Surprisingly, California provides a host of activities to connect meaningfully with your partner. The most unlikely destination you ever thought would make for a romantic spot? We thought so too!
California and romance certainly don’t seem to go together. The city is mostly known for organic, veggie-eating Californians and Arnold Schwarzenegger! Maybe that’s the beauty of celebrating your love in such an unconventional setting as California, USA. Revel in some colourful atmosphere as you are surrounded by groups of family and large bunch of kids shouting ‘Duuuuuuude’ at each other. California has many ‘hidden’ places where you can spend a memorable Valentine’s Day…Gourmet love
Look at each other over flutes of wine at Sonoma County. It is the birth place of California wines and has more than 250 wineries. Visit the oldest winery in California – Buena Vista Carneros. Enjoy a luxurious lunch overlooking the beautiful vineyards at the Farmhouse Inn. Get in a hot air balloon and take off to the spectacular view of vineyards sparkling with the sunshine.
Located about an hour away from San Francisco, spend a day at the Napa Valley, also known for one of the top spa resorts. For lunch, catch the Napa Valley Wine Train, a scenic 3-hour gourmet-dining excursion aboard lavishly restored 1915-1950 Pullman Dining and Lounge cars. Browse through small towns such as Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga as you shop and taste olives and award-winning vintages along the St Helena Highway in the heart of the valley.
A date with natureCalifornia boasts of more than 1,100 miles of breathtaking coastline, ranging from Hollywood-perfect expanses of smooth sand to dramatically windswept ocean side cliffs. Play beach volleyball, build sandcastles, or hike along picturesque seaside trails. California’s beaches provide the perfect opportunity to have a myriad of experiences with your partner.
If you travel from California’s flower-filled Central Valley to thrilling Yosemite and the verdant Gold Country, you can smell fragrance of millions of flowering fruit trees in the region’s sprawling orchards. There are colourful meadows covered in lupine, poppies, and other spring wildflowers. Dripping with romance, isn’t it?  You can also stop by at the visitor center in town for wildflower identification guides and hiking suggestions. On the other side, Yosemite Valley World Heritage Site boasts spectacular waterfalls, particularly in spring, when snowmelt turns even the littlest creek into a booming cascade. Accessible by car all through the year, activities include a walk around the park and trolley tour.
There’s nothing like some precious privacy on a houseboat, surrounded by miles of crystal clear water… Dubbed as ‘the houseboat capital of the world’, Shasta is California’s largest reservoir – bigger than the San Francisco Bay! There are over 365 miles of shoreline to explore, and the lovely white summit of Mt. Shasta is always visible across the water. Rent a houseboat at one of the 10 marinas scattered around Shasta Lake out of the many options available. Some boats include private staterooms, hot tubs, and gas barbecues. Home to bass, crappie, catfish, and sturgeon, Shasta is also a great place to indulge in some fish together.
Now whale watching is surely something unique which you can brag about to your other couple friends! Every winter and spring, thousands of gray whales pass along Southern California as they travel from Alaska to Baja California and back again. That gives you a unique (and almost guaranteed) opportunity to spot these whales without having to travel too far offshore from local harbours. A great way to see the whales is to go out on a trip with naturalists trained by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the American Cetacean Society. For onshore whale-watching spots, prime locations include Point Dume State Preserve in Malibu, the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, and Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. Bring a good pair of binoculars and scan for signature blows – especially noticeable when seas and winds are calm.
Toast to glamour!Sway to some music together – whether it’s slow or hard-core Metallica! California has a lot of live musical events happening on and off. Drop by a club – obscure or world renowned – and who knows what up and coming star you may catch? To understand the history of music in San Francisco, check out the legendary Fillmore. It is a music museum and a rocking venue where you can hear today’s top acts. To drink, dance, and hear bands rock the house, you can party with celebs and regular folks at the dim, loud, and intimate Viper Room in Los Angeles.
The entertainment capital of the world – home to Hollywood is the famous city of Los Angeles. Take a luxurious tour and experience the lifestyle of Hollywood super stars as you move around Beverly Hills and shop at Rodeo Drive. If you’d prefer more low-key shopping, explore Venice Beach and the variety of unique boutiques selling jewellery, clothing, furniture and art created by local designers. Tour Universal Studios and experience Hollywood at its best. Visit Kodak theatre – the annual host of the Academy Awards, and Walk of Fame – with more than 2,500 polished marble stars. Celebrities from the worlds of film, radio, television, theatre and music had been immortalized here!
So here’s to glamour, beauty and fun! You won’t get a better destination than California to have newer and deeper experiences with your very own superstar…
