5 Special Valentines (& Galentines!) Date Ideas in San Diego
Updated December 15, 2023
Tired of the traditional, sit-down dinner, Valentine’s date night? We’ve got some alternatives that are sure to make some great memories and score you extra brownie points. Do things a little out of the ordinary this Valentine’s Day, and check out these alternative date ideas that southern California has to offer. Whether it’s a San Diego wine tour, a day of art appreciation at the San Diego Museum, or just dinner and a movie in Downtown San Diego, romantics can easily find date ideas on how to spend their February 14th.
1. COME FLY WITH ME!
DEL MAR HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
Sip champagne with your sweetheart at high altitudes with the best Valentine’s Day San Diego County has to offer. One of the best San Diego Valentine’s Day ideas is to let the romance flow with a sunset hot air balloon ride, as Compass Balloons offers you a bird’s eye view of our beautiful city. Travel over exclusive golf courses, through a maze of canyons, and view the glittering coastline. Group and private flights start at $300 per person for an hour-long flight, with champagne, water, and soda.
TRAPEZE HIGH
Looking for something a little different? Head on up to North County and take a leap of faith with your Valentine in a high-flying, daredevil experience. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Trapeze High in Escondido. They have been teaching trapeze acrobatics since 2002, with safety lines, body harnesses, and nets, of course. Get your adrenaline and endorphins pumping with lessons starting at $69 per hour and a fifteen-minute class. For a unique and thrilling way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in San Diego, this trapeze adventure promises an unforgettable experience.
IFLY
For a breathtaking experience with your Valentine, book a flight and try indoor skydiving. After a brief orientation, you’ll don a flight suit and helmet before being lifted up into one of iFly’s state-of-the-art wind tunnels. This remarkable experience is like none other, providing unique memories for you and that special someone. Packages start at $69.99 for the Two-Flight Super Saver.
Courtesy of Thrillophilia
2. WATERFRONT ROMANCE
LA JOLLA WALKING TOUR
Seaside views and local flavors, what more can you ask for? Get a group of friends and their dates together to go on a guided walking tour of scenic La Jolla this San Diego Valentine’s Day weekend. View the art galleries, and learn of the holistic aspects of the area, all while learning about the science of nature. You’ll also be savoring a selection of local samplings and indulging in some of San Diego’s best gelato. The La Jolla Walking Food Tour is currently only booking private tours of 10 or more guests, so get those five couples together and book your date before it’s too late!
A GLAM-PICNIC WITH AN OCEAN VIEW
Plan a chic sunset picnic on Valentine’s Day without all the extra work. Pop Up Picnic Co. provides that Instagram-able experience that’s set up for you when you arrive. There are so many picturesque locations to choose from: Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla Cove, Windansea, and more! They provide low seating, lanterns, ambiance, floral arrangements, and even a grazing board for you and your special someone as you sit and watch the sunset from a prime, reserved location. This intimate experience is fantastic and low-key all at the same time. A one-hour picnic for two starts at $259 with optional add-ons, including adding an additional hour or having red roses provided at arrival. This unique take on a romantic dinner will make for a memorable night.
A SUNSET CLIFFS STROLL WITH BURRITO IN TOW
You could also celebrate Valentine’s Day by packing your own picnic, taking a long walk hand in hand, and enjoying the vast beauty that Sunset Cliffs have to offer. Grab a burrito at either Mike’s Taco Club in OB or Sunny’s in Sunset Cliffs — you can even build your own burrito! Then, stop at the liquor store across the street for a discreet beachside beverage.
Courtesy of Pop Up Picnic Co.
3. DUFFY OF SAN DIEGO
Cruise the calm waters of Mission Bay with your Valentine for a fun, romantic sunset sail. Get dressed to the nines, bring some charcuterie boards, fill up the onboard cooler with drinks, and stream your favorite tunes through the Bluetooth speakers on board a Sun Cruiser. Duffy of San Diego has electric party boats which can fit up to five couples; no boating license is required. Rentals start at $209 for an hour and a half.
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HOT TUB CRUISIN’
Prefer to dress down? Treat your Valentine to a luxurious, relaxing hot tub cruise on Mission Bay instead. Stream romantic music, and bring some decadent goodies and your favorite beverages to enjoy while the stress melts away. Hot Tub Cruisin’ offers eight-person tubs and decks seating starting at $450 for two-hour rentals.
Courtesy of Aqua Adventures
4. CELEBRATE GALENTINE’S DAY!
PAINT & SIP
Head out with the girls for an eclectic evening of music, painting, and wine! Pinot’s Palette in Liberty Station offers painting classes for you and all your favorite people. Spend the evening sipping wine and bonding with your friends as you each find your inner Picasso. Each two-hour class starts at $35 per guest.
SO DIEGO ESCONDIDO WINE TOUR
Just a stone’s throw away from Temecula are the incredible vineyards in Escondido. Join us on our Escondido group wine tour with 10-30 of the people you love most. We take you on a tour of two beautiful wineries for a private tasting, learn more about the winemaking process and the wine growing techniques that are unique to the San Diego area … and you even get to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the picturesque wineries.
The skinny on how the day works: ur tour guide will meet guests at their hotel and ride along the client provided transportation offering San Diego history/narrative during the drive. There is also an option to add a chef catered lunch at one of the winery stops. Contact us to start planning your San Diego wine tour!
SAN DIEGO SCAVENGER HUNT
Get the girls together this Galentine’s Day for great eats and libations and explore America’s Finest City in the San Diego Scavenger Hunt & Restaurant Hop. Work together, bonding with your besties in this three-hour-long scavenger hunt through several blocks of downtown or beachside La Jolla. Learn the history behind our fantastic city while building memories together, solving puzzles, and taking photo ops, as well as enjoying a full meal and a couple of boozy drinks.
Courtesy of Toasted Corks
If you’re looking for a more traditional way to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, book a table at one of our top picks for Valentine’s Day restaurants in San Diego ahead of time and end the night dancing at the best clubs in San Diego.
5. LOVE IN THE GASLAMP
Looking for a fun and romantic evening that will impress your date? Show off your intentionality as a lover by giving them a perfectly curated experience exploring the the Gaslamp Quarter like an expert. So Diego offers the Brothels, Bites, and Booze tour to give you a taste of the Gaslamp, and then you can head over to a speakeasy like Vin de Syrah or Prohibition as your “nightcap” in the Gaslamp.
Or, you can create your own little tour! Our suggestions would be getting appetizers at Lumi on the rooftop, then heading to the Wndr Museum to explore art hand-in-hand as well as Tim Contor’s art gallery to take in his incredible art and poetry. Then, grab a “heavy appetizer” at Zama, and conclude the evening with light bites, live music, and dessert at Santa Gula.
Whether you’re looking for a change of scenery, that perfect swoon-worthy memory, or something so exciting it will knock your socks off, we’ve got you covered. You’re sure to have an amazing Valentine’s Day celebrating the relationships you cherish. Be sure to check out So Diego to explore more fun excursions and adventures that San Diego has to offer. If you’re looking for more date night inspiration without breaking the bank, check out our guide with cheap date ideas in San Diego.
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
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