Orange County Is the Place to Be for Valentine’s Day!
Written By: Jane Adler Valentine’s Day OC
Women love it, men fear it–we’re talking about Valentine’s Day. This year, we’re taking the legwork out of planning your perfect romantic rendezvous, whether you’re looking for a lovely dinner or a staycation. Check out our master list of LOCALE-approved date night destinations below. You can thank us later!
For the Classic Couple: Valentine’s Day OC
This neighborhood haunt is a SoCal staple serving up old-school bestsellers like their famous beef Wellington. For $129 per couple, diners can feast on five courses of fan favorites, including everything from scallops to steak tartare to salmon; be sure to finish with the signature hot fudge sundae.
Five Crowns
3801 E Coast Hwy
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
949.760.0331
For the Sangria Sippers: Valentine’s Day OC
While cruising down Pacific Coast Highway, be sure to make a pitstop at Mozambique for a memorable meal. This Laguna locale offers South African-inspired surf and turf alongside a long list of delicious libations. Choose from 10 (That’s right, 10!) entrée items, including crowd-favorite Chilean sea bass, 14-ounce prime New York strip, steak and lobster, New Zealand rack of lamb and more. Their Valentine’s Day special is $89 per person.
Native Knowledge: Mozambique loves their live music and will be offering up sounds from two great bands that night: Dallas and Doll and The Springsteen Experience.
Mozambique
1740 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.7777
For the A-fish-ionados: Valentine’s Day OC
Treat your special someone to some of South County’s top quality sushi at Starfish. Share a small plate or rock out with a roll before sampling some of their 80-plus items, making it nearly impossible to be monogamous with their menu. They are foregoing the prix fixe this year so that diners can enjoy all of their Starfish favorites.
Starfish Laguna Beach
30832 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.9200
For the Lido Lovers: Valentine’s Day OC
Mosey on over to Mayor’s Table for a moment “like nothing else.” They are offering three courses for $65 per person, which will include two or three options per course. For your main entrée, couples will be digging into either a braised short rib, hand-cut pasta with lobster or a roasted sea bass. Choose between a champagne poached pear with a scoop of housemade vanilla bean ice cream or a chocolate cake with a passion fruit caramel sauce for dessert.
Mayor’s Table
3300 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.524.8500
For the Farm-to-Table Twosome: Valentine’s Day OC
Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen is offering a prix fixe dinner for two with tickets being sold through Eventbrite for $112 per person. Seatings for the three-course dining experience will take place at 7 and 9:15 p.m. They will be doing a wine bottle special, so couples can sip and sway to live entertainment while enjoying all that this historic Irvine Ranch land has to offer.
Native Knowledge: All diners will have access to their buzzy rooftop bar, Hive & Honey.
Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen
7905 Irvine Center Dr
Irvine, CA 92618
949.759.0200
For the French Fans: Valentine’s Day OC
This ultra-exclusive eatery is offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience that mirrors more of a performance than a meal. For $154 per person, couples will enjoy a special six-course menu featuring classics like beef Wellington. They put the “wine” in wine-and-dine with their incredible collection of over 1,100 bottles stored in their impressive on-site cellar.
The Hobbit
2932 E Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92869
714.997.1972
For the Down to Earth Duo: Valentine’s Day OC
Get ready to “Say cheese!” on Valentine’s Day at this Huntington Beach bistro. Binge on beers and bangers to kickstart Cupid’s favorite holiday and make it a memorable meet over a bowl of mac and cheese.
Monk’s Addiction
7631 Edinger Ave, Ste 1512
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714.372.7706
For the Bayside Beaus:
The Cannery is an oceanfront institution in Newport Beach and is the home of many successful dates year around. For Valentine’s Day, they plan to bisque you off your feet and scallop into the sunset. Their $69 per head four-course prix fixe menu includes a glass of bubbly, a dressed up avocado toast amuse bouche, a first course of soup or salad, a second course of either land, sea or cheese options and a dessert that’ll have you choc’ing this date night up as a win.
Native Knowledge: You can dock your Duffy at this waterfront restaurant if you feel like arriving by sea.
