Few cities can be as romantic as San Francisco, offering sweeping ocean views, exciting landmarks, fascinating wine country, and elegant historic city streets.
If you prefer moments of romance and intimacy, you would like to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2024 in the City by the Bay.
Young and old couples, visitors, and locals alike enjoy spending their Valentine’s Day in San Francisco.
If you adore your sweetheart (and we don’t doubt it!), you will want to spoil them with all the romantic surprises Silicon Valley has to offer.
Plan ahead of time, for many lovers will be flocking to this city to celebrate the most romantic day of the year – 14 February 2024.
Check out our pick for the most romantic Valentine’s Day itinerary in SFO.
Top San Francisco Romantic Things Tickets
# Golden Gate Bay Cruise
# Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise
# Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran
# Bus tour of San Francisco
# GoCar tour of San Francisco
Table of contents
-
Things to do on Valentine’s Day in San Francisco
- Napa and Sonoma Valley
- Cruise around the Bay
- GoCar tour of San Francisco
- Muir Woods National Park
- Movie Sights Tour
- Roam around Sausalito
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- California Academy of Sciences
- Alcatraz Island
- Wildlife – Aquarium and the Zoo
- Bus tour of San Francisco
- Yosemite Valley
- Love Tour on vintage Volkswagen bus
- Ghost Hunting Tour
- Walking Food Tour
- San Francisco City Pass for more activities
Things to do on Valentine’s Day in San Francisco
Here are our recommended 15 romantic things to do during your Valentine’s Day week in San Francisco.
You only need to bring your partner along.
Napa and Sonoma Valley
Undoubtedly, Napa and Sonoma are two of the most well-known wine regions in the world.
Napa and Sonoma are about an hour’s drive from San Francisco, with rolling hills growing some of the best grapes globally, resulting in some of the finest wines.
Wine tours are an excellent way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one.
We recommend the following wine tours –
*For four travelers
Cruise around the Bay
San Francisco Bay is one of the world’s largest natural harbors.
Going out into the bay with one of the San Francisco Bay cruises is one of the best experiences in the city.
You will see fascinating city views, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz that you can’t get on land.
These tourist cruises take guests under the Golden Gate Bridge and circle Alcatraz, though some include longer trips with more sites.
The views from the bay are diverse, making it a romantic outing – especially if you opt for the sunset cruise.
There are many San Francisco Bay cruises, and we recommend our favorites below –
GoCar tour of San Francisco
If you or your lover are drivers and over 21 years old, we highly recommend the GoCar experience for your Valentine’s Day celebration in San Francisco.
During the two-hour tour, a GPS-guided GoCar will guide you on an exciting loop of San Francisco’s breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street.
GoCar allows you to enjoy the splendor of the real San Francisco because it can visit places where tour buses can’t go – all at your own pace.
The cute, yellow storytelling GoCar also makes for impressive social media posts!
Muir Woods National Park
Muir Woods is a 550-acre park located outside San Francisco and is densely forested with coastal redwoods.
These incredible evergreens are close to the Giant Sequoia – no wonder Muir Woods’ tallest tree is 79 meters (258 feet) tall.
The average age of the trees in this dense forest is 600-800 years.
Couples who like peace will enjoy a two-hour trek around Muir Woods’ main area.
You might spend up to four hours hiking if you choose one of the longer trails.
Tours to Muir Woods come in various combinations, and you can select from our recommendations below.
| Tour | Cost |
|---|---|
| Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour | $179 |
| Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip | $89 |
| Muir Woods National Monument Guided Tour | $94 |
| Muir Woods Guided Bus Tour from SFO | $85 |
Movie Sights Tour
If you and the love of your life are movie buffs, look no further than the Move Sights Tour of San Francisco.
The 3-hour adventure features clips from over 50 of the most famous movies ever shot in San Francisco and the locations where they got filmed.
Actors turned guides lead you on this tour, which is illuminating and funny.
The route includes locations from Mrs. Doubtfire, The Princess Diaries, Full House, Dr. Doolittle, George of the Jungle, Hulk, X-Men 3, and many more.
Roam around Sausalito
Sausalito is a seaside community in San Francisco’s backyard offering scenic views, charming houseboat enclaves, plenty of space for walks along the water, many shops, and dining opportunities.
From Sausalito, a laid-back town with a Mediterranean vibe, you can also take in beautiful views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
It is ideal for both young, middle-aged, and elderly lovers.
If you want to spend a lazy Valentine’s Day 2024, book one of the tours recommended below and head for Sausalito.
| Tour | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sausalito and Muir Woods Half-Day Trip | $89 |
| 3-Hour Sausalito Cycle Tour | $65 |
| Sausalito, Muir Woods, & Giant Redwoods | $96 |
| San Francisco, Sausalito and Muir Woods | $129 |
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is an unforgettable experience and a must-see destination in Silicon Valley.
It exhibits over thirty thousand modern and contemporary artworks by star painters such as Alexander Calder, Frida Kahlo, Julie Mehretu, etc.
If you or your partner love art, plan to visit SFMOMA on 14 February 2024.
