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Chocolates and roses may be hallmarks of Valentine’s Day, but when it comes down to it the holiday is all about love. Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other or a galentine, there’s a wide variety of local happenings both conventional and unique. From romantic prix fixe dinners and chocolate tastings to a wedding-themed murder mystery experience, a bookstore scavenger hunt and sweetheart dances for kids and parents, here’s a guide to Valentine’s Day festivities on the Peninsula.
Art, music and dancing
Valentine’s Day Events at Little Green: The Redwood City plant bar, coffee shop and retail space is hosting several events for the holiday. Learn calligraphy techniques for love notes with Bay Area artist Inja on Feb. 5, stop by for the Mushy Gushy Makers Market with artisan vendors Feb. 8, take a candle making and honey tasting class with State Street Honey Feb. 12, make a cement heart succulent arrangement and sip wine at the Galentine’s Succulent & Sip Feb. 13 or get a handpoked tattoo at Tattoos For Two Feb. 15.
Love Notes Calligraphy Class is Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m., $35 per person. Mushy Gushy Makers Market is Feb. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free admission. Candle Making & Honey Tasting Class is Feb. 12, 1 p.m., $45 each. Galentine’s Succulent & Sip is Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m., $55 each. This event is 21 and over. Tattoos For Two is Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., prices vary. All events are at Little Green, 1101 Main St., Redwood City. littlegreenaplantbar.com/classes.
Valentine’s Day Art Show: Listen to live music and shop from art and jewelry vendors at Alice’s Restaurant in Woodside.
Feb. 6, 3-8 p.m. at Alice’s Restaurant (back bar area), 17288 Skyline Blvd., Woodside. Free admission. instagram.com/aliceswoodside.
Superstar and Sweetheart Dance: The city of Belmont hosts its annual Superstar Dance exclusively for youth who benefit from a more sensory-friendly environment and their guardians, followed by the Sweetheart Dance for kids 5-12 and their guardians. Both semi-formal dances include a photobooth, live DJ, crafts, refreshments and a visit from a Disney princess.
Feb. 7, Superstar Dance from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Sweetheart Dance from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. Tickets for the Superstar Dance start at $20; Sweetheart Dance tickets start at $35. tinyurl.com/superstarandsweetheartdance.
Redwood City Sweetheart Dance: Enjoy music, dancing, a photo booth, crafts and refreshments with the little ones. Families are encouraged to dress in semi-formal attire.
Feb. 8, 6-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City. $30 for an adult and child; additional family members are $15. Children must be accompanied by an adult. tinyurl.com/rwcsweetheartdance.
Grapes and Giggles Valentine’s Show: Domenico Winery hosts a Valentine’s version of its monthly standup comedy show. Dinner reservations are strongly encouraged for attendees who want to dine at Osteria, an Italian eatery and wine bar on-site, before the show. Beer, wine, cocktails and dessert are available to order from a server or with a QR code during the show.
Feb. 12, show starts at 8:15 p.m. (doors open at 7:45 p.m.) at Domenico Winery, 1697 Industrial Road, San Carlos. Event is 21 and over. Tickets start at $33.85 each. tinyurl.com/valentinesgrapesandgiggles.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at The Guild: Spend the evening with the Bawdy Caste for a Valentine’s edition of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park. Tickets are being sold for an early show at 7 p.m. and the late show at 10 p.m.
Feb. 14, early show at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), late show at 10 p.m. (doors open at 9:30 p.m.) at The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. General admission tickets are $24.92 each. guildtheatre.com.
Valentine’s Day Couples Dance Class: Arthur Murray Dance Studio hosts a couples-only group class focused on rumba and salsa dancing.
Feb. 14, 7:20 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 120 South El Camino Real #7, Millbrae. Tickets are $55.20 per person. tinyurl.com/valentinesdanceclass.
“A Kiss and a Song”: If downtown San Mateo is your date night destination Feb. 14, head down B Street for accordion music by Michael Zampiceni and lip print readings for singles and couples.
Feb. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. on B Street, San Mateo. Free; event details are subject to change with inclement weather. Lip readings are first come, first served. instagram.com/downtownsanmateo.
