Valentine’s Day does not need to be over planned to feel thoughtful. Many experiences in Rancho Santa Fe work well on their own or can be combined into a full day, depending on how much time you want to spend out. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, which makes it easier to build a relaxed itinerary without rushing between reservations.
1. Couples Massage & Spa Experiences
Photo credit Mila Moursi Spa
Mila Moursi Spa at The Inn. Couples massages take place in a private candlelit suite with Valentine’s Day details incorporated throughout the space. Treatments use Vineyard Rose oils and include champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, making it easy to settle in. For those looking to turn the spa visit into a full evening, there is a second option. The Starlight Soirée at The Spa is an evening experience rather than a single treatment. You have after hours access to Mila Moursi Spa, with time to relax in the lounge by the fireplace, use the sauna, or step outside for fresh air with a view of the night sky. The evening includes 2.5 hours of exclusive spa access, dinner paired with a moonlit inspired cocktail or wine, and a 90 minute couples facial or massage. The experience concludes with a take home gift that includes a Baobab candle and Mila Moursi Signature Robes.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. Couples spa options range from longer, multi step treatments to a side by side massage. Some experiences incorporate warming body therapies using essential oils and clay before transitioning into a customized couples massage, creating a slower paced start before the treatment itself. Others focus more directly on relaxation, beginning with aromatic elements like frankincense and rose oils and concluding with a full couples massage. For guests who prefer something simpler, the Duet option allows couples to enjoy massages side by side in a treatment room, with each person selecting their preferred massage style, including the Valencia Ritual, Deep Relief, or Soothing Stone.
2. Staycation Options That Pair Well With the Spa
Photo credit The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
For those turning Valentine’s Day into a full weekend, both Rancho Valencia and The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe offer staycation experiences that pair beautifully with a spa visit.
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. The stay experience is well suited for a Valentine’s Day built around slowing down. In room massages can be arranged, champagne is provided on arrival, and a fireplace butler is available in the evenings. Cottages lean cozy, with a private back patio, loungers, and a gas fireplace. Villas are better suited for couples who want more space, offering separate living areas and private outdoor space. Fireplace bungalows fall somewhere in between, centered by a wood burning fireplace and a front porch that works well for shorter, slower stays.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. A 2-night minimum works well for couples who want to stretch the day into something less rushed. Guests are welcomed with champagne, and breakfast in bed can be arranged in one of the suites, setting a relaxed tone from the start. The property is easy to navigate on foot, with tennis courts, walking paths, the spa, and on site dining spread throughout the grounds. It is a natural pairing for a spa appointment or a relaxed dinner, without needing to leave the resort.
3. Valentine's Day Dining in Rancho Santa Fe
Photo credit The Pony Room at Rancho Valencia
Lillian’s at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Valentine’s Day is marked with a specially curated 4-course dinner. Guests can choose between the fireside dining room or the heated patio overlooking the gardens. Wine pairing options are available and designed to complement the menu.
The Pony Room at Rancho Valencia. Valentine’s Day features a 4-course prix fixe dinner menu served in a candlelit dining room. The menu includes dishes such as ahi tuna tartare, lobster bisque, beef filet Oscar, pan seared seabass, and dessert. I recommend adding the optional caviar service and paired wine service to complement the meal.
Mille Fleurs. A 5-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu built around seasonal dishes like lobster bisque, truffle risotto, Dover sole, and strawberry focused desserts created for the occasion.
4. Experiences Within Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Sky Hot Air Balloon Rides. Through a partnership with The Rancho Santa Fe Inn and Compass Balloons, hot air balloon rides are available to book directly through the hotel, with flights passing over RSF, Del Mar and surrounding areas. Both private and shared sunset flights run about 3.5 hours in total and small bites like cheese and fresh fruit during the flight, followed by a champagne toast after landing. Guests can also request a picnic to take along, with selections of Erewhon items from The Cafe to prepared sandwiches and charcuterie.
5. Experiences Close to Rancho Santa Fe
For couples who want to extend the day slightly beyond our neighborhood, several experiences are within a short drive.
Local Wineries. Orfila Vineyards & Winery, Bernardo Winery, and Milagro Farm Winery offer tastings and outdoor seating that work well earlier in the day. These stops fit easily before returning to Rancho Santa Fe for dinner.
Beach Picnic & Sunset Stroll. A short drive brings you to Del Mar, where an easy way to spend part of the evening is a walk near the shoreline followed by a casual picnic. Pack a charcuterie board stocked with your favorites, along with a few beverages to share, bring a few blankets and pillows, and add comfortable beach chairs for extra ease. Sit back with your loved one, relax, and enjoy the sunset (they've been hard to miss lately!).
Sunset Sail. If you want to include time on the water, sunset sails with open views of the coastline and skyline are available out of San Diego Bay through a range of local companies. Options include private charters as well as smaller group sails.
A Movie in Del Mar. Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas in Del Mar is showing Wuthering Heights the weekend of Valentine’s Day, which caught my attention since it’s one of my favorite books.
6. Psst Don't Forget the Florals!
Photo credit Lollia Blooms
Florals are easy to leave until the end. A little planning ahead allows for more choice and easier delivery!
Floral Palette. A familiar name in Rancho Santa Fe for both classic arrangements and custom designs. They offer a mix of ready to order bouquets and more personalized options, which makes it easy to find something that fits your style. Floral Palette also carries gift items that can be added to an order if you want to pair flowers with something extra.
Lollia Blooms. A more curated floral experience, with arrangements that focus on seasonal flowers and clean color palettes. Orders are typically handled directly, which makes it easier to request specific details when placing an order.
Raquel Benguiat’s Valentine's Week Tip
If flowers are part of the plan, placing an order earlier in the week gives you more flexibility with color, style, and delivery timing as February 14 approaches. Floral Palette often offers same day delivery, while Lollia Blooms makes it easy to order online ahead of time if you have a specific arrangement in mind.
Valentine’s Day in Rancho Santa Fe does not need to be complicated to feel special. A well chosen plan close to home can turn the day into something memorable without overthinking every detail. Sometimes the best plans are the ones that leave room to simply enjoy where you are and who you’re with.
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