Valentine’s Day is an annual celebration of all things love. From traditional dates like couples classes, concerts, chocolate tastings and sunset sails to lovely left-field events like penguin watching, ghost hunting and an Anti-Valentine’s singalong, here’s a sampling of ways to do V-Day in the Bay.
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Love Bites at SF Ferry Building: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco. The San Francisco Ferry building will host a love-filled event featuring gourmet bites from Ferry Marketplace merchants, sips from Napa Valley wineries, salsa performances, dancing, a live DJ, games and art activities, such as Recchiuti’s famous chocolate spin art bar. $25 to $30. bit.ly/LoveBitesSF
‘Heart Wrench’ at Eclectic Box: 10 to 11:30 p.m. Feb. 9-10, 446 Valencia St., San Francisco. The critically-acclaimed San Francisco Neo-Futurists will present “Heart Wrench: A Valentine’s Day Edition of The Infinite Wrench,” a special event featuring 30 short plays written on the subject of love. $20 to $50. bit.ly/HeartWrench
Valentine’s Latte Art Couples Class: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Feb. 10, Tico Coffee Roasters, 1334 Dell Ave., Suite G, Campbell. Join Tico Coffee Roasters to uncover the science of milk and learn how to make your own cup of latte foam art, featuring flirty designs like hearts and tulips. $195. bit.ly/VDayTico
Cookie Decorating with The Cake Robin: 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 10, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City. Surprise your friends and family this Valentine’s Day with some custom cookies. Decorate several styles of cookies, from traditional hearts to a pinta-style Valentine’s day card. Cookies will be baked in advance so they are ready to decorate. $65. bit.ly/CakeByRobinClassesRWC
Valentine’s Native Bouquet Workshop: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 10, 391 Chynoweth Ave., San Jose. Celebrate Valentine’s Day the eco-friendly way by creating a beautiful bouquet with the local and seasonal plants of California, learning about native and ornamental drought-tolerant plants along the way. All plant materials will be provided. Free. bit.ly/VDayNativeBouquet
Valentine’s Macaron Masterclass: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10, 655 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos. Flirt with the French by learning the art of macaron making. An expert chef will guide you through every step of the process, from mixing the batter to creating beautiful fillings. You’ll also get to take your creations home and impress your loved ones with a sweet surprise. $60. bit.ly/VDayMacaron
NOBO X Surf + Sand Valentines Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10, Surf and Sand 55 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. Step into luxury this Valentine’s Day by browsing a TheNOBO curated collection of brands like Chanel, Givenchy, Gucci, Louboutin and Saint Laurent, plus a Surf and Sand selection of sustainable designers. Free admission. bit.ly/NoboSurfSand
Lovers Lane Block Party: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 10, Balmy Alley, San Francisco. The Mission’s own Valentine’s Day festival is back and bigger than ever. Enjoy live music and performers, local vendors, delicious food, live painting, tarot readings, couples caricatures, mural displays, a health and wellness corner, face painting, dance classes and a bounce house. Free admission. bit.ly/LoversLaneBlockparty
Valentines Day with Soul’d Out: 12 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10, Vino Godfather, 1005 Walnut Ave., Vallejo. Enjoy music and shop for jewelry and art pieces while sipping your favorite Vino Godfather wines. Free admission. bit.ly/VDaySouldOut
Skin Deep Valentine’s Open House: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 2080 Columbus Parkway, Benicia. Join Skin Deep Beauty and Wellness for a love-filled open house where guests will enjoy complimentary hand massages, skincare and haircare consultations and cups of hot chocolate. Free admission. bit.ly/VDaySkinDeep