Celebrate Your Love of Books: Bring your partner or a friend to Leigh’s Favorite Books in Sunnyvale for an after-hours scavenger hunt, sweet treats and time to browse the shelves. Attendees get 20% off on all purchases during the event.
Feb. 14, 7:30-9 p.m. at Leigh’s Favorite Books, 121 South Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. Tickets are $30; one ticket admits two people. tinyurl.com/loveofbookssunnyvale.
Heart-Shaped Book Art for Teens: The Mountain View Public Library hosts a workshop where teens can transform old book pages into a heart shape. No prior experience is necessary.
Feb. 14, 4-5 p.m. at the Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View. Free. mountainview.libcal.com/event/13930668.
Love in the Air: 2025 Valentine’s Bash: DJ ShotDown will play Persian and Turkish music at Alhambra Irish House.
Feb. 14, 8:30 p.m. at Alhambra Irish House, 831 Main St., Redwood City. Early bird tickets are $23.18 each through Jan. 30. tinyurl.com/2025valentinesbash.
Valentine’s and Galentine’s Party, 1920s Style: Enjoy a buffet-style dinner, live blues music and dancing with a Prohibition era theme. Dress to impress, but 1920s-style clothing isn’t necessary.
Feb. 15, 7-11 p.m. at Alhambra Irish House, 831 Main St., Redwood City. Tickets are $44.52 each; price doesn’t include drinks, tips or taxes. tinyurl.com/alhambraparty.
Feast & Floral Feb. 13-15. Courtesy Feast & Floral.
Food and drink events
Valentine’s Choco-Stroll: Get chocolate tastings at tasting sites throughout downtown Los Altos, plus a chocolate and wine tasting with special pairings at Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill. All tastings are included with ticket purchase. The event is rain or shine.
Feb. 8, 2-5 p.m. at Main and State streets, Los Altos. $46.64 each for early bird pricing through Jan. 31. downtownlosaltos.org/event/valentines-choco-stroll.
Cocktail Class: Join First Born’s bar lead for a cocktail master class to learn their signature recipes and master the perfect pour. Only eight people (four pairs) will be in each class.
Feb. 12-13, 5-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. at First Born, 160 W. Main St., Los Gatos. Tickets are $160 per duo and include three signature cocktail creations and one “bartender’s choice” cocktail. instagram.com/firstbornlosgatos.
Valentine’s at Feast & Floral: The Redwood City wine bar will offer a pop-up flower bar with flowers sold by the stem, heart-shaped charcuterie boards, new wines available by the glass or in a flight and a four-course dinner menu.
Feb. 13-15 at Feast & Floral, 3770 Florence St., Redwood City. Prices vary. instagram.com/feastandfloral.
Valentine’s Day Flower Bar: Bay Blooms by Cherlyn will bring their build-your-own bouquet bar to Nirvana Soul Coffee in Cupertino. Guests will be guided in creating a custom bouquet or can pick flowers to be made into a bouquet.
Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nirvana Soul Coffee, 19700 Vallco Parkway, Suite 190, Cupertino. Flowers are $2.50 per stem, minimum $20 to have the flowers wrapped up. instagram.com/baybloomsbycherlyn.
Herbal Tea Party: Make your own herbal tea blends from organic herbs and flowers, then drink the tea with homemade pastries. Gamble Garden’s horticulture team will answer all gardening questions.
Feb. 14, 1-3 p.m. at Gamble Garden Tea House, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. $65 each. gamblegarden.org/event/herbal-tea-party.
Valentine Grainbakers Breadmaking Class: Make spent grain artisan bread dough and customize your bread with spices, with options including ube purple sweet potato bread, cinnamon raisin and rosemary with sea salt, among others.
Feb. 14, 6-7:50 p.m. at Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, 935 Washington St., San Carlos. Tickets are $60 each. tinyurl.com/grainbakers.
Bloody Valentine: ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Roger Bar and Restaurant at The Ameswell Hotel hosts an immersive murder mystery experience with food and drinks. Guests are encouraged to wear “the most ridiculous wedding attire you can come up with.”