After all, it is one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the United States.
California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences is a must-visit natural history museum and aquarium complex.
The science museum in Golden Gate Park also houses the Academy of Flowers, Botanical Gardens, Japanese Tea House, Pacific Ocean Beach, and other attractions.
The breathtaking view from the top of the building will be best, so go up there and take it all in.
Since it is usually quiet, the terrace is lovely for ‘closer Valentine’s Day moments.’
If you (or your partner) love earrings, check out the gift shop, which has some fantastic designs available.
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz prison rests on the small rocky island known as Alcatraz Island in the Bay of San Francisco.
The island was initially used as a lighthouse for the bay, but it became a jail for hardened criminals.
Alcatraz Island, known as ‘The Rock,’ is on every tourist’s itinerary.
This trip is not a romantic item on our list of things to do on Valentine’s Day, but it is the most important thing to see for a history buff in San Francisco.
You can either take a cruise around Alcatraz Island or land on the island and explore the prison as well.
Alcatraz tickets are usually available in combination with other activities. For instance, you can opt for the Alcatraz + Bus City Tour or the Alcatraz entry + Waterfront Tour.
Wildlife – Aquarium and the Zoo
If both of you love wildlife, you can dedicate this 14 February 2024 to the creatures at the Aquarium of the Bay and San Francisco Zoo.
They are just 16 km (10 miles) apart.
Or select just one of the two wildlife destinations and spend a relaxed two to three hours exploring.
Bus tour of San Francisco
Board a sightseeing bus for a tour of the ‘City by the Bay’ and delve into the fascinating history of San Francisco and its legendary sites.
You can choose from three routes, and the hop-on-hop-off bus stops at key points of interest all around San Francisco.
Experience the diverse culture, beautiful parks, stunning architecture, and picturesque views from the top of an open-air sightseeing bus.
This tour is an ideal way to spend your Valentine’s Day week with the person you love because of the flexibility – you decide when you board and when to get off.
Yosemite Valley
For this Valentine’s Day 2024, the best romantic getaway with your husband or wife from San Francisco would be exploring the serene Yosemite Valley.
It’s a full-day trip offering couples a scenic journey to Yosemite National Park.
This journey, designed for small groups, provides an intimate and comfortable experience aboard a minibus.
The tour includes a walk among giant sequoias and views of famous sites like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan.
This adventure, perfect for couples, also offers the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off, making it a hassle-free way to celebrate your love in the midst of nature’s grandeur.
Love Tour on vintage Volkswagen bus
The Love Tour in San Francisco offers a nostalgic and romantic journey with your partner aboard a classic Volkswagen bus through famous landmarks.
You ride in a colorful, vintage Volkswagen bus, which gives a unique and private experience.
It’s a 2-hour tour starting and ending at Fisherman’s Wharf and goes through neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, the Mission, Downtown, and the Castro.
You’ll see homes of legendary musicians and bands as you listen to ’60s music.
Along the way, you get entertaining stories about the city with stops for photo sessions.
This vintage-themed tour is ideal for couples wanting to experience the charm and history of San Francisco in a fun, unconventional way.
Ghost Hunting Tour
Nighttime adventures will always bring couples together.
We recommend you take your lover on this Haunted Ghost Hunting Tour for Valentine’s Day in San Francisco.
This tour offers couples an intriguing adventure into the city’s ghostly history at night.
Armed with a personal EMF detector, you’ll explore haunted neighborhoods and alleys, scanning for signs of paranormal activity.
Your guide will share chilling stories and secrets of San Francisco, from Gold Rush-era cemeteries to unexplained events.
It’s a great way to have a different kind of date night, combining romance with a bit of a thrill.
Walking Food Tour
The Walking Food Tour with your spouse offers a delightful and romantic culinary journey through the heart of San Francisco’s rich food culture.
You and your partner will indulge in local specialties, ranging from Mission-style burritos to San Francisco’s famous clam chowder.
The tour’s highlight is tasting a “secret” dish, adding an element of surprise to your romantic outing.
Along the journey, your guide will share insights into the Mission’s rich history and thriving food culture.
For a more personalized experience, consider upgrading to a private tour.
Discovering the city’s unique flavors on this special day is ideal for both young and old couples.
San Francisco City Pass for more activities
What can be more romantic than not worrying about the cost and roaming around San Francisco freely?
Imaginative romantic couples go for a Discount Pass, which helps them get more out of less during Valentine’s Day week, making it much more special.
The San Francisco CityPass helps you save 44% in ticket costs at the top four attractions of the city.
The best part is that the Pass is valid nine days after the first use so that you can stretch your romantic celebration.
So, how do you and your love plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2024 in Silicon Valley?
Book ahead before your options run out – it is another way to show that you care.
Best US Cities for Valentine’s Day Celebration
Additional Reading
Valentine’s Day in Paris
Valentine’s Day in Venice
Valentine’s Day in Barcelona
Valentine’s Day in Amsterdam
Best honeymoon places in the World
Romantic places to take your girlfriend or wife