Oh my god, Valentine’s Day again?  For some, it is a day to show your significant other how much you love them and appreciate the time you have spent together, but for others it’s a reminder that they are painfully single. Instead of spending your money on dozens of red roses and endless packages of See’s Candies, use the holiday as an opportunity to spend a day with the one you love. 

For teenagers in Marin, coming up with an original romantic idea can be a challenge. Most people think of the basics:

1. Take your valentine to Marin Headlands.
2. Surprise your significant other with roses and a stuffed bear that reads, “I love you.”
3. Reenact your first date.
4. Go to a semi-nice place for dinner, like Cheesecake Factory.

But the best way to show your love is to make it clear that you put thought and effort into whatever it is you end up doing. Obviously this is easier said than done, but here are a few ideas to get you started. These ideas are ranked based on price, time and creativity. 

FOR ADVENTUROUS COUPLES 

Located in Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden is a somewhat popular tourist destination that is not often talked about in Marin, but can be a perfect laid back date. You and your date can enter the garden with a $9 fee and explore the beautiful ponds, bridges, paths and gardens for hours. There are several benches that line the pathways so you can relax and enjoy your time talking with your significant other, reflecting on the time you have spent together. In addition, there are several unique structures and statues that are representative of Japanese culture—in other words, a perfect photo opportunity to capture the memories of Valentine’s Day. If you get hungry or thirsty, the tea house has many varieties of tea and Japanese snacks. 

FOR COUPLES WANTING A SECLUDED DESTINATION 

If you and your lover are adventurous and enjoy taking in a view that isn’t as public and crowded as the Marin Headlands, one private destination to watch the sunset is a remote lookout that many people refer to as “Top of the World.” Located in the hills of Corte Madera near Stefano’s Pizza, a secluded lookout awaits. If you happen to drive a car with a big trunk, you are in luck because you can set up blankets and chow down on the Stefano’s Pizza you purchased on your way up. The drive is on a narrow and winding road so be sure to drive up before the sun sets because it gets very dark. 

This date is also cheap; all you need to pay for is the optional picnic and the gas it takes for your car to get up there. 

FOR ARTSY COUPLES

Gather your sharpest colored pencils or watercolor paints and toss them in a backpack along with some snacks. Head up to Phoenix Lake in Ross. There are a few trails off the main one that lead down to the lake, where you can lounge on benches or sit on rocks. The lake’s terrible cell service will give you and your partner some time to unplug and spend quality time doing something you both enjoy. Take in the view and get inspired. The lake offers so many views, including one of the top of Mount Baldy, that it will be hard to decide on one thing to illustrate. You may think the reflection of the clouds in the water is the view, but on Valentine’s Day, the view is sitting right next to you. 

FOR COUPLES OVER 48 INCHES

This option is on the expensive side but is a guaranteed fun experience. About a 50-minute drive away in Rohnert Park is Driven Raceway. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, you may need a place that is open late and Driven Raceway closes at 11 p.m. In addition to indoor go-karting, there is a big arcade and glow in the dark mini golf! The racetrack costs about $25 per person and mini golf is $6 for a nine-hole game. 

Regardless of where you decide to take the one you love on this special day, the most important thing is that they know how much you care for them. No matter how many roses you buy them, expressing your feelings is the most important part of a relationship. Take advantage of Valentine’s Day and tell your special someone how much they mean to you.