W Hotel is hosting a nostalgic night of music, featuring Frank Sinatra’s beloved music. Perry Sings Sinatra will perform in the hotel’s bar while listeners can enjoy cocktails.
8. 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 that you can visit. Here are some of our favorite chocolate shops to snag something sweet for Valentine’s Day.
9. Take a cruise on the bay
San Francisco is beautiful, especially from the water. If you want a different perspective on the city, there’s no better way than taking a romantic cruise on the Bay. This 90-minute cruise goes under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz, so you can see some of the most iconic landmarks in the Bay Area up close.
10. 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.
11. Enjoy a dreamy Valentine’s Day concert by candlelight
Spend a romantic evening at the Candlelight: Classical Romance show on February 14th at St Ignatius Church. Featuring the “Fantasy Overture” from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” and “Intermezzo” from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, this romantic evening of classical music and cozy candlelight is the perfect way to celebrate the season of love.
12. Visit 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. Enjoy a charming tour of wine country from San Francisco
We’re lucky to be so close to world-class vineyards just a short drive away, and there’s no better time to take a day trip than Valentine’s Day. This tour takes you on a full-day trip to Napa Valley and Sonoma, stopping at three beautiful wineries for a tasting and tour. The tour handles all the planning and driving; all you have to do is show up at the check-in points at the right time.
15. 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!
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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, plants’ sex organs, and more. If your middle school self couldn’t stop giggling in biology, we recommend you check this out. The event takes place on February 13th at 6:00 pm.
20. 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.
21. See a special show of Dear San Francisco
Dear San Francisco is a dazzling show featuring incredible acrobatics, choreography, and original music. The show takes the audience through the many phases of San Francisco, featuring a cast of talented performers. This year, Club Fugazi is offering a special Valentine’s experience, featuring gift packages including sweets and wine for the performance. You can book the gift baskets for shows scheduled between February 12 and 16.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn