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Five courses await at Greenfinch at Estancia La Jolla, whose dinner takes place on February 10 — for the lovebirds who want to set the standard for those who wait until the 14th to celebrate. For true decadence, Amaya at the elegant Fairmont Grand Del Mar takes the count to six courses, but there's more on offer than even an over- the-top meal. That evening, set the mood with an intimate performance by the San Diego Symphony in the hotel's Capella Salon, part of the 2023-2024 Masterworks Series. Two exclusive stay offers, the "Symphony Serenity Suite Package" and the "Love is in the Air Grand Romance Package," provide additional opportunities to elevate this Valentine's Day to legendary status. Just ten days later, we go from a day devoted to love to a sport where "love" means zero when professional women's tennis returns on February 24 with the 2024 Cymbiotika San Diego Open. Hosted at Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma, the weeklong WTA 500 tournament will attract some of the best players on the pro tour to vie for nearly $1 million in prize money. Play will include a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw, with qualifying matches taking place opening weekend before main draw play begins on February 26 and concludes on March 3. San Diego Open finals have previously sold out and have featured past champions including four-time Grand Slam-winner Iga Swiatek in 2022 and last year's winner in both singles and doubles (with partner Katerina Siniakova), Barbora Krejcikova. Timing is ideal for players to make this part of a West Coast swing toward Indian Wells and the BNP Paribas Open, the spectacular tournament dubbed "The Fifth Major" that begins first round action on March 6. What's Next Though our winters are admittedly mild compared to what much of the country endures, it's about this time of year that we find ourselves daydreaming about when we can head back out into the sunshine and shake loose a layer or two. One of the most iconic harbingers of spring here is the return of The Flower Fields, which open March 1. Themed "Spring into Color," it will of course feature the stunning, vibrantly colorful bands of ranunculus, The American Flag of Flowers, tractor "wagon" rides, and sweet pea maze that are time-honored staples of this 60-year Carlsbad tradition. A packed activity calendar also includes the popular outdoor music series, with performances by Swingergy, The Derringers, Bill Magee, SoRockBlu, Bayou Brothers, Cool Rush, and Michele Lundeen, plus a sunset wine tasting, flower crown workshops, and Tea in the Garden as well as meditation, sound healing, and yoga classes. The adorable Lakehouse Resort in San Marcos has just the ticket if it's a little outdoor indulgence you seek: its third annual Food & Wine Festival takes place on March 3 from 12 to 5pm. Quickly becoming a favorite day on our calendars, the event features everything we love about this lakeside celebration: unlimited tastings from some of the county's best restaurants, breweries, and wineries set to live music — this year from local musician and American Idol Season 20 alum Perry O'Neal — and of course voting for the day's standouts according to your own tastebuds. Additionally, guests will have access to the Brandt Beef Experience, where five chefs will prepare Brandt Beef items paired with local spirits, plus a butcher case display and a beef tallow candle-making station. Make it fancy with a VIP ticket, which includes early entry to the festival plus a luxury cruise to an island in the middle of Lake San Marcos for more, exclusive tastings. Perhaps the truest sign that spring is imminent? Our San Diego Padres make their 2024 regular season debut with their home opener on March 28 against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. DEANNA MURPHY LAKEHOUSE RESORT FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL: PHOTO COURTESY OF LAKEHOUSE RESORT CYMBIOTIKA SAN DIEGO OPEN: PHOTO COURTESY OF CYMBIOTIKA SAN DIEGO OPEN The Flower Fields Lakehouse Resort Food & Wine Festival Iga Swiatek RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2024 45