TOP : COURTESY OF MERCADO LAGUNA ; BOTTOM SECTION , TOP ROW : SHARAEL KOLBERG ; BOTTOM LEFT : COURTESY OF FRENCH BUCKETS
with lunch or dinner at the resort ’ s elegant Harvest restaurant : The menu even includes some items made with ingredients grown in the half-acre , on-site garden .
“ While our rooms , spa and restaurant are phenomenal , the setting is what truly inspires romance ,” says Kurt Bjorkman , chief operating officer . “ Sitting at a fire pit looking out over our canyon , close to the one you love — or want to love — is a romantically inspirational environment .”
Bjorkman suggests ordering oysters on the half shell as an appetizer with the panseared scallops for a main dish paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blanc wine . For a night cap , enjoy a cocktail around the fire pits at The Porch , nearby on the property . Or , for a creative and cozy dessert idea , head across the street to Aliso Beach , where you can rent a fire pit through Lost Pier Cafe . S ’ mores packages including skewers are available for purchase as well . As the evening starts to get chilly , roast your marshmallows while snuggling up together for a romantic end to the evening . g Assemble a picnic spread with items from Mercado Laguna .
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SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE WITH THESE PERFECT GIFTS FROM LOCAL SHOPS .
Offering lingerie and loungewear in Laguna Beach since 1980 , I . C . London carries everything from comfortable undergarments and sexy sets to cute , cozy pajamas at every price point . For higher-end pieces , consider a luxurious LACE NIGHTGOWN by Arianne , $ 119 , paired with cover-ups like this SILK ROBE by Ginia , $ 298 , at I . C . London . ( 949-497-4254 ; instagram . com / iclondonlagunabeach )
La Rue du Chocolat has been serving fine homemade chocolates and candy creations on historic Peppertree Lane since the 1950s . Here , find some sweets for your sweetie , like this HEART-SHAPED BOX that ’ s made of chocolate and comes filled with chocolate-covered salted caramels , $ 24.50 , at La Rue du Chocolat . ( 949-494-2372 ; larueduchocolat . com )
At French Buckets , you ’ ll find fresh flower arrangements that feature local blooms whenever possible . Choose a floral gift with elegant , feminine and artistic flair , like this PASTEL ROSE GARDEN BOUQUET , from $ 115 , at French Buckets . ( 949- 759-0404 ; frenchbuckets . com )
Exquisitely designed , these sweet and subtle POESY BRACELETS by Monica Rich Kosann are made of 18-karat yellow or rose gold , featuring a chain and a bar set with gems ranging from sapphires to diamonds , rubies or emeralds and inscriptions from “ happiness ” to “ strength ” or “ carpe diem ” on the back — one without gems is engraved with “ I love you more ”— from $ 995 , at Fredric H . Rubel Jewelers . ( 949-494-3513 ; rubeljewelers . com )
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