A study at UCSD's School of Medicine found that an incentive to increase patient risk scores could lead Medicare to overpay Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by roughly $200 billion over the next ten years.

MA plans, paid by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), are insurance plans offered by a private company contracting with Medicare to provide benefits, said university officials.

The problem is they provide more benefits when they enroll a patient expected to use a large volume of medical services and less when plans enroll low risk patients.

For example, spending is expected to be greater for an 85-year-old than for a 65-year-old, and greater for a patient with heart disease or diabetes, said university officials.

Because of the way patient risk scores are diagnosed, MA plans offer strong incentives to find and report as many diagnoses as possible, according to the study. This incentive that pushes for more diagnoses is called "coding intensity."

"Congress and CMS have the opportunity to establish a payment system that will protect taxpayers from the strategies used by MA plans to increase the payments they receive," said Richard Kronick, PhD, principal investigator and professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at UCSD School of Medicine, in a statement.

Researchers said these incentives are not present in fee-for-service (FFS) patients. At present there is no evidence that MA enrollees have gotten sicker in regards to FFS beneficiaries, said university officials.

However, if this payment method continues Medicare could overpay the MA plans by $200 billion, emphasized the study.

"The projected $200 billion in over payments over the next ten years is stunningly large in absolute dollar terms. To provide some perspective, federal support for community health centers is approximately $5 billion per year," said Kronick.

“The problem could be largely solved if CMS adjusted for coding intensity using the principle that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are no healthier and no sicker than demographically similar fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries,” said Kronick.

CMS can adjust payments to MA plans to combat "coding intensity" and other efforts at increasing risk scores, said university officials.

"I hope these findings foster a discussion of how to best measure and adjust for differential coding between Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service Medicare," said Kronick.

Most of the big transportation projects you see around San Diego, like new trolley lines and freeway expansions, are done by the San Diego Association of Governments.

SANDAG is a sort of United Nations of local governments since its board is composed of local leaders from around the county.

In 2004, San Diego County voters approved a half-cent sales tax increase that would be used by SANDAG to preserve open space and build major transportation projects for the next 40 years. It was supposed to raise $14 billion.

So far, however, the tax is raising less money than SANDAG said it would, and now the agency admits it won’t raise close to the $14 billion promised.

On this week's San Diego Explained, Voice of San Diego's Andrew Keatts and NBC 7 San Diego's Monica Dean shed light on how SANDAG's money shortage could affect the many transportation projects promised to voters who approved the 2004 sales tax hike.

Severe jaundice, a condition that causes a baby's skin to temporarily turn yellow, can be prevented, according to a study published by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

The study was released on Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers identified a protein that inhibits an enzyme from breaking down buildup of the molecule bilirubin—which causes jaundice in newborns. They said a method to block that protein could provide a therapeutic approach to preventing and treating the condition.

"This is the first report that describes the molecular processes that dictate the onset and control of the most medically worrisome form of jaundice in newborns, a condition known as severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia," said study co-author Robert Tukey, PhD.

Tukey, a professor of pharmacology at UCSD School of Medicine, added that the study will help researchers find drugs or dietary therapeutics to combat jaundice.

According to the study, high levels of bilirubin in a newborn's brain can cause seizures, encephalopathy, life-long brain damage, and in some cases, even death.

Ordering flowers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. 

In the digital age, ordering a bouquet for that special someone has never been easier, but with the large variety of vendors and options available, what are you receiving and how does it compare to the photo or description given online? 

NBC 7 Responds along with NBC consumer reporters across the country got to work to find out what you need to know before you submit buy flowers online. 

The plan was to pick a flower delivery vendor, place an order and compare what was delivered to what was advertised on the vendor’s website. 

NBC 7 Responds in San Diego ordered a Valentine’s Day bouquet through the company 1-800 Flowers and sent the flowers to Alina Machado, a producer at the NBC station in Miami. 

Alina sent flowers to us using the same website. We each used a budget of $50. 

NBC 7 Responds ordered the “Hydrangea in Mosaic Planter.” Alina ordered the "Passion for Purple Roses.” 

