Romance is in the Air, But Where?

It’s Valentine’s Day Sunday, and there is one time-honored way to tell if love is in the air: number crunching.

OpenTable.com and Travel + Leisure analyzed their data and polled their readers to come up with the most romantic destinations in the nation. If you’re scrambling to put together a last minute date that impresses, Patch has you covered. Whether it be an entire city that sets the scene or a single restaurant that serves up romance, California features prominently on both publications’ list of most romantic destinations.

Three California cities ranked among Travel + Leisure’s most romantic cities in the nation.

If you live in or near San Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles, you’re in luck.

San Francisco came in as the third most romantic city in the nation for its romantic fog, spectacular views, restaurants and Golden Gate Park. But readers liked its wine offering the best, ranking the city best in the nation for wine.

San Diego wasn’t far behind at the number five. Readers love San Diego for its sunny beaches, attractive locals, and cocktails and restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Los Angeles also made the list at number 13. Travel + Leisure readers admire LA’s attractive locals, beaches, museums and nightlife. For nighttime views, the magazine recommends Perch Los Angeles’ rooftop bistro that “overlooks downtown L.A. from its 15th-floor patio.”

OpenTable.com’s “100 Most Romantic Restaurants list honors the seductive spots at which couples are creating connections and savoring delicious memories. The list of honorees is based on an analysis of more than five million reviews of 20,000+ restaurants across the country – all submitted by verified diners,” according to the website.

OpenTable.com’s Most Romantic Restaurants in California are:

• Addison at The Grand Del Mar - Contemporary French, San Diego
• Ambience - Contemporary American, Los Altos
• The Cellar - French, Fullerton
• Chez Loma - French, Coronado
• El Encanto Dining Room - Contemporary American, Santa Barbara
• Erna’s Elderberry House - European, Oakhurst
• Europa - Continental, Palm Springs
• Il Cielo Gardens Restaurant & Bar - Italian, Beverly Hills
• The Little Door - French, Los Angeles
• Salvatore’s Cucina Italiana - Italian, San Diego
• Shadowbrook Restaurant Capitola - America, Capitola
• Sir Winston’s Aboard The Queen Mary - Contemporary American, Long Beach
• The Sky Room - Contemporary French / American, Long Beach
• Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch - Contemporary American, Santa Barbara
• Studio at Montage Laguna Beach - Contemporary French, Laguna Beach