There is always pressure to show up for your partner during Valentine’s Day, and before I met my fiancé, I never put too much thought into it. Last year involved a platter of vegan sushi, walking in sand dunes, drinking sake, and staying at an Airbnb without heat. There are many things to do while in the Bay Area, and I compiled a list of date ideas.

True Sake

The amount of specialty stores in San Francisco is overwhelming yet astounding. You can find a brick-and-mortar store for just about anything your little city-dwelling heart can desire, and that includes sake. Sake is more than just rice wine at True Sake, and it shows. Touted as the first store dedicated to selling sake outside of Japan, the cozy and well-organized store lights up with shelves of sake in all shapes and sizes. Not sure where to start? Talk to any staff member to help find what flavor profiles you enjoy, and they can point you to your new favorite sake. A favorite in our household is the Suigei Drunken Whale sake, a smooth option for a fun night in or out.

Chantal Guillon

Speaking of specialty stores and Hayes Valley, you might as well stop by Chantal Guillon for macarons. There is something about macarons where everything just feels elevated and chic, even if you were downing a breakfast sandwich earlier. Chantal Guillon is the love child of a husband and wife team who loves San Francisco just as much as Paris. The wide variety of flavors is as diverse as the city itself. There is also a special Valentine’s Day assortment box that you can grab that would be a cute gift.

Romy’s Flower Shop

Flowers are the staple for Valentine's Day, and the hippest flower shop that caught my interest is Romy’s on Valencia street. The storefront is a gorgeous Pinterest board come to life with unique floral arrangements and bouquets that will get your heart skipping a beat. Opened in 2021 during the pandemic, Romy’s shop is a testament to the hard work Romy Deselover-Sallie and team have put into making their dream a reality, and it looks gorgeous!

Ministry of Scent

In a sea of Baccarat 540 and Santal 33 in the streets of San Francisco, it is refreshing to enter Ministry of Scent. I talked about this shop back in 2020 when it was called Tigerlily Perfumery, a favorite among the fragrance obsessed. Different name, same wonderland to find your new favorite perfume. You can find small independent brands that you might not have heard of to well-known brands such as Ellis Brooklyn and Heretic. Led by Antonia and team, you are sure to find your new favorite signature scent. Baccarat who?

Beretta

Beretta holds a special place in my heart. My fiancé and I had our first few dates over tealight candles and cocktails over pizza and meatballs. An institution on Valencia street since 2008, the environment is slinky and ultra-sexy, which translates to dark lighting and a curated playlist. Everyone on the Beretta team is integral to its success and provides an elevated experience without the pretentious gaze for mispronouncing the main pasta dish. 

Outside of SF?

If you happen to be outside of San Francisco and in the San Jose area then here are two areas that are worth a visit.

Yamagami’s Garden Shop

Okay, you probably have someone in your life who is really into plants. Maybe plants more than flowers, and that is cool too! We accept all here! If you are in the Cupertino area and want to get away from all the Apple logos bombardment, then step into Yamagami’s to grab a gorgeous pothos plant! You can find any plant you could possibly want in this family-run business. Not to mention the cutest cat that wanders around the shop.

Black and Brown 

There is an incredible store in San Jose that we must protect at all costs: Black and Brown. At first, you may think to yourself another thrift store with great vintage finds, BUT as you spend time in the store, you will find pieces from local designers and unique gifts for the one closest to your heart. I have never left without some sort of article that I have been obsessively wearing. The latest one? A leather jacket for every outfit, every day, even if I am grabbing a lox bagel. Thank me later.