Both orders were delivered on the day promised. 

Our flowers arrived in a box and at first, we found it surprising that we had to put the arrangement together ourselves. NBC 7 Responds went back and checked the website and found the specific bouquet ordered was clearly labeled as “Shipped in a Gift Box.” 

We didn’t see this at first so, it’s definitely something to check for when ordering flowers online. 

A representative from 1-800 Flowers told NBC 7 Responds that customers should always make sure the order they choose is being delivered the way they imagined them to be. 

Once we added water and plant food to the vase, we arranged the flowers and compared them to the photo online. The vase the roses came in looks identical to the vase online. The roses arrived as buds but after a couple of days, the buds opened up nicely to full roses. 

As for the flowers we had sent Miami, Alina had to unpack and assemble her arrangement just like ours. After adding some water and arranging, the flowers looked very similar to what the photo showed online. 

Yanique Woodall, a spokesperson for 1-800 Flowers, sent us the following statement in an email, “At 1-800-Flowers.com, we are very focused on our #1 product, our customer experience. Our caring team is obsessed with world class service and we are committed to delivering smiles for our customers.” 

Our NBC stations in Los Angeles and Hartford, Connecticut placed their orders through ProFlowers. Los Angeles said the flowers they received were the same type they ordered but when they arrived, some of the flowers appeared to be wilted and brown. One arrived as a flowerless stem. Connecticut's bouquet from ProFlowers arrived with some broken stems but bloomed within 24 hours. Both orders were delivered on-time. 

NBC stations in Los Angeles and Hartford, Connecticut reached out to ProFlowers for a statement regarding this story. This story will be updated with that statement once it is received.

Our NBC stations in Dallas and New York went with FTD Flowers Online. New York received their order and noted a few wilted leaves but with some arranging and a day to bloom, the bouquet looked just like the online photo. Dallas received their order and noted there appeared to be fewer flowers and more greenery than what was pictured on the website. 

NBC stations in Dallas and New York reached out to FTD Flowers Online for a statement. This story will be updated once it is received.

A suspect caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage by striking an ATM at Chase Bank early Sunday, using a stolen forklift in Vista, according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department (SDSO).

At about 5 a.m. the man stole a forklift from a nearby construction site and drove to the Chase Bank at East Vista Way, said an SDSO detective. The suspect appears to have attempted to remove the entire ATM.

When deputies came by to check the area, they found the ATM smashed by the forklift with significant damage.

There have been no arrests made in this case, according to the SDSO. It was unknown how much the forklift will cost to replace.

The SDSO has contacted Chase Bank for security footage of the crime. No further information was immediately available.

An Escondido man pleaded not guilty on Monday in connection with the death of his mother.

David McGee, 25, was booked on a first-degree murder charge last week. He is accused of killing his mother and then trying to hurt himself, according to the Escondido Police Department.

McGee's mother, 55-year-old Rebecca Apodaca was found dead on Feb. 1 inside a home on North Hickory Street, between E Washington Avenue and Valley Parkway.

According to investigators, her injuries were described to be consistent with a homicide.

McGee's bail was set at $2 million and he is set to appear in court again on Feb. 28.

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Construction on the Mid-Coast Trolley extension will prompt road closures along Genesee Avenue and along Interstate 5, according to SANDAG.

Crews will remove trees and shrubs from the Caltrans right-of-way next to the southbound lanes of the I-5, stretching from the La Jolla Village Drive off-ramp to the Nobel Drive off-ramp on the west side of the freeway, according to SANDAG.

Temporary closures will affect the west side of southbound I-5 for the next two months. Vegetation will be replanted once the construction is complete, SANDAG officials said.

Road closures will also take place from Friday, Feb. 10 through Monday, Feb. 13, impacting Genesee Avenue from Regents Road to La Jolla Drive. While the roads are closed, crews will work on sewage and water systems, said SANDAG officials.

There will also be closures on Genesee Avenue from La Jolla Village Drive to Eastgate Mall, as crews work to demolish the pedestrian bridge at Executive Square and Genesee Avenue. 

