Today I want to bring you my guide to the top Valentine’s Day getaways in California. If you’re looking for somewhere special to escape to on February 14th, there’s no shortage of options in the Golden State. From wine country trips to coastal retreats, there are plenty of romantic getaways in California you can take with your significant other. Read on for my top picks for places to go for Valentine’s Day in California. I’ve included a map of all the destinations, too.
Valentine’s Day Getaways in California
From cozy ski cabins to winter sun destinations, the Golden State offers a variety of options for travel on and around February 14th. There are a lot of great places to visit in California in winter, and Valentine’s Day is a good time to experience them.
Whether you’re after a romantic adventure in the Sierra Nevada, a sunny vacation in Southern California, or a wine country trip for two, there’s something for every couple on the Golden Coast.
Valentine’s Day can be a popular time to travel, so it’s a good idea to book things like restaurant reservations and accommodation as far in advance as you can. When it comes to places to stay, you can often get lower rates and have a wider selection of properties to choose from. You can see options and book a place here.
1. Big Sur
I’ll start my list of Valentine’s Day getaways in California with Big Sur. This is one of the most popular places to travel because the natural beauty here is hard to beat. The stunning coastal scenery draws visitors from all over the world, and there are plenty of romantic hotels and restaurants. I should know. I got engaged in Big Sur.
There’s plenty to keep you busy during a romantic trip to Big Sur, too. From coastal hikes to beautiful beaches, award-winning restaurants, and awe-inspiring waterfalls, this part of the Central Coast has a lot to love.
Whether you want to hike in Andrew Molera State Park, soak up the scene at McWay Falls, take pictures at Bixby Bridge, enjoy a sunset dinner at Post Ranch Inn, or just admire the coastal scenery this area is famous for, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your time here.
If you need more ideas, you can take a look at my Big Sur itinerary. It has all kinds of things to do and see along this famous stretch of Highway 1. Just make sure to check for road closures before you plan your trip, as winter can often bring landslides on this part of the California Coast.
If you want to, you can also extend your trip and combine it with a visit to some equally famous areas nearby. My Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary has lots more ideas for you.
If this sounds good, you can book accommodation in Big Sur here. Whether you want to go camping, glamping, or stay at a hotel in Big Sur, there are plenty of options. My other half and I have stayed everywhere from Treebones Resort to Deetjen’s and Glen Oaks, and they’ve all been romantic.
2. Lake Tahoe
Next on my list of the best places to go for Valentine’s Day in California is Lake Tahoe. It’s one of my favorite winter travel destinations, and I’ve taken countless trips to this part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Right on the border with Nevada, the eastern edge of the Golden State is popular for skiing and snowboarding in February, especially in years when there’s a lot of snow. From Heavenly to Palisades, Northstar, Sugar Bowl, and beyond, there’s no shortage of good places for you and your other half to get on the slopes in Tahoe.
Whether you’re advanced skiers or snowboarders, or beginners looking to learn, there are plenty of resorts you can choose from. If you’re willing to travel a bit farther, Kirkwood is one of my favorites.
If you want to try a few other outdoor pursuits while you’re visiting Lake Tahoe, you can also go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Tahoe is home to one of the largest concentrations of cross-country ski areas in North America, and it’s a great place to try something new with your significant other.
Beyond the snow, Lake Tahoe has a lot to offer couples over Valentine’s Day. From romantic dinners at the area’s best restaurants to the shops in Tahoe City, Heavenly Village, and Truckee and the indulgent spas, there’s something for every traveler. And that’s to say nothing of the hot tubs.
If this romantic escape appeals to you, you can book accommodation in Tahoe here. My favorite place to stay in winter is The Village at Palisades Tahoe Hotel. It’s in a great location if you want to ski at the resort, and the village itself has a range of boutiques, places to eat and drink, and entertainment. You can book a room here.
3. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is another popular Valentine’s Day getaway in California. It’s a romantic place for couples to visit and spend time soaking up the winter sun and relaxed island vibes.
As an added bonus, the crowds aren’t as big as they are during the peak summer season and there are better deals on everything from accommodation to dining. While some things are closed for the season, it’s much more cost-effective to visit Catalina Island in February.
