A Perfect Valentine’s Date in San Francisco
1. Check into The Hotel Castro
The Hotel Castro has to be one of my favorite boutique hotels in the city. It only has 12 rooms, each uniquely decorated to pay homage to LGBTQ+ Heroes. I love the small, cozy feel to it, especially the patios that face the hillside! Walking into the hotel feels like stepping into a vibrant, technicolor 1970s dream—definitely one of the most unique stays I’ve ever experienced. Plus, it’s within walking distance to so many fun bars and clubs for nightlife in the Castro. Fun fact: The Hotel Castro also gives you tokens so you can grab drinks downstairs at the Lobby Bar!
2. Do an Art Crawl
Taking analog photos at the photo booth museum
The Castro Art Walk happens on the first Friday of the month, and it was such a fun way to explore new art galleries. I’ve always walked past some of these, but never entered. Some of the art even brought me to wine bars and bookstores that were so cool to discover! Although it only happens once a month, that shouldn’t stop you from doing your own art crawl; most of these galleries are on the same street just a few doors down from each other!
3. Take Photos at Photomatica
Photomatica just opened their first brick-and-mortar photo booth museum in the Castro, making it such a unique spot to take analog photos in one of their many vintage photobooths! Right now for Valentine’s Day, they have cute charms to make key chains out of your favorite photos. It’s a cute way to take a little memento home, and their “Kissing booth”-themed photobooth will still be around until February 16!
4. Eat Dinner at Blind Butcher
Anyone that has known me for a while knows that Blind Butcher is my all-time favorite restaurant in San Francisco. It’s beneath a gorgeous Victorian home that feels so cozy and intimate. The low lighting and beautiful red velvet couches set the date night scene so well. For apps, you have to try Chef Coskun’s new goat cheese dish, and for the seafood lovers, the oktapodaki is a crowd favorite.
I’m mostly a carnivore, so I usually go for the prime ribeye as my main dish, which is always cooked so perfectly with an amazing chimichurri sauce and sea salt flakes to drizzle on top. Lately, I’ve been loving Chef’s new beef stroganoff, which pairs really well with the prime ribeye. I know, I’m a meat freak.
Eating the prime ribeye and beef stroganoff at Blind Butcher
Finally, to end the meal, you have to get their Coppa 3 Cioccolati. If you love Ferrero Rocher, this is as if someone took it and turned it into a dessert that’s layered with a smooth hazelnut spread, pistachios, and more.
5. Grab a Dessert at Hot Cookie
As if you haven’t eaten enough, grab a fun dessert at Hot Cookie! They have some fun-shaped ones (iykyk), but also some delicious brownies to satisfy your sweet cravings. If you’re adventurous, add whipped cream to everything.
6. End with Drinks at Lobby Bar
If you end up staying at Hotel Castro, use your tokens to grab your free drinks at Lobby Bar! Honestly, they make the best craft cocktails in the Castro, and the menu changes constantly (but the quality stays the same!). Sometimes you might even catch their vinyl DJ sets if you come on a Thursday.
San Francisco has so many great date ideas, so make your own itinerary, go out, and support local small businesses!
