San Diego Valentine's Day

Want to know the best way to spend your Valentine’s Day weekend in San Diego?

This list was created by a San Diego local as an all inclusive guide for the top rated spots in San Diego, California.

Whether you’re looking for fun date ideas, outdoor activities, secret spots, restaurants, or best places to get gifts this list covers it all. Don’t worry, ideas for last minute valentine’s day activities and gifts are included!

Click on the link to view their google reviews, directions, and times

Downtown San Diego

Morning Glory

Popular breakfast place in downtown San Diego. They are known for their fun aesthetic! Get there early! They don’t allow for reservations in advance and wait times can range around 2 hours on the weekends. If you go on a Saturday you can put your name down and then explore little italy or the farmers market while you wait.

Salt & Straw

Known for their ice cream!

An’s Drycleaning

This unique ice cream shop was originally a dry cleaning store. They have fun flavors and you can give suggestions of what flavor they should try to create on their big poster!

Room 56

Fun speakeasy! Remember to make a reservation. Want to know how to find this hidden bar? Go to the second floor where the bookshelf is 😉

Seaport Village

Spanish style cute and quirky shops with everything from nostalgia books, t-shirts, sunglasses, hats, candles, hot sauces, magnets, kites, wines, chimes and bells, and shells. Great place to eat is San Diego Pier Cafe with an amazing view of the bay. One of my favorite parts is the Koi pond. Metered parking available!

Waterfront

Great for picnics and fun for kids because they can play in the water structure and open grass area.

Little Italy Farmers Market

The Little Italy Farmers Market is the biggest one in San Diego and is open 8am – 2pm on Saturdays. Parking can be tricky! Recommend the parking garage: 715 W Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101

USS Midway

Once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore a historical naval aircraft carrier museum. The museum consists of an extensive collection of aircrafts. Don’t miss this main attraction!

Adventure Whale Watching

Known for 2.5 hour semi private whale watching excursions with arm’s reach distance from wildlife on Navy Seal Boats that fit up to 6 passengers. Located on the dock behind the Sheraton Hotel in downtown San Diego

Balboa Park

A beautiful place to walk, have a picnic, or visit their popular attractions such as the Japanese Friendship Garden, Museum of Us, Alcazar garden, and botanic building. Definitely one of my favorite places in San Diego.

Point Loma

Liberty Station

A must see with tons of fun bars, restaurants, boutiques, gourmet eateries, shops, art galleries, and small museums. Next to the NTC park with waterfront views

Stone Brewery
Liberty Public Market – Has a variety of great food choices and shops
Pigment – Really cute gift shop
Moniker General – Really great selection of coffee

Cabrillo National Monument: Historic Lighthouse & national monument with views all the way to Mexico. One of my favorite parts was also the state reserve where you climb down to see the tide pools (separate place below that you can park at)

La Jolla

La Jolla Cove

Great spot to see the tide pools and seals!

Windansea Beach

Smaller and more private local beach.

Birch Aquarium

Known for their hands-on exhibits and their variety of over 60 different types of fish. It is one of the largest centers for ocean and earth science research. Buy tickets or see pricing here

Pacific Beach

Palmy’s

Definitely my personal favorite to get coffee or matcha. Has an amazing setup and is one of the newer coffee shops. Great for breakfast and lunch!

Waterbar

Popular for lunch and for weekend night outs. Located right on the boardwalk with a view of the ocean.

Flamingo Deck

Really cute bar known for their shareable drink out of a huge flamingo

Mavericks

Bigger bar on the main strip with beachy aesthetic, expansive patio, TV sports, and bar bites menu

Tourmaline

Popular surf spot

Kate sessions