There’s a lot you can do and see on a romantic getaway to Catalina, too. From outdoor activities like the Garden to Sky Hike to dining, spas, shopping, museums, adventure tours, and boating, there’s no shortage of ways for the two of you to enjoy your time here.
Temperatures on the island average around 60 to 65 degrees in February, and you can still go in the water if you wear a wetsuit (or you’re brave enough to swim in the 60-degree Pacific Ocean). Whether you want to go snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, or scuba diving, there’s something for every couple.
There are special Valentine’s Day events and offerings on Catalina Island, too. These include special prix fixe menus at the top restaurants in Avalon, private jeep tours that will take you to dinner with a view, and hotel packages with champagne. You two are spoiled for choice.
If this sounds like your kind of escape, you can book accommodation here. There are lots of options, including hotels, apartment rentals, and B&Bs. My other half and I have enjoyed a romantic stay at the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. It has beautiful rooms and sweeping views over Avalon. If you want to follow in our footsteps, you can book a room here.
4. San Diego
San Diego is another of my favorite Valentine’s Day getaways California. I spent a winter living here and I’ve attended weddings in town, so I know a lot of romantic spots you’ll love in February.
San Diego is the perfect place for a couples’ escape if you love sunny winter weather and beautiful coastal scenery in equal measure. From La Jolla to Del Mar and beyond, there are world-class stretches of sand for sunbathing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding.
There are lots of romantic things to do in this part of SoCal, too. You can enjoy a harbor cruise, paraglide in Torrey Pines at sunset, take a hike with a view, go dancing in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, get a spa treatment, go wine tasting, watch the sunset from the beach, and stay or dine at one of the city’s most romantic hotels.
If you and your other half are fans of history and culture, you can visit Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, tour the USS Midway, and visit one or more of the museums in Balboa Park. And if you love zoos, the San Diego Zoo is world famous.
There’s also a lot going on over Valentine’s Day in San Diego. February is Museum Month, and couples can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours and other special events. It’s also peak season for whale watching. Getting out on the Pacific Ocean to see the cetaceans is a highlight of visiting during this part of winter.
If that all appeals, you can book a place in San Diego here. There’s a range of options in the city, from landmark hotels on the coast to beachfront apartment rentals. My favorite for romance is the Hotel del Coronado. This famous resort is hard to beat when it comes to all things love. You can book a room here.
5. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is one of the best places to go for Valentine’s Day in Southern California. This sunny coastal city is known for its mild weather, great restaurants and nightlife, shopping, beaches, and romantic hotels in the hills. There’s plenty of wine tasting here, too.
There’s a lot going on in Santa Barbara over Valentine’s Day as well. February marks the beginning of whale watching season, and you can take a boat cruise to see the famous California gray whales.
The annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival takes place over February 14th, too. Then there are special Valentine’s Day menus at restaurants throughout the city, events at wineries, packages at indulgent spas, sunset kayaking tours, and champagne boat cruises.
Add to that the seafood restaurants on Stearns Wharf, the murals in the Funk Zone, the tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail, the food stalls in the Santa Barbara Public Market, the beaches, the historic mission, and the shops, and you’re bound to find something that appeals to you as a couple.
If you have time, you can explore other parts of Santa Barbara County as well. From Solvang and Santa Ynez to the famous Cold Spring Tavern in the hills, there are lots of romantic places to visit. If you need more inspiration, you can take a look at my 1-day itinerary or my 2-day itinerary for Santa Barbara.
If this sounds like your kind of romantic escape, you can book a place to stay in Santa Barbara here. There are plenty of options throughout the area, from iconic hotels in Montecito to beachfront apartments and more. I love staying at El Encanto. This luxurious hilltop gem is a real treat for you and your significant other. You can book a room here.
6. Carmel
Carmel is another of my top picks for Valentine’s Day getaways in California. This beautiful part of the coast is great in February because there are fewer crowds than in the busy summer months. The weather can be less foggy, too.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the most romantic towns in California. From the boutiques to the beaches, storybook thatched-roof cottages, and delicious restaurants, there’s a lot to love about this place.
