Downtown San Diego offers several creative ways to spark love between couples, both new and old. The Gaslamp real estate experts at 92101 Urban Living offer 5 romantic date ideas for Valentine’s Day (or the preceding weekend) in the downtown area.
1. Sweetheart Sail
Dates – February 11th and 12th 12pm-3pm
Location – San Diego Maritime Museum
Address – 1492 N. Harbor Drive
Telephone – (619) 234-9153, Ext. 106
Tickets and Information – https://sdmaritime.org/visit/public-events/sweetheart-sail/
Cost – Adults – $70
San Salvador is a Spanish galleon, a working replica of a 16th-century ship, with masts that rise 60 feet high. The ship will sail the bay for 3 hours, giving you and your date a breathtaking tour. While sipping champagne and nibbling treats, you may even catch glimpses of marine wildlife. Book your tickets in advance, and check in by 11:30am on cruise day. At the trip’s conclusion, you’ll receive a souvenir gift. The museum contains a majestic collection of historic ships. Open from 9am to 8pm, you can explore them before or after your cruise.
2. Delightful Italian Dinner
Date – February 10th, 11th, and 12th 11am-10:45 pm
Location – Buca di Beppo
Address – 705 Sixth Avenue
Telephone – (619) 233-7272
Reservations – http://www.bucadibeppo.com/reservations/
Cost – $49.99 for 2 guests
Buca di Beppo serves couples a classic Italian meal the weekend preceding Valentine’s Day, Friday through Sunday. You and your date can savor the heart-shaped lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and cannoli. Specially trained chefs weave the finest ingredients into family recipes, and the waiters are friendly and efficient. The Old-World ambiance is charming. Tables are arranged family-style, with red-and-white checkered tablecloths. It will feel like you’re dining in Italy.
3. Bonnie and Clyde Outdoor Movie
Date – February 14th 6pm-9pm
Location – The Headquarters
Address – 789 W. Harbor Drive
Telephone – (619) 235-4013
Website – http://theheadquarters.com/events-calendar/valentines-outdoor-movie
Admission – Free
Bring your favorite blanket and some chairs and cozy up on the outdoor courtyard. Overhead lights and the starry night cast a dreamy ambiance. If you are not familiar with the story of Bonnie and Clyde, here’s a brief synopsis without ruining the suspense. It’s 1939, during the Great Depression. Waitress Bonnie meets criminal Clyde when he tries to steal her mom’s car. Bonnie is bored with her job and fascinated by Clyde, so she decides to become his partner. You and your date can follow their risky capers to the dramatic ending. The Headquarters is the former precinct of the San Diego Police Department. In 1939, it was the largest police headquarters worldwide. The property now houses a museum, where you can see the original jail cells and other police memorabilia. There are also several restaurants within. Consider prefacing your outdoor movie with a meal. Eddie V’s, in the former courthouse, specializes in fresh seafood. Other unique features are a 2-level wine tower and live jazz music in the lounge. You also have several delectable options for dessert at the Headquarters. Dallmann chocolates are homemade, using the finest ingredients and fashioned with love, Gelato Paradiso serves sorbetto, gelato, and cakes, made fresh daily, or you can share a mouthwatering confection at the Cheesecake Factory.
4. Ramón Ayala and Band
Date – February 14th 7pm
Location – House of Blues
Address – 1055 Fifth Avenue
Telephone – (619) 299-2583
Tickets – http://concerts.livenation.com/event/0A005177B5212ACC
Price – $50-$85 for the show. Meals cost extra.
Even if you’re not Spanish, you and your date will thoroughly enjoy “Una Noche Romantica” with Ramón Ayala and his band. Pulsing from the heart of Gaslamp, the House of Blues has an intimate setting. Dubbed “King of the Accordion,” Ayala has recorded 100+ albums and received 4 Grammy Awards. He’s a master of norteño, a genre blending the sounds of alto sax, bajo sexto, accordion, and drums. The result is a brisk style resembling polka. The venue has limited balcony seating, with most tickets standing room only. You can opt to eat before or after the concert. Restaurant hours are 4pm-11pm. The menu is a mix of American and international cuisine.
5. 50s/60s Dance Party
Date – February 14th 8pm
Location – Henry’s Pub
Address – 618 Fifth Avenue
Telephone – (619) 238-2389
Website – https://henryspub.com/
Cost – No cover charge. Specialty cocktails are $7.
Put on your dancing shoes and trot over to this Gaslamp tavern for a fun date of dancing. On Tuesday nights, couples swing to live rockabilly music. American cuisine includes appetizers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pizza, entrées, and desserts. Local craft beer is also served. No less than 10 TVs occupy the dining room, and there’s also a large outdoor patio.
If you and your romantic partner move to the downtown area, you’ll have easy access to many romantic date opportunities all year long. Condos in Gaslamp Quarter are hot right now. If you’d like to see some of these properties or condos in other parts of downtown, get in touch with 92101 Urban Living today. Call 619-649-0368 to schedule an appointment. ')}