This year Cupid’s arrow lands on a Sunday, so expect to see most of the weekend decorated with pink and red heartfelt tributes to the many ways we can celebrate Hallmark’s cash crop, Valentine’s Day. February 14th can feel a little commercial at times with a host of restaurants pitching prix fixe menus, bottomless champagne and decadent desserts, but not all of us want to get in line and answer the cattle call that will crowd tables across South Bay over the weekend. So, we put a list of events and excursions that break away from the traditional table romance and spell out a different way to make Valentine’s Day special throughout the South Bay.
Hard Rock
Home of the South Bay’s best and longest running Oktoberfest, Alpine Village in Torrance breaks it open Friday night with a hard rock tribute band playing hits from the 80s & 90s. You and your sweetheart can indulge in beer, lederhosen and metal. RATTL takes the stage inside the Steinhaus around 9:00 p.m., tasty craft beers on tap and the parking is free. Alpine Village is located at 833 W. Torrance Blvd.
Old Tony’s on the Redondo Pier
If you’re in dire need of a game plan that doesn’t sack your wallet, just split an off-brand bottle of Italian wine from Trader Joe’s with your date and then adjourn to the top of Old Tony’s fish-bowl bar for some steely views and groovy tunes. Order a round of Firechiefs (think high octane Mai-Tai) to settle the nerves and round out the evening with a walkabout around the pier. At night, paid parking is plentiful at the pier and crowds tend to be low-key and sparse. The Redondo Pier is located at the end of Torrance Blvd. with an official address of 100 W. Torrance Blvd. Redondo Beach.
Hollywood Stars of Magic
Magic returns to the South Bay this Saturday when Sisuepahn Phila & Time Wise headline Hollywood Stars of Magicshow at the Hermosa Beach Second Story Theatre this Saturday. All ages welcome; advance tickets are $15 or $20 day of the show. Second Story Theatre is located at 710 Pier Avenue (inside Hermosa Beach Community Center).
Torrance Art Museum located at 3320 Civic Center Dr. is open Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Photo by South Bay Events).
Torrance Art Museum
Not open on Valentine’s Day but TAM seems to always have an exhibit going on in their main gallery that stretches the boundaries of modern art. On display now and open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. is a group exhibition that juxtaposes Los Angeles and New York artists and the forces that drive their creations. Sibling Rivalries will be open to the public now all the way till March 12th 2016. TAM is located at 3320 Civic Center Drive in Torrance.
Valentine’s Sweetheart Rides
The Automobile Driving Museum (ADM) in El Segundo will be hosting their “Sunday Rides” event on Valentine’s Day 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Every Sunday ( weather permitting ) the ADM features different cars in their ride program where visitors can take a free ride in one of their vintage cars. Sunday’s event is naturally for sweethearts and all vintage cars available to ride that day will be red. Take your sweetie for a special Sunday Ride ride in one of ADM’s classic cars. ADM is located at 610 Lairport St in El Segundo.
Sweetheart’s Stroll in the Garden
Go up the hill a little and visit South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes on Valentine’s Day for a picnic and some hand-holding from noon to 4:00 p.m. El Segundo Brewing Company and Cuatro Dias Winery will be pouring brews and wines while Kristina Brañes, Sarah O and Sarah Elizabeth serenade your picnic. Richeeze Grilled Cheese Truck serves melted heaven on earth between two slices of bread. Hot chocolate and a special Garden Valentine will be available while supplies last in the Gift Shop as a ‘thank you’ for showing the Garden so much love. South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Beer & Donuts
The combination itself should make the heart flutter and palate rejoice. Phantom Carriage Brewery puts the macabre in Valentine’s Day by pairing fresh donuts with some house beers on Sunday starting at 11:00 a.m. while showing some killer date night flicks. Phantom Carriage Brewery is located at 18525 South Main St. Carson.
For the Love of Beer
Select Beer Store makes a good habit of having all types of events that showcase local, regional and national craft beers and on Valentine’s Day the bottle shop opens with a pop-up art show dubbed For the Love of Beer. Keep it casual after some beer & art and walk over to Riviera Mexican Grill for some of the best fish tacos around. Select Beer Store is located at 1613 S Pacific Coast Hwy. in Redondo Beach’s Riviera Village.
One Tree Hill Reunion
One Tree Hill co-stars Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele are back together again this time performing some folksy tunes at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach. If your girlfriend, wife or date to be have ever obsessed over the TV show One Tree Hill then set the mood right Sunday night with a little CW nostalgia. Saint Rocke is located at 142 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Hermosa Beach.