Where to romance

Take a break from your busy schedule and spend some quality time with the one you love (or really, really like) on one of our top five dates.

The Getaway

Hot air ballooning
Take your date to higher heights at one of Napa Valley’s many hot air balloon facilities, rising to the clouds and gazing over miles and miles of trees, vineyards and mountaintops.

Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.
$115-230. (800) 253-2224 or (707) 944-0228;
napavalleyballoons.com

Napa Valley Drifters
$195. (877) 463-7438 or (707) 252-7210;
napavalleydrifters.com

Bonaventura Balloons
$145-225. (800) 359-6272;
bonaventuraballoons.com

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The Anniversary

Wine and dine by train
Classic romance meets its match with the Vista Dome Moonlight Escapade Dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy the moonlit scenery with domed windows on a three-hour journey through Napa and St. Helena. Sit down with a welcome glass of Champagne, a gourmet five-course dinner, and two glasses of the Wine Train’s custom label chardonnay, merlot or cabernet bottled by Raymond Cellars.

$149 per person. 1275 McKinstry St., Napa (707) 253-2111; winetrain.com.

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The Tandem

Kayak and commune with nature

Venture out on the Suisun Bay Marsh with that special someone. Embark toward Pierce Island or the protected channel of the Peytonia Slough, keeping your eyes peeled for beavers, otters, muskrats and wild birds in a sit-on-top ocean kayak. Look for Sunset Bay Kayaks’ special full moon, sunset, and naturalist paddle specialties beginning in April 2008.

$15 single, $20 each for tandem kayak. Reservations required. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 607 Main St., Suisun City; (707) 429-5925; sunsetbaykayaks.com.

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The Wild Side

Shooting gallery and range
Lock n’ load with your lover as you release your inhibitions with a booming kick from a weapon of minimum destruction. It can be quite the new experience if you’ve never fired a gun; if you already have, impress your spouse with your skills. If you’re ill-equipped, The Shooting Gallery, Inc. offers a range of rentals from a .22-caliber handgun to a .44 Magnum. Rent your own targets and unleash your aggression (in consideration of course … safety first!)

$10 per lane, plus $5 for each additional shooter, for two hours; $7 handgun rental. Including ammunition and targets, full day $40-45 (bring your own gun and ammo for a lower cost). Range hours: 10 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. 27 Commerce Place, Vacaville (707) 449-4867; shootinggalleryinc.com.

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The Physical Challenge

Indoor rock climbing
Strive to get to the top of one of Rocknasium’s 23 top rope climbs (or one of four auto-belays). Take a 45-minute belaying class with your partner for $10 and learn how to “hold the line,” making this one experience where you truly work as a team. Once you pay admission, climb for the rest of the day; with downtown Davis a block and a half away, you can leave for lunch, and climb back for more.

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $20 for a day pass ($12 pass plus $8 equipment rental). 720 Olive Drive, Suite Z, Davis (707) 757-2902; rocknasium.com.

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