Special report: Visit Gilroy shares ideas for local romance on Valentine’s Day
From food to fitness, on Feb. 14 Gilroy offers something to every couple.
Published online on January 31, 2024
By Kelly Barbazette
Kelly Barbazette
Hiking a Redwood-canopied trail, clinking glasses overlooking a vista of vineyards, and indulging in a four-course meal.
In Gilroy, meaningful ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day are limitless. Whether simple or decadent, casual or elaborate, the Garlic Capital of the World is overflowing with destinations and opportunities to revel in the holiday of love, for every style, interest and budget.
For foodies or wine connoisseurs, mouthwatering menus await at restaurants and wineries, many of which are offering special events and dinners on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day dinners will be served at Clos La Chance Winery and Lightpost Winery on Feb. 14. Three seatings are available at Clos La Chance, which offers a four-course meal for you and your Valentine. The Valentine’s dinner at Clos LaChance also will be held on Feb. 10. Lightpost’s winemaker dinner offers four sumptuous courses paired with wines. Reservations are required for all events and be sure to check the wineries for availability.
For a unique culinary experience, create your own charcuterie board at a charcuterie workshop also hosted at Clos LaChance on Feb. 8 or try your hand at crafting your own heart-shaped grapevine wreath at Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery on Feb. 11. Meanwhile, on select days in February, Dorcich Family Vineyards is offering wine and chocolate pairings while Fortino Winery is featuring live music and sweet flight bite-size pairings. Check wineries for availability to events.
Romance is in the air in Gilroy’s historic downtown. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a night out at Old City Hall Restaurant in the heart of downtown. A special multi-course Valentine’s Day dinner dance is on the menu. Just down the street, enjoy a leisurely evening at Tempo Kitchen & Bar with a four-course meal, featuring Tomahawk steak, and a complimentary rose. Nearby, Vines and Pints is serving up an evening of love and food with a Valentine’s dinner catered by California Inspirations. Dinner reservations are recommended and check with each restaurant for availability before visiting.
For a truly relaxing escape, enjoy an afternoon of pampering at one of Gilroy’s area day spas, including Luxury Day Spa and Pure Lavender Day Spa. Indulge in a facial or massage before treating yourself to a manicure or pedicure for the perfect mini-getaway.
And Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without savoring something sweet. Enjoy Mexican sweet breads and pastries at Del Sol Bakery, which also carries hearty breakfast burritos and tacos. Tristan’s Cookies & Cream boasts more than a dozen variety of homemade cookies baked from scratch daily, including chocolate chip, peanut butter, and snickerdoodle. Ice cream, lemon bars, cinnamon rolls, and other sweet treats are also available at this Tenth Street bakery.
For an outdoorsy Valentine’s Day, lace up your sneakers or hop on your bikes and head to one of seven paved bike and walking paths in Gilroy. For a beginner but longer trail, try the 11.5-mile Uvas Creek/Levee Path connected to the Hecker Pass Bicycle Trail. Crossing the length of the city, this trail is dotted with scenic views of Christmas Hill Park, the Uvas Creek, and the Gabilan Mountains. Populated by dog-walkers, families, and cyclists, the trail also includes water stations with bottle fillers. Start or end your walk or ride with a picnic lunch at Christmas Hill Park or the Gateway Plaza at the corner of Santa Teresa Boulevard and First Street or walk the path heading west in the early evening to catch the sunset.
Gilroy is also surrounded by beautiful open space and parks, including Harvey Bear County Park and Henry W. Coe State Park. For an easy, family-friendly ride, try the paved Martin Murphy Loop at Harvey Bear Ranch. The 2.2-mile loop offers views of wildlife, cattle, and the Diablo Mountains. Another popular bike trail is the Hunting Hollow Trail near the Gilroy Hot Springs, located off Gilroy Hot Springs Road. For more information about trails, visit Gilroy’s Bicycle Map or Biking in Santa Clara County web sites.
To extend your stay overnight, Gilroy hotels are offering sweetheart packages and special offers, including the Best Western Plus Forest Park Inn and Hilton Garden Inn in Gilroy.
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous bike ride under shady redwoods, a decadent multi-course dinner, or a relaxing couples massage, Gilroy offers no shortage of ways to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day. From foodies to fitness buffs, on February 14 Gilroy has something to offer every couple.
Kelly Barbazette is a freelance writer who has lived in Gilroy for more than 20 years.