Here is a rundown of romantic things to do and specials at restaurants and bars – for both couples and singles – in San Diego for both Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day. As well as anti-Valentine’s Day places to party.
Fun And Romantic Things To Do For Valentine’s Day In San Diego
Did you know there are gondolas in San Diego? Things don’t get much more romantic than a gondola ride and The Gondola Company in Coronado has its annual Saint Valentino Cruises from February 13-15. This is a 50-minute private gondola ride complete with a heart-shaped box of gourmet See’s chocolates and a single red rose, with the option to purchase a bottle of wine or champagne to toast the night. You can elevate the experience with a dozen roses, a live mandolin player, or a singing gondolier serenading them in Italian as they drift through the glistening canals. For those planning to make the evening unforgettable with a proposal, the Valentino Proposal Cruise offers the perfect setting with Italian Prosecco, gourmet chocolates, a beautiful bouquet of roses, and a professional photographer.
Book at this link: www.gondolacompany.com
Sailing is very big in San Diego – the city has hosted two America’s Cup races – and for Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Voyage at the Manchester Grand Hyatt’s hotel’s exclusive Maritime Club is a private two-hour sunset sail includes a dedicated captain, complimentary sparkling wine, and room for up to six guests. The price is $299.
Go for a ride on the Giant Dipper, the 100-year-old wooden roller coaster in Belmont Park. It’s not a scary thrill ride like you’ll find at Sea World but rather a bumpy and short adventure that will have you knocking into each other and laughing about it the whole way. Afterward, do some of Belmont Park’s other activities, such as laser tag, go-karts or the Polynesian-themed putt-putt course.
Restaurants & Bars For Galentine’s Day & Valentine’s Day
Galentine’s Day
For those who may not know, Galentine’s Day became a thing after an episode of the sitcom Parks and Recreation. It is celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day (Feb. 13) and is mostly for women to have brunches, parties, and gift exchanges.
• Havana 1920, Gaslamp Quarter, 7-10 p.m.
Havana 1920 will host a free Galentine’s Day-themed Havana Nights on Thursday, Feb. 12. Those who RSVP on Eventbrite will receive complimentary tray-passed Cuban bocaditos, spirit tastings and live entertainment. The restaurant will also be open for regular dinner service, offering its full menu of Cuban dishes.
548 Fifth Ave., San Diego
Temaki Bar: Handroll, Sushi, Sake, Encinitas, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
All day on Friday, Feb. 13 at Temaki Bar: Handroll, Sushi, Sake it’s buy-one-get-one-free cocktails for pairs of friends. Some dronks to try are the Lychee Martini, combining Grey Goose Vodka and lychee, priced at $16; the Moonlight Espresso Martini, with Tito’s Vodka and Mr. Black coffee liqueur and espresso, priced at $16; Temaki Punch mixing Mount Gay Rum, pineapple juice and lime, priced at $16.
575 S. Coast Highway 101
City Tacos, Friday-Sunday
It’s not what one might think of when it comes to a romantic meal but City Tacos’ six San Diego County locations are offering a Lovers Combo for Two on Valentine’s Day Weekend. For $30, you get two tacos each, one beverage each (bottled Mexican beer, agua fresca, or soda; draft beer $2 extra) and an order of churros.
Various locations in Encinitas, La Mesa, North Park, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach and Sorrento Valley (open Fridays only).
Valentine’s Day – Saturday, Feb. 14
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails, East Village 4-10 p.m.
Lovebirds can toast Valentine’s Day with skyline views at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails. The rooftop bar and restaurant will feature a specialty cocktail, the Strawberry Fields, made with gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and honey syrup, priced at $17. A special surf-and-turf entrée will be available, featuring seared steak and scallops atop corn purée, accompanied by charred Brussels sprouts and a balsamic drizzle, priced at $36; along with a limited-time strawberry cheesecake, priced at $8.
509 Ninth Ave.
Valentine’s by the Bay at Sally’s Waterfront Dining (February 13–15), Seaport Village
Sally’s featues a Chef’s Special Friday through Sunday: lobster-stuffed ravioli with butter-poached lobster, mascarpone, champagne-saffron nage, Kaluga caviar, crisp leeks, and charred Meyer lemon, served with grilled country bread. Complimentary validated self-parking is included.
1 Market Place, Seaport Village
Valentine’s at Top of the Hyatt February 13–15, Seaport Village
Celebrate Valentine’s Day high above the city with a romantic, sky-high experience at Top of the Hyatt. Couples are invited to toast the holiday with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, a choice of artisanal flatbread (Calabrese sausage or vegetable), and desserts including a strawberry red velvet heart cake and chocolate-dipped long-stem strawberries at from this high perch overlooking San Diego Bay. Price: $125 per couple.
1 Market Place
Monello and Bencotto Italian Kitchen, Little Italy, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
GBOD Hospitality Group’s award-winning Little Italy restaurants Monello and Bencotto Italian Kitchen will offer specialty Valentine’s Day dishes featuring handmade pastas in the romantic ambiance of Little Italy. Monello will feature risotto alla crema di peperoni rossi e scampi, a creamy red pepper risotto topped with prawns, priced at $36. Bencotto will offer ravioli di barbabietola in crema di tartufo bianco, heart-shaped red beet ravioli filled with ricotta and taleggio in a white truffle cream sauce, priced at $34. Both restaurants will also serve a red velvet tiramisu layered with mascarpone, red velvet cake, berries and Alchermes Italian liqueur, priced at $15.
