As Valentine’s Day is imminent, it’s time for couples and ‘galentines’ to plan their romantic weekends. Fortunately, this love-filled holiday falls on Saturday the 14th, with many schools closing on Monday for the Presidents’ Day holiday. There is no better way to celebrate this upcoming weekend’s festivities than to plan an event for every day of the weekend.
Here’s a guide for couples and besties alike for the dreamiest Valentine’s Day weekend in Los Angeles, a city known for its delicious food and iconic landmarks.
Friday night celebrations
Let’s start the weekend festivities off early with a chic and classy Friday night dinner. This works for large, vibrant friend groups or couples looking for an intimate outing. Out of the plethora of delicious eats in Los Angeles — here’s three of the best places to start your weekend off right.
First things first: Nobu Malibu. Looking for guaranteed delicious sushi by the beach? This is your place. With seating that overlooks the blue waters of Malibu, this Nobu makes the drive from L.A. worth all the traffic. Level up your night with their special Valentine’s Day Omakase offered from Feb. 13 through Feb. 15 during dinner service.
Looking for something else? Head over to Cucina Alba on Melrose for a night of delicious Italian. With a colorful and vibrant interior, it’s impossible not to make this restaurant Insta-worthy. With delicious pastas and meats, it’s hard to go wrong.
If you’re not interested in sushi or Italian, then it’s the perfect time to head over to Found Oyster for delicious oyster platters, caviar service and “Chowdaaa–” their New England style clam chowder. Nestled in East Hollywood, this small restaurant is the perfect intimate date-night spot with a group of your best friends or your valentine.
Saturday activities
After Friday night dinner, it’s now time for Saturday’s festivities. Today is the main event! To get your energy up for this lovely holiday, head over to the Beverly Hills Hotel to try the limited edition Strawberry Cloud Latte in partnership with the iconic La La Land café.
Next, head to one of LA’s many beaches from Santa Monica down to Hermosa Beach to soak up the sun surrounded by those you love. Level up your day by bringing a picnic to the beach. Before heading home to get ready for the night, stop at the Manhattan Beach Salt & Straw for your choice of unique and delicious ice creams. Try out their February specials like Cake Batter Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Almond Gold Bar, Chocolate Toasted Buttermilk Torte, Cocoa Nib Root Beer Float or the Valentines-esque Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake
Now that the day is over, it’s time to get ready for a delicious late-night dinner. What could be better than Din Tai Fung? While you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, the tastiest dining experience must include their Cucumber Salad and the Pork Xiao Long Bao. Finish your romantic evening off with the famous Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Long Bao.
Sunday caps off the celebrations
Now that it’s Sunday, it’s time to cap off the weekend with some shopping before a day of rest on Monday. L.A. is known for its wide variety of high-end to laid-back fashion choices. Out of the many iconic shopping locations, The Grove is one of the best with brands like ALO and Brandy Melville boasting many customers.
Looking for something a little fancier? Head over to Rodeo Drive, and ask your loved one(s) to take photos in front of the glamorous green Gucci store. If you’re looking for more of a shopping mall vibe, run to Westfield Century City where you can find clothes, food and movies!
Now that the weekend is coming to a close, it’s important to savor all the special moments and memories you’ve shared with your favorite people. Whether you spent the day following this entire itinerary or in the comfort of your home, Valentine’s Day weekend in LA offers no shortage of adventures.