Top 2010 Valentine's Day Events in Monterey County
This page has all the events that took place in 2010. Bookmark this page and return to get information about 2011’s events!
Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, but with President's Day on Monday, you can still sleep in the next day! Make it a Valentine's Weekend with the events below. Steal away with your partner to Monterey, Salinas, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, the Salinas Valley, Seaside or Carmel-by-the-Sea!
Romantic Special Offers
Throughout February, celebrate your romance with romantic special offers from hotels, restaurants, spas and other businesses throughout Monterey County. Click here to view the area's best romantic offers, and start planning your February romantic getaway. And for even more budget-conscious romantic ideas, don't miss our Romance on a Shoestring article.
Friday, February 12
Romantic Pisoni Winemaker Dinner SOLD OUT!
If your partner is in love with wine, don't miss the Pisoni Winemaker Dinner at the Terrace Grill at La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Winemaker Gary Pisoni hosts and pours Pisoni wines perfectly paired with the five course meal prepared by Executive Chef Bunyan Fortune. 6:30pm, call 831-624-6476 to reserve.
Saturday, February 13
River Road Wine Trail Valentine's Passport
Warm up for a romantic Valentine's Day with the Valentine's Passport event on Saturday, February 13! Indulge in wine, chocolates, and special discounts when you get this passport to twelve of Monterey County's best wineries. You'll get to taste special vintages and rarely-tasted wines at every spot, eat great appetizers, and listen to live music. All guests recieve a souvenir glass and a special gift. You'll even be entered into a drawing for a special prize! Passports are $20 until February 1 and $25 after. Learn more at the River Road Wine Trail website.
Bernardus Valentine's Demo and Lunch
Learn some skills you can take home and romance each other with again and again! Learn about great chocolate recipes with pastry chef Ben Spungin, who will also demonstrate his signature desserts. Then experience organic and all-natural essential oils from renowned Carmel-by-the-Sea perfumery and apothecary Ajne. Attendees will then enjoy a private table at Chef Cal Stamenov's grand wine country buffet. 11am-3pm, $95 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity. Contact Bernardus Lodge to make reservations.
Valentine's Tea or Valentine's Dinner at the Steinbeck House
Celebrate romance in John Steinbeck's childhood home in Salinas. The Steinbeck House holds a Victorian Valentine's Tea from 1-3pm, featuring special tea blends, an array of tea sandwiches and sweets. That evening, for the first time ever, the Steinbeck House will offer a romantic Valentine's Day dinner. The prix fixe menu includes a choice of soup or salad, New York Steak or salmon, and creme brulee or chocolate flan. 6-9pm, $40/person includes a glass of Monterey County wine. Call 831-424-2735 to reserve.
Love Poetry with Carolyn Mary Kleefeld at The Gallery at Ventana
Poet Carolyn Mary Kleefeld recites her original romantic verse, with accompaniment by musician Martin Shears, at The Gallery at Ventana in Big Sur. Free. Call 831-667-4298 for details.
A Walk for Lovers with Carmel Walks
Carmel Walks hosts a special tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea called "A Walk For Lovers," just in time for Valentine's Day weekend. The walk takes visitors past Carmel's most romantic spots as the tour leader shares Carmel's romantic stories. 2pm, $25/person. Call 831-642-2700 for reservations.
Romantic Dinner With a Golf-Course View
If golf is your partner's other passion, take them to Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside for a four-course dinner that includes views of the golf course and Monterey Bay. $24.95 per person, call 831-899-5954 for reservations.
Take a "Mating Games" Tour at Wild Things
Take an adults-only tour on the wild side! Spend a fun-filled evening exploring the "naughty by nature" mating behaviors of the animal kingdom at Wild Things. As you take the tour, you'll compete in the "Mating Game" competition. The winning couple will receive a gift certificate for a night at the Safari Bed and Breakfast! The tour is followed by a chocolate and sparkling cider reception, as well as the opportunity to have your photo taken with a wild animal. 7:30-9:30pm, $25/person, reservations are required. Dinner packages also available. Call 831-455-1901 ext. 3 to reserve.
Divine Wine and Dine Rendezvous at Chateau Coralini
What could be better than a four-course meal with perfectly paired wine, accompanied by live entertainment? Dine and dance the night away with jazz from Charmaigne Scott and her Love Ensemble at Chateau Coralini just off the River Road Wine Trail. The event includes live entertainment, a reception and a four course meal, for only $125 a person. 6:30-11:30pm; contact Chateau Coralini for reservations. Weekend packages also available.
Sunday, February 14
Go Wine Tasting on "The Love Trolley"
Experience an unforgettable Valentine's Day journey wine tasting in the aesthetic beauty of Carmel Valley aboard Tours Monterey's "The Love Trolley." The tour picks up at Monterey's Portola Hotel and Spa at 11:00 AM and visits 5 different wineries! $54/person.
Valentine's L'Amour Brunch at Fandango
Pacific Grove's Fandango Restaurant hosts a special Valentine's Day L'Amour Brunch. The menu includes champagne, mimosas, Ramos Fizzes or sparkling French lemonade; a fresh fruit salad or spinach salad; filet mignon Benedict, smoked salmon Benedict, cheese blintzes or quiche Lorraine; coffee service; and a L'Amour heart-shaped cookie treat, all for $23.95 per person. 11:30am-2:30pm. Reservations required; call 831-372-3456 to reserve.
Champagne Brunch at Bayonet and Black Horse
Golf fans can indulge their love of the game and their love for their partner on Valentine's Day with a champagne brunch at Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses in Seaside. $27.95; call 831-899-5954 for reservations.