Cloack & Petal, Little Italy, Feb. 12-16
Cloak & Petal has several days of Valentine’s Day specials. The food is from Executive Chef Robert Cassidy. On the menu for this limited time are:
• Sweethearts Roll – Tuna, salmon, tempura shishito, cucumber, torched lemon aioli, truffle ponzu, smoked chipotle salt & petite cilantro $22
• Lover’s Rock Sashimi – Salmon, truffle shio, goma rice crisp, kizami nori, fried shallots, yuzu kosho aioli, sambal vinaigrette & shiso $24
• Pan Seared Norwegian Halibut – Nori butter shoyu, tempura shiso, charred sweet potato mash, negi oil & petite arugula $32
• Chocolate Mousse – Toffee brittle & raspberry compote $15
And from Bar Director Johnny Perez:
• Love Potion – Roku gin, lemon, pomegranate, elderflower, prosecco $17
• Geisha’s Kiss – Love gin, lemon, raspberry, agave, champagne foam, hibiscus powder $18
• Smokin’ Love – Amaras mezcal, fraises de bois, amaro Montenegro, lemon, pomegranate $17
• Love You Long Time – Cognac, Cointreau, white rum, strawberry, honey, lemon $17
1953 India St., Little Italy
Temaki Bar: Handroll, Sushi, Sake, Encinitas 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
On the heels of its Galentine’s Day special, Temaki has prix fixe menu for two, priced at $110 per couple on Valentine’s Day. It includes two glasses of prosecco, followed by a choice of a starter, including spicy tuna crispy rice; crispy bang bang shrimp; or yellowtail specialty sashimi. Couples will then roll into a lineup of premium two-hand roll sets, featuring yellowtail, blue crab and toro, before enjoying a selection of fresh nigiri served as two-piece sets: salmon with brown butter aioli, sweet soy and smoked salt; hamachi with black garlic ponzu, lime supremes and chives; and yellowfin with yuzu kosho aioli, serrano and togarashi.
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, 5:30-10 p.m.
The restaurant, 20|Twenty is offering a Valentine’s Day prix-fixe dinner on February 14 with a four-course menu. It includes grilled focaccia with a trio of Valentine’s Day butters, a choice of warm winter beet tart with goat cheese mousse or lobster bisque with snow crab, entrée options such as filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and green peppercorn sauce or salmon with roasted Chinese long beans and basil beurre blanc, and an old-fashioned chocolate fudge cake with vanilla gelato. Live music and wine bottle and glass specials will be available. The dinner is $92 per person; make reservations here.
Also at the hotel, Galentine’s Spa Day: Glow With Your Girls (February 6 from 4-6 PM): A two-hour Galentine’s spa experience at Ocean Pearl Spa featuring a hands-on Eminence skincare course led by a professional, mini spa and lymphatic treatments, small bites, and a welcome beverage. Each guest receives a curated swag bag and a $20 retail credit to use toward skincare purchases. Make reservations here.
5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Valentine’s Day Tasting Menu on Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14
The multi-course meal is a Baja-inspired cuisine. Optional wine pairings will be available, selected to complement each dish and elevate the experience. Tickets starting at $257/person.
Galentine’s at The Rooftop Bar has a pool deck, lounge seating and an ocean view. There will be a DJ on Valentine’s Day.
201 N. Meyers St.
The Seabird Resort Ocean Resort & Spa 5-9 p.m., Oceanside
A Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu with seasonal dishes and the restaurant’s signature Chateaubriand for Two features starters such as salmon tartare, beef carpaccio, and Kumamoto oysters with hibiscus mignonette, followed by entrées including prosciutto-wrapped monkfish and ramp risotto. Desserts by Chef Jacqueline – such as Berry Kiss and Lover’s Paradise –round out the evening, with optional wine pairings available. Price: $115 per person.
101 Mission Ave.
Brickman’s Restaurant, Lakehouse Resort, San Marcos 5 p.m.-close
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10 percent off rooms
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Complimentary bottle of wine
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Box of chocolates
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Book now through February 28, 2026
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Valid for stays February 1 to February 28, 2026
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$75 per person
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Begins at 5 PM
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Includes one glass of red, white, or sparkling wine
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Prix fixe menu only
Link to reserve: Valentines Day at Lakehouse
Anti-Valentine’s Day – Saturday, Feb. 14
Prohibition, Gaslamp Quarter, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Hidden behind a door marked “Law Office – Eddie O’Hare, ESQ,” the underground speakeasy Prohibition will mark Anti-Valentine’s Day with a tongue-in-cheek perk. Guests who show proof they’ve blocked an ex will receive a complimentary bartender’s-choice whiskey shot.
El Chingon, Gaslamp Quarter 11 a.m. -2 a.m.
El Chingon is a good place for shrugging off the I-have-no-Valentine-this-year blues. Or to celebrate your situation.
560 Fifth Ave., San Diego
Pacific Beach Bars For Anti-Valentine’s Day
Another fine place for singles to go out on Valentine’s Day is Pacific Beach. A few of PubClub.com’s recommended places are Hideaway, PB Local, The Beverly, Duck Dive and Lahaina Beach House (closes shortly after sunset).
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