Valentine’s Choco-Stroll and Seminar: 12 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10, Veterans Community Plaza, Main and State streets, Los Altos. Join the Los Altos Village Association for an afternoon of chocolate education and tasting. Enjoy a seminar by Elyce Zahn from CocoTutti on the chocolate-making process, plus a punch card entitling you to chocolate tastings at select sites. $45. bit.ly/ChocoStroll
Ben Borsellino, left, owner of the Martinez Athletic Club, hands over a glass of wine to Stephanie Beaman, during the Martinez Wine & Chocolate Stroll in Martinez, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. (Photo By Dan Rosenstrauch)
Downtown Martinez Wine & Chocolate Stroll: 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 10, 649 Main St., Martinez. Grab your sweetie, gal pals, family and friends and head to Downtown Martinez for a fun afternoon of strolling from business to business while sampling more than 20 wines and chocolate treats. $40. bit.ly/WineChocStroll
Spurned Love Valentine D’Luxe Ghost Walk: 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10, 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. Ghost Walks through Petaluma’s historic downtown include true tales of mysterious happenings, tragic fates, ghostly sightings and dark crimes in a frontier town, all told by a host of ghosts. $15. bit.ly/SpurnedLove
Valentine’s Paint & Sip Karaoke Party: 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10, M2 Champagne & Cocktail Lounge, 3320 Grand Ave., Oakland. Enjoy a Valentine’s party where you can unleash your inner artist, channel your creativity on canvas, sing your heart out to karaoke tunes and sip yummy cocktails. $40 to $250. bit.ly/VDayPaintSip
Valentine’s Day Glam Class: 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10, 260 McEvoy St., San Jose. Reveal your inner glam with an in-person beauty tutorial from Beatfacebandit, one of the best in the industry. Learn all the tips and tricks to create a stunning Valentine’s look that will make hearts skip a beat. $25. bit.ly/VDayGlamClass
Love Pong: 8 to 11 p.m. Feb. 10, SPIN, 690 Folsom St., San Francisco. This ping-pong social club will host a Valentine’s celebration featuring a ping pong show, heart-fluttering tarot card readings, heart-shaped pizzas, love potion cocktails, live music and red mood lighting to set the electric atmosphere. $59/hour. bit.ly/LovePong
Bollywood Love Affair: 9:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 386 South First St., San Jose. Jumpstart your Valentine’s journey at a Bollywood party featuring Dubai celebrity SJ Sukhi. Bay Area native DJ Vee will open the night, setting the dance floor on fire before SJ Sukhi brings it home. $0 to $100. bit.ly/BollywoodAffair2024
Botanical Garden Valentine’s Tea: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11, 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley. Enjoy an educational walk and tea party at the University of California Botanical Garden. Use all your senses as you explore fragrant edibles, with a special opportunity to collect them for tea party snacks and valentine-making. $24. bit.ly/VDayBotanicalTea
Max Bolle, right, looks skyward from beneath his umbrella while at the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley on Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Valentine’s Kayaking Tour: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11, Encinal Boat Ramp, 190 Central Ave., Alameda. Enjoy a kayak tour designed just for couples. Tour the local waterways while enjoying the sea breeze, sunshine and beautiful views. You’ll also be getting some cute couple photos to remember the occasion. This excursion is perfect for beginners, as no experience is necessary, and all gear will be provided. $145. bit.ly/VDayKayak
Valentine’s Charcuterie Workshop: 12 to 2 p.m. Feb. 11, Mission Peak Wine, 8116 Mill Creek Road, Fremont. Indulge in a savory experience this Valentine’s Day at Mission Peak Wine’s exclusive Heart-Shaped Charcuterie Workshop. Enjoy an afternoon filled with love, laughter and delectable bites. $79. bit.ly/VDayCharcuterie
Valentine’s Pottery Workshop: 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 11, Jered’s Pottery, 5743 A Horton St., Emeryville. Get messy with your sweetie at this intro to throwing on the potter’s wheel workshop for couples. Jered will guide everyone through the process of making pottery on the wheel and will then fire and glaze your two favorite pieces as lasting relics of your love. $250. bit.ly/VDayJeredsPottery
