Valentine's Day Suggestions

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And if these howling Santa Ana winds don’t blow all that love out to Catalina Island, there will be lots of hearts and cupids swirling around the canyon and beaches of Malibu.

Maybe Elwood Blues said it best in the introduction to Everybody Needs Somebody to Love: “People, when you do find that special somebody, you gotta hold that man, that woman! Love him, please him, squeeze her, please her! Signify your feelings with every gentle caress because it’s so important to have that special somebody to hold, to kiss, to miss, to squeeze and please!"

An excellent idea, well spoken Elwood. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Malibu is providing places—both luxurious and free—for all that good emotion to go. Here are five suggestions. 

: This has been mentioned other places at Malibu Patch, but it’s such a cool (cold?) idea. So here it is again: Friday night, the Harry Barovsky Memorial Youth Commission is offering a free showing ($5 suggested donation) of the classic '80s romantic comedy Sixteen Candles, starring Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald. The movie will be screened outside at at 5:30 p.m. Prior to that, there will be some public safety events sponsored by A Safer PCH. Bring a chair and warm clothes. Food, drinks and ASPCH merchandise will be offered for sale.

Take a romantic stroll: In the 1960s, Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy were known to take romantic strolls along Carbon Beach from the Malibu Pier. Of course if they did that now, they would attract swarms of paparazzi. But that was then, this is now. You can retrace their steps—if you don’t think it’s bad luck. There are many other romantic places to stroll for some quiet time with someone special. might be a little public, but the daisies are nice. Park along Corral Beach, and go as far east or west as you like it.

Brunch and dinner at Geoffrey’s: And speaking of presidents and movie stars, according to the Internet, the Restaurant Currently Known as Geoffrey’s was called Holiday House in the 1960s. It's where Marilyn and JFK began their affair. Geoffrey’s is having a special Valentine’s Day brunch for $58 per person and a special Valentine’s Day dinner for $98. Chef Bijan Shokatfard is showing the love in many splendored ways. Check out the menus by clicking here, and then quickly call them to make a reservation, because it’s going to be popular (and for people not familiar with Malibu, the restaurant is pronounced jaw-frees, and no you don’t have to drive a $75,000 car to eat there; and the Escondido beach access just to the west of Geoffrey’s is a good place for an avant or après meal stroll).

: Let’s say you take a looooooong Valentine’s Day stroll, either a half mile east from the bluff at Point Dume Headlands or a mile west from the beach access at Geoffrey’s. That will get you to Paradise Cove. They’re having a Valentine’s Day special that is so special, there is a Facebook page dedicated to it! They are offering Malibu’s finest wine from the along with Godiva chocolate baked Alaska.

: Let’s say you do the Corral Beach stroll and head west. You might want to (carefully) cross PCH, and take advantage of the bar at BeauRivage. Night or day, entering BeauRivage and turning a droit is like stepping into a cozy, romantic spot on the French or Spanish Mediterranean. The French onion soup is sinfully good, and eating it a deux will make the other customers blush. Or if you are really hungry, BeauRivage is offering full-course Valentine’s Day dinners beginning at $85 and going up to $100 per person for combination filet mignon and lobster medallion (aka Reef and Beef).

Want to suggest a list for future editions of Malibu Patch Picks? Send your ideas to jonathan.friedman@patch.com.