What to do for Valentine’s Day

Sitting in the sun, dreaming up Valentine’s Day for my man...

Spoiled much, San Diego? I was thinking. Our problem here isn’t finding something to do, it’s choosing from so many options. Where I grew up, the snowdrifts are ten feet tall at this time of year. To venture out of doors is to take one’s life in one’s hands. Not ideal for romance.

But in this town, there are more opportunities for Valentine’s Day fun than an average couple could do in a lifetime. All with zero chance of freezing to death. So, in celebration of San Diego as a romance capital, I’m going big this year. It’s been a busy and stressful 12 months for my Patrick. So, this holiday, I’m focusing on his interests with a Valentine’s Day weekend full of dates. This is what I have planned — Patrick might pick just one, but there will be options.

I’m thinking we need to start off with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

The eight-piece contemporary swing revival and jazz band is playing at Sycuan Casino on Friday, February 12, at 8 p.m. My hubby loved this group back when they were playing small venues up in Ventura County in the mid-1990s. And the man has music in his bones and moves in his legs. The concert will be the perfect start to the weekend. (Tickets start at $35.)

Saturday morning, perhaps a wander through a museum. February brings the Museum Month Pass: 45 museums participating in half-off admission prices with the pass. (Pick up your free museum pass at participating Macy’s.) It’s been a while since we saw the seahorses at Birch Aquarium. (Admission: $17 adults, $8.50 with the pass.) Another option: a meander through the USS Midway. Patrick just finished the World War II aviation/survival story Unbroken, and I think he would enjoy hearing some more stories from the museum docents. (Admission: $20, $10 with the pass.) Patrick is something of a backyard bird-watcher, so maybe we’ll stroll through the San Diego Natural History Museum to see the current exhibit of Birds as Art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris. (Admission: $19 adults, $8 with the pass.)

Later on Saturday, the Sweetheart Sail. Sailing on February 13 and 14, the three-hour sail on the rigged tall ship Californian, a replica of an 1812 vessel, will fill the soul of my sea-loving hubby. (One year he read all 20(!) books of the Master and Commander series, then went back and read them all again.) Arrive around 11 a.m. for a keepsake photo and set sail on San Diego Bay at noon. Chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, views of the city, $70 for adults.

Then perhaps we’ll grab some eats from Burger Lounge and head over to Sunset Cliffs to watch the sun dip into the ocean. It just might be a two-music-event weekend because Tosca opens Saturday, February 13, at the San Diego Opera, 7 p.m. My man is a musician: he can sing a mean Johnny Cash ballad as well as “Nessun dorma.” He won’t want to miss this Puccini classic. (Tickets start at $45.)

I don’t know how romantic this is, but Sunday morning we’ll run in the Coronado Valentine’s Day 10K, 5K, and 1-mile run. The run starts at Tidelands Park on February 14, and goes through Coronado along San Diego Bay. The top three winners — as if we’ll be in contention — take home hand-carved tikis. What’s not to love? Participants still looking for love can don an “Available” bib. A second bib option: “It’s complicated.” My sexy man will definitely be wearing the “I’m taken” bib.

After the run it’ll be time to cool our heels and relax. I’m thinking Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar in Little Italy for a lobster roll or paella. Then over to Extraordinary Desserts for some chocolate and bubbly. A slice of Gianduia cake will get things going. Or perhaps we will take a Shangri-La cake back to our love nest. (Six-inch cake is $48.) I can’t wait.