A Valentine’s Gift Guide for Every Kind of Love

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and this edit brings together beauty, fashion and lifestyle finds for every mood. From kiss ready lips and hair care that helps repair real life damage to cozy sets for staying in and even a wellness retreat that turns the holiday into a lasting memory, these are gifts that feel thoughtful without trying too hard. 

R0AM’s Custom Cuddle Night Faux Nubuck Slippers are plush, monogrammable and made for cozy nights at home, with the bonus of being durable enough for quick steps outside. Priced at $190 on the R0AM website, they are the kind of personal gift that feels indulgent but still practical. Nothing says close quite like slipping into something made just for you.

State of Gratitude’s Intention Wrap is handwoven with nearly 1,000 glass seed beads and designed to carry a personal intention such as love, grounding or gratitude. Each waterproof wrap ranges from $46 to $184 on the State of Gratitude website and works for him or her. It is a meaningful gift that feels personal without being over the top, and an easy, everyday reminder of how much someone is appreciated.

For those looking to turn Valentine’s Day into an experience, the State of Gratitude wellness retreat at ZEL Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, running from Feb. 26 to March 1, 2026, offers yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing and time to truly unplug. Packages range from $1,100 to $2,500 through the State of Gratitude website. The best gifts are experiences, and this one is about shared time and a true reset.

The Petal Fresh Hair ResQ Breakage Repair Collection is a complete damage repair system that includes shampoo, conditioner, a leave in spray, a thermal shield spray and a hair mask, all designed to strengthen hair, reduce breakage and bring back softness and shine. The full set is $63.95 on the Petal Fresh website and makes a smart self care gift for anyone ready for healthier hair, whether coming out of a breakup or simply done dealing with breakage.

Petal Fresh Skin ResQ Hello Hydration Multi Peptide Lip Treatment is a Korean made formula powered by a 3 percent multi peptide complex with nourishing shea butter and a smooth, non greasy finish. At $10.99 on the Petal Fresh website and Amazon, it works as a daily balm or an overnight lip mask. Think soft, hydrated lips that look great and feel even better, which makes this a small gift with big payoff.

State of Gratitude’s unisex French terry sweatshirt and sweatpant set is made with Better Cotton Initiative approved cotton and comes in calming neutrals that work well beyond the season. Each piece is $79 on the State of Gratitude website, and together they make an easy, elevated lounge look. It is perfect for couples who love a low key matching moment or for anyone who is tired of having their favorite sweats quietly borrowed.

Valentine’s Dining at South Coast Plaza

Valentine’s Day lands on a weekend this year, and South Coast Plaza’s restaurants are leaning all the way in. From luxe tasting menus to classic steakhouse celebrations and Michelin-starred splurges, these are some of the standout dining experiences to book for February 13 and 14.

Terrace by Mix Mix

Valentine’s Dinner Menu
Friday and Saturday, February 13 to 14

Chef Ross Pangilinan presents a refined four-course menu for Valentine’s weekend, balancing indulgence with thoughtful technique.

The evening begins with first-course snacks including salmon tartare with caviar, tuna and tomato tart, lobster and uni chawanmushi, and wagyu beef with purple potato croquette. A heart-shaped soft egg raviolo with parmesan and truffle brown butter follows.

For the main course, guests enjoy a surf-and-turf pairing of American wagyu beef with yuzu kosho bearnaise and miso-glazed seabass, served with twice-baked potato, crème fraîche, caviar, asparagus cream, and oyster mushrooms.

Dessert features a duo of tropical panna cotta and chocolate chip sticky toffee pudding.

$125 per person. Beverages, tax, and gratuity not included. Vegetarian option available by request. Menu subject to change.

Populaire Modern Bistro

Valentine’s Day Dinner
Friday and Saturday, February 13 to 14
Reservations from 5 to 9 p.m.

Chef Nicholas Weber offers a five-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings, combining classic technique with playful touches.

