Love, Locally

Love, Locally

Romantic San Diego celebrations for couples

Posted on Feb. 1, 2017

For blissful getaways to charming inns and luxury resorts, swoon-worthy spa treatments, and decadently delicious Valentine’s Day dinners and desserts, here are a few special spots for romance, SoCal style:

Follow your heart to the Hotel Del Coronado. The historic resort has launched more than a century of love stories, on-screen and off. Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon frolicked on the sand here during the shooting of Some Like It Hot. You can still turn up the heat with a cozy beach bonfire for two, complete with toasty s’mores. The Spa at the Del is offering such specialty treatments as the “Hot & Steamy” massage, using warm stones to ease tension and stress, “his and her” facials, and a chocolate scrub followed by warm oil. For the ultimate in ardor, book the “Romantic Journey for Two,” featuring side-by-side massages in the couple’s suite sprinkled with rose petals, followed by a revitalizing body scrub and a bit of bubbly. Receive a $ credit toward the romantic ritual of your choice when you book a two-night stay. 800.468.3533, hoteldel.com

The Balinese-inspired Pantai Inn, located on Coast Boulevard across from Scripps Park, offers a year-round “Romance in La Jolla” escape that includes a two-night stay, a dozen red roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and Champagne. For an added touch, the inn will arrange a relaxing in-room massage or other spa treatments. Additional packages for two include the “Sea, Sail and Sunset” three-hour private sail, and “Soaring over San Diego,” a helicopter tour of the coastline. The 30-room inn offers one- to three-bedroom suites and cottages, home-cooked breakfasts, and complimentary parking. San Diego County residents receive 15 percent off stays. 858.224.7600, paintai.com

The La Jolla Shores Hotel has a “Love is in the Air” package, complete with a one-night beachfront room, Champagne toast at check-in, dinner, and breakfast for two at The Shores restaurant. Chef de Cuisine Percy Oani is preparing a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu that begins with an entrée of crispy skin sea bass, dynamite shrimp, or center cut filet and finishes with a trio of tastes: chocolate decadence, pineapple upside down, and sea salt caramel gelato. At the nearby Marine Room, Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver have created a four-course menu beginning with a candy cane beet parfait, artisan hearts of baby romaine, and such entrées as limoncello butter-basted lobster tail, with equally mouthwatering dessert selections. ljshoreshotel.com, theshoresrestaurant.com, marineroom.com

San Diego’s sole Forbes Five-Star spa at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers indulgent treatments for two accompanied by Champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries. The package includes a mineral bath soak, moisture wrap, and massage, followed by a manicure and pedicure at the resort’s Haim Salon. Salon specials include a rose petal pedicure and a “date night” package complete with hairstyling, makeup, and a manicure for that big night out. Afterward, dine at Addison, the Five-Star/AAA Five Diamond restaurant where Relaix & Chateau Grand Chef William Bradley is planning a nine-course menu including oysters, Calotte de Boeuf, and Mille-Feuille. “The Grand Escape” staycation package includes valet, daily breakfast, and a resort credit. 858.314.2000, fairmont.com/san-diego

“Ride the Wave” at L’Auberge Del Mar with a romance package for active couples that includes Fulcrum surf lessons for two. At Spa L’Auberge, pamper yourself with such treatments as the “Chocolate Lover’s Delight,” a massage with dark chocolate-infused oil, and the “Lavender Fields” pedicure. On Saturday, February 11, L’Auberge presents a tasting of artisan chocolates paired with red wines from 4-6pm and a pop-up oyster bar from 6-9pm. 858.259.1515, laubergedelmar.com

At the Five-Star Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, the “Cupid’s Couple Massage” features romantic rubs with rose oil aromatherapy in the couple’s suite, with its side-by-side massage tables, a shower for two, and a private patio and whirlpool. The chocolate truffle body wrap will warm and relax sore muscles, or indulge in the chocolate-dipped strawberry facial: a chocolate mousse hydrating masque followed by a strawberry rhubarb serum to add moisture and repair damaged skin. Make a night of it with a four-course dinner at the resort’s elegant Vivace or Argyle restaurants. 760.448.1234, parkhyattaviara.com

For a dining experience that is both sensual and intimate, book a private poolside cabana for “Dinner of the Senses” at the Resort at Pelican Hill. The seven- course menu for two — eaten without utensils — is designed to stimulate the senses of sight, scent, sound, touch, and taste. The resort also offers a four-course Italian lovers’ menu and “his and her” choices at Andrea Ristorante, rated Southern California’s “most romantic” by Los Angeles Times readers. Culminate your stay with a couple’s Duet Massage followed by a romantic bath a’ deux in an infinity-edge soaking tub. Prosecco, anyone? 949.467.6800, pelicanhill.com     Andrea Naversen

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