Best Alternative Adventures for a Valentine's Day in San Francisco

ZANY Have an offbeat Valentine who likes to strike things but not too hard? Then the San Francisco Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight is for you two crazy kids.

Grab a pillow (may I suggest not bringing your favorite one?), and head to Justin Herman Plaza at 6pm to join the fun.

Did I mention that I love this city?

CONSCIOUS Give your sweetie the gift of a healthy, organic cuisine in a warm, cozy environment. Firefly restaurant was conceived with idea of being a “magical” restaurant, and I think they have succeeded. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, the decor ethereal, and the food light and divine. A great place to feel good about cozying up and shelling out some cash on your honey.

Instead of waking up on the 15th with an empty wallet and a heavy-food hangover, a trip to Firefly insures that you’ll wake-up bright-eyed and glowing (if you know what I mean . . .)

CHEAP Bundle up, grab a bottle of Cab, and head up to the top of Bernal Heights. Take Folsom St. south through the Mission and head up to the top of the hill. The entire twinkling cityscape awaits you – uber-romantic.

Treasure Island and certain parts of Portrero Hill work as well. Dolores park has a great view but you’ll end up sharing the night with quite a few drunken transients and someone’s miniature poodle’s poops. Not romantic.

ROMANTIC YET UNSENTIMENTAL In my opinion, Hotel Biron is one of the most romantic spots in the city. Tucked away on a side street of Hayes Vally bordering on the Deco Ghetto, Hotel Biron makes you feel like you are drinking wine in a beautiful cave with other beautiful people who somehow got stuck in this same beautiful cave (what?!).

Anyway, it’s really great. Their wine list is extensive, with yummy reds for most budgets. The cheese plate is AWESOME! And the rotating art installations are always perfectly suited to the space and fairly avante garde.
The space is also well-suited to meeting people, so it also makes a great place to go on the 14th if you’re celebrating your singledom.

EDGY If you can’t make it to Amsterdam to the Museum of Sex (which, quite honestly, sucks anyway), the Museum of Broken Hearts might be your next best bet.

This traveling installation showcases objects from unsuccessful relationships that are laden with meaning and memories.

Items showcased are donated, so bring along those old movie ticket stubs and that ball gag that you just can’t bear to look at anymore.

BEAT-DRIVEN Get down and get sweaty with Nothing But Love at the Mighty.

These DJs are serious, and Mighty has unarguably the best sound system in the Bay, read: a great place to get funky, not hold a deep conversation about your last girlfriend.