Courses include ahi tuna sashimi with yuzu dashi, lobster salad with truffle vinaigrette, ocean trout with koji crème fraîche and caviar, and filet mignon with wild mushrooms, Robuchon potatoes, and cognac peppercorn sauce. Dessert is a coffee profiterole with chocolate crémeux.

Menu $125. Wine pairing $45. Beverages, tax, and gratuity not included.

Water Grill

Valentine’s Dinner Experience
Friday and Saturday, February 13 to 14

Water Grill offers a four-course menu with multiple choices at each course and optional wine pairings.

Starters range from chilled jumbo shrimp and oyster samplers to scallop crudo and jumbo lump crab cake. Entrée options include live local spiny lobster, New Zealand king salmon, Chilean sea bass, American wagyu ribeye, or classic surf and turf. Desserts include maple cheesecake, chocolate espresso ganache cake, and caramel bread pudding.

Four-course menu $135 per person. Optional wine pairing $50. Beverages, tax, and gratuity not included.

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Morton’s Valentine’s Dinner Menu
February 6 to 15

Morton’s offers a dinner-for-two centered around a 28-ounce bone-in Empire Cut New York strip paired with twin petite lobster tails.

The menu includes a shared starter, choice of two butters or sauces, optional sides, and a dessert to share. A specialty cocktail, Love Takes Flight, features 1800 Cristalino, Chambord, pineapple, and lime.

$179 per couple. Dine-in only. Beverages, tax, and gratuity not included. Optional dinner complement available February 13 and 14.

Knife Pleat

Valentine’s Dinner Menu
Friday and Saturday, February 13 to 14

For a truly special occasion, Knife Pleat offers a Valentine’s weekend tasting menu from Chef Tony Esnault. The Michelin-starred experience features caviar, black truffle risotto, wagyu and Maine lobster, and an elegant progression of desserts, including the signature Ispahan.

Limited seating available. Optional wine pairings offered. Afternoon tea is available on February 14, along with Valentine’s macarons for takeaway.

$350 per person, excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity. A 23 percent service charge applies.

More Valentine’s Dining Around South Coast Plaza

AnQi Bistro
Asian fusion cuisine, dramatic interiors, and inventive cocktails. Lunch and dinner service.

Antonello Ristorante
A romantic Italian classic with more than four decades of hospitality. Dinner only.

The Capital Grille
Prime steaks, premium seafood, and polished service. Lunch and dinner service.

Hamamori Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Chef James Hamamori’s refined sushi and Japanese specialties. Lunch and dinner service.

Outpost Kitchen
A relaxed Australian-inspired spot known for organic, locally sourced dishes. Ideal for Valentine’s weekend brunch. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Vaca
Chef Amar Santana’s modern Spanish menu featuring tapas, paellas, and wood-grilled steaks. Dinner only.

Hands-On Science Takes Center Stage in 2026

Discovery Cube Orange County is rolling out a full slate of interactive exhibits and events for 2026, giving families across Southern California plenty of reasons to plan a visit. From outer space adventures to playful problem-solving rooted in STEM, the Santa Ana campus will host a year of hands-on experiences designed to spark curiosity and keep young minds engaged.

Alongside the new exhibits, Discovery Cube will debut its Lunch Lab food venue this spring. The family-friendly dining space will feature fresh options and interactive touches that tie science and learning into mealtime, extending the Cube’s mission beyond the exhibit floor.

Here is a look at what is kicking off the year in Orange County:

Solar System Encounter through Feb. 22
This immersive exhibit invites visitors beyond Earth’s atmosphere to explore the wonders of the solar system. Families can build and race Lego space vehicles, learn about volcanic activity on Mars, and take part in Impact Events that support the local community.

Cubebotics, every weekend in February
Sponsored by Southern California Edison and U.S. Bank, Cubebotics introduces kids to robotics through hands-on coding, building, and problem-solving challenges. Participants can design and program robots while seeing new technology in action, all in an engaging setting that makes STEM learning approachable and fun.

Discovery Cube Orange County is located at 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Hours are Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.