Looking for a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day? Big Sur, North Lake Tahoe, Bodega Bay are options

With Valentine’s Day coming on Wednesday, Feb. 14, the topic of romantic destinations close to home always comes up from my wife, several of her friends, and newspaper readers. With the day falling on a Wednesday, celebrate either on the weekend before or after or on the day itself.

In over 50+ years of marriage, I've learned that such destinations should offer these attributes: semi-secluded, scenic, with fine restaurant(s) nearby, classy lodging if spending the night, and a sense of history (my inclusion). These destinations measure up within a few hours of San Joaquin County.

Shenandoah Valley and Plymouth

We start with the Shenandoah Valley, only an hour away, just north of Plymouth on Highway 49. Home to over 40 fun and scenic vineyards and tasting rooms, and close to historic gold rush towns like Plymouth and Fiddletown. The Shenandoah Valley is an up-and-coming wine appellation wrapped by Sierra foothills scenery. Favorite wineries include Villa Toscano (a gourmet pizza and bottle of wine for mid-$30, on their lovely garden/patio area, with quiet, classic Italian opera piped-in), Scott Harvey, Borjon, and Karmere Vineyards, and a side trip into the old gold rush town of Fiddletown. For regionally-recognized wonderful food, reserve a table at Taste Restaurant in Plymouth, and consider overnighting at Rest. Their next-door hotel opened just a few years ago and got fine reviews from fellow travelers.

Northern California coast between Bodega Bay and Jenner

The two towns are just 12 miles apart, and both are unique. Bodega Bay and the nearby small town of Bodega also lay claim to the filming of the Hitchcock classic, The Birds (we’ve had fun tracking down various film locations; watch the classic movie before you go). Nearby attractions to both Bodega Bay and Jenner include Fort Ross State Historic Park, the Point Arena Lighthouse for dramatic photo backdrops, Salt Point State Park, and the Jenner and Bodega Headlands, with lovely Pacific beaches, geologic formations, and hiking trails. Dining options include the venerable Tides Restaurant, featured in The Birds, and a newer option, the Terrapin Creek Restaurant, which has racked up several gourmet awards in the last couple of years and offers a scenic dining experience to boot.

Heading north up the coast, cross the bridge over the Russian River and head into Jenner, with one of our all-time favorite restaurants, River’s End, perched high on the bluff looking out on the Russian as it empties into the Pacific (their deck offers several telescoped for watching the harbor seal colony along the river below). For lodging, you’ll find several nice motels in Bodega Bay and Jenner, the Jenner Inn. In addition, the River’s End restaurant also offers several cute cabins on the bluff, with stunning views and well-appointed rooms. Or head inland along the Russian River through several quaint towns like Duncans Mills, Monte Rio, and Guerneville, each with additional restaurants, motels, and amenities.

Big Sur coast south of Monterey

The Big Sur coast is just three hours southwest, with a secluded, rugged California coast featuring getaways, rocky coastline around every corner, lovely resorts, gourmet restaurants, and oceanview lodging (and classic campgrounds if you're camping).

The Spanish called it “El Sur Grande," the Big South, for the vast reach of rugged and treacherous coastline. Mexico offered land grants in the early 1800s, but settlers would not arrive of consequence until one hundred years ago. Highway 1 was only completed in 1937, opening the coast to growing tourist visitation. Located south of Limekiln State Park, Highway 1 is closed due to a major rockslide.

You’ll find scenic campgrounds here; Andrew Molera State Park is just 20 miles south of Carmel, 4800 acres with a variety of exploring opportunities from beaches to the Big Sur River, as well as Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Lime Kiln State Park.

Ragged Point Inn on a bluff high above the ocean is a favorite, high on a bluff with ocean views, dining, and lodging. Another favorite is the Big Sur Roadhouse, which gets rave reviews for breakfasts or lunch and is less expensive than some competitors. Remember, with the Highway 1 closure due to a massive rockslide, the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, just north of San Simeon and San Simeon itself, will have to await another visit. For any destination, check the local visitor bureau and scan Trip Advisor for a good listing of restaurants, lodging, and attractions.

Other romantic destinations include:

North Lake Tahoe

There are a host of lodging and restaurant options on the lake (catch a hearty breakfast or lunch at Rosie’s and Plumpjack Café in the nearby Palisades at Tahoe Resort for a special dinner).

The Lodi-Woodbridge Wine Grape Appellation

With almost 100 wineries, lovely motels, and restaurants centered around Lodi, spend a night or two at the Wine and Roses Hotel, with a fine restaurant, or dine at a favorite roadhouse, Lodi Beer, and breakfast at Richmond.

Old Sacramento

Here, much of California’s early gold rush history is jammed into about 30 blocks of the old city dating to the 1850s; seven wonderful museums include the Sacramento History Museum, California Railroad Museum, and the California Auto Museum, a dozen good restaurants and the option to both overnight and dine in the Delta King Riverboat, built in Stockton in 1927.

Contact Tim, tviall@msn.com. Happy romantic travels in your world!

Information

Bodega Bay and California’s north coast, bodegabay.com; Big Sur, bigsurcalifornia.org; North Lake Tahoe, gotahoenorth.com, Shenandoah Valley, visitamador.com.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Romantic, scenic Valentine's Day destinations in Northern California