Landing on Friday, Feb. 14 this year, it’s time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. There are a whole host of bars and restaurants ready, willing, and able to roll out the red carpet for romantic couples celebrating their affection on this special day.

Here are just a few choices along the beachfront in La Jolla and Pacific and Mission beaches, places you can indulge in during the lover’s holiday:

MISSION BEACH

Unvalentine’s Day – Remodeled Guava Beach Bar & Grill at 3714 Mission Blvd. is going outside the lines in celebrating the romantic holiday this Feb. 14. “We are doing our own fairly unique spin on Valentine’s Day,” said Eric Christiansen, co-owner of the family-friendly eatery along with Ben Cseri. “We are doing an anti-Valentine’s Day party for those people who are either single or don’t care for the ‘holiday.’ We are calling it the ‘Stupid Cupid’ party and will have a DJ, raffle prizes, and drink specials from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Of the origin of Stupid Cupid, Christiansen said: “We did a similar themed party years ago and it was a success. Then we tried our hand at doing a special fancy ‘dinner for two’ for a few years with moderate success. So we decided to circle back and try it again.  Our server manager (Alexa) and another server (Sarah) came up with the name and created the marketing for us. Not everyone is in a relationship. So we decided to think outside of the box and host a party that caters to them. But everyone is welcome to have a fancy dinner, dance, enjoy some themed cocktails, and have some fun.”

LA JOLLA

Sammy’s Valentine’s – Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza at 702 Pearl St. celebrates Valentine’s Day with its popular heart-shaped pizzas. Gourmet to-go pizza kits are available throughout February. Each kit includes your choice of any pizza with heart-shaped dough and all ingredients, along with baking instructions. Pizza kits start at $14. Local restaurateur Sami Ladeki made Sammy’s the first San Diego restaurant to introduce the woodfired oven concept. Its cuisine is created using local, organic, and nutritionally balanced ingredients, and all its fare is prepared without butter or artificial trans-fat, from fresh gourmet salads to award-winning pizzas. For more information, visit sammyspizza.com.

Valentine’s en The Cove – Georges at the Cove at 1250 Prospect St. invites sweetheart couples to La Jolla for a prix-fixe Valentine’s Day dinner on Friday, Feb. 14 in the lower-level private dining room offering ocean views. The three-course dinner from executive chef Masa Kojima and his team is $110 per person, and it must be pre-paid. The first course is a choice of tuna belly, beef tartare, pea salad, or potato and holey cow cheese ravioli. The second course is a choice of Hokkaido scallops, smoked duck breast and confit leg, New York steak, or wild mushroom risotto. third course is a choice of chocolate mousse or strawberry shortcake tres leches.

La Jolla Shores Valentine’s – Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters at 2259 Avenida de la Playa will offer Valentine’s Day dinner specials on Feb. 14. In addition to the regular menu, guests can enjoy a la carte dishes Hamachi (cherry blossom shoyu, mandarin, cucumber, pickled mushrooms, cilantro), half chicken (risotto, kale, mushroom, Parmesan), and pavlova (lemon curd, raspberry, ganache, whipped cream). Reservations are recommended, especially during happy hour from 4-5:30 p.m. at sandpipersd.com/reservations.

PACIFIC BEACH

Spill The Beans Coffee and Bagels – Located at 980 Garnet Ave., this breakfast hot spot on Friday, Feb. 14 will be reintroducing their beloved Valentine’s classic: heart-shaped everything-flavor bagels. Let your sweetheart know they’re your ‘everything.’ Head chef Karina Orozco first created the heart-shaped everything bagels in 2018, giving San Diegans an affordable, creative way to kick off the love-filled holiday with a yummy twist. These will be available while supplies last.

Armonia Kitchen – In the past, this breakfast and lunch eatery at 1422 Garnet Ave. has handed out roses and offered a red velvet latte to patrons for Valentine’s Day.  Currently, the restaurant has decorations up and will be playing particular music on that special day.

Bar Ella – Situated at 1030 Garnet Ave., the restaurant is showcasing a three-course, prix-fixe menu for $79 per person with one appetizer, one main course, and a shared dessert on Feb. 14-15. Wine options are available from Daou Vineyards & Winery. Reservations are open. For more information, visit barellapb.com.