Portraits, Pairs and Pinot at Taste Morgan
Artist and cartoonist Wolfgang Niesielski will draw unique and memorable "couples" caricatures at Taste Morgan's "Portraits, Pairs and Pinot" Valentine's Day event at their tasting room at the Crossroads Shopping Village in Carmel. Portraits are complimentary with a minimum 2-bottle purchase. 12:30pm-4:30pm.
A Love Affair With Tango at The Gallery at Ventana
Watch stellar tango performances, then learn how to dance tango with your partner at The Gallery at Ventana in Big Sur. Free. Call 831-667-4298 for details.
An Afternoon of Chocolate and Sparkling Wine at Bernardus Lodge
Celebrate Valentine's Day with an outrageouosly decadent chocolate buffet at Bernardus Lodge. Pastry chef Ben Spungin's buffet includes handmade chocolate truffles, spiced hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, Valrhona chocolate pudding with candied orange, chocolate croissants, chocolate cupcakes with vanilla butter cream frosting, flourless chocolate cake, cashew-chip biscotti, chocolate cookies and dessert bars and homemade ice creams and sorbets. There will also be an Illy espresso and chocolate bar, as well as California sparkling wines and newly released Bernardus wines poured by Wine Director Mark Jensen. $55 inclusive of tax and gratuity; seating begins at 2pm. Contact Bernardus Lodge to make reservations.
Valentine's Dinner at the Big Sur River Inn With Maddaline
Vocalist and pianist Maddaline, normally seen at Mission Ranch, plays the Big Sur River Inn Restaurant from 3pm to 7pm. The restaurant also has a number of Valentine's dinner specials.
Valentine's Day Dinner at Aubergine
Aubergine executive chef Christophe Grosjean and Executive Pastry Chef Ron Mendoza have planned two over-the-top menus of sumptuous dishes, brilliant wines and decadent desserts for Valentine's Day in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The 5:30 seating has a five-course menu ($125 per person, $220 per person with wine pairings, not inclusive of tax and gratuity), while the second seating (8:30pm to close) has an outrageously indulgent eight-course menu ($150 per person, $260 per person with wine pairings, not inclusive of tax and gratuity). Call 831-622-5907 to reserve.
Valentine's Day Dinner at Bernardus Lodge
Have a special Valentine's Day dinner at one of the most romantic places in Central California. The Zagat Survey has rated Marinus at Bernardus Lodge as one of the "Most Romantic" restaurants south of San Francisco since 2001. For Valentine's Day, Chef Cal Stamenov has designed a special 5-course tasting menu with choices in each category. $125 per person, 6pm-10pm, call 831-658-3595 to reserve.
Valentine's Day Dinner at La Playa Hotel SOLD OUT!
Carmel-by-the-Sea's La Playa Hotel offers an entire Valentine's Day experience with an ocean view. Guests will receive a glass of champagne upon arrival and a rose for their sweetheart as a classical guitarist sets the mood. Chef Bunyan Fortune's four course dinner in the Ocean View Ballroom includes lobster or filet mignon. Seatings at 6 and 8pm. $49 per person inclusive; stay the night for a special rate of $149. Call 831-624-6476 x488 to reserve.
Valentine's Day Dinner at the Duck Club Grill
Bring your sweetie in to the Duck Club Grill at Monterey Plaza Hotel for the special treatment on February 14th and enjoy a romantic ocean front dinner for two. You'll receive a complimentary dessert with the purchase of two entrees. Call 831-646-1706 to reserve.
Valentine's Day at Bistro Beaujolais
Drink "the nectar for lovers," absinthe, and enjoy unique dinner specials at Bistro Beaujolais in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Valentine's Day drink specials include a number of cocktails featuring the exotic spirit absinthe. Martin Shears will serenade diners with romantic music. Call 831-624-5600 to reserve.
All Weekend
Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruises with Monterey Bay Sailing
On February 12—14, Monterey Bay Sailing offers romantic Sunset Dinner Cruises. Take a two-hour sail on a 30 foot private sailing vessel and watch the sun set as you enjoy a four-course meal. The sail departs at 3:30pm and returns at 5:30pm. $349; call 831-372-7245 to reserve.
Red Wine and Chocolates at Chateau Julien
Celebrate your perfect match with the perfect pair of red wine and chocolate. Enjoy a sumptuous selection of chocolates on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm to complement Chateau Julien's red wines. $5/person, complimentary for club members.
Four Course Valentine's Menu at Edgar's
Enjoy a romantic four-course meal with a breathtaking view of Quail Lodge Golf Course at Edgar's in Carmel. Menu selections include Artichoke Bisque, Grilled Wild Prawn and Lemon Mousseline Salad, Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin Henri IV with Béarnaise Sauce and Grilled Wild-caught Peppered Salmon. The meal ends with an intense Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse. $30 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Call 831-620-8910 to reserve.
Four Course Valentine's Menu With Free Champagne at Jacks
For a complete Valentine's dinner experience, visit Jacks Restaurant & Lounge at Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Their four-course, prix-fixe menu, offered Friday through Sunday from 5 to 10pm, includes a bottle of Korbel champagne, as well as menu selections including pancetta wrapped prawns with a guajillo chili jam, grilled Harris Ranch tenderloin with sauteed green beans and whipped potatoes and pan roasted wild Coho salmon with lemon thyme risotto and warm baby beet vinaigrette. The entire meal is $49 per person. Call 831-649-2698 to reserve.
Valentine's Spa Treatments at The Spa at Quail Lodge
Enjoy special Valentine's treatments like the Romance Ritual and Cupid's Rose Sole Revival at The Spa at Quail Lodge in Carmel. Other Valentine's Day specials include Spa Spectacular half-price treatments, including a Spa Manicure and Pedicure Combo for $50, a 50-minute massage or facial for $75 or a 50-minute massage and facial for $125. Call 831-620-8811 to reserve.
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