There’s fun wine tasting and cute shops in Carmel Valley, too. From fairy-tale cellar doors to rustic-chic boutiques, you two can spend a whole day exploring this part of the area.
If you want to stick to the coast, there’s great scenery and beautiful walking paths in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. It’s a fun place to stroll hand-in-hand to the ocean and take in the rugged coastal views.
If you have time, neighboring Monterey is a treat to explore, too. Whether you cycle by the bay, go kayaking, explore Old Fisherman’s Wharf, shop and dine on Cannery Row, stroll through Lovers Point Park, visit the famous aquarium, or go whale watching to see gray whales, killer whales, and dolphins, there’s a lot to do.
If this sounds like your kind of romantic escape, you can book a place to stay here. My other half and I stayed at Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley right after we got engaged. The rooms and suites are gorgeous, and the property is lush. We loved getting massages at the spa, too. If you want to follow in our footsteps, you can book a room here.
7. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is next on my list of the best Valentine’s Day trips in California. With mild February weather, loads of beaches, world-class restaurants, and good old fashioned Hollywood romance, LA is a great place to spend the holiday.
There’s a lot going on over Valentine’s Day in LA, too. From romantic gondola rides in Long Beach to theater performances, comedy shows, dance parties, concerts, exhibitions, and special menus at the top restaurants, there’s something for every taste and preference. And that’s to say nothing of watching the sunset from the beach or the hills in Malibu.
Beyond Valentine’s Day events, there’s everything from hip shops and restaurants in Downtown LA to views from Griffith Observatory, the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, rooftop bars with ocean views, and the great nightlife scene. My Los Angeles itineraries can help you plan a romantic Valentine’s Day trip to the City of Angels.
If you and your significant other love getting outdoors, LA is a great place for hiking. From Portuguese Bend Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes to San Vicente Mountain Park and Griffith Park, there are lots of good places to get a leg stretch. You can also take a romantic sunset walk through the Venice Canals.
Beyond the outdoors, LA has cultural institutions like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, museums like The Broad and The Getty, theme parks like Universal Studios Hollywood (and Disneyland in nearby Anaheim), and fun shopping streets like Abbot Kinney and Rodeo Drive.
If this sounds like your kind of trip, you can book a place to stay in LA here. My top pick for a romantic escape is Shutters on the Beach. Right on the waterfront in Santa Monica, this hotel has everything from beautiful guest rooms to a hot tub and a spa. You can book a room here.
8. Napa Valley
Napa Valley is another of the best Valentine’s Day trip ideas in California. This area is one of the most famous wine regions in the Golden State (and the world, for that matter). My other half and I love coming here in winter because there are fewer crowds and the landscapes are beautiful.
The majority of couples travel to Napa Valley in winter for wine tasting tours, and for good reason. This part of Northern California’s wine country is renowned for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and there are famous wineries all across the area.
If you don’t want to spend your whole trip wine tasting, the two of you can go shopping in downtown Napa, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on the Napa River, hiking in the hills, or get pampered at one of the area’s many indulgent spas.
There’s also plenty of fine dining in Yountville (it’s home to romantic restaurants like The French Laundry), scenic hot air balloon rides, and towns like Calistoga and St Helena to explore. My Napa itineraries can show you more.
If a wine country getaway for Valentine’s Day sounds like your glass of cab, you can book accommodation in Napa Valley here. My favorite place to stay in the area is Indian Springs. One of California’s original spas, this historic Calistoga resort is made up of a varied collection of Mission Revival-style buildings, bungalows, and cottages.
I’ve stayed in one of the cottages, and I loved its sense of history. The spa was romantic, too. They make this one of the most unique places to stay in California. You can book a room here.
9. Sonoma County
Right next to Napa, Sonoma County is another of my top picks for Valentine’s Day getaways in California. My other half and I are here a lot in the cooler months, and we always love how beautiful it is.
Like its neighbor, Sonoma County is best known for wine tasting tours. My favorite places to go are Dry Creek Valley for the Zinfandels and Russian River for the Pinot Noirs. It’s hard to go wrong here, though.
