Concierge Picks For Romantic San Diego

Local concierges chose a few of their favorite romantic places and pastimes to ease you into the hearts and flowers scene.

Lauren Nicholl at Grand Pacific Palisades would have you take a harbor cruise or a sail on the bay in the evening, when you can see the city lights. “It’s very calming,” she says, “being with someone and doing something different as you enjoy the surroundings.” For daytime tranquility, she recommends a leisurely walk in Balboa Park.

A boat ride at night, with the stars above, makes a romantic picture for Cecilia Carlsson of Hyatt Regency Mission Bay (formerly Hyatt Islandia). She would hop the ferry to Coronado and eat at Peohe’s to get a view of downtown’s fantastic skyline. “Many people eat at Seaport Village at night to see the Coronado view. This is doing it the other way around,” she says. In daytime, a picnic atop Mt. Soledad with a fresh and healthy seafood or salad to go is her choice for a clear day, and a panoramic city view. 

A sunset view inspires Mark Church of Holiday Inn on the Bay to recommend the bench on the Torrey Pines park trail. Take your bottle of bubbly and a blanket, and enjoy the day’s end on the point, he says. Mark confesses that his personal favorite romantic locale is in Laguna along the cliffs or Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach. “I’m a sea person,” he explains. But, aren’t most San Diego visitors and locals?

A gondola ride at the Loews in Coronado or a sailboat charter with champagne and chocolate, followed by dinner at a beautiful shoreside restaurant are the seagoing choices of Kimberly Weir of Manchester Grand Hyatt. For adventurous romantics, she suggests a hot air balloon ride. “I’m scared of heights, but I think it’s a very romantic thing to do at sunrise or sunset,” she says. “Our coastline is so beautiful and you get champagne, too. We’ve had guests propose up there.” 

Taking it to the skies is what Paula Lanning, Director of Guest Services at Hyatt Regency La Jolla would do on a helicopter ride. “You can take pictures of San Diego from above,” she notes. Courageous guests would replicate her birthday skydiving adventure. “It’s so much fun!” she says.

For more down-to-earth romantics, Paula suggests booking a wine tour, taking a bike ride and picnicking at Mission Beach or strolling around the Embarcadero and shopping at Seaport Village.

No matter what you choose, you can’t help but fall in love with San Diego’s amorous atmosphere.