February 22nd, 2010 by admin

In our last installment on Romantic California Getaways, we’re turning up the heat in a place better known for its chilly climes: San Francisco. Fog aside, there is something sensual about the city’s rolling hills, Victorian architecture, and the sprawling greenery of surrounding

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In our last installment on Romantic California Getaways, we’re turning up the heat in a place better known for its chilly climes: San Francisco. Fog aside, there is something sensual about the city’s rolling hills, Victorian architecture, and the sprawling greenery of surrounding areas like Napa and Sonoma. Here’s our guide to a weekend for two in Northern California, satisfaction guaranteed.

Planning a romantic weekend away can prove to be both stressful and expensive. Luckily, San Francisco and its surrounding areas offer several options for out-of-towners interested in both indulgence and more low-key, and often times easy-on-the-budget, activities. Whether wine tasting in Napa or visiting one of S.F.’s many museums, you’ll probably find yourself humming a certain Tony Bennett classic as you leave the City by the Bay.

Friday Afternoon
The Fairmont San Francisco
No other hotel is more quintessentially San Francisco than the Fairmont. It offers spectacular views of the city from its perch on Mason Street, and has been featured in several films, including Hitchcock’s haunting romantic classic Vertigo. (We’re selectively forgetting about The Rock for the purposes of this article.) The Fairmont is conveniently located along a major cable car line, so after check-in you can hop one to sip on cappuccinos at a North Beach café, or head to Union Square for shopping. For another taste of Hitchcock in S.F. at far lower rates, consider Hotel Vertigo, whose Nob Hill location is still close to the city’s bustling downtown area. (950 Mason Street, San Francisco, 415-772-5000)

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
While Golden Gate Park, with its lush greenery and numerous museums, might seem like the obvious choice for a couple hoping to soak up some culture together, we’re partial to the San Francisco MoMA. In the past, it’s hosted innovative exhibitions by the likes of artist Jeremy Blake and fashion photographer Richard Avedon, and the permanent collection includes works by Matisse, Duchamp, and Kahlo, among others. Get your fill of art for the afternoon and be sure to stop by the amazing museum store afterward. (151 Third Street (btw. Mission and Howard, San Francisco, 415-357-4000)

Friday Evening
Fleur de Lys
Among epicures and viewers of Top Chef and Top Chef: Masters, Hubert Keller is a bona fide celebrity. But, long before he was dissecting dishes alongside Tom and Padma, he was helming the original Fleur de Lys, revered for serving classic French cuisine with inventive modern touches. Unofficially, it’s also known as San Francisco’s most romantic restaurant, making it the perfect place to kick off a weekend among amorous sweethearts. (777 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 415-673-7779)

Saturday Morning
San Francisco Ferry Building
Fuel up for an active day of exploration by grabbing breakfast at the Ferry Building, a San Francisco institution. The artisanal, meticulously-roasted and individually drip-brewed coffee from Blue Bottle’s kiosk is the best we’ve ever tasted. Enjoy a cup, along with some fresh baked bread from Acme and fruit from the outdoor farmers market, then head outdoors to eat along the water and take in views of the Bay Bridge. (Ferry Building Marketplace, One Ferry Building, San Francisco, 415-983-8000)


Saturday Afternoon
Bouchaine Winery
Wine tasting is somewhat of a clichéd event in the grand scheme of romantic activities, but at Napa’s Bouchaine Winery, its proprietors go above and beyond the usual flight and barrel room affair. New this year is a Table for Two special, where you and your S.O. can enjoy an alfresco lunch outdoors with a bottle of Bouchaine, naturally. For more active (and less comfortably tipsy) couples, it’s also possible to arrange for a bike tour of the area, which you can book through the appropriately-named Napa Valley Bike Tours. (1075 Buchli Station Road, Napa, 800.654.WINE)

Saturday Evening
Paplote S.F.
After a full day of exploring the Ferry Building, wine tasting, and biking, an elaborate, formal meal may not be the most appealing scenario. Head to the Mission District, where local favorite Papalote, soon to be featured on the Food Network, serves tasty Mexican food at far less than prix-fixe prices. (3409 24th Street at Valencia, San Francisco)

For slightly more upscale dining in the Mission, and an updated twist on the exhausted “dinner and a movie” date, try Foreign Cinema. Independent films and foreign classics are projected onto a large wall outdoors, while a full oyster bar and desserts like rose geranium crème brulee serve as natural aphrodisiacs.

Sunday Morning
Claremont Resort and Spa
Berkeley, best known for its world-class university and a history of activism, also caters to travelers who want an alternative to staid touristy activities. The Claremont Resort is a great couple’s retreat, even if you aren’t staying in one of their opulent rooms. Schedule a massage for two, performed side-by-side in a special treatment room, and start off your day on a relaxing note. (41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, 510-843-3000)

Sunday Afternoon
Berkeley Rose Garden
Giving your sweetheart roses doesn’t take a lot of forethought, so, visiting a rose garden is a creative take on this romantic gesture. Berkeley’s gorgeous rose garden is a great place to stroll, sit, read, and breathe in the scent of hundreds of fresh flowers. Admission is free and the garden is open from dawn ‘till dusk daily. (1200 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley)

Fourth Street
Fourth Street is, in many ways, the antithesis of Telegraph Avenue (read: bourgeois versus bohemian). We love a glass of wine at Café Rouge, a restaurant with adjacent meat market, and watching Fourth Street regulars mill around as they head to one of many shops on the relatively quiet stretch. It’s a relaxing way to end the weekend before flying or driving back home.

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San Francisco image: wonderlane
Napa Valley image: jimg944

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