The month of February brings out the best in the San Francisco Bay Area--wonderful inns and hotels, marvelous restaurants, natural wonders, fun shopping areas, great music, and exciting community events. In the heart of Jack London Square in Oakland, the Waterfront Plaza Hotel offers a "Valentine Special" that encourages you to spoil yourself and your special someone with a luxurious getaway. Many rooms in the 144-room waterfront hotel have fireplaces to cozy up in front of and balconies for watching spectacular sunsets. Any night of the three nights of Valentine’s weekend enjoy a special package that includes a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for you when you check into your room. Later, feast on a special three-course dinner at Jack’s Bistro with a complementary glass of champagne while enjoying the nightly jazz of the piano bar.

The romance continues in the morning with a continental breakfast in bed or excellent baked goods at Jack’s Bistro. Next door to the Waterfront, the Oakland Ferry can whisk you and your love to San Francisco to enjoy the Chinese New Year’s Parade and all the sights the City has to offer. Waterfront Plaza Hotel, 10 Washington Street, Oakland, California 94607 (510) 386-3800 www.waterfrontplaza.com.s

Romantic dining in February or any month of the year. Originally, a barge converted and spared no expense to become a floating home in the '70s, anchored out along the Sausalito channel where it was seen by television viewers as part of Robin Leech's 'Lives of the Rich and Famous.' It now includes a sandy beach, 40 palm trees, a waterfall, and a lighthouse. With a fireplace below that radiates a sense of elegance, it offers one of the world’s most romantic dining experiences. Diners are greeted by the gracious and enthusiastic manager, Pierre, or by Forbes Thor Kiddoo, the designer and builder of the island. Pierre calls this a special shelter from the day-to-day for area residents. Guests may choose to sit below sea level in the romantic Victorian-era room complete with turn-of-the-century nautical antiques and fireplace or imagine themselves on a magical island as they dine in a thatched Tahitian dining room.