by Frank Sabatini Jr.

Whether you’re ducking into an overnight oasis with your significant other or engaging in a fun-filled outing tailored for romance, San Diego offers some of the best destinations for revving up the heartstrings. And with Valentine’s Day approaching, our picks for romantic pastimes can help eliminate the sweat over deciding what you should do for that special person in your life.

Mediterranean Opulence The Manchester Financial Group spared no expense in building The Grand Del Mar, a $270 million resort brimming with romantic grandeur fit for those very special occasions. Guests enter into a revival of Mediterranean architecture featuring gracious verandas, ornate tile work and marble columns, all inspired by the rich decorative arts of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Morocco. The property also boasts a Renaissance-style spa and the exquisite Addison restaurant, which is considered one of San Diego’s finest dining destinations. The 249 guestrooms range dramatically in size and each is equipped with European-style soaking tubs, dual vanities, lavish bath amenities, candles, goose down pillows and 40-inch flat screen TVs – ingredients for a love recipe that Cupid himself can’t match.
5300 Grand Del Mar Court • 858-314-2000

Balboa Park Inn Some have compared this nearly 100-year-old retreat to the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo because of its uniquely decorated suites. Though a tad more understated, the Balboa Park Inn spills over with quaint Spanish Colonial charm on the outside, giving way to a variety of themes within its 26 rooms. The Orient Express, for instance, is adorned with deep-red fabrics, lacquered furniture and Asian bell pulls. Others include the Jungle Nook, Paris in the '30s, Victoria’s Secret and the Tara Suite boasting an oil painting of Vivien Leigh dressed up as Scarlet O’Hara. Overnight stays include a continental breakfast served either in the guestrooms or on the Sun Terrace. The property is situated ideally at the north edge of Balboa Park, a stone’s throw away from the San Diego Zoo and the park’s museums.
3402 Park Blvd. • 619-298-0823

Lover’s Lane at the Melting Pot Swiss shepherds did it out of necessity nearly two centuries ago when they dipped broken loaves of hard bread into mixtures of melted cheese and wine. Today, fondue has become an intimate and convivial dining experience perfect for the winter months. At the Melting Pot in La Jolla, couples can request seating in a low-lit area called “lover’s lane,” featuring four tucked-away booths, each with built-in burners for enjoying meat, cheese and chocolate fondues with surprise gourmet twists.
8980 University Center Lane at the Aventine • 858-638-1700

Ocean Lullaby Many hotels in town offer the resonance of ocean waves lapping on the beach. Yet at the Crystal Pier Hotel in Pacific Beach, the ocean reveals its romantically hypnotic voice from directly under the floor. Constructed in 1927, this landmark row of mini-cottages is actually built on the Crystal Pier, allowing guests to feel the surge of the surf beneath their beds. Flower boxes and shuttered windows appoint the cottages, which must be reserved several months in advance.
4500 Ocean Blvd. • 858-483-6983

Venice Recreated You don’t have to trek across the Atlantic to swoon your sweetheart. The Gondola Company, located in the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, offers a slice of Venice using authentic six-passenger Venetian gondolas for hourly tours through the canals and waterways surrounding the exclusive Coronado Cays community along the Silver Strand peninsula. Gondoliers wearing traditional pinstriped shirts and ribbon hats pilot the way as taped Italian music plays in the background and appetizers are served. The experience is both romantic and lively, a perfect staging ground for springing a dozen roses on your companion. Cruises are available weekdays, from 3 p.m. to midnight and weekends from 11 a.m. to midnight. Prices vary. Reservations are required.
4000 Coronado Bay Road, Coronado • 619-429-6317

Badland Oasis La Casa del Zorro is a luxury desert resort lauded for its romantic setting conveniently removed from the beaten track. Nestled in the peaceful community of Borrego Springs, a 90-minute drive from San Diego, the palm-enveloped property offers deluxe poolside rooms with marble baths, as well as private casitas with their own pools and spas. Couples will also find plenty of activities to choose from, such as croquet, tennis, hiking and biking. As purple hues emerge on the Santa Rosa Mountains at sunset, the spirit of romance continues over candlelight dinners served in the elegant Butterfield Room. Or sample from a comprehensive wine program in the property’s wine room before luxuriating in one of the property’s outdoor Jacuzzis.
3845 Yaqui Pass Road, Borrego Springs • 800-824-1884