Sonoma also has plenty to offer if you don’t want to spend all your time wine tasting. This place is an ideal one to shop and dine in downtown Healdsburg and Sonoma Plaza, hike in the redwoods, and explore heritage sites like Jack London Historic State Park and Mission San Francisco Solano. Restaurants like SingleThread are oh-so-romantic, too.
Over on the Pacific Ocean, the Sonoma Coast is home to beaches with big West Coast boulders and parks with hiking trails like Jenner Headlands Preserve.
The local town of Bodega is famous for being a filming location for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, and Guerneville and Occidental have fun shops to explore. My Sonoma itineraries can give you more ideas, too.
There are special events going on over Valentine’s Day in Sonoma County as well. Wineries across the area offer special romantic tastings, pairings, and events, local restaurants have prix fixe menus on February 14th, and there are exhibitions and other festivities taking place around the area.
If this sounds like your kind of romantic escape, you can book a place to stay in Sonoma County here. There’s a range of accommodation, from classic wine country hotels to vacation rentals. My other half and I love staying at the Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg. This cozy B&B near the plaza has cute guest rooms and reasonable rates for the area. You can book a room here.
10. Mendocino
Mendocino is another of my top picks for Valentine’s Day getaways in California. I’ve traveled here in the winter months, and I’ve always had a great time. It’s hard to top a romantic Mendocino road trip, after all.
This part of the California coast features dense redwood forests, boulder-studded beaches, art galleries, wineries, and stunning scenery. The towns in Mendocino County have great restaurants and loads of historic waterfront charm, too.
Mendocino has a lot for visitors to do on February 14th as well. Many local restaurants have special Valentine’s Day menus, and hotels offer packages that include things like chocolates, wine tastings, massages, and dinners.
Beyond romance, Mendocino County has everything from local landmarks to hiking trails. Whether you want to visit Fort Bragg, go to Manchester State Beach, or explore Mendocino Headlands State Park, there’s something for the two of you on this part of the Northern California coast. My 48-hour Mendocino itinerary can give you more ideas.
If this appeals, you can book accommodation in Mendocino here. My favorite spot to call home in this part of Northern California is The Andiron. A retro-chic hideout, it features 1950s cabins spread across five acres of meadow and woodland on the famous Highway 1.
When I stayed at The Andiron on a romantic road trip I loved the rustic atmosphere and natural surroundings. Each cabin is individually decorated and completely one-of-a-kind, and there’s a hot tub, too. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
11. Big Bear
When the snow is plentiful, Big Bear is another of my top picks for Valentine’s Day getaways in California. Located near LA in the San Bernardino Mountains, this winter destination is popular with couples interested in snow-driven adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Situated on Big Bear Lake, visitors flock to this place in mid-February to go to ski resorts like Bear Mountain, Snow Valley, and Snow Summit. They’re particularly popular with beginners, as the slopes tend to be more gentle than in places like Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain.
There are plenty of other fun winter activities to enjoy with your other half in Big Bear, too. These include snowshoeing, sledding, toboggan runs, tubing, Segway tours, ziplining, hiking, outdoor scavenger hunts, helicopter rides, off-roading, stargazing, and horseback riding.
There’s a lot to love about Big Bear on Valentine’s Day as well. From spa treatments to private tours, wine tasting, live music, and gift shops, couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to romantic things to do here.
Big Bear also offers yoga and other wellness activities. There’s plenty of great dining and apres ski bars at the ski resorts and around Pine Knot Ave as well.
If that sounds like your kind of romantic escape, you can book a place to stay in Big Bear here. My top pick is N + P. The cabins and lodges feature contemporary mountain design and rustic-chic atmosphere and decor. They’re perfect places to fall more in love with your significant other. You can book one here.
Map of Valentine’s Day Trips in California
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the best places to go for Valentine’s Day in California. You can see it here. If you click on the pins, you can find more information and my relevant blog posts about each one.
Best Valentine’s Day Getaways in California
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best Valentine’s Day getaways in California, and that it’s inspired you to head out and explore more of the Golden State. There are lots of exciting places to discover in winter, and February is a great time to take a vacation here. Happy travels!
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