Best Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in San Diego

In the heart of University Heights, Wormwood is a 1,700-square-foot French-style restaurant, bar and lounge known for its Modern French Cuisine, its selection of absinthe spirits, and its delicious food!

Wormwood’s menu features a multi-course dinner prepared with seasonal and local ingredients curated by its very own chef. I think it’s perfect for couples who prefer a more elegant dinner experience.

Why It Made Our List

Wormwood has some of the best fine dining in San Diego and so I had to include it as one of my top choices for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner spot.

I think it’s great anytime of the year, and since our founder Todd adores Valentine’s Day there, we’ve also included a romantic dinner at Wormwood on our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego!

To quote Wormwood, “Create a love story with us this Valentine’s Day.”

Where To Stay: The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

After a romantic dinner, I suggest a stay at the luxurious Lafayette Hotel. Its historic charm blended with its vibrant colors and classic decor makes it one of my favorite hotels in San Diego.

Renovated in 2023, guests can expect a pleasant mix of modern comforts with its signature historic vibe.

For those couples who enjoy the performing arts, a visit to the Old Globe on or around Valentine’s Day is sure to be an incredible choice!

Appropriate, follows estranged Lafayette siblings as they settle their father’s estate and find a shocking relic. The play questions national identity and familial ties.

The San Diego premiere closes February 23rd, but there is still time left to see the play on or around February 14th.

Why It Made Our List

The Old Globe Theater is a San Diego landmark that I think is worth a visit no matter what is on stage.

Appropriate is a show that effortlessly swings between bitingly funny and haunting. It’s Tony win was well-deserved and I think a romantic evening with a show and a couple drinks could make for a lovely way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year.

You’ll want to check directly with the Old Globe for the latest tickets & availability.

Where to Stay: AC Hotel San Diego Downtown Gaslamp Quarter by Marriott

The AC Hotel San Diego Downtown Gaslamp Quarter by Marriott offers sleek, modern design that is perfect for after a night at the Old Globe.

Located in the Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll be just steps away from great restaurants and nightlife if you want to enjoy the evening before or after the show.

If you’re looking for something a little different this year, consider taking a relaxing and romantic Venetian gondola ride with your sweetheart through the canals of Coronado Cays on the San Diego Bay in an authentic gondola imported from Venice, Italy!

These private cruises are 50 minutes long. You can add special extras like a bouquet of roses, mandolin accompaniment, a carefully curated bottle of wine or celebratory bubbly.

There are different cruise packages to choose from this Valentine’s Day, so be sure to make your reservations early!

Why It Made Our List

The gondolas are really authentic and I think this is about as romantic of a gondola experience as you can get in San Diego!

You’ll get to enjoy a gentle, relaxing cruise through the Coronado Cays in this unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience.

Where To Stay: Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Hotel del Coronado offers guests modern luxury and classic Victorian architecture with plenty of history and miles of white sand right out its back doors.

And with a fancy spa, walking tours of the neighborhood, and plenty to do near the hotel, you may just want to plan a full weekend stay!

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Valentine’s Day date idea, I completely understand. How about a FREE relaxing picnic with your loved one at Balboa Park!

With plenty of public and private seating across the grassy areas for you to choose from, Balboa Park is perfect for enjoying a romantic meal together.

If you forget the most important part of your picnic - the FOOD - just head over to The Market Place where you can choose from ready-to-eat side salads, pasta salads and custom sandwiches.

Balboa Park even offers a few places where you can BYOA (Bring Your Own Alcohol) and let loose with your significant other between noon and 8:00pm. But do know that glass isn’t allowed!

Why It Made Our List

I love the abundance of grassy places, which makes it easy to find a spot where you can sit and relax to have your picnic.

The East Lawn is one of the best locations for a picnic - there’s shade, the koi pond, and you can BYOA! And of course, I always want to include an option that is a bit more gentle on the budget.

Where To Stay: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina delivers superb views of the Downtown San Diego skyline and beautiful San Diego Bay. It’s clean and modern making it perfect for a romantic weekend.

Recently renovated, this hotel is a lovely mix of luxury and beachy urban vibes, not far from Balboa Park.

When in the mood for tasty Taiwanese food, Din Tai Fung at the Westfield UTC Mall San Diego is the place to go! Todd loves the place year-round and says his family always leaves Din Tai Fung happy after a meal together.

