VALENTINE’S DAY ACTIVITIES HAPPENING AROUND COUNTY
Valentine’s Day community events are planned across San Diego County — from a chocolate festival and singing valentines to garden picnicsand a Valentine’s Super Love Jam, along with Galentine’s Day get togethers for “gals.” Valentine’s Day started about 1,500 years ago as a Christian feast day honoring early Christian martyr Saint Valentine and has over the centuries become a celebration of love.
Here are some activities happening around the county:
BONSALL
Valentine’s Day “safaris”: Wild Wonders, an animal refuge, will give “Love is in the Air” Valentine’s Day tours today and Sunday for groups of up to four people. A guide will share secrets of how animals in the wild attract and entice Mr. or Ms. Right. Tours start at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately one hour. Cost is $285 for up to four people. Visit wildwonders.org.
CARLSBAD Swingin with Dean concert:
The Carlsbad Senior Center hosts a free Swingin with Dean concert from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday in in the center’s courtyard, 799 Pine Ave. The concert features Dean Ratzman, who sings and plays the piano, trumpet and trombone. The performance includes jazz standards, 1960s rock and soul hits, along with some of Ratzman’s original songs. For questions, call (442) 339-2650.
Galentine’s Day workout: The Soultry Sisters’ annual Galentine’s Day Sweat Social is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Dancin Soul Boutique, 540 Carlsbad Village Drive. Soultry Sisters co-founder Alyssa Junious will lead a 30-minute cardio rhythms dance class and self-love craft. The event will include Galentine-themed drinks and sweet treats. Cost is $25; $15 for sanctuary members; bring a sister/ friend — two for $40. Visit soultrysisters.com/events.
CORONADO
“Seasons of Love”: Enjoy a romantic evening of Italian opera arias and duets by Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi, along with two pieces by Georges
Bizet, at “The Seasons of Love Opera” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. today at the John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh St. The event features soprano Gabriella Rodmac with San Diego Opera tenor Felipe Prado and former AVA accompanist Michele Scanlon. The event includes a treat from Coronado’s Buona Forchetta restaurant. Tickets are $35, including concert, dessert and coffee. Reserve at bit.ly/3HMJCiq.
Lamb’s Valentine’s Cabaret: The 1 ⁄2-hour performances feature an
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evening with G. Scott Lacy at the piano and singers at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Coronado Resident Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave. Tickets range from $29-$53 on Monday to $34 to $68 on Tuesday at tickets.lambsplayers.org.
ENCINITAS
Picnic at botanic garden: Have a picnic on a bench or table at one of the many serene spots at the San Diego Botanic Garden, including the Bamboo Garden overlooking the pond, or the lawn at the Walled Garden. Warm and cold beverages, along with treats can also be purchased at the on-site coffee cart by the Cork Oak Cafe. Admission is $10-$8; free for garden members. Reservations are recommended; walk-in admission is not guaranteed on high-volume days. Visit sdbg.org. Ulti-Mutt Valentine: Rancho Coastal Humane Society hosts a free “Ulti-Mutt Valentine” Zoom class at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 to teach old and young dogs some new tricks. The animal shelter’s certified trainers will teach the basics of clicker training and teach you and your pup a new trick or two. Space is limited. Sign up at rchumanesociety.org/zoom-class-signup. Valentine’s Day show: A family-friendly Valentine’s Day show will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at the historic La Paloma Theatre, 471 S. Coast Highway 101, presented by the Encinitas Country Day School’s parent action committee. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Visit bit.ly/3HsQvEa.
ESCONDIDO
Chocolate fest: For The Love of Chocolate — Escondido Chocolate Festival is from noon to 5 p.m. today in downtown Escondido. Stroll down historic Grand Avenue sampling chocolates paired with fine wines, Champagne and craft beer at various locations. Stop by restaurants, shops
and art galleries and the 2nd Saturday Escondido Arts & Culture Experience. Attendees can get their Passport tickets online subject to availability. Tickets are $35-$55. Visit downtownescondido.com/events.
“For The Love of Improv”: Patio Playhouse presents “Off The Cuff — For The Love Of Improv” from 8 to 9:30 p.m. today at 116 S. Kalmia St. “Live, Laugh. Love with your favorite Improv troop. Bring a loved one and laugh together. Your ideas create the show. it’s all up to you.” Tickets are $10. Visit patioplayhouse.com.
Romance in the art: The Escondido Art Association holds its February art show, themed “Romance,” through March 3 at the Artists Gallery, 121 W. Grand Ave. The gallery will host an artists’ reception from 4 to 6 p.m. today, offering a chance to talk with the exhibiting artists. Visit escondidoartassociation.com.
IMPERIAL BEACH
Grandparent and grandchild valentines: Create a love string at the Grandparent & Grandchild Valentine Craft Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon today at the Senior Community Center, 1075 Eighth St. Fee is $10 (bring exact change) for each project. Register at tiny.cc/gpgc-valentine-craft.
Kids Night Out: Parents can drop kids off for this event, themed “Fall in Love with Nature,” from 5 to 8 p.m. today for ages 5-12 at the Senior Community Center, 1075 Eighth St. Highlights include nature-related crafts, fun
activities, games and pizza dinner. Fee is $10. Register at tiny.cc/ kno-valentines.