Crews will replace the bridge with a new Executive Drive Trolley station, said SANDAG officials. A crossing signal will be placed on the roadway in lieu of the pedestrian bridge.

The exact date has not yet been determined but it will be on a weekend in February or early March, according to SANDAG.

Once completed, the Mid-Coast Trolley will extend service from Old Town to the University City area. Construction for the trolley extension began in 2016 but the line is expected to be in service by 2021.

A rescue effort was underway for two boats in the water in Del Mar Monday evening, North Comm Fire Department confirmed.

The report was made at approximately 6:32 p.m. on N Torrey Pines and Carmel Valley roads. 

Fire officials said lifeguards and firefighters were responding to the call.

The two boats were approximately 300 yards offshore.

No other information was available.

Check back later for updates on this breaking news story.

Old explosive charges are potentially scattered all over a San Diego neighborhood, according to letters the Department of Defense (DOD) sent to residents in Clairemont.

In the 1930s - 1940s, the military used Rosedale Field as a test bomb site, with spotting charges used to help pilots improve their accuracy.

The DOD letters warned that old explosive charges buried in the ground pose a safety hazard and could be anywhere in the area. Due to funding, it may be a while before the department is able to come out and inspect.

"I was livid," Janet Lancaster, a resident who received the letter last week, told NBC 7. 

"I think it's irresponsible to drop this kind of news on people and not have a remedy," she said.

Lancaster has lived in her Clairemont house since 1992 and says this is the first time she’s ever heard of anything like this in her neighborhood.

In regards to the old explosives, the Army Corps of Engineers said that although these munitions are dangerous there has only ever been one incident of a resident finding one.

The Army Corps ranks hazardous situations like this on a scale of one to eight, with one being the most urgent. Clairemont is currently about a three or four.

When the town council reached out to Congressman Scott Peters, his office said it was a regular duty to inform Clairemont residents about the potential hazards of living on a former military site, however low those risks may be.

He also stated he would reach out to the Army Corps of Engineers for further clarification.

Meanwhile, Lancaster and the residents still have a lot of questions.

A vehicle collision sheared a traffic signal on the northbound Interstate 15 onramp near Friars road Monday evening, confirmed San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD).

Fire-Rescue officials received a 9-1-1 call that reported a woman was unconscious at the scene of the crash. The crash happened at about 7:44 p.m.

When they arrived they found a damaged traffic signal, that was significantly smashed and unstable, according to the SDFD.

The victim was taken to the Sharp Memorial Hospital. The extent of her injuries were not yet known.

San Diego police were at the area to redirect traffic, and Caltrans was en route to the scene, said SDFD officials.

No further information was immediately available. Check back on this page for breaking updates.

Andy Puzder, the fast-food restaurant chief executive nominated to be labor secretary, hired an undocumented household employee, NBC News confirmed Monday night.

Puzder didn't keep this to himeself though and notified the Trump administration that he once had an employee who did not have legal status in the U.S.

"I was unaware that [our housekeeper] was not legally permitted to work in the U.S. When I learned of her status, we immediately ended her employment and offered her assistance in getting legal status. We have fully paid back taxes to the IRS and the State of California and submitted all required paperwork regarding her employment," Puzder said in a statement released by the White House.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, said he believes this part of Puzder's past shouldn't disqualify him from joining the president's cabinet. However, hiring undocumented workers has derailed previous Cabinet nominees, including President Bill Clinton's attorney general nominee Kimba Wood.

The U.S. Army Airstrikes that were not reported were carried out in the Middle East by attack helicopters and drones, according to an investigation by the Military Times.

The publication reports that 456 air strikes alone went unreported in 2016 and there is potential that this data has been incomplete since the war on terrorism began in 2001.

The Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy however did report the number of airstrikes.

NBC 7 spoke with several military sources who told us there could be a variety of reasons that the Army may have not tracked the information. One reason is that the Army considers certain helicopters as transportation.

Retired LTC David Gapp served as Chief of the Master Air Attack Planning at the Combined Air Operations Center in Cutter in the mid 2000’s. Part of his job was to help support the Army on the ground by helping to coordinate support from the air from the Air Force.