The Cannery
3010 Lafayette Ave
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.566.0060
For the Partners in Wine:
Enjoy incredible ambiance at this rustic, chic winery, which includes a menu filled with flatbreads, French fries and their featured Minnesota Pork Chop, a one-pound, two-bone pork chop sous-vide to perfection, then smothered in an apple brandy caramel sauce. Pinot you won’t want to miss it!
Native Knowledge: This San Juan spot is pet friendly!
Rancho Capistrano Winery
26755 Verdugo St
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.481.6682
For the California Cool Crowd:
This industrial-chic Costa Mesa spot is the place to see and be seen. Their aesthetic is awesome yet approachable, and Chef Royer’s culinary creations abide by this same adage. Alongside their regular menu, they will be offering a prix fixe option for $75 per person, which includes three courses and a glass of champagne. They are featuring a 20-ounce ribeye with a demi glace and roasted garlic paired with their famous Yakimo sweet potatoes, which come swimming in a sea of miso butter. Don’t forget to order the tiramisu with a twist (tira-Mex-u), as they take the Italian classic dessert and give it a Mexican makeover.
Native Knowledge: Enjoy live tunes all night by all-female ensemble She Sings She Swings!
Boathouse Collective
1640 Pomona Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.646.3176
For the Fine Dining Date:
CdM’s seasonally inspired menu is the talk of the town with their daring decor playing best supporting actor to their award-worthy offerings. Chef Jonathan Blackford and CdM Restaurant have put together an exceptional three-course prix fixe menu. At $60 per guest, this Cupid’s day dinner highlights current menu items, and the fare is sure to be festive.
Native Knowledge: Take the staircase to the right of the main entrance to be transported into a 1940s-inspired speakeasy, complete with carefully crafted cocktails.
CdM Restaurant
2325 E Coast Hwy
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
949.287.6600
For the Ritzy Romantic:
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
If you enjoy long walks on the beach, this is the hotel for you! The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel is a seaside staple overlooking the California coast. Everything is five stars at this ritzy resort, so be ready to take R&R to a whole new level. Dine at RAYA with a decadent four-course menu for $135 per person (think basil poach lobster and butternut squash soup), or head to enoSTEAK for a four-course menu at $165 per person (featuring bluefin tuna crudo and coffee-rubbed beef tenderloin).
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
One Ritz-Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.240.2000
For the Trendy Trip:
Where luxury meets location lies the unforgettable fortress of oceanfront real estate that is Paséa Hotel & Spa. This Huntington Beach hotel checks all the boxes to forego boredom and leave you feeling brand new. Whether you are sipping piña coladas poolside or exploring their on-site eatery, Paséa is the destination of your dreams.
Paséa Hotel & Spa
21080 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
855.622.2472
For the Get up and Go Getaway:
Renaissance ClubSpot Aliso Viejo Laguna Beach
It’s a slumber party at this sweat establishment! Renaissance ClubSpot Aliso Viejo Laguna Beach is one of Orange County’s favorite places to detox and retox, where you can lift a bar and belly up to one without even having to change out of your athleisure. Be sure to check out their spa to ease those sore muscles!
Renaissance ClubSpot Aliso Viejo Laguna Beach
50 Enterprise
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949.643.6700
For the Omakase Enthusiasts:
Located in the beloved Lido Marina Village, Nobu is the top spot to get your fresh fish fix. For $225 per person, adventurous eaters can opt for the eight-course omakase menu, a chef’s choice-style option that’s curated based on the high-quality ingredients they source daily. Nobu will also be serving up all of the fan favorites from their regular menu for those less-risky restaurant-goers.
Nobu
3450 Via Oporto, Ste 101
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.429.4440
For the Seaside Staycation:
Laguna Cliffs is serving up snap-worthy sunset views and airy accommodations. This classic South County hotel neighbors Dana Point Harbor and takes the indoor/outdoor experience to a new level. For the perfect couple’s getaway, ask about Laguna Cliffs romance package which includes includes a breakfast for two, chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne!
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
25135 Park Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.661.5000
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
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