SeeCalifornia.com

Photos: Famous cupids include French Cupid Among Roses, or Love the Sentinel (1775) by Jean-Honore Fragonard from The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino; Mickey and Minnie Mouse get a little Goofy on Valentine’s Day at Disneyland where heart cookies and pastries, special dinners and gifts abound.

Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark moment, blown out of proportion by the retail industry to sell gifts, flowers, cards and presents, some say. Enough people feel that way in California that you’ll find pub crawls, comedy shows and dances to the tune of “Stupid Cupid” or “Cupid is Stupid.” Either way it adds up to fun–minus commitment.

Singles Valentine’s Day

1. HOLLYWOOD Anti-Valentine’s Day Pub Crawl, 4 clubs in one night. No lines, no cover. $15, see eventbrite.com
2. SAN DIEGO Cupid is Stupid Valentine Comedy Crack Ups hosted by Bethany Dwyer of MTV’s Disaster Date and Masters of Sex on Showtime at McFadden’s. $25, see goldstar.com
3. BASS LAKE Cupid is Stupid SAD (Singles Awareness Day) and party at Ducey’s Bar and Grill, Feb. 15, 2014

Even if you’re in a relationship, there’s no guarantee that Valentine’s Day will make you happy. You still won’t have that perfect job, there will be laundry to do, bills to pay and maybe someone to take care of–even a spouse. Many couples won’t give or get gifts, either.

No gift & no excuse on Valentine’s Day:

1. I am nice to you every day and that’s my gift.
2. You got that new refrigerator you wanted, remember?
3. You and I get whatever we want so we really don’t need to waste money buying presents.