This world-renowned Taiwanese restaurant, named one of the top 10 gourmet restaurants in the world by the New York Times, is famous for its Xiao Long Bao, a.k.a. soup dumplings and noodle soup. The design of the space is modern and I think it has a bit of a romantic feel, perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Why It Made Our List

There is nothing like biting into a soup dumpling, and, honestly, Din Tai Fung offers my favorite dumplings in the area.Todd and the team have been here many times, and it is delicious.

Definitely order family style as it’s the perfect opportunity to share with your loved ones!

Where To Stay: Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine

Inspired by La Jolla’s coastal beauty, the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine will have you lounging by the pool or relaxing by the firepit in no time.

This 4-star hotel is just a few miles away from the restaurant , the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and the Torrey Pines Golf Course, giving you options for turning your romantic dinner into a weekend of fun.

Calling all foodies! This Valentine’s Day, get immersed in the food culture of Little Italy and even enjoy a brief history lesson or two in the process with a Little Italy Food & Drink Walking Tour.

Don’t worry about doing tons of hours of research, with a Little Italy Food & Drink Walking Tour, you’ll get to enjoy an authentic insider-only experience of what it’s like to live, eat and breathe Little Italy from cooking with Nonna to shopping at the mercato (or open-air market) to sampling authentic Italian pizza.

If you too love food, fun and a little learning, this tour is a great Valentine’s choice for you and your person!

Why It Made Our List

The company that runs this walking tour leads various walking tours all over San Diego and I can tell you that they are fantastic!

Our fearless leader, Todd, has been on a few of them so far - including one in the Gaslamp Quarter and one in Old Town San Diego, and they have both been 5-star experiences.

Where To Stay: Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection By Hilton

Luxury accommodations, spectacular downtown views, and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows make the Carte Hotel one of my favorite places to stay in the area.

With a rooftop bar and an unbeatable central location, this hotel is perfect for a weekend getaway or for celebrating special occasions.

Cherrywine’s Asian-inspired cuisine is nothing short of incredible. With ocean views and plenty of delicious, Burmese-inspired modern dishes, it's perfect for couples looking for a cuisine that’s off-the-beaten-path.

We love it so much as a Valentine’s Day treat that we decided to include it on our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego for 2025!

Why It Made Our List

With spectacular views of the ocean, this hidden gem is perfect for date night year-round but to celebrate with the person or people you love, it doesn’t get much more romantic than this.

To quote Cherrywine, “Join us on Valentine’s Day for the perfect romantic evening!”

Where To Stay: La Valencia Hotel

The iconic landmark, La Valencia Hotel, is the perfect blend of historic charm, vintage vibes, and natural coastal beauty.

The hotel is a classic that I think would pair perfectly with a romantic dinner experience.

Boasting 4.4 stars, nearly 5,000 Google reviews, and a bay front dining experience, Coasterra on Harbor Island is one restaurant you should absolutely consider this Valentine’s Day!

This innovative and modern Baja-inspired Mexican restaurant offers an exquisite and romantic view of San Diego Bay, the Downtown San Diego skyline, and the Coronado Bridge.

I’d suggest that you make a reservation as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on such a spectacular night out!

Why It Made Our List

Todd has been to Coasterra and he said that the hype is real and the food is amazing!

Plus, he said you can’t beat the restaurant’s views of the San Diego Bay.

Where To Stay: Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort

Recently renovated to showcase modern luxury blended with the casual San Diego charm, the Kona Kai Resort offers a unique island escape.

Located less than 15 minutes away from Coasterra, the hotel feels private. It offers an outdoor pool, beach and marina plus more incredible San Diego Bay views!

If romantic and classy is on your bucket list of things to experience, why not take an all-inclusive 2.5-hour Classic Yacht Sailing Experience on a hand-restored 1914-styled sailboat while enjoying the sunset over San Diego Bay?

You’ll pass by popular San Diego landmarks such as the Maritime Museum, Coronado Bridge, and USS Midway, all while taking in the diverse wildlife from sea lions to dolphins.

You might even learn a bit about the interesting history of the Coronado Bridge!

Why It Made Our List

Sailing around San Diego Harbor aboard a beautiful 1914-styled Friendship sloop is a very romantic activity. The company offers private packages but groups are always kept small for a more intimate experience.

Where To Stay: InterContinental San Diego

With elegant luxury and views of the San Diego Bay, the InterContinental San Diego delivers big on sophistication and contemporary coastal vibes.

This is perfect for couples who are looking for a hotel with a boutique feel, luxe amenities, and a great location along the San Diego Bay.