Don't fret if you haven't planned a special outing for Valentine's Day just yet. There are several events near the San Francisco Bay Area happening this weekend that's sure to intensify the romance in your life. Without much damage to your wallet, you'll get to spend hours strolling around a charming area with your special person, eat some great food, and drink wonderful wine.
Valentine's Passport on the River Road Wine Trail
A total of 14 vintners (wine merchants) along Monterey's River Road Wine Trail will be hosting wine and food pairings for lovebirds this Saturday, February 11, from 11am to 4pm. Some of the tasty offerings include: syrah paired with lamb meatball skewers and chocolates at Scheid Vineyards, pinot noir with BBQ pork tenderloin at Boekenoogen, Souzao port with cheeses, small desserts, and a chocolate fountain at Paraiso, and 2009 Rubystone (grenache and syrah Rhone-style blend) with Ventana grenache sausage at Ventana. Some vintners will also provide wine specials, special pours for members, and live music. Tickets are $30 per person, which includes a souvenir glass and entry into a grand drawing.
If you're not totally stuffed after the event, eat at Cafe Rustica, which turns out fantastic wood fired pizzas and desserts in a cottage like setting complete with a patio. Carmel Valley is about 2 1/2 hours away from San Francisco so it's certainly doable if you only have a day.
Healdsburg Wild Steelhead Festival
If your beau is a fishing enthusiast or simply a supporter of wildlife conservation, there's nothing more romantic than the Healdsburg Wild Steelhead Festival, kicking off this Friday, February 10 and ending Sunday, February 12. The main event happens on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, when the plaza in downtown hosts a trout pond, a fly fishing pond, fish cooking demos, tastings of fish soup and other treats, wine tasting, and live music. Admission to the festival is free.
For those whose idea of romance doesn't involve steelhead, there are plenty of chic wine tasting rooms, restaurants, boutiques and fancy hotel lounges in the walkable downtown area. If you can't book a table at Michelin-starred Cyrus, try Scopa, which turns out a limited number of Italian dishes extremely well. Healdsburg is about a 1 1/2-hour drive from San Francisco.
If you're up for a drive, head out to beautiful Kelseyville for their annual Wine & Chocolate festival, proceeds of which goes to local charities. This Saturday, February 11 from 12pm to 4pm, attendees will enjoy chocolate and wine tastings, auctions, demonstrations, and music. Over 30 Lake County wineries will be pouring. Besides chocolate bars, chocolate treats include chocolate covered apricots, cranberries, and walnuts. Local restaurants and caterers will also provide samples. A beer tasting and antique car show will keep males happy. Tickets for the event, located at Mt. Konocti Winery & Barrel Room Event Center, are $40 at the door.
Nearby Clear Lake State Park, on the border of Clear Lake, has hiking trails, fishing, and boating opportunities. Kelseyville is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from San Francisco.
If you plan on heading out to one of these events, just remember to love yourself and your partner by drinking responsibly or bringing along a non-drinking driver.
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