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11 Romantic California Getaways for Valentine’s Day

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romantic getaways for valentines day
Can you believe it? Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Jason and I rotate staying in and going big every year for Valentine’s Day. This year, we’ll be staying in… but that doesn’t mean you have to! I wanted to give you our best 11 romantic California getaways for Valentine’s Day. If you’re a California local, most of these places should be a quick drive or short plane ride away, making them the perfect destinations to pack your bags and run off to.

1. Big Bear

If you or your partner are a snow bunnies, then Big Bear is perfect this time of year! It’s also one of those destinations that is great for both adventurers and relaxation seekers. There are plenty of options but for a Valentine’s weekend, we would recommend a day on the slopes followed by a couples massage, dinner, and ending the night with a glass of wine by the fire.

First snow at Big Bear, CA

2. Temecula

Wine lover? Then this is the destination for you. Start your romantic weekend with a wine tasting tour that picks you up right from your hotel. Be sure to save room in your suitcase for all the wine you’ll want to bring home! Try not to get too hungover though, so you can surprise your honey with a sunrise hot air balloon ride. If that doesn’t say romance, then I don’t know what does.
Winery

3. San Diego

San Diego is a place that typically comes to mind for summer vacations, but in reality it never loses its charm. We’d recommend staying around Little Italy (because let’s be real, Italian’s know romance) and indulging in a great Italian dinner. After dinner take a walk hand in hand around town and maybe even indulge in some gelato. The following day, you have to stop for lunch at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto to eat some of the best pizza in town and check out their decor. End your trip with a boat ride to Coronado Island to walk off all the calories you’ve consumed on this trip.

Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island
Visit the famous Hotel Del Coronado while in San Diego

4. Santa Monica

If you’re a lover of classic beach cities, it doesn’t get any better than Santa Monica. This is a great spot for a romantic weekend or even just a night. We’d recommend dinner and a walk down the iconic pier. Don’t forget to stop at Zoltar to get your fortune card! Okay, you don’t have to do that but we always do 🙂

fortune teller on santa monica pier
Find Zoltar on the Santa Monica pier

5. San Francisco

With all the things to do in San Francisco, we’d highly recommend it for an entire Valentine’s week! But if you only have a weekend and you’ve never been, be sure to stop at Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. Spend the weekend exploring the town on the famous red trolleys and taking selfies with your bae.. because nothing says love like selfies.
Golden gate bridge

6. Santa Barbara

For us, Santa Barbara screams romance. What more do you need than wine, the beach, and the cutest downtown you’ve ever seen? Take a wine tour during the day (we’d recommend Dee because she’s the best), a quick nap, and then spoil your boo with a romantic dinner in Downtown Santa Barbara.

Beer tasting
Beer tasting on a wine tasting tour? Yes please!

7. Palm Springs

If the ocean or mountains aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, head to the desert! Depending on the vibe you’re going for, choose one of the many boutique hotels or Resort & Spas. Since it’s Valentine’s weekend, we’d choose to splurge on a couples massage at a resort. You don’t even have to leave your resort, order room service all weekend and enjoy each others company 😉

Palm springs sunset
Do you need a more convincing photo to visit Palm Springs?

8. Long Beach

We’d recommend Long Beach for the couples who truly love activities. You have the Long Beach Aquarium, Whale Watching tours, the Queen Mary, beer tasting tours, and so much more. We loved this destination so much, we even have a whole blog on it here.

The Queen Mary in Long Beach

9. Lake Tahoe

If the reasons listed above for Big Bear got you excited, then Tahoe will set you over the edge. The atmosphere around Tahoe was made for lovers of the outdoors, cold weather, snow, and romance. For our recommendation of places to stay and things to do, read it here.
Snow boarding on Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe
Snow boarding on Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe

10. Catalina Island

This destination is high on our “definitely go back” list, so of course it made the cut for romantic California getaways for Valentine’s Day. Even the ferry ride over gets you feeling like you’re heading off to a lovey-dovey adventure. Start with glass of wine or beer on the ferry and get cozy with your beau. There’s plenty of restaurants overlooking the water, so you’re Valentine’s Day dinner can come with a spectacular view. If you’re the adventuring type, here’s what we recommend to do while you’re there.
sunset on Catalina Island

11. Napa Valley

If you really want to impress your significant other, whisk them away to Napa Valley. If you’re a wine enthusiast then look no further, you’ve found your perfect Valentine’s weekend destination. Stay in downtown or one of the resorts in the surrounding areas; we’d recommend The Meritage Resport and Spa as their rooms were spacious and the property simply stunning. Make reservations for dinner in Downtown Napa and be sure to set aside time for the Wine Train tour! Unfortunately we didn’t get to do the tour, but it is high on our list for the next visit.

Winery in Napa

Well, there it is folks! Whether it’s the adventure or relaxation that appeals to you, I hope just one of these destinations inspires you to get out this Valentine’s Day. If you do end up choosing one of these locations or think we missed a great destination, let us know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Rae

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