Things To Do On Valentines Day In San Diego

Stumped for ideas for Valentines Day? Do you live in or are traveling to San Diego? Well... you need some great things to do on Valentines Day. How about taking a trip down history lane and spend the day in the Gaslamp Quarter?

The Gaslamp Quarter is in the historical district of San Diego. You will stroll past at least two-and-a-half miles filled with Victorian style buildings and over 100 restaurants. There is also an arts and entertainment scene with art galleries, theaters and nightclubs. Surrounding this is residential and work lofts.

So... you could park and take a leisurely stroll down the streets, stopping for a latte' and window shopping the galleries and unique stores. We found a shop that had hand rolled cigars... they were rolling them on the spot! Several corners have great gourmet coffee carts that serve just what you need to keep warm in the February San Diego chill.

One of the best ways to see and get around Gaslamp Quarter is by pedicab. Pedicabs (bicycle taxis) will take you on tours throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, and other downtown San Diego spots. These pedicab tours are ideal not only for tourists, but also for long time San Diego residents, who may simply want a romantic ride. Tours are about 30 minutes and prices start at $35 per couple.

If you are an art enthusiast, you can check out the Tim Cantor Gallery. His gallery consists of oil paintings, different writings and other types of art. There’s the CJ Gallery that focuses on art from an Asian perspective. If you’re looking to find art created by national and international artists, you can go to Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts.

Remember to look up as your walking (but watch out for lamp posts... :) and check out the architecture. You can see the building names and construction dates often carved in stone at the top of the buildings.

If you need a Hotel in the Gaslamp District:

There is the Ivy Hotel that has 16 suites with a spiral staircase that connects to a private cabana. To cater to your needs, a butler is available. This hotel also has a nightclub that boasts four levels, a restaurant, rooftop terrace and swimming pool. If you need to have a business meeting, they have facilities for that too.

The Keating Hotel is a boutique style hotel that features Italian design. These designs are created by the same people who are responsible for Ferrari and Maserati. The hotel’s interior has a historic look and feel to it. It features a concierge and a lounge that is located underground.

Now... It's Time To Eat

The late musician Jim Croce has a restaurant named after him. Croce’s Restaurant & Bars is owned by his widow, Ingrid. It has been in the San Diego are for more than 20 years and features jazz and fine dining.

Eating At Croce's is really special in the morning. Take a table in the sidewalk cafe' so you can people watch as you eat. The Eggs Benedict is highly recommended... by me :)! Oh... and don't forget the Mimosa... it is a special day after all.

We have dined at the Buca de Beppo Italian Restaurant... which has great food and unbelievable interior decor. But... as this is a romantic holiday, probably not the best place for dining.

There are other restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter that you can choose from. They cater to about every cuisine you can imagine. Some of them include Afghan, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Persian, Thai and many more.

Nightclubs in the San Diego Gaslamp Area

The Side Bar features house and hip-hop music so you can get it on. If you don’t want to dance, you can just sit back and enjoy a refreshing cocktail in the lounge area. If you want to put some salsa in your dance, Café Sevilla features hip-hop music and Latin beats. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy a flamenco dinner show.

Other Holiday Celebrations In The San Diego Gaslamp District

• New Orleans isn’t the only city that hosts Mardi Gras. The Gaslamp Quarter has a Mardi Gras celebration on Fat Tuesday. It includes a parade and block party held outside. There is also live music from different musicians.
  

• On Halloween, the Monster Bash is annual event that features an outdoor music festival surrounding the streets. There are also live bands and a costume contest that’s out of this world.
  
  
• If you decide to visit around St. Patrick’s Day, there’s an event called Shamrock that has live music, and Irish cuisine, green beer and lots of Guinness beer.

No matter where you go in the Gaslamp Quarter, there’s something available for people to do. There is never a dull moment in this historic area of San Diego.