City-View Sips

Where: Alameda

​Imagine a place where you can taste a flight of reds, learn about the terroir of gin, sip on vodka distilled from Karl the Fog, and kick back with a pint overlooking the SF skyline. Well friends, we are happy to report that this magical place does, in fact, exist and you and your bae can experience it all at Alameda’s Spirits Alley. This Valentine’s Day spend an afternoon sipping on something tasty from the area’s finest craft distilleries and tasting rooms at Alameda Point’s Naval Air Station. Book at tour and tasting at St. George Spirits for some killer gin (and perhaps a sip of their rye or absinthe), or check out the unique happenings at Hangar 1 and their masterfully-curated selection of vodkas (psst … they’ve got brandy, too). To keep things at a lower octane mosey over to the cozy Rock Wall Wine Company or Building 43 Winery tasting rooms for a flight, or order something hoppy at Faction Brewing. It goes without question that this is a strictly 21 and up kind of day. Just be sure to drink responsibly and catch a sober ride home.

Photo Courtesy of Greg Linares, City of Oakland

Walk, Eat, Repeat

Where: San Francisco

​What better way to celebrate your Valentine than strolling hand-in-hand with your sweetheart around eclectic San Francisco neighborhoods tasting some exceptional eats? Sounds like a pretty darn good way to spend an afternoon if we do say so ourselves. Check out any of Stretchy Pants’ Food Tours including the popular Chinatown Food Tour. Although they are not giving tours on actual valentines day, this is the perfect gift. This tour includes a stop at the fortune cookie factory and the neighborhood’s oldest bakery.

Photo Courtesy of JP Dobrin, Yelp

Flame On

Where: Bay Area and Napa

If you like to cook, or if you are interested in learning how, ignite both you and your Valentine’s passion with a cooking class. For something a little more mainstream there’s always Sur la Table’s various “Date Night” classes, offered at locations throughout the Bay Area, where you might learn how to properly sear a scallop or perfect your crème brûlée. (They also offer a special Valentine’s Day Macaron class.) Or you could go big with a fancy class in Napa at The Culinary Institute of America at Copia where burgeoning chefs explore the exotic flavors of Persian food, learn the traditional techniques behind French regional cuisine, and take on the bold power of Thai spices and curries. To keep things friendly and casual book a beginners class with Stretchy Pants. If you’re into sweets consider out Tea & Treats, or if you want to learn how to make pasta from scratch join the Pasta Making 101. And you can’t go wrong with a big slice of ‘za in our Pizza & Pie class. You may even be able to pull off a Ghost-like interaction with pizza dough … just sayin’.

Photo Courtesy of Indian Springs Calistoga

Sweats and Treats

Where: Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco

Instead of buying your sweetie a box of chocolates, head out on a coco-packed date for Valentine’s Day. Go for a San Francisco original at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. Ogle at the colorfully wrapped displays of chocolate while breathing in the intoxicating aroma of sugar and waffle cones before settling on a massive ice cream sundae—drizzled in hot fudge, obvi. Some of the latest SF chocolate experiences can be found at Dandelion Chocolate Factory on 16th Street where cacao-lovers can partake in a choco tour, several tasting classes, and the opportunity to make your very own bar of chocolate. And last, but certainly not least, head to Berkeley’s Elmwood District to experience the rich flavors found at Casa de Chocolates. Try any of the gorgeous bonbons or indulge in a 62% mole chocolate bar. We promise you won’t be sorry.

Photo Courtesy of Jenny H., Yelp

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue

Where: Bay Area

Rather than picking up a bouquet of odorless roses this Valentine’s Day take a trip to one of the several botanical gardens and conservatories in the Bay Area for some greenery and a bit of a vegetative education. Tucked in the heart of Golden Gate Park is the Conservatory of Flowers. Celebrating more than 140 years of preservation, the conservatory houses an impressive collection of rare and exotic plants and simulates unique ecosystems found throughout the world. (Be sure to check out the Aquatic gallery and its carnivorous pitcher plants.) For those looking for room to meander, check out the 34-acre UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley. Touted as caring for one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, this botanical garden has more than 10,000 plant species organized into nine globally-themed regions. The garden supports worldwide research on plant biology and offers guests the opportunity to learn about various flora through fun, interactive classes. But if you and your sweetie are sucker for succulents then look no further than the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery. Hidden in plain site on the suburban streets of Walnut Creek, the Ruth Bancroft Garden is home to a 3.5-acre collection of unique and rare succulents and drought-tolerant plants from all over the globe and is a spectacular display of shapes, colors, and textures. And on your way out stop into the nursery to take home a little bebe succulent of your own.