A Single Girls' Guide to Valentine's Day in Huntington Beach

For a morning energy boost, have some fun in the sun shredding the pier with your own gear; taking a surf lesson with 17th Street Board Shop, Banzai Surf School, Surf City Adventure Tours, or Toes on the Nose; cruising the beach path on a bike; or a good old fashioned and free group stroll along the Ocean Strand, sand, and pier. If you prefer something a little less fast-paced, strengthen, lengthen, and reconnect with a class at CorePower Yoga. 

Image: @_jasszzzz

Now it's time to refuel. Before seriously indulging later in the day, revitalize with a fresh-squeezed juice, like The Buzz from Nekter Juice Bar, or opt for one of their smoothies or acai bowls. If it's acai bowls you're specifically after, there's no better place than Banzai Bowls. Should you require a bit more sustenance, Jan's Health Bar will cure a rumbling belly with healthy breakfast treats from bowls to smoothies to avocado toast.

If you're celebrating on the Saturday before Valentine's Day and your girl gang votes to skip the early morning wake up and workout (because sometimes we just need to catch up on our beauty sleep), SOCIAL is hosting a Galentine's Brunch on February 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. First mimosa is on the house! Click here to book your table. 

Next up on the list: pampering. Main St. Day Spa is a convenient one stop shop for facial, nail, massage, and wax treatments. Perks include customized scrubs as well as happy hour and monthly specials. Once you're feeling and looking more like your fine self again, head over to Meleesa The Salon and let the talented staff twist your mane into a woven work of art at the braid bar.

Another way to spoil yourself is at the Pacific Waters Spa at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa, just a short walk from Main Street. The $35 Day Spa pass grants you access to many of the spa's lavish amenities without emptying your wallet. Relax in the sauna and steam room, private whirlpools, and outdoor relaxation areas, or skip the aforementioned exercise options and take an aerobics class here. Then, wash it all off under waterfall showers and prepare for the second phase of the day in the locker room, complete with personal lockers.

Drift, a Waterfront Spa at The Waterfront Beach Resort boasts a modern marine ambiance and 8,000-square-foot interior, appointed with an exquisite relaxation area, luxurious hot tubs, a Himalayan salt stone sauna, eucalyptus-infused steam room, and more!  Full day spa access sans treatments is $50. 

Exclusive Valentine's Day treatments include:

• Jasmine Tuberose and Rosé Massage
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Roses and Rosé Facial
• XOXO Mani & Pedi Package

Book your treatments here!

Paséa Hotel & Spa's Aarna Spa has been named among Spas of America's Top 100 Spas for the third consecutive year. The beautifully designed 5,800-square-foot space houses eight treatment rooms, a relaxation room and private spa garden, eucalyptus steam room, sauna, and saltwater whirlpool. Treatments include 50- or 100-minute massages and facials, an essential oils wrap, and more. A full day spa access pass, including a spa goodie bag, is $75. Click here to schedule your appointments.

If you're celebrating with your gal pals on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night in February (or actual Valentine's Day), book a private firepit cabana at Paséa Hotel & Spa. Thursdays feature romantic movies on the big screen, while Fridays and Saturdays are sure to be a party with the help of a live DJ. Cabanas are available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Reserve yours here!
$250 per cabana. Pricing includes a bottle of champagne and reserved firepit cabana.

Stop in at HavenMD with your bestie and get 10% off both of your Platinum Hydrafacials! This tranquil getaway in Downtown Huntington Beach will help relax and refresh the mind, body, and soul. 

Of course, no ladies adventure would be complete without a little window browsing, which you've surely already been doing up, down, and around Downtown throughout the day. The best spot for vintage threads, accessories, and overall style inspiration is 1 Look Vintage. Carve out at least a half hour to comb the curated clothing collection and riff through their ever-changing vinyl selection. Other retail boutiques housing trendy collections include Stitch & Feather in Pacific City and Model Citizen in Downtown. For the surfer chic, you can't go wrong at Huntington Surf & Sport and Jack's Surfboards, both of which often roll out fabulous sidewalk sales.

Surely you've worked up an appetite again, and there's one spot in the neighborhood that has the perfect remedy: Main Street Wine Company. Grab a seat on their outdoor patio, order flights, cheese plates, and chocolates to your heart's content, and take it all in. If it's an ocean view you're after, you can't beat Sandy's for cocktails and shareable bites. Happy hour starts at 3:30 p.m. 

A Downtown base where the group can retreat, refresh, and revamp would be ideal if you skipped the spa, and once you're ready to roll, do so on over to Pacific Hideaway at Kimpton Shorebreak Resort and relax on the outdoor patio. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on February 11-14, Pacific Hideaway is serving up a special Valentine's Day menu. Call (714) 965-4448 or email info@pacifichideawayhb.com to make your reservations!

There are a multitude of Valentine's-exclusive options at The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel.

• Enjoy a 4-course, pre-fixe dinner at Henry's Uncorked from February 12 through February 14. Reservations can be made based on availability. Dinner is $75 per person or $100 per person including a flight of wine. Call (714) 845-8000 to reserve. 
• Grab a basket from Boardwalk Restaurant for a 4-course, pre-fixe picnic dinner each night from February 12 through February 14. Enjoy on the Vista Lawn or the beach! Reserve your picnic here. 
• Lastly, on February 14, you can grab you and your besties a heart-shaped pizza at Hero Pizza. Learn more here. 

Beer babes, do not despair. Huntington Beach's craft beer scene flows strong, with five notable breweries pouring inventive brews every day of the week. Take your pick among Riip Beer Company, Beachwood Brewing, Four Sons Brewing, Golden Road Brewing, and Flashpoint Brewing Company. Hit up Four Sons for a variety of food truck options, grab dinner at one of the many eateries next to Riip, or dine-in at Golden Road.

Image: @ericadler

It may not be Taco Tuesday until the day after Valentine's Day, but if the gals are feeling like tacos and margaritas, Puesto in Bella Terra will hit the spot. This award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar serves up a fresh and contemporary take on authentic Mexican cuisine in a unique and upscale environment. If the gang isn't feeling like hitting the town after dinner, Century Theaters is the perfect place to kick your feet up and settle in for the night. 

Image: @kevinkaraoke

There's no better place to kick off your Sunday shoes than on Main Street, whether it be at 2nd Floor, Perq's, Hurricanes, or Sharkeez. Use your ears and hop around until you find the right tune.

If you and the gals want to rock and roll all night, Biergarten at Old World is offering buy one, get one free tickets to their Heart of Rock N' Roll show on Saturday, February 19!

If the Main Street or Old World vibes aren't calling your name, Old Crow and The Bungalow in Pacific City, Tanner's at Paséa Hotel & Spa, and Offshore 9 at The Waterfront Beach Resort are all well worth dropping into to finish off your fun-filled Galentine's Day celebration.