We LOVE Museums Valentine’s Guide 2022

Top Ideas for Valentine’s Fun

Looking for something extra special and romantic to share with the one you love this Valentine’s Week? Look no further than these wonderful ideas we’ve curated from San Diego museums, gardens and cultural sites.

It’s Museum Month, so you can enjoy the experience with half off general admission to museums (excluding special events). Just get your free Museum Month pass at a San Diego County Macy’s or one of 84 public libraries.

Romeo & Juliet
San Diego Museum of Art
Sunday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m. (Free/Included with Admission)

See the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet performed in The San Diego Museum of Art upper and lower rotunda. Join San Diego Shakespeare Society actors for this special SDMA+ Romantic ArtStops performance.

The program will be shared in two parts. The performance begins with an in-gallery portion (free with Museum admission), then moves to continue in front of the Museum (free to the public). If you would like to enjoy the entire program, meet in the Museum rotunda at 1 p.m. (first performance) or 2:30 p.m. (second performance). For the free portion of the program, meet at 1:25 p.m. (first performance) or 2:55 p.m. (second performance) on the Museum front steps. More info here.

Plants & Romance
San Diego Botanic Garden
Feb. 11-12, 5:30 to 8 p.m. (Special Ticketed Event)

Celebrate your love at the San Diego Botanic Garden during Plants & Romance on Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12 (5:30 to 8 p.m.). Enjoy a magical evening stroll through California gardenscapes lit with thousands of twinkle lights and relax around the outdoor fire pits in the amphitheater while listening to a classical guitarist. Visitors may sample free chocolate treats while learning about cacao and the process of making chocolate. Reservations are required. Tickets range from $14 to $22, with discounts for Garden members).

Make it an extra special night with the Sweet & Sparkling upgrade package for $60. Included are two Champaign flutes with two glasses of sparkling wine or non-alcoholicsparkling juice (shown above), a box of Chuao Chocolatier chocolates and an air plant to take home.

Love is in the Air
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. (Ticketed Event)

For a Valentine’s Day encore, open your hearts to The Ten Tenors, because Love is in the Air at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The Ten Tenors will be singing some of the most popular feel-good love songs and first-dance wedding songs of all time, including “All You Need Is Love,” “Unchained Melody,” “I’d Do Anything For Love,” the enduring classic “Somebody To Love,” and many more, all performed in beautiful 10-part harmony. For anyone with a soft spot for a tender tune, this is an experience not to be missed. Tickets start at $30.

Valentine’s Express
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Now Through Feb. 14. (Free with Admission)

Come aboard and enjoy Valentine’s Week at one of Balboa Park’s favorite museums. The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is all decked out for the holiday with lots of hearts and teddy bears. Stop by the gift shop for a train-themed Valentine’s gift for the train enthusiastic in your life. Plus, see the Museum’s newest exhibit, Out of the Vault: Items from Our Collection.

Artifact
Mingei International Museum
Lunch 11:30 to 2 p.m / Bar open 11:30 to 5 p.m.

Enjoy a romantic lunch or an afternoon handcrafted cocktail at the all new Artifact at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park this Valentine’s Week. Their menu features craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals, with a gorgeous setting inside the newly redesigned Mingei Museum at Balboa Park. Enjoy indoor or outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch. SPECIAL: During Museum Month, get 15% off a single food item with your Museum Month Pass. View the menu and make a reservation here.

Johnny Gandelsman
ICA Central and Art of Elan
Sunday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. (Ticketed Event)

Spend an evening at ICA San Diego in Balboa Park with Grammy-award winning violinist and producer Johnny Gandelsman for his newly created This Is America, a new commissioning and recording project featuring over twenty new works for solo violin. The work is written by American and U.S.-based artists and commissioned by twenty different arts organizations spread throughout the U.S., including Art of Elan. ICA’s doors open at 6 p.m. so you may view their acclaimed “Unity in Variety” exhibit before the concert. Get your tickets here. 

Looking for the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Present
Birch Aquarium

How about naming one of these ultra-cute little blue penguins in honor of someone you love? UC San Diego’s Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is offering naming rights to its little blue penguins to help underwrite a habitat for the seabirds and the construction and habitat creation of Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins, which opens at Birch Aquarium in July. Those interested in making a gift or learning more may contact Adeline Duke here or at (858) 354-5727.

Fall in Love with our Animals
Living Coast Discovery Center

Another fun idea for animal-lovers: Visit the Living Coast Discovery Center on February 12 and 13 for special Valentine’s Day photo opportunities with your loved ones and the Zoo/Aquarium’s oh-so-lovable animal ambassadors. Pack a picnic lunch and stroll the walking trails through the wildlife refuge for great views of the downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge. Or treat your Valentines to a VIP experience with a Private Wildlife Tour, to feed a sea turtle, meet a raptor or more.

Design Your Own Valentine’s Adventure and Explore the Fun!

Explore the fun at our more than 45 museums and cultural institutions throughout San Diego County by selecting exhibitions and events from a wide array of choices shown below. There is something for everyone to LOVE.