“It's flabbergasting to me that now 16 years later, with two wars in Southwest Asia, we don't have anybody in the army that thought this would be valuable information," Gapp said.

Americans want to know if and why people are killed and what was the risk involved in an operation.

LTC Gapp, who is also active in Veterans for Peace said the public has a right to know the costs of war. He said he knows the loss first-hand.

“My father was killed flying in Vietnam so I know the cost of war personally," he said. "Every one of these strikes whether they cause casualties on behalf of American side or casualties on behalf of innocent civilians.”

There is also the financial cost, he added.

“As a taxpayer, as a retired military, I want to see that we are using resources properly, that they're being accounted for and that the commanders are able to justify these expenditures," he told NBC 7.

Gapp said there is the need to use the information to make decisions about future operations and troops safety. He added that this information should be out there somewhere in combat crew data and squadron pilot logs.

“It's out there somewhere, whether will see you or not to add to the 13,000 airstrikes for 2016. Time will tell," he said.

Family and friends are mourning the death of a 36-year old Oceanside man killed after he was thrown from his motorcycle in a crash on Thursday.

Jeremiah Ledesma died on Thursday evening from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Medical Examiner’s report.

He was heading southbound on El Camino Real, just south of Fire Mountain Road when he collided into a car that made a U-turn in front of him. Ledesma crashed into the passenger side of the car and was thrown from his motorcycle.

Oceanside police said he was taken to a local hospital but later died from his injuries.

According to friend Anthony Cartagena, Ledesma served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a loving father and husband.

"We didn't serve together, we just knew each other. Part of the same motorcycle club—that's how we met and bonded,” Cartagena said.

He said Ledesdma was a lifetime member of the Real Riders MC in San Diego.

The motorcycle club has planned a memorial run for him, starting at 3760 Misson Avenue at 12 p.m. and ending at the Eternal Hills Mortuary on S El Camino Real where Ledesma’s memorial service will be held.

A local student was one of the witnesses to a man's deadly fall in Rolando.

Around 3 a.m. on Saturday, 25-year-old Untyuan Smith fell four stories from him apartment on the 4600 block of 63rd Street, according to the San Diego Police Department(SDPD.

The student, who told NBC 7 he only wanted to be identified as Max, said he heard a loud thud and then saw the man lying on the ground in front of him. 

NBC 7 learned on Monday that the apartment building, Boulevard 63, is home to many college students. Several residents said there are often parties late into the night and early morning.

Witnesses said such was the case inside Smith's apartment when he fell to his death from the fourth floor balcony.

"It was a pretty gruesome sight definitely, running up to it,” Max told NBC 7.

Max said he heard the loud thud as he returned home just after 3 a.m. and found Smith unconscious on the ground. He added that Smith landed head first.

Police said they believe the death to be suspicious.

Cristian Alearez, lives next door to Smith and said he had heard Smith and his roommates fighting earlier in the week. 

"There was some shouting and screaming going on from this apartment,” Alearez said.

“We heard a loud fight from the apartment between some of the people. There is obviously some tension,” Max said.

Both neighbors said Smith was not alone in his apartment at the time of his death.

"That particular night, there was noises going on just like any college setting," Alearez said.

Smith's 23-year-old roommate, Ahmed Parr was arrested on outstanding misdemeanor warrants and 24-year-old Brady Cronin was arrested on a felony probation warrant.

"It concerns me about the people living right next to you and what they may be up to with you having no clue what's going on,” Alearez said.

Both were booked into county jail but not on charges connected with Smith's death, police confirmed.

City leaders and residents gathered at a meeting in City Hall Monday night to discuss redevelopment plans to polish up the Imperial Beach Pier.

For many residents, it has been a place full of memories.

“I surfed there and life-guarded there, so I have a long history at the pier," said Mayor Serge Dedina. 

During the meeting, Scott Jordan, one of the architects who helped redesign North Embarcadero, presented residents with several examples of piers that were redeveloped in cities across the world.

Some plans gave visitors a more open view of the ocean while others had space maximizing fishing rod holders. One even had an option for a zipline.

“It would bring people back and generate money," Jordan said.