Feb. 14, 6-10 p.m. at Roger Bar and Restaurant, The Ameswell Hotel, 800 Moffett Blvd., Mountain View. Tickets are $96.81 each plus $10 for day parking. tinyurl.com/bloodyvalentine2025.
Valentine’s Day Picnic: House Family Vineyards is partnering with the Rootstock Wine Bar catering team for a picnic at Izumi Point. The two-hour picnic includes your choice of food, a bottle of House Family wine, red roses, a tablecloth and an optional keepsake picnic basket.
The two-person menu includes your choice of bacon balsamic deviled eggs or balsamic and tomato bruschetta with goat cheese, your choice of two sandwiches or salads and two cakes for dessert. Reservations are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
Feb. 14-16 at House Family Vineyards, 13336 Old Oak Way, Saratoga. Reservations available for parties of two to six people. $165 per couple. exploretock.com/housefamilyvineyards.
Dinner for two
Alice’s Restaurant, Woodside: Head to the redwoods for a specially curated Valentine’s Day menu.
Feb. 14, seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Alice’s Restaurant, 17288 Skyline Blvd., Woodside. Call for pricing and reservations, 650-851-0303. instagram.com/aliceswoodside.
Che Fico Parco Menlo, Menlo Park: Che Fico will offer a four-course family-style dinner with an optional wine pairing. The menu includes focaccia, insalata invernale, lobster salad, scallop crudo and arancini in the first course, mushroom lasagna and local Dungeness crab in the second course, wagyu tenderloin or striped bass for the entree and tortino al cioccolato or an ice cream sundae for dessert.
Feb. 14 at Che Fico Parco Menlo, 1302 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. $195 each (excludes gratuity, dine-in charge and tax), optional wine pairing $85 each. tinyurl.com/cheficovalentines.
Darla Cafe, Saratoga: Darla Cafe will serve a prix fixe modern Thai menu and host Sasha Berliner Quartet, with shows at 6 p.m. and 8 pm.
The first course includes your choice of crab balls, grilled shrimp, summer rolls or a chicken satay bun. In the second course, choose from tom yum gai, crispy lotus blossom salad or tom kha tofu. Third-course entrees include your choice of lobster pad thai, short rib curry, duck confit fruity curry, chicken satay, Crying Tiger steak, braised lamb shank or khao soi tofu. For dessert, pick chocolate lava cake, mango sticky rice or a rose and lychee pavlova.
Feb. 14, seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., 14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. $89 each. darlacafe.turntabletickets.com.
Doppio Zero, San Carlos, Mountain View and Campbell: The Italian eatery will offer a four-course meal with one complimentary glass of prosecco per guest at all its locations. The menu includes yellowtail carpaccio, lobster ravioli, scallops or lamb chops and a chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream.
Feb. 14 at Doppio Zero; 220 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 617 Laurel St., San Carlos, 160 Castro St., Mountain View. $85 each. dzpizzeria.com/reservations.
Fattoria e Mare, Half Moon Bay: Dine on the Coastside with a four-course tasting menu and an optional wine accompaniment. The first course includes cream of artichoke soup or blue fin tuna carpaccio; hand-cut tagliatelle or risotto with scallops and Dungeness crab meat for the second course; surf-and-turf or lamb chops for the main course; and chocolate soufflé with caramel gelato or warm bread pudding with vanilla gelato for dessert.
Feb. 14 at Fattoria e Mare, 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay. $110 each; optional wine accompaniment is $45 each. fattoriaemare.com.
Flea Street, Menlo Park: Reservations are booked up for Feb. 14, but Flea Street will continue its Weekend of Love through Feb. 15. The special menu includes Dungeness crab gnudi, risotto, petrale sole, langoustine bisque, dry-aged wagyu beef strip loin, blood orange tapioca and more. Wine, cocktails and mocktails are also available.
Feb. 15 at Flea Street, 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park. $180 each (excluding tax and 20% service charge). Reservations available for tables of two to four people. No substitutions, vegan menu not available. tinyurl.com/fleastreetvalentines.
