Love is in the air and this weekend’s Northern California events list is all about celebrating Valentine’s Day, with things to do with a special someone and/or stuff the whole family can enjoy!
Because Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday (thank you, Leap Year!), events celebrating the day of love are extended over the entire weekend.
Several local breweries are hosting events pairing beer with other Valentine’s staples like chocolate and cupcakes. In Sacramento, New Helvetia Brewing Company has joined forces with Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates for a chocolate beer flight special!
Over in West Sac, Jackrabbit Brewing Company and Freeport Bakery joined forces for a beer and cupcake pairing event. Freeport even used Jackrabbit beers in the cupcake frosting! This event runs from Feb. 13 to Feb. 17.
Up in Auburn, Crooked Lane Brewing is hosting a beer and chocolate pairing of their own on Valentine’s Day, complete with internationally-sourced chocolates from CRU.
Local winemakers are also getting in on the Valentine’s weekend action. All weekend long, Sacramento’s Scribner Bend Vineyards is hosting “Wine Lovers Weekend” with port and sparkling wine tastings and live musical performances on Saturday and Sunday.
On Valentine’s Day, Silt Wine Company in Clarksburg is hosting its “Magical Valentine’s Day Dinner” with a 6-course meal and wine tasting featuring culinary works of art prepared by three renowned local chefs.
Those are just a few of the romantic things going on this Valentine’s weekend around Northern California. Scroll down to see more and maybe you’ll find the perfect plans for the special person or persons in your life!
Do you have an event idea? Send your suggestions to mnuttle@tegna.com
When: February 14 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: The Delta King, 1000 Front Street, Sacramento
If you are looking for one of the more unique Valentine’s Day experiences close to home, then you might be interested in taking your significant other to a fancy dinner aboard the Delta King.
Guests will be treated to a three-course meal in the dining room aboard the near century-old steamboat, located on the river in Old Sacramento.
Some highlights of the meal include a sumptuous seasonal farm salad, filet mignon, a trio of sorbet for dessert, and/or several other dining options that accommodate palates of all types.
Tap here to set up your own reservation (and to see the menu). You can also reserve a table by calling 916-444-8052.
Admission:
- $79 - Admission cost per guest
When: February 15 & 16 | 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Scribner Bend Vineyards, 9051 River Road, Sacramento
Scribner Bend Vineyards is hosting a special Wine Lovers Weekend event this Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Only a limited number of tickets will be sold. Wine Lovers Weekend features unique tastings of port and sparkling wines, chocolate-dipped cherries, and live musical performances both Saturday and Sunday.
Paesanos Courtyard Kitchen will also be on-site serving up delicious foods for purchase.
Any guests who purchase a bottle from the vineyard will receive two complimentary Scribner Bend stemmed wine glasses, too.
Admission:
- $10 - Admission cost per guest includes port and sparkling Tastings and a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
[Wine club members get in for $5]
When: February 14 | 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: New Helvetia Brewing Co., 1730 Broadway, Sacramento
Chocolate, beer, and Valentine’s Day is an awesome combination being put together on again by Sacramento’s New Helvetia Brewing Company and Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates.
This year’s event features a flight of 4 New Helvetia beers paired with 4 Ginger Elizabeth chocolates: Buffalo Craft Lager + Eureka Lemon; Northeast Land Park IPA + Grapefruit Fennel Pollen; Mix-A-Lot's In Trouble (Juicy Double IPA) + California Passionfruit; Homeland Stout + Caramelized Milk & Coffee.
Special for this year, guests will also receive a bottle of New Helvetia’s award-winning Mystery Airship: Imperial Chocolate Porter, which is actually brewed with Ginger Elizabeth cocoa nibs!
If you plan to stick around for dinner, Hapa Wood-Fired Pizza will be serving up delicious food for purchase.
Admission:
- $30 - Admission per person, includes a flight of 4 New Helvetia beers, 4 Ginger Elizabeth chocolates, 1 bottle of New Helvetia's GABF Gold Medal Winner "Mystery Airship: Imperial Chocolate Porter" (brewed with Ginger Elizabeth cocoa nibs).
When: February 14, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. | February 15, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | February 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Jackrabbit Brewing Company, 1323 Terminal Street, West Sacramento
Jackrabbit Brewing in West Sacramento is hosting a special Valentine’s event with some of their delicious beers paired with decadent mini cupcakes from Freeport Bakery.
The Beer & Cupcake Pairing event runs from Feb. 13-17. Guests will get to drink 4 Jackrabbit beers paired with 4 Freeport Bakery cupcakes and a guide sheet explaining the flavor notes in both the food and drink. The frosting on the cupcakes is even made using Jackrabbit beer!
The pairings for this year’s event include Saison Ganache on a lemon poppyseed cupcake paired with Saison Farmhouse Ale; Abbey Ale Cream Cheese on a carrot cupcake paired with Bad Habit Belgian Abbey Ale; Caramel Buttercream with pretzels on a buttermilk cupcake paired with Table Manners Winter Wheat Wine; and Grandma’s Cherry Cacao on a fudge cupcake paired with Super Moon Cherry Cacao Dessert Stout.
Admission:
- $24 - Admission per guest includes 4 mini cupcakes paired with 4 Jackrabbit Brewing Co. ales.