Slowly Restaurant & Lounge – This Mediterranean-Mexican fusion restaurant at 1525 Garnet Ave. will immerse guests in their “Cupid’s Serenade” experience featuring romantic decor, specialty cocktails, and an ambiance designed to set hearts aflutter. Slowly will offer an alluring Valentine’s Day menu including the captivating caviar special, served with a choice of tuna or salmon tartare, smashed potatoes, crème fraîche, and chives, priced at $110 for two or $200 for groups of four. Entrées will include oven-roasted striped sea bass grilled New York steak and pan-seared scallops in a mole rosa sauce with grilled asparagus, priced at $45. For reservations/information, call 858-352-6080 or visit SlowlySD.com.
Scuderie Italia – This Italian-style eatery at 1525 Garnet Ave., will offer an enchanting backdrop to share tantalizing tastes with “tuo amore” this Valentine’s Day. Featured selections will include That’s Amore, a vibrant red beet crust pizza topped with Vellutata Fontina cheese, provola di agerola, porcini mushrooms, prosciutto crudo di parma, truffle oil, and shaved Parmigiano, priced at $28; Costata di Agnello, a grilled lamb rack served on a bed of creamy asparagus risotto, priced at $38; and ravioli romantica, homemade ravioli filled with Formaggio and served with clams and shrimp in a tomato sauce with a touch of pesto, priced at $28. To toast to love, guests can sip on the wistful white wine spritzer, a blend of white wine, Prosecco, orange juice, and raspberries, priced at $15. Reservations and more information are available by calling 858-352-6912 or by visiting ScuderieItalia.com.

tacos de ciudad – The shop’s locations are offering a Lovers Combo for Two throughout Valentine’s Day weekend. From Friday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 16, enjoy two tacos each, one beverage each (bottled Mexican beer, agua fresca, or soda), and one order of churros for $30 per couple. Draft beers may be substituted for $2 extra.

MISSION BAY

SeaWorld Valentine’s – Celebrate Valentine’s Day at SeaWorld San Diego by dining with orcas. Indulge in a special chef-crafted menu featuring a carving station, a variety of salads, fresh fruits, delectable sweet treats, and more. While savoring your meal, enjoy a unique, up-close presentation with majestic orcas. This hour-long dining experience also includes a behind-the-scenes exploration with our expert animal specialists, making it a truly memorable celebration. Admission is not included. For more information, visit seaworld.com.

CORONADO

Gondola Valentine’s – What could be more romantic – or imaginative – than a gondola ride for couples on Valentine’s Day right here in San Diego? The Gondola Company at 503 Grand Caribe Causeway, Suite C in Coronado, invites guests to create a storybook evening that your special someone will cherish forever with their Saint Valentino Cruise. Glide hand-in-hand through the serene canals of the Coronado Cays evoking the romance of Venice. A private gondolier guides you through serene, secluded waterways, offering breathtaking views and the soothing melody of gently lapping water. Toast to your “amore eterno” with a bottle of bubbly and indulge in decadent chocolates from See’s Candies. Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal, celebrating your love story, or simply seeking an unforgettable evening, the Saint Valentino Cruise is the perfect setting for romance. Each cruise also includes a single red rose. For more information, visit gondolacompany.com.

POINT LOMA

Liberty Public Market Galentine’s – San Diego’s first seven-day-a-week public market in historic Liberty Station is spreading the love this February with Galentine’s Day at Liberty Public Market. Grab your gals and join the love on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day of passion, creativity, and community connection. This special event celebrates female friendship and entrepreneurship by featuring inspiring women artisans, boutique owners, service providers, and more.

VALLE DE LA MISIÓN

Novo Brazil Brewing Company’s – This Mission Valley sports pub at 1640 Camino Del Rio North is holding the Galentine’s Pilates Networking Mixer with Girls Club San Diego on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $36 (plus fee) and can be purchased through Eventbrite. Certified instructor Kristal Ruiz will lead a guided mat pilates class, which will be followed by a networking mixer that includes drinks and chocolates. Participants are asked to bring a yoga/pilates mat, business cards to exchange, and an eagerness to meet new, local ladies.