Valentine’s Day: Romance in the San Fernando Valley

By: Danrochelle Dionisio Yumul

Valentine’s Day: Romance in the San Fernando Valley

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is definitely in the air.  Planning a romantic date with your special someone can be a daunting task.  Don’t worry!  Let My Valley Pass, the San Fernando Valley’s #1 Visitors’ Guide, give you some ideas to help you plan the perfect Valentine’s Day to sweep your special someone off their feet, and make the day as memorable and as special they are.

Sweets For Your Sweet!

Nothing says, “I love you” more than sweets, treats, and chocolates of every and any kind. Is a candied apple the way to your sweetheart’s heart?  Manzanitas Las Originales, located at 120 N. Maclay Ave., Ste. A, San Fernando, and Famous Apples at the Northridge Fashion Center are famous for their gourmet caramel apples.  Both shops feature customized Valentine’s designs just for this occasion.

Chocolates and treats?  Stop by AusSam Candy, the sweetest spot in Granada Hills.  This family-owned candy shop offers a wide variety of local and, yes, international chocolates and treats.  Live Valentine’s Day to the sweetest!  Their storefront is located at 17812 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. 

Build a heart-shaped box of handcrafted chocolates at one of the San Fernando Valley’s most famous chocolatiers, Mignon Chocolate.  Located at 315 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, they’ve been crafting chocolates since 1935.  Pick up a build-your-heart box of 4 pieces, 9 pieces, or even 60 pieces. Prices range from $12 to $110.

Make A Day Out Of It

Lake Balboa Park offers a lot of activities for you and your date.  Take a romantic stroll around the lake, or glide across it nestled in the wings of one of the park’s iconic swan pedal boats.  Rentals run at an hourly rate of $11 per adult and are available seven days a week from 9am to sunset.  If you’re looking for an oasis in the middle of the San Fernando Valley, visit the Japanese Garden at the Sepulveda Basin.  The peaceful, tranquil garden is the perfect romantic rendezvous.

Looking for something a bit more retro and indoors?  Northridge Skateland is just the place.  Share a bit of nostalgia with your special someone while roller-skating to the songs of decades past.  Skate rentals range from $5 to $7.  Visit their website for hours of operation.  Northridge Skateland is located at 18140 Parthenia St., Northridge.

If you and your date are in the mood for a Valentine’s Day activity that’s a bit out of the box, grab a pair of close-toed shoes and take a drive to LA AX, L.A.’s premiere axe throwing social spot.  Suitable for all levels, a coach will instruct you and go over the house rules before any axe throwing ensues.  Make sure to book in advance since it does tend to get busy.  Located at 7308 Coldwater Canyon Ave., North Hollywood, visit their website for more information.

Head over to West Hills for a special Valentine’s Day tasting at Malibu Wines & Beer Garden. From 10am – 9pm choose from a Rosé flight or select red & pink beers. Chocolates and heart-shaped pizzas will also be available for purchase. Visit their website for pricing information.

For some quiet alone time, plan a Valentine’s getaway at Hotel Amarano in Burbank.  Celebrate with a romance package: in-room dinner for two with sparkling wine, complimentary parking, a romantic welcome amenity, and 2pm late check out.  Book your room now at hotelamarano.com.

Table For Two

Sometimes, sharing a quiet dinner is romantic enough.  Of course, the question is always, “Where?”  This year, we chose some of the more romantic restaurants in the San Fernando Valley.

For dinner with breathtaking views of the valley, Castaway in Burbank and the Odyssey in Granada Hills top our list.  The Odyssey features two romantic experiences to choose from: Love is in the Air Dinner and Dance from 7pm to midnight with a dinner buffet, photo booth, and a DJ.  Price ranges from $99 to $115 per person.  They also offer a romantic 3-course dinner menu available from 4pm to 10pm.  On the other hand, Castaway offers a five-course Chef’s menu with seating times at 5pm, 5:15pm, 7pm, 7:15pm, 9:30pm, and 9:45pm.  Dinner prices are from $95 -  $125 per person.  Please make your reservations early for both restaurants.

Voted one of the most romantic restaurants in the San Fernando Valley, Firefly in Studio City is serving up a Valentine’s Prix-Fixe menu from February 13th through February 16th.  Pricing ranges from $95 – $150.  To make a reservation, visit their website.

Picture this: an outdoor patio as the sun sets on the lake, purple and orange hues reflected on its surface, and the perfect cocktail in hand while sharing the moment with that special someone. Lakeside Restaurant and Lounge in Encino is the perfect place to set that mood.  Their regular dinner menu and cocktails will be available February 14th.  To make a Valentine’s Day reservation, call (818) 616-2430.

Feeling flighty?  Have a romantic dinner at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant.  They are serving up their annual signature Valentine’s menu of shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, lobster tail, and a chef’s signature Valentine’s dessert from 5pm to 10pm on February 14th.  Visit their website.

For something slightly more casual, may we suggest the Front Yard in North Hollywood, Prosecco Trattoria in Toluca Lake, Unwind Restaurant in Tarzana, The Write Off Room in Woodland Hills, CF Food Kitchen in Granada Hills, Vino Wine and Tapas Room in Encino, and the Sherman in Sherman Oaks.  These are just a few of our favorites.

Whatever your plans may be this Valentine’s Day (or weekend), enjoy, relax, and create that memorable experience with your special someone.  Our number one piece of advice: make your reservations now to avoid the stress later.  And always remember to make your special someone feel loved and adored as if every day is Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at My Valley Pass!