LA MESA
Heart Health class: Participants learn how strength training can benefit in maintaining heart health from 9 to 10 a.m. today presented by a Sharp Grossmont Hospital cardiac rehab exercise physiologist at 8450 La Mesa Blvd. Register at (800) 827-4277 or visit sharp.com/classes.
NORTH COUNTY
Singing Valentines: Barbershop quartets from the Music Men Chorus, a men’s a cappella choral group, which is part of the Palomar Pacific Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society of America, will serenade folks with romantic valentine songs, such as “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” at North County restaurants, businesses, homes and community venues. Singing Valentine reservations are being taken for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Early reservations are recommended. Reserve at musicmenchorus.org or call (760) 967-6967.
RANCHO SANTA FE
Canines, Cats & Coffee: Invita holds a free adoption event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at 18021 Calle Ambiente for the community to meet adoptable animals from a variety of local pet rescue centers and shop from an array of vendors selling dog- and cat-related gifts. There will also be a mobile pet groomer. Invita’s specialty crafted lattes, such as the Tiramisu Latte, will be sold. Visit invitacafe.com.
SAN DIEGO
Coffee Date Cleanup: I Love A Clean San Diego and Think Blue San Diego host a Valentine’s weekend litter cleanup in Barrio Logan. Participants will divert litter from the Chollas Watershed and keep it from traveling to the ocean. Join at 9 a.m. today for a talk about watersheds and recycling, then grab supplies and help clean up the neighborhood. There will be coffee and hot cocoa thanks to Café Moto, which will be serving free drinks from 9 to 11 a.m. The event check-in table will be at Memorial Dog Park, 2975 Ocean View Blvd. Register at bit.ly/40fIWJP.
Charitable Galentine’s Day: Moniker General in Liberty Station holds a charitable Galentine’s Day party from noon to 3 p.m. today at 2860 Sims Road, with Becca Kufrin from ABC’s “The Bachelorette” and her Bourdon sparkling wines. Highlights include custom glass engraving, line drawing portraits, hair styling and tunes by a DJ, along with treats and shopping. Attendees will receive a curated gift bag. A portion of proceeds benefits local nonprofit La Chula Crew. Tickets are $50. Visit shopmoniker.co.
Super Love Jam: The Valentine’s Super Love Jam for all ages is at 7:30 p.m. today at Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. The lineup is slated to feature seven artists, including The Isley Brothers, Ginuwine, Blackstreet and Color Me Badd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.50 to $150. Parking is $35. Visit pechangaarenasd.com.
Celebrate with ice cream: Buy-one-getone “scoops on tap” will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. today at The Craft Creamery, 1302 Rosecrans St., in Point Loma. A rotating lineup of flavors from top independent creameries is offered, ranging from Molly Moon Ice Cream and Petersen’s Ice Cream to Reed’s Dairy. Visit craftcreamerysd.com.
Romance by the Bay: Stroll around the scenic Seaport Village waterfront pathways and enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. There will be “sweetheart characters” giving out free flowers throughout the village, 849 W. Harbor Drive. Heart-shaped treats will be prepared at Seaport Fudge Factory, and San Pasqual Winery will offer an intimate wine-tasting experience. Visit seaportvillage.com.
Macrame workshop: Patchwork hosts a Macramé Valentine’s Plant Wrap Craft Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Wonderland Ocean Pub, 5083 Santa Monica Ave., in Ocean Beach. Visit bit.ly/3WVfaHs.
Galentine’s Day event with yoga: A Galentine’s Day event featuring yoga will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Sunset Point in Mission Bay, 1400 Dana Landing Road. Highlights include a 75-minute yoga session, suitable for all levels, pranayama (breathing techniques) and Yoga Nidra guided deep relaxation and meditation, along with a “luxury” picnic with a charcuterie spread overlooking the bay. Tickets are $75 at bit.ly/3jqhB74.
Kids Valentine’s Day art: A Kids Valentine’s Day pop-up art class is from 10 a.m. to noon today at The Artist Outpost, 4934 Voltaire St., in Ocean Beach. Visit theartistoutpost.com.
SAN MARCOS Lunch at senior center:
A Valentine’s Day lunchtime celebration is at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Discovery Cafe at the San Marcos Senior Activity Center, 111 Richmar Ave. Entertainment at noon features music by Daniel Newheiser. Suggested lunch contribution for ages 60 and older is $4; cost for ages 59 and younger is $5. Reserve by Feb. 13 at (760) 744-5535, ext. 3607, or visit the Lunch Desk.
“Love Your Heart”: The San Marcos Senior Activity Center holds a “Love Your Heart” event with free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 111 Richmar Ave.
VISTA
Valentine’s Day show with dinner: “Gifts of Love: The Love Songs of Stephen Schwartz” will be featured today at The Moonlight’s cabaret ClubM, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7:30 p.m. The dinner menu includes kale and strawberry salad, herb-encrusted salmon or vegetarian option, along with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and chocolate mousse cake. Tickets are $85, including dinner and show. Visit my.moonlightstage.com.