Julie Anstedt was among the Imperial Beach residents at the meeting. She said she's a fan of a raised seating platform for her Stroller Strides workouts.

“I’m seeing it from a fitness angle. Getting my quads and biceps going so we can deal with our crazy children," Anstedt said.

But she added that for safety reason, she also preferred former councilman Jim King's idea of an improved restaurant area.

“If it’s left open underneath, it would be a place for people to rest. That way no one can get behind the building, an area where some things that are going on probably shouldn't happen,” she said.

Residents were asked to write down their own ideas on cards. All of the renderings and ideas will be presented to the Port of San Diego in about three months.

President Donald Trump, at a press conference during his visit to CENTCOM on Monday, claimed the media "doesn't want to report" on terrorist attacks involving Islamic radicals, but gave no examples of stories that went uncovered. The White House then provided a list of 78 attacks from September 2014 to December 2016 that officials claimed got short shrift from the news media.

A review of the archives revealed NBC News covered 57 of the attacks on the list. Those 57 attacks resulted in the deaths of 745 people — including the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015, which killed 130 people and resulted in hundreds of stories.

The 21 attacks NBC News did not cover were smaller incidents in places like Egypt, Bosnia or Bangladesh, and the suspects were described only as "unidentified" or "unidentified ISIL" operatives.

Also on the White House list was another terrorist attack that was covered widely by both the U.S. and foreign media — the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, which killed 14 people. NBC News' archives have at least 162 stories that mentioned the suspects. 

Former President Barack Obama's vacation appears to be going swimmingly.

He's been spending time in the British Virgin Islands with billionaire Richard Branson, who posted video Tuesday morning showing the pair trying out new water sports and seeing who could go farther in the clear, blue water.

Obama tried his hand at kitesurfing, while Branson, the founder of the Virgin business empire and an extreme sports enthusiast, was on a foilboard.

"Barack and I both fell many times, but we kept trying again and again and made progress over the days," Branson wrote in a blog post. "We were neck and neck until the last run on the last day, when I got up on the foilboard and screamed along for over 50 metres, three feet above the water. I was feeling very pleased with myself, only to look over and see Barack go 100 metres on his kiteboard! I had to doff my cap to him and celebrate his victory."

It's one of the first glimpses of Obama's life after the presidency. In the last days of his second term, Obama talked about needing to take his family on vacation before he could focus on his next job.

"Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we’ll get back to work," he tweeted shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Obama has left the island of Necker, where the "friendly challenge" took place, according to Branson, who added that he's looking to beat Obama next time but isn't bitter about losing the first round.

"After all he has done for the world, I couldn’t begrudge him his well-deserved win," Branson wrote.

Local baby food upstart Once Upon a Farm has raised $3.1 million in a Series A round, paving the way for the company’s expansion into new regions.

The round was led by Cambridge Companies SPG, an investment fund based in Newport Beach. The round also included Seed 2 Growth Fund and Harbinger Ventures.

The cash will be used to expand the company’s product into more stores, according to CEO and co-founder Ari Raz. The new rollout will include shelf space at Whole Foods stores in the Southern Pacific and Southwest regions, along with a rollout in Fairway Market, Hy-Vee and Kroger grocery chains. The baby food is also sold through the company’s e-commerce and subscription program online.

“This investment will also allow us to augment our skilled and hard-working team with world-class talent,” Raz said in an email.

Once Upon a Farm, founded in 2015, makes baby food that appeals to many health-conscious families. The company’s baby food products are organic, cold-pressured and non-GMO.

“Mothers are increasingly recognizing the growing refrigerated baby food category, and Once Upon a Farm is paving the way to becoming a leader in the space,” Raz said.

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Going out to dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day is always nice, but how about planning something a little different for your sweetheart this year? From indoor skydiving and cruising on the San Diego Bay to a quiet, thoughtful museum tour or tasty pairings class, here’s guide to planning a memorable, unique Valentine’s Day outing.