Valentine’s Market Drag Show: 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 11, Lakeside Landing, 2500 Ocean Ave., San Francisco. Immerse yourself in a world of glitter sequins, and high-energy performances with this sassy Valentine’s celebration. $7. bit.ly/VDayDrag
Filoli Flora Party: 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 11-13, Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. Create lasting memories with friends at Filoli Historic House & Garden’s February flora party. Guided by Filoli staff, artfully combine a mix of fresh flowers and greenery to create your own showstopper, just in time for Valentine’s Day. filoli.org/events/parties/
Valentine’s Day at Old Fisherman’s Wharf: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 14, 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. Celebrate Valentine’s Day on the wharf, complete with selfies against the festive, love-themed decor, Valentine’s menu items, cocktails, confections, jewelry, gift items and boat trips. Free admission. bit.ly/VDayWharf
Members of the African penguin colony scope out their newest resident as the male chick stands front and center. Photo credit: California Academy of Sciences
Penguin Valentine’s: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco. It’s the most waddle-full time of the year at this natural history museum. Watch the Species Survival Plan colony of African penguins in this scientifically adorable annual tradition, where curious penguins nab felt hearts to line their nests, which is great for pair-bonding. $32.75 to $37.75. bit.ly/VDayPenguins
Valentine’s Day Sunset Sail: 4:45 to 7 p.m. Feb. 14, Sausalito Yacht Harbor, Slip 465, Sausalito. The warm glow of the sinking sun on this Valentine’s sail will cast a romantic spell over your evening. Step aboard the classic schooner Freda B to capture views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Alcatraz and the San Francisco and Sausalito waterfronts. $99. bit.ly/VDayFredaB
Bonded with Bae Dinner: 5 to 7:30 Feb. 14, Dirty Habit, 12 Fourth St., San Francisco. Dirty Habit is partnering with fusible jewelry maker Bonded SF for a seasonal 8-course meal and a chance to explore this jewelry line and have it permanently fused onsite. $110. opentable.com/dirty-habit
Valen-zines Day: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14, 2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. Join Rock Paper Scissors Collective to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a creative event where guests will make their own zine. Whether you’re a seasoned zine maker or new to the craft, this event is sure to unleash your inner artist. $3 to $10. bit.ly/ValenzinesDay
‘In the Mood for LOVE!’ Jazz Concert: 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Feb. 14, Black Cat Jazz Club, 400 Eddy St., San Francisco. Step into the Black Cat this Valentine’s Day with a festive 3-course dinner and special music performance headlined by jazz vocalist Vanisha Gould. $125-$145. blackcatsf.com/
Valentine’s Paint, Plant, Sip: 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14, Oakstop, 2323 Broadway, Oakland. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Paint, Plant, Sip workshop presented by Hella Plants Market. Bring out those creative juices while planting and painting terracotta pots and enjoying live music and sips from the bar. $50. bit.ly/PaintPlantSip
Grapes and Giggles Valentine’s Comedy Show: 8:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14, Domenico Winery, 1697 Industrial Road, San Carlos. Laugh your heart out with the Valentine’s Day comedy show from three comedians featured on late-night TV, Comedy Central and SF Sketchfest. $30 to $45. bit.ly/GrapesGiggles
Anti-Valentine’s Day ‘80s Sing-A-Long: 9:15 p.m. Feb. 14, Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., San Francisco. If you hate Valentine’s Day, come out to the Roxie this year, because there’s an entire genre of music made just for your pain — and they’re ‘80s power ballads. $17. bit.ly/AntiVDayRoxie
Valentine’s Family Picnic: 12 to 5 p.m. Feb. 18, Big Dog Vineyards, 4545 Felter Road, Milpitas. Treat the entire family to some friendly Valentine’s fun. Enjoy themed charcuterie, desserts and more on the picturesque winery’s front lawn. Free admission. bit.ly/VDayBigDog
