Pack your suitcase for romance: Valentine's Day getaways
By Jessica Boyd
For Santa Clara couples, this year's Valentine's Day ought to be an extra special one. Not only does it fall on a Saturday, but that Saturday is right smack dab in the middle of a three-day weekend. It doesn't get much better than that.
California is such a beautiful state and although the Bay Area boasts some great weekend getaways, when you've got an entire three-day weekend ahead of you, it doesn't seem right to limit yourself to destinations in the Bay. One place that student couples might want to check out for a weekend getaway is Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara boasts an interesting array of things to do for you and your partner.
With temperatures ranging from the high 60s to low 70s, a beach day in Santa Barbara in the middle of February is never out of the question. Besides just the actual beach, Santa Barbara has a number of waterfront attractions that are sure to impress your significant other. There are whale-watching tours that leave daily from Santa Barbara's impressive wharf as well as tours of the Channel Islands. There is also a maritime museum and a number of five star restaurants, which serve seafood caught right from the Santa Barbara Channel. There are also trolley rides that tour the entire waterfront and downtown area.
As far as lodging is concerned, the sky is definitely the limit when it comes to finding a place in Santa Barbara. There are a plethora of options for student couples whether they are working with a limited budget or have unlimited resources. If you're looking to stay only one night, then a bed and breakfast is perfect for you. Bed and breakfasts in Santa Barbara range from $80 to $200 for package deals. If you're looking for something a little more commercial, then look no further than Santa Barbara's wide array of hotels and inns. Hotel prices in Santa Barbara range anywhere from $60 to $500 a night. Check out www.santabarbaraca.com or www.santabarbara.com for more information.
Another locale that would make a perfect weekend getaway for Valentine's Day is San Francisco. One can't say enough about the wide variety of things to do in San Francisco or the great places to stay, but one activity that you and your significant other might want to check out is a helicopter tour of the city. What could be better than cruising the Bay in a helicopter, catching breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate and Alcatraz? Helicopter tours range from $120 to $375 a person for a full day excursion, extended tour and dinner reservations. Reservations can be made online at www.sfhelicoptertours.com or by calling (800) 400-2404.
One last place that student couples should definitely check out for the weekend is Monterey. A day trip to Monterey is perfect for those student couples who want to get away from Santa Clara, but aren't looking to spend too much money or go too far away. Monterey is also a great place to go if you only want to take a day excursion. One great way to do this is to take a full day bus tour. There are a number of tours that explore the scenic beauty of the entire Bay Area, but a bus tour is a great way to get away for a day and see what the area has to offer. One day trip in particular that would appeal to student couples is the Carmel and Monterey trip with a free pass included to visit the amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium. The bus leaves from a designated hotel in San Francisco and the tour is approximately 10 hours. The total cost per person is $59 dollars, but you can save $7 if you make your reservations online. For more information visit www.alcatrazmedia.com.