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When was the last time you and your partner enjoyed a romantic night away? If you’re having to think pretty hard right now to come up with an answer – odds are, you’re long overdue! How about this: just for you, we’ll do the planning and upfront research for you, and create an itinerary you’re sure to enjoy, plus your drive will be short and you’ll be supporting Valley businesses. Sound good? Of course, it does! Pack your bags and I’ll talk you through the plan. (P.S. If you book this trip for your partner as a surprise, they will probably be super impressed, and really happy. Just saying. 😉)
Let’s start with your accommodations: You’re going to hop on 99 South to 198 East, and head on over just an hour out of town to stay at the beautiful, historic, and recently opened art deco hotel, The Darling, in Downtown Visalia, CA.
What is now The Darling, was once Visalia’s Courthouse Annex Building and left unutilized and dilapidated for years due to the cost required to bring it up to today’s building standards. However, recently, a group of local families banded together to purchase the building and with a lot of heart and the hard work of many experts who collaborated on the restoration – The Darling is now a stunner of a boutique hotel with 1930’s art deco charm throughout.
Before you book your room reservation, though, you’ll also want to check available reservations for the Elderwood Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, located on the top floor of The Darling. Your perfect getaway evening begins with cocktails and appetizers at the bar and is followed up by an expertly prepared dinner of buttery Scallop Risotto, a perfectly cooked Filet Mignon or if you’d prefer a vegetarian dish, the flavorful Coconut Curry Tofu over Basmati Rice.
After dinner, if you have room for more (big if, as portions are generous), order a dessert or a nightcap to share and enjoy poolside before retiring to your well-appointed and comfortable room. After a refreshing rest, you can greet the morning with gorgeous views of the city, or the Sierras (depending on which way your room faces) then get ready to head a half a mile down the street to local coffee roastery & café, Component Coffee Lab.
Savor a slow morning on the covered patio at Component while you enjoy a Sweet Latte and a house made pastry, breakfast burrito, salmon sando or avocado toast. Now, you’re ready to take on antique shopping in Downtown Visalia, a day hike in the nearby Sequoias, or simply head home to enjoy the rest of your day.
The Darling Hotel is located at 210 N. Court Street in Visalia, and you can make reservations online here.
For reservations at Elderwood, located on the top floor of The Darling, click here and for their current menu, click here. (They also serve breakfast!)
Component Coffee is located at 513 E. Center Street in Visalia, and their coffee is also served in Fresno at The Revue in the Tower District.