Lele Kitchen, Los Gatos: The restaurant’s Valentine’s Day reservations are nearly booked up, but there are still several slots open for their Valentine’s Day Dinner with Kids. Couples can enjoy a five-course menu of Eastern European dishes with a California farm-to-table influence while their kids eat and play next door. Curated wine pairings and vegetarian options are available.
Feb. 13 at Lele Kitchen, 14178 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. $69-$129 each; wine pairing add-ons are $49-$79. opentable.com/r/lele-kitchen-los-gatos.
Meyhouse, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale: Enjoy a curated Turkish prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings and a live jazz performance by Jackie Ryan and Larry Vuckovich at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Palo Alto for an additional cost.
The menu includes your choice of three cold mezze, such as the Levrek Marin, a lemon-cured Mediterranean seabass; hot mezze options, including the mesquite fire-grilled octopus or the sicak hummus (warm hummus topped with chickpeas or ground beef); main course dishes like lamb chops or charcoal-grilled branzino spirals; and desserts such as oven-roasted quince with clotted cream.
Feb. 14 at Meyhouse; 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 187 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. $130 each for dinner, $200 for dinner plus concert (excluding taxes and 20% gratuity). Limited reservations remain. meyhouserestaurant.com.
Navio, Half Moon Bay: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay restaurant will offer a seven-course tasting dinner menu over the course of four days, with prime cuts and seafood such as wagyu striploin A-9, ahi tuna loin and spot prawn. Specialty cocktails or wines are also available. The Valentine’s Weekend Brunch will include unlimited selections of artisanal cheeses, prime cuts of meat, dessert towers, seafood and more.
Dinner is Feb. 12-15, brunch is Feb. 15-16 at Navio, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay. $255 each (excluding taxes and gratuity). naviohalfmoonbay.com/upcoming-events.
Puesto, Santa Clara: Dine on red tortillas and taco favorites like lobster, filet mignon or the short rib quesabirria, all featuring Valentine’s Day colors.
Feb. 14 at Puesto, 2752 Augustine Drive #110, Santa Clara. Prices vary. eatpuesto.com/reservations.
Quattro, East Palo Alto: Stargaze while dining in a transparent dome at The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley. The prix fixe menu includes caviar, insalata tricolore, tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, choice of European seabass or braised short rib, a cheese plate or mascarpone and gianduja tartufo for dessert, wine pairings and a welcome drink. Vegetarian menu available upon request.
Through Feb. 16, seatings at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, East Palo Alto. Maximum four guests per reservation. $150 each plus 20% service charge. tinyurl.com/valentinesdome.
ROOH, Palo Alto: The modern Indian restaurant in downtown Palo Alto will serve a four-course prix fixe menu.
Feb. 14, ROOH, 473 University Ave., Palo Alto. $95 each. exploretock.com/roohpaloalto.
Wildseed, Palo Alto: Looking for a vegan Valentine’s Day dinner? Wildseed will serve a plant-based prix fixe menu for two, featuring beet and orange pâté with toasted levain; spicy cucumbers with sesame, gochugaru, red onion, avocado and furikake; truffled mushroom pot pie; Brussels sprouts with house kimchi and a sweet and spicy soy glaze; and a warm beet and banana chocolate cake with bruléed banana, oat milk chocolate ice cream and an avocado-chocolate ganache.
Feb. 14 at Wildseed, 855 El Camino Real, Building 4, Palo Alto. $40 per person. tinyurl.com/wildseedvalentines.
Zola + BarZola, Palo Alto: The Palo Alto French restaurant and bar will serve a prix fixe menu with truffled goat cheese mousse, smoked scallops, prime rib or king salmon and a raspberry bomb or baked brie.
Feb. 14 at Zola + BarZola, 585 Bryant St., Palo Alto. $125 each. tinyurl.com/zolavalentines.
Galentine’s Day
Brunch & Boutiques: Galentine’s Edition: Shop from local vendors and enjoy $12 flights all day at Out of the Barrel Taproom in San Carlos. A photographer will also be on hand to take photos of guests’ canine companions.
