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There are still plenty of ways to celebrate Feb. 14 with your special someone!

First, let me start off by killing the myth that you have to go all-out and take your valentine on a super expensive date at a very fancy restaurant. 

We’re college kids — I get it, and I promise you your significant other will understand too. (And if they don’t, I think there are some things you guys should talk about.)

With that said, here is my list of things you can do to show your valentine some love this February:

A Simple Night In

Sure, it doesn’t sound all that special, but may I offer a few suggestions for staying on theme with all the love and joy of Valentine’s Day?

Food suggestions: 

And of course, you can also pair that with a Valentine’s Day or romance movie:

  • The Notebook (HBO Max)
  • Valentine’s Day (HBO Max)
  • To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix)
  • How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days (Pluto TV or Paramount+)
  • Love Rosie (Pluto TV or Paramount+)

A few more activities that you could do from home are play card or board games, cook dinner together, paint together, or bake a dessert!

Picnic Date Paired With a Nice Sunset

Although Azusa is a rather small city, there are plenty of nearby places to enjoy a nice picnic with your significant other. You can pick up any of the food suggestions listed above or meal prep your own dinner before taking it to a nice spot within 10 miles. Here are a few of my favorite places:

  • Type in “Colby Trail” on GPS and it will take you to a cul-de-sac on Lorraine street. Once you arrive, you can hike any of the short trails until you overlook many of Azusa’s neighboring cities. I recommend wearing shoes that are comfortable for walking, but I promise the nice views are less than half a mile from where you park at the cul-de-sac.
  • You could also drive up Glendora Mountain Road until you reach a spot where you are happy with the view! This is more of a dinner-in-the-car type of picnic, but if you have a larger seat you could do the picnic in the trunk.
  • You can also drive to or take a walk to Sierra Madre Park which is 1.5 miles away and has beautiful views that overlook Azusa.

Pro tip: Sunset is around 5:30 p.m. so plan accordingly.

One of Los Angeles’ Greatest Luxuries: the Beach!

If you are able to finish your classes by a decent time, you could also spend the evening at the Beach with your sweet Valentine. You could take your picnic West and watch the sunset from Laguna, Huntington, or Newport Beach. Although the commute could take a long time due to traffic, what’s more romantic than long walks on the beach? If you want to save money, try packing your own dinner instead of eating out at a restaurant!

Attend a Rooftop Movie Screening

After doing some research of my own, another great idea would be buying tickets for the Rooftop Cinema’s screening of “La La Land” on Valentine’s Day. The theater is located in the Arts District in Los Angeles. Tickets are less than $20 each and Students enjoy 10% off with voucher code: ArtsDistrictStudent2023 (Active Student ID or Student Schedule is required as proof at the venue). Be sure to book your tickets now as they’re selling quickly!

Fun Things to Do on Campus!

Don’t have a mode of transportation or would rather stay close to school? Here are a few more suggestions I have for you Azusa Pacific Students:

  • Watch the sunset from the top floor of Trinity
  • Set up a picnic on any of the lawns at school or in the Wynn Amphitheater
  • Enjoy a fancy meal at the Dining Hall
  • Lift weights together at the Weight Room (but only from 5-8 p.m.)

And last but not least:

Attend the Veteran’s Club Speed Dating Event!

In the Upper Turner Campus Center from 5-8 p.mThe Veterans Club will be presenting a two-part Valentine’s Day event, including a Cougar social and live mystery cohort event. Music and refreshments will be provided and prizes will be offered as well!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on how to enjoy Valentine’s Day on a budget. Tuesday night is what you make of it, so no matter what, make sure to have fun!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!