Plan Your Perfect Valentine’s Day Getaway in Marin County

By John Egan

 

A box of candy and a bouquet of flowers is one way to show love for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. But why not break away from the every day and treat your sweetie to a romantic getaway in Marin County—the sunny side of the Golden Gate? Here are just a few extraordinary Valentine’s Day options in Marin County for activities, dining and lodging.

 

What to Do

Point Reyes Lighthouse

A dramatic oceanside setting certainly sets the mood for romance. One of the best locales to enjoy that oceanside ambiance is Point Reyes Lighthouse. The lighthouse and visitors center are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Monday, but they’re closed Tuesday through Thursday. So if you want to light up your Valentine’s Day, your best bet is a weekend visit.

Muir Woods

This national forest is populated with 295 acres of old, giant—and impressive—redwood trees. A hand-in-hand stroll through the peaceful Muir Woods forest can help create the right mood for a romantic Valentine’s Day stay in Marin County. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day, including holidays.

Valentine’s Day Sail

Nothing says romance more than a sunset cruise on San Francisco Bay. From 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, February 14th, passengers on the Schooner Freda B will soak up the sights, including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the glittering San Francisco skyline, during the annual Valentine’s Day Sail on the bay. The excursion, costing $99 a person, launches from the boat’s slip at Marin County’s Sausalito Yacht Harbor.

The Power of Love: The Greatest Love Songs

Take your loved one by the hand and grab a seat at the Marin Symphony as they present a trio of super-powerful pop vocalists who perform some of the greatest love songs of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It happens just in time for Valentine's Day on February 12th at the Marin Civic Center.

 

Where to Eat

Il Davide

Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world, so it’s only fitting to dine at a romantic Italian restaurant for Valentine’s Day. Owned by David Haydon, Il Davide—which serves classic Tuscan-style cuisine—is regarded as one of the best Italian restaurants in Marin. The San Rafael eatery is open for dinner 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Be sure to check out the luscious desserts.

Mountain Home Inn

The Mountain Home Inn in Mill Valley is part of a collection of properties branded as “romantic places.” So it would make perfect sense to partake of a romantic dinner at an official romantic place. The menu dishes up soups, salads, and entrees, and the property gives you a taste of the breathtaking scenery at two parks: Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais. The restaurant is open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Rancho Nicasio

Located on the town square in Nicasio, Rancho Nicasio offers rustic ambiance, California cuisine, and LIVE music! Get ready for a romantic Valentine's Day Night filled with stirring French Gypsy Jazz, and Romantic American Standards by Le Jazz Hot Quartet. Bandjango plays with global rhythms that famously inspire dancing, and the dance floor will be open! Reserve your table and purchase tickets for this magical gypsy jazz Valentine's treat!

 

Where to Stay

Inn at Roundstone Farm

Want to relax and unwind with your loved one? The Inn at Roundstone Farm might be the right spot for you. Located on 10 acres in the town of Olema, this bed-and-breakfast—featuring just five guestrooms—sits within the Point Reyes National Seashore. Aside from providing views of Mount Wittenberg, Olema Valley, Inverness Ridge and Tomales Bay, the property is home to horses, bullfrogs and more than 360 species of birds.

Acqua Hotel

Looking for a larger property for your Valentine’s Day getaway in Marin County? The Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley might be ideal for you. According to its website, this boutique hotel “melds stylish city sophistication with the natural beauty which surrounds it.” Perched on the edge of Richardson Bay, the hotel delivers splendid views of the water and Mount Tamalpais. That soothing atmosphere extends to the sleek, Zen-like guestrooms.

 

For all you need to plan your Marin County vacation, visit the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website or Facebook page.