Love may be eternal, but Americans get only one holiday a year to celebrate it.
This year, WalletHub played Cupid by ranking 100 of the largest U.S. cities as places for celebrating Valentine's Day.
The website used 25 key metrics, ranging from florists per capita to forecasted precipitation to the cost of a three-course meal for two, to find the 10 most romantic and cost-effective cities for celebrating the holiday.
Below, in ascending order, are WalletHub’s top 10 best places to go for Valentine’s Day:
10. Los Angeles
This Valentine’s Day destination placed second in gift accessibility; 10 in activities; 47 in weather; and 72 in budget, for a total score of 66.37 points out of a possible 100.
9. Orlando, Fla.
Orlando, home to more than a dozen theme parks, including Walt Disney World, offers lovers a rollercoaster ride of romance. This city was second in both gift accessibility and activities; 55 in budget; and 47 in weather. Total score: 67.38 points.
8. Portland, Ore.
Enjoy Portland for its parks, bridges and bicycle paths, or indulge in its numerous microbreweries and coffeehouses. This eco-friendly Valentine’s Day destination placed fourth in activities; 11 in gift accessibility; 13 in budget; and 99 in weather. Total score: 67.50 points.
7. Scottsdale, Ariz.
With spa resorts galore and plenty of golf courses, the city placed first in budget; second in weather; 24 in gift accessibility; and 34 in activities. Total score: 67.66 points.
6. Seattle
You and your date will find plenty to do and time to be with each other in Seattle, a rugged romantic getaway on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest. The city placed third in budget; seventh in activities and gift accessibility; and 100 in weather. Total score: 69.16 points.
5. Honolulu
Honolulu is not just for honeymoons. Walk on white sand beaches, kiss beneath a copse of trees near a cascading waterfall or hold hands while snorkeling in the waters surrounding man-made Magic Island. This tropical destination placed fifth in gift accessibility; 13 in activities; 24 in budget; and 66 in weather. Total score: 69.45 points.
4. San Diego
Love is in the air at the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District in San Diego’s lively downtown neighborhood, where you and your special one can dine at restaurants offering a mix of global cuisines, then take in the show. This picturesque Valentine’s Day destination placed ninth in both budget and gift accessibility; 14 in activities; and 26 in weather. Total score: 72.08 points.
3. Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip is a non-stop adrenalin rush for a couple celebrating Valentine's Day, offering heart-stopping beauty and thrills. Visit the soaring, choreographed Fountains of Bellagio, or ride the High Roller observation wheel. This Valentine’s Day destination placed third in gift accessibility; sixth in activities; seventh in weather; and 38 in budget. Total score: 73.13 points.
2. New York City
Even if its not New Year’s Eve, two lovebirds can share a heartfelt smooch in New York’s Times Square, known as the Crossroads of World, then walk hand-in-hand through concrete canyons lined with steel skyscrapers. This Valentine’s Day destination placed first in both activities and gift accessibility; 62 in weather; and 65 in budget. Total score: 74.63 points.
1. San Francisco
Tour this colorful city in a cable car that climbs up and down its hills and dales. Get off at the posh Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, and take a tour of the Cable Car Museum. Refined and romantic, this city placed second in activities; sixth in gift accessibility; eighth in budget; and 96 in weather forecast. Total score: 75.62 points.
The full report can be found here.
