Valentine’s Day in the South Bay: Events & Iteneraries

Valentines’s Day

The month of February has never been the same ever since the folks at Hallmark figured out how to mass produce Valentine’s Day cards after the Industrial Revolution. No matter your lot in life: single, remarried, or barstool troubadour, many of us will spend a certain amount of scratch on food, drink, or entertainment, all in honor of Cupid’s wayward arrow. This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday, so special V-day plans can be arranged for the weekend or squeezed in on the top of a weekday. The South Bay makes for a fine romantic destination for couples and even singles. Here are some V-Day options:

Events

FREE Valentine’s Day Photos Compliments of Redondo Pier Association – Let the sea air sparkle your heart´s desire with a night out at the Redondo Pier this Valentine´s Day. Dine at any one of the restaurants on the Redondo Beach Pier Thursday night like Kinkaid’s, Old Tony´s, or El Torito and you and your sweetheart get a free digital photo-booth picture compliments of The Redondo Pier Association. Click here for more details.

Quaint Itineraries

Happy hour at the Chart House in Redondo Beach – Great ocean views make for some serious romance all against the backdrop or a reasonably priced happy hour menu. The Chart House still retains some of its old-school class. Sip on some $6 martinis and then order a round of Prime Rib Sliders & Steamed Mussels. Happy hour is Monday to Friday from 4:30 – 6:00 PM in the bar only. The Chart House is located at 231 Yacht Club Way Redondo Beach, CA, 90277.

Take a Stroll through Old Town Torrance – Classic can be romantic and that’s the general feeling in Old Town Torrance. Peruse antique shops, a Foster’s Freeze, or barter for something nostalgic at one of the many pawn shops. Buy your sweetheart a cupcake at Torrance Bakery and end the night at 1321 Downtown Tap Room Bistro. Find Old Town Torrance on this Google map.

1321 Downtown Taproom in Old Town Torrance

1321 Downtown Taproom in Old Town Torrance

Movie Night at Home – With the demise of Blockbuster and slim pickins’ online at Netflix, the art of renting a movie has become difficult. Not at Premiere Video & DVD in Redondo Beach, this retro, two-story business is fitted with neon from the 80s and a plethora of outstanding movie selections. Pick from a range of sultry film noir classics, independent flicks, foreign films, and documentaries. Most Oscar nominated movies and Golden Globe winners can be found here. New releases are a 3-day rental, everything else is a 5-day rental. Premiere Video is located at 725 S Pacific Coast Hwy. Redondo Beach.

Bikes on the Strand – Pedal together on the strand from Torrance Beach all the way to Playa Del Rey, the views are gorgeous and all that exercise easily justifies a drink or two at any one of the bars or restaurants that parallel the strand. Visit Hermosa Cyclery if your date or you don’t have access to a beach-cruiser.

Bikes on the Strand in Hermosa Beach

Bikes on the Strand in Hermosa Beach

Picnic at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park – The natural medtierraean landscape comes to life in Rancho Palos Verdes which makes Abalone Cove a perfect spot for a picnic and some tidepool exploring. This is more of a weekend intinerary since the park closes at 4:00 PM but you might even catch a glance of a migrating Gray whale or two so be sure to bring a camera. Parking will cost $5 and Abalone Cove is located at 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes.