San Diego is Among the Best Cities to Celebrate Valentine’s Day — Here’s Where it Ranked
San Diego scored number three in a new listing of the best U.S. cities in which to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here are the two cities that beat it.
Although San Diego has some of the best weather in the country, a booming culinary scene, and absolutely beautiful scenery that includes both mountains and the best beaches on the West Coast, two other U.S. cities beat out America’s Finest City in the ranking.
According to a new WalletHub report, San Diego is only the third-best city in the U.S. to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The other two cities that beat it include San Francisco and Seattle.
The WalletHub report actually ranked cities based on a variety of factors, including weather, number of activities, budget friendliness, and the accessibility of gifts.
San Diego came in with a score of 72.95, sixty-three points higher than in previous years. WalletHub had some praise for the Southern California city by saying:
“San Diego is the third best city for Valentine’s Day, rounding out the list with another win for the West Coast. If you want to pamper your Valentine, you could take them on a spa date, since the city has one of the highest numbers of wellness and spa centers per capita in the country,” WalletHub wrote.
The news outlet also said San Diego has an “abundance of affordable restaurants, jewelers and florists,” and noted that the city’s restaurant options were “more diverse than those of most other cities.”
Here’s the top 10 ranking in the WalletHub survey of the best cities to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
- San Francisco, CA — 76.08
- Seattle, WA — 73.15
- San Diego, CA — 72.95
- Las Vegas, NV — 72.56
- Denver, CO — 71.37
- Atlanta, GA — 71.24
- Scottsdale, AZ — 71.04
- Pittsburgh, PA — 70.73
- Honolulu, HI — 70.67
- Portland, OR — 69.00
Celebrate Love! Valentine’s Day Dinner at A.R. Valentien on February 14th, 2026
One of the noteworthy restaurants that many visitors and San Diego residents will be attending this Valentine’s Day is A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. It’s no surprise why. With elegant settings, romantic ambiance, and a seasonal-inspired special menu, patrons are apt to grant the restaurant a “chef’s kiss” as they enjoy sublime Valentine’s Day dining this year.
The A.R. Valentien restaurant at The Lodge at Torrey Pines will be serving its Valentine’s Day three-course dinner on February 14, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
This romantic dining experience features delicious seasonal dishes, paired with sweeping views of the Torrey Pines Golf Course from our covered outdoor terrace or elegant dining room.
Valentine’s Day Tasting Menu at A.R. Valentien
First Course (choice of one)
- Winter Chicory Salad: Medjool dates, Point Reyes blue cheese, pistachios, shallot citrus vinaigrette
- Roasted Baby Artichokes: Cultured labneh, confit Meyer lemon, crispy prosciutto, olive oil
- Bluefin Toro “Crudo”: Avocado, cucumber, wild rocket, blood orange ponzu
- Hand-Cut Agnolotti Pasta: French black truffles, celery root, mascarpone cheese
Main Course (choice of one)
- Pan-Roasted Northern Halibut: Market root vegetables, yellow turnip purée, tarragon beurre blanc
- Sautéed Diver Scallops: Parsnip purée, roasted cipollini onions, golden raisins, mascarpone, black truffle sauce
- Oven-Roasted California Lamb Rack: Pan-fried escarole, garlic, pine nuts, root vegetable gratin, lamb sauce
- Grilled Brandt Beef Filet Mignon or Wagyu Beef Filet Mignon (supplement +$40): Hen of the Woods mushrooms, baby carrots, smoked Yukon potato purée, bone marrow emulsion
- Roasted Romanesco & Delicata Squash: Farro risotto, preserved lemon, toasted almonds, brown butter herb emulsion
To Share
- Iced Kumamoto Oysters: Cocktail sauce, ginger mignonette, horseradish (½ dozen — $32)
- Osetra Caviar: Lemon herb blinis, traditional garnishes (1 oz — $135)
Duo of Desserts
- Champagne Strawberry Cheesecake
- Chocolate Délice: Passion fruit caramel
Pricing & Booking Details
$135 Adults | $65 Children (11 and Under) | +$95 with Wine Pairings
(price exclusive of tax, gratuities, and drinks)
Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, check out our list of date night ideas in La Jolla and San Diego. If you want to plan something really special in the Jewel of San Diego, check out our guide to planning the perfect romantic date in La Jolla.
Media credit: Images provided courtesy of zentrlkitchen.com
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
