Santa Clarita is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. With abundant natural beauty and trails galore just waiting to be explored and award winning restaurants, you’ll fall in love all over again after just a couple of days in the city.
Day One
Santa Clarita is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. With abundant natural beauty and trails galore just waiting to be explored and award winning restaurants, you’ll fall in love all over again after just a couple of days in the city.
Arrive the night before so you are well rested and ready to kickstart your day! Pick a trail and set out to explore. Pack your backpack filled with picnic goodies so when you find the perfect spot you can stop and enjoy the views while you refuel.
Continue your relaxing day with a couple’s massage at The Ivy Day Spa. Choose from a gentle Swedish, a more concentrated Stress Reliever, or a completely custom massage that will target the areas most important to you. Other spa treatments such as facials, manicures and salon services are available as well. After being pampered at the Ivy, you’ll leave refreshed and ready for a romantic night out.
Have dinner at one of Santa Clarita’s oldest and most revered restaurants, Le Chene. This French restaurant is part of Santa Clarita’s history itself. The owners bought it when it was The Oaks, a café that was popular in the 1940’s with the Beverly Hills Motorcycle Club and other celebrities, including Gregory Peck, Hopalong Cassidy and Clark Gable. Today, it’s an impressive country inn known for its weddings, parties, and special occasions. The outside of Le Chene has the look of a small castle, made of river rock. Once you open the door the rock motif continues through the entrance then opens to a large bar overlooking the garden and an open patio shaded by oak trees. With an impeccable wine cellar that any wine lover would appreciate and stunning reviews of its gourmet menu, Le Chene will delight your taste buds from start to finish.
Cap off your night with a performance at the MAIN in Downtown Newhall. The venue features award winning plays, musicals, improv, or live music. No matter which weekend you visit, your Southern California travel adventure will be thoroughly entertaining. If you find yourself in Old Town Newhall, you’ll be spoiled for choice thanks to Santa Clarita’s growing boutique winery and brewery scene. Choose between Newhall Press Room, Double Trouble Wine Room, Brewery Draconum and Pulchella Winery or grab a glass from each!
Day Two
Begin your day at one of the best restaurants in Southern California, Marston’s. Voted one of the Ten Best Brunches by Open Table, Marston’s has brought its original Pasadena charm and New York Times’ featured menu and replicated them perfectly in Valencia. The full bar allows you to add a Mimosa or Bloody Mary to your meal for that extra kick start to your day of adventure! Whether you’re in the mood for eggs and spicy Andouille sausage, or corn-flake dipped French toast, this special Santa Clarita restaurant will be sure to impress.
After a hearty breakfast head east and visit the 932-acre Vasquez Rocks located in the high desert near Agua Dulce Springs. Featuring spectacular rock formations, Tataviam Indian sites, and a seasonal stream, the park is a popular hiking, picnicking, and equestrian area. You may recognize it too; Vasquez has been a popular filming location used as the setting for scenes in many movies, television shows and commercials. Remember to bring your camera as you can capture some amazing shots while climbing the impressive rock structures.
Next, head over to Agua Dulce Winery for some wine tasting and a tour. The Winery is L.A. County’s leading wine producer and has garnered multiple national wine awards. You’ll be impressed at their remarkable selection of Southern California wines. Spend the afternoon there and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the middle of wine country! Special events are planned every month but reservations for wine, cheese, and chocolate tastings are available every weekend. The wine shop has a wonderful variety of your favorite Southern California wines, from Chardonnay to Merlot, all available at excellent prices.
A hidden fine dining gem in Santa Clarita with a Sicilian emphasis is Piccola Trattoria, which offers an intimate, warm and inviting atmosphere with a menu that carries a variety of authentic Italian style dishes ranging from fresh seafood and game to homemade pasta and pizzas. It’s a good idea to secure your reservation in advance for this stop on your Southern California travel adventure. Feel free to brush up on your Italian while there as much of this family-run business speaks fluent Italian.
Looking for some date-night entertainment? A Santa Clarita nightlife favorite is Salt Creek Grille for post-dinner wine and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Each week, a musical guest delights the patrons with live music, ranging from Jazz to contemporary covers. With an epic wine and cocktail list and outdoor bar and fire pit, Salt Creek is a romantic way to end your night.