When: February 15 | 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Original Mels Natomas, 2057 Arena Boulevard, Natomas
If you are looking for a fun, family-friendly event to do over Valentine’s weekend then you might want to check out Cute As A Button: Feel The Love Craft Night in Natomas on Saturday.
Hosted by Original Mels, guests will work on a fun, large canvass painting craft project specially themed for the holiday. Organizers will offer step-by-step help to guests, but overall, they’ll be given free rain to customize their work with colors and messages that are special to them or for that special someone.
Guests can also purchase Original Mels dinner and/or appetizers while they work.
Admission:
- $35 - Admission per guest.
When: February 14 | 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Silt Wine Company, 50870 Babel Slough Road, Clarksburg
The Magical Valentine’s Day Dinner at Silt Winery is truly an event that lives up to every bit of its name.
Three incredible chefs, Seonkyoung Longest, Yoshi Imai, and David Chan, will all be on hand serving up signature dishes as part of a 6-course dinner. Each delicious course will be perfectly paired with a Silt Wine.
The courses are as follows:
- Course 1: Madai carpaccio: Japanese sea bream, clear yuzu ponzu, truffle oil, pomegranate, bruderbasil twill;
- Course 2: Smoked Caesar salad: Lacinato kale, katsuobushi, tenkasu, ajitsuke tamago;
- Course 3: Bluefin a la carte: Akami nigiri, aburi chutoro zuke with uni, otoro crostini;
- Course 4: Crispy duck: Wildflower honey, potato, smoked gouda, scallion;
- Course 5: Hayashi wagyu mazemen: Wagyu tri-tip, demi-glace, shimeji, Tomomi noodles, butter-basted carrots, wasabi sprouts;
- Course 6: Rosé: Rosé strawberry haze, sponge cake, White chocolate, vanilla créme.
This menu is locked in and cannot be personalized. Guests should keep this under consideration if they have any serious food allergies. This event is for guests 21-years-old and up and the dress code is “smart casual.”
Admission:
- $130 - Admission per guest includes a 6-course dinner and a Silt Wine Company wine tasting.
When: February 15 | Virtual run. Tap to learn more.
Where: Willow Creek Recreation Area, 13300 Folsom Boulevard, Folsom
If your idea of a great Valentine’s date is working up a sweat outdoors, then you’ll want to look into the Cupid Training Run at the Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom.
Participants can run at their own pace and time at a professionally designed course along Lake Natoma or at any location of their choice. (More on that in a moment.) Runners can choose between a 5K, 10K, and 13.1K half-marathon course.
The Cupid Training Run is a virtual run. Runners sign up for the event, participate when they want, time themselves, and receive cool swag for their efforts. Participants in the Cupid Training Run will receive a T-shirt and other runner’s goodies, a finisher’s medal, an optional runner’s bib, and a special box of 12 Ferrero Rochet chocolates!
All these items will be shipped to runners after they complete their run. Race results will be posted online.
Admission:
- $37 - Admission for 5K race
- $39 - Admission for 10K race
- $42 - Admission for half-marathon race
When: February 14 | 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Crooked Lane Brewing Company, 536 Grass Valley Highway, Auburn
Crooked Lane Brewing in Auburn is partnering with CRU Chocolates for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day beer and chocolate pairing event.
Guests will be treated to three hand-selected Crooked Lane beers expertly paired with CRU chocolates from different locations all over the world.
The pairings are as follows:
- Pairing 1: Do Me a Flavor | White Stout | 7% ABV with Single Origin 72% Dark Chocolate sourced through Zorzal/Öko Caribe in San Francisco de Marcolis in the Dominican Republic.
- Pairing 2: Shot through the Heart | Russian Imperial Stout with Chocolate | 11% ABV with Single Origin 72% Dark Chocolate with cacao sourced through Cacao Bisiesto in La Dalia, Nicaragua.
- Pairing 3: 1-2 Punch | Peach & Mango Hazy IPA | 6.5% ABV with Single Origin 72% Dark Chocolate sourced through PISA in Acul Du Nord in Haiti.
Admission:
- $15 Admission per guest, includes 3 CRU chocolates paired with 3 Crooked Lane beers.
When: February 15 | 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Pier 40, 89 King Street, San Francisco
Take your significant other on a Valentine’s date they’ll never forget with the Chocolate & Wine CRUISE on San Francisco Bay!
Only 120 guests will have the privilege of boarding the luxury yacht for the 2-hour cruise on the Bay. With the purchase of admission, guests will be treated to a curated sampling of local chocolates, toffees, and wines.
Several local food and wine artisans will also be onboard offering a taste of their creations. These extras will be available for guests to purchase and take with them as soon as the cruise ends.
This event is for adults 21-years-old and up. The yacht sets off at 1 p.m. sharp, so be sure to arrive early.
Admission:
$55 - Admission per guest, includes your reservation on the yacht, cruise on the bay, chocolate tasting and wine tasting.
When: February 14 | Concert starts at 8 p.m.
Where: Oakland Arena and RingCentral Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland
R&B superstars take to the stage at the Oakland Coliseum this Valentine’s Day in what is sure to be an unforgettable concert event.
Tyrese, Joe, Ginuwine, Avant, and Brownstone are set to perform Friday night at the Valentine’s Love Jam!
The concert starts at 8 p.m. Performances could be subject to change.
Admission:
- Ticket prices vary. Tap here for more information.
Do you have an event idea? Send your suggestions to mnuttle@tegna.com
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