What exactly makes a restaurant romantic? Dim lighting, a stunning view, or a luxurious setting? We’ve chosen a variety of romantic restaurants in Northern California -- from casual coastal to swanky city, and everything in between. No matter what your idea of romance is, we have some ideas for you to plan a special date!

1. Ledford House– Albion

This charming cliff-side restaurant has incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Located west of Highway 1 on the Mendocino Coast, Ledford House served California-Mediterranean cuisine in a casual setting. Menus change regularly based on what’s in season. The Ledford House is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30-8:30 p.m.

2. Nello’s Place– Redding

This old-school Italian restaurant is the perfect spot for a romantic date night. Nello’s Places makes classic Italian dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, veal scallopini, and cioppino. The restaurant opened in the 1980s and has been a long-time local favorite.

3. Humboldt Bay Bistro- Eureka

This unassuming restaurant serves California-French fusion cuisine. Located in a Victorian house turned restaurant, the dining room has large windows with views of the water. The menu includes oysters, escargot, clam chowder, French onion soup, and other California and French classics. The bistro is located in downtown Eureka.

4. Miller & Lux Restaurant– San Francisco

This classy steakhouse has a cool old-school vibe. The dim golden lighting makes it a great romantic dinner spot. This is a restaurant by Chef Tyler Florence. The menu has a raw bar selection, steaks, a few fish and pasta dishes, plus delicious-sounding sides like black truffle Parmesan fries and Yukon gold potato puree.

5. Spruce– San Francisco

This posh restaurant serves contemporary fare in a swanky setting. They serve handcrafted cocktails and gourmet meals for brunch, lunch, and dinner. It’s located in one of San Francisco’s nicest neighborhoods– a perfect place to take a long post-brunch walk.

6. Oswald Restaurant- Santa Cruz

This hip restaurant in downtown Santa Cruz has operated since 1995. They serve high-end meals like cassoulet, rib eye, and house-made potato gnocchi, plus a menu of "pub grub" that includes fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday through Saturday.

7. Chart House Restaurant- Monterey

The Chart House Restaurant is a beloved ocean-front restaurant that serves American classics in a luxurious setting. The warm wood walls and large windows with ocean views make this a great date spot. They have a wide selection of items on their menu including fresh fish specialties, pasta, and quality cuts of meat. Located in downtown Cannery Row, this restaurant is a romantic place to enjoy a special evening.

8. Patria– Salinas

This cozy restaurant serves a variety of European cuisine including lasagna, schnitzel, and charcuterie boards with wild boar salami. The sweet interior has exposed wood beams, warm ambient lighting, and comfortable bistro tables as well as booths.

9. Magellan’s Restaurant– Tracy

This traditional steakhouse has dim lighting and fantastic food– perfect for a romantic dinner. This fine dining restaurant opened in 2002 and serves steakhouse classics plus fine dining favorites such as braised short ribs, sea scallops, and Moscow duck. Reservations are recommended.

10. Zinfandel Grille- Sacramento

Zinfandel Grille serves craft cocktails and has a seasonal menu with farm-to-table ingredients. They’re famous for wood-fired oven pizzas, homemade pasta, and fresh seafood. The well-appointed restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. They’re open for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and Sunday Wine Down– for $45 on Sundays choose one drink, one salad, and one pasta dish.

11. Scusa Italian Ristorante– South Lake Tahoe

There’s nothing like some hearty Italian cuisine and good wine to complete a romantic trip to Lake Tahoe. Scusa serves a large selection of Italian dishes, plus desserts made in-house. Sit in the cozy dining room or on the heated outdoor patio. Scusa Italian Ristorante is open for dinner daily at 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

Some might say that long drives up the coast ending with a meal at a comfortable coastal restaurant would be the most romantic dining experience. Others might argue that a swanky night out at an upscale restaurant in the city is the way to go. What are your favorite romantic restaurants in Northern California?