Pre-Valentine's Day:

Indoor Skydiving
iFLY
iFly, the new(ish) indoor skydiving facility in Mission Valley, invites couples to take their love to new heights with the “Sweetheart Deal for Two” – a special offer available now through Valentine’s Day. The package includes four flights shared by two people (two per person), plus a personal flight certificate and two video clips for around $129.95. Use the promo code VDAY17 online to get the offer. If you go after Valentine’s Day, you’ll pay $20 for the package, normally dubbed “Spread Your Wings for Two.”

Hard Cider & Sweetheart Chocolates
Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m., Sweet Petite Confections
A perfect pre-dinner treat, take your better half to this one-hour class at Sweet Petite Confections where you will learn the art of pairing hard ciders from Julian Ciderworks (made with apples grown in Julian) with chocolates. The 21+ class is $30 per person; make reservations by calling (858) 688-0210 or via email at hello@sweetpetiteconfections.com.

Cupid’s Cleanup
Feb. 11 at 10 a.m., Bay City Brewing Co.
Show your love for San Diego by joining this “Cupid’s Cleanup” hosted by I Love a Clean San Diego, in which volunteers will join forces to remove litter and debris from the neighborhood surrounding Bay City Brewing Co. Afterwards, grab your sweetheart and head to the brewery for a cold beer; volunteers will get 50 percent off their tab. Bay City Brewing Co. also plans to host a Hawaiian food truck Ilnlyfoods on-site, so you can grab lunch, too.

Sweetheart Sail
Feb. 11 & Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m., San Salvador at San Diego Maritime Museum
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones by setting sail on San Diego Bay aboard the Maritime Museum’s historic replica ship, San Salvador. The Sweetheart Sail is a scenic, three-hour adventure that will focus on the bay, marine wildlife and local attractions. Those on board will enjoy the sights, plus champagne, treats and a special souvenir. Check-in and boarding is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; the ship returns at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $70 for adults and $48 for children ages 3 to 12. Kids 2 and under get in free with a paying adult. The San Salvador, by the way, is a replica galleon that arrived at the port on Sept. 28, 1542, under the helm of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo.

Make Sweets With Your Sweetheart Class
Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m., Sweet Petite Confections
This two-and-a-half hour class led by chocolatier Michelle Lomelin will teach students how to make sweet treats. Participants will fill chocolate molds with champagne caramel and serrano chili ganache, to name a couple of flavors, and will use ingredients like raspberries, strawberries and candied bacon to personalize their own chocolate bark. Each student will leave with about 1.5 pounds of chocolate. The class is $40 per person – or per parent-child team, in case you want to treat your kiddo to this sweet activity. Reservations are required; call (858) 688-0210.

Art Laboe’s Valentine’s Super Love Jam
Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Valley View Casino Center
Boogie with your babe at the Magic 92.5FM concert, Art Laboe’s Valentine’s Day Love Jam. The show features this long lineup of old school acts: S.O.S. Band; Ready for the World; Blue Magic; Debra & Ronnie Laws; The Floaters; One Way; Force MD’s; The Deele; Timmy T. Tickets start at $36.50 per person.

Coronado Valentine’s Day Run
Feb. 12 at 7 a.m., Tidelands Park
Lace up those running shoes and hit the pavement with your significant other at the 7th annual Coronado Valentine’s Day Run. You can run one mile, a 5K or 10K, then hang around for a post-race party.

Yoga + Beer
Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Second Chance Beer Company
Open up your mind – and heart – with a little Sunday morning yoga and beer session at Second Chance Beer Company (15378 Avenue of Science, #222). Bring your mat and your partner and, after you work up a sweat, enjoy a craft beer. The class is for yogis of all levels.

Chocolate & Craft Beer: Valentine’s Delight
Feb. 12 at 2 p.m., Dos Desperados Brewery
Dos Desperados Brewery in San Marcos is teaming up with So Rich! Chocolates of Vista for this Valentine’s Delight event where patrons can sample six chocolates strategically paired with a brew. Experts from both fields will be there, walking patrons through each pairing and dropping knowledge on the arts of both chocolate-making and brewing. This two-hour class costs $20 per person.