Feb. 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Out of the Barrel Taproom, 555 El Camino Real, Suite 150, San Carlos. Free admission. instagram.com/outofthebarrelsancarlos.
Galentine’s Day at Taplands: The Santa Clara taproom and brewery will feature women-brewed beers, women-owned breweries and special releases.
Feb. 13, 5 p.m. at Taplands Taproom & Brewery, 1171 Homestead Road, Santa Clara. Free admission. instagram.com/taplandssantaclara.
Galentine’s Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Party: A Grape in the Fog wine bar is hosting an evening of dessert wine, wine cocktails, cheese and chocolate. Guests will also learn how to make cocktail garnishes. Tasting notes included.
Feb. 13, 7-9 p.m. at A Grape in the Fog, 400 Old County Road, Suite 1, Pacifica. Ages 21 and over only. Tickets are $75 each. agitf.com/event/galentines-wine-cheese-chocolate-party.
Galentine’s Bingo Night: Enjoy wine and curated cocktails (including nonalcoholic options), bites, bingo and shopping at Malt + Stone boutique in Pacifica. The dress code calls for fun, festive pajamas.
Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m. at Malt + Stone, 1625 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica. Tickets are $70 each. tinyurl.com/galentinesbingonight.
Galentine’s Drag Brunch: Alhambra Irish House hosts a drag brunch with Chai Auntea, brunch and bottomless mimosas, plus a brunch happy hour from 11 a.m. to noon.
Feb. 16, noon to 2 p.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.) at Alhambra Irish House, 831 Main St., Redwood City. Tickets are $7.18 each plus $5 cover; bottomless mimosas are $24 each. All ages welcome. tinyurl.com/galentinesdragbrunch.
Outdoor and fitness events
2025 Campbell Valentine Fun Run/Walk: Join in the 5K, 10K or Kids’ Dash on the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
Feb. 8, 9-11:30 a.m. at Campbell Park, E. Campbell Ave. and Gilman Ave., Campbell. Registration is $50 each for the 5K or 10K, $15 each for the Kids’ Dash. Ages 21 and under will receive $20 off registration at checkout. Group discounts are also available. campbellca.gov/270/Valentine-Fun-Run.
Self-Love Yoga and Floral Arrangement Class: Join a 30-minute yoga class followed by a sound bath bowl experience and a flower arrangement workshop. Participants will also get a glass of sparkling wine, along with housemade chocolate-covered strawberries and their floral arrangements to take home.
Feb. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Hangar, 460 Forbes Blvd., South San Francisco. Tickets are $49.87 each. tinyurl.com/yogassf.
Loving the Unloved: Join Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District staff for a short morning pulling an invasive plant called vinca, followed by an interpretive hike to learn about the “more maligned” plants and animals in the redwood ecosystem. Bring lunch and leftover chocolates to share.
Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve, Half Moon Bay. Free. Reservations required, limited slots available. openspace.org/events/guided-activities/loving-unloved.
Wild and Weird Valentines: Docent naturalists will discuss mating and procreation in nature during a guided hike along the Fir and Tafoni trails.
Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, Highway 35 and Skyline Boulevard, Redwood City. Meet at the Skeggs Point parking area. Free. openspace.org/get-involved/events-activities.
Singles events
Modern Speed Dating: Two rounds of speed dating will be followed by a post-event mingle and optional line dancing. This event is geared toward singles who are 24-39.
Feb. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Alhambra Irish House, 831 Main St., Redwood City. Tickets are $33.41 each. tinyurl.com/modernspeeddating.
Valentine’s Speed Dating Party: Dress to impress at this all-ages speed dating event at the AC Hotel Sunnyvale Cupertino. Attendees are asked to wear red and purchase at least one drink.
Feb. 12, 7-9 p.m. at the AC Hotel Sunnyvale Cupertino, 597 East El Camino Real, Sunnyvale. Tickets start at $23.18. eventbrite.com/e/valentines-speed-dating-party-tickets-1144624365289.
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