Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day—the most romantic day of the year! Gifts are good, but giving them in a romantic setting is what makes them GREAT.
So, we’ve done you the favor of sharing our list of 5 amazingly dreamy parks in California where you can have the perfect date:
1) Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
San Francisco ranks as one of the most romantic places in the world, so it’s no surprise that it would also have one of the most romantic urban parks in California. Golden Gate Park is about 20% larger than Central Park in New York and consists of 1,017 acres with more than one million trees. If you select Golden Gate Park for your Valentine’s outing, your challenge will be to pick among the many romantic options, including The Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers, The Conservatory of Flowers, The Botanical Garden, The Japanese Tea Garden and much more. But Stow Lake is the essence of old-style romance and is our personal favorite. This beautiful setting offers the opportunity go rowing in a lake—or just picnic beside it–all while being graced with views of bridges, redwoods and waterfalls.
2) Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78-acre botanical garden,containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants. At the very heart of the Botanic Garden is the Meadow Display, one of its most distinctive and renowned features. Though all of its flowers won’t be in bloom by the 14th of February, its sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the Santa Barbara Channel Islands and other stunning landscapes still make the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden the perfect place for a romantic date.
3) Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino
The Huntington Botanical Gardens is a dreamy vision. There are more than 14,000 varieties of plants and 120 acres of gardens and rolling lawns, including romantic touches like lily ponds and rose gardens. Must-see features include the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Chinese garden. There’s even a library and an art collection! The gardens are located in San Marino, California near Pasadena. Click here to check out what’s blooming today.
4) Exposition Park Rose Garden
The Rose Garden located in University Park across from USC in Los Angeles has been called “one of the city’s best-kept secrets.” This gorgeous park has been operated by the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks since 1928 and its beautiful blanket of roses have made it a prime location for many weddings over the years. Gazebos, benches and shade trees adorn the grounds, making them a romantic getaway for any day of the year.
Bet T. of Los Angeles, CA said, “As you exit the garden it’s as if you are leaving your very own romance novel.”
As we work our way south, we arrive at Kate Sessions Park in San Diego, the perfect romantic venue. This park is located just north of the famous Mission Bay atop a small hill; just high enough to give you panoramic views of the bay and downtown San Diego. Bring a blanket and a bottle of wine, and prepare for an idyllic sunset picnic. And, if you plan in advance and stay until dark, you can even catch a free fireworks show from Sea World across the bay. What a night!
We wish a happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! Enjoy wherever the day takes you.