Bubbles, Chocolate & Cheese
Feb. 12 at 6 p.m., Venissimo Cheese
Snack your way through the tastiest trinity – cheese, chocolate and champagne – with this romantic pairing class on Feb. 12 at Venissimo Cheese at The Headquarters at Seaport. Couples will learn which sweet treats and fabulous fromages pair best with bubbly in a cute, intimate setting. This class is $60 per person; make reservations ahead of time, as space is limited.

On Valentine's Day:

Hornblower San Diego Cruises
Feb. 14 (times vary), Navy Float
Enjoy breathtaking views of San Diego Bay and marine wildlife aboard a Hornblower cruise on Valentine’s Day – all departing from the Navy Float at 970 N. Harbor Dr. You have several options on Feb. 14: the Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure ($41 per person) – a 3.5-hour excursion with professional live narration on marine life from expert captains and whalers from the San Diego Natural History Museum, which departs at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There’s also the one or two-hour Harbor Cruise & Sea Lion Adventure ($25 and $30 per person, respectively), which both depart at 10 a.m. Hornblower is also offering a couple of Valentine’s Day dinner cruises that evening. In all cases, it’s best to make reservations ahead of time.

Beer My Valentine
Feb. 14 at 3 p.m., North Park Beer Co.
If you and your other half love craft beer, this event might make you swoon. On Valentine’s Day, North Park Beer Co. (NPBC) will serve a special $15 flight of brews that fit the holiday: AleSmith’s My Bloody Valentine; Abnormal Beer Co.’s Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Stout; NPBC’s new stout brewed with chocolate, coffee and oats. Mastiff Kitchen will serve a special prix-fixe menu this night too: $16 for pork nugs, charbroiled oysters and beer-battered artichoke hearts.

San Diego Museum of Art Tour & Picnic
Feb. 14 tours begin at 5:30 p.m., The San Diego Museum of Art & Balboa Park
File this under charming: The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park will offer after-hour tours on Valentine’s Day for lovebirds who love the arts, followed by a romantic picnic. After strolling around the museum, couples will visit the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden at the Panama 66 restaurant where they will be given a picnic basket filled with everything needed to two: gourmet sandwiches, a cheese or vegan plate, chocolate truffles and a bottle of champagne, wine or craft beer. The museum tours are every half-hour: 5:30 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 6:30 p.m.; 7 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the all-inclusive tour and picnic package are priced at $110 per couple, or $95 per couple for members of the museum.

Outdoor Movie: ‘Bonnie & Clyde’
Feb. 14 at 6 p.m., The Headquarters at Seaport
Grab a chair, a blanket and that special someone and head to the courtyard at The Headquarters at Seaport on Valentine’s night for this outdoor screening of the 1967 love and crime classic, “Bonnie & Clyde.” Admission is free; you can pick up snacks at one of the many vendors at The Headquarters before the flick, too, if you’d like.

Yoga On Tap
Feb. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mission Brewery
Get centered with your sweetheart at this brews & balance event organized by the fitness app, Lymber, and Mission Brewery. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Valetine’s Day, the brewery will host a free hip-hop yoga class which will, of course, be followed by some craft brews on tap. The event is free; you can snag your spot for the event via the Lymber app.

Valentine’s Day Craft Beers
Feb. 14, Your House
As the Capital of Craft, beer enthusiasts can find lots of Valentine’s Day-themed brews in San Diego. Pop open a bottle and enjoy some suds with your sweetheart in the comfort of your home. Some selections include Stone Brewing’s "Enjoy By 02.14.17," a double IPA with rich, hoppy, chocolate and coffee flavors, and Abnormal Beer Co.’s "Hugs and Kisses," a chocolate strawberry imperial stout.

Take a Hike
Feb. 14 (or any day, really), all over San Diego County
Put on some comfy gear, fill your daypack with water and snacks and connect with nature and your partner on a nice, scenic hike on one of San Diego’s many trails. Try Cowles Mountain in the East County or Iron Mountain Trail off Poway Road and SR-67, or head to the seaside trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve or Sunset Cliffs. There’s sure to be some great conversation as you make your way through the paths. The San Diego Hiker’s Association has great information about how to access local trails and what to expect on your chosen adventure.