Love & Sex

Best place to find just the right sexy lingerie—whether you’re a man or a woman
Macy’s
Various locations
You probably don’t think of a major department store when sexy, slinky undies come to mind, but you can find what you’re looking for and much more in either the women’s or men’s departments at Macy’s. Whether you want silk, wild patterns, loose-fitting, form-fitting or even flannel, you’ll find it here. You’ll score if you’re looking for something for her, him or yourself.

Best place to find just the right ring to get her (her him) to say “yes.”
Monk’s Place
1105 L St., (916) 443-5152
If you want something a little different, something designed just for the two of you, Monk’s Place is perfect. Like they say, “If we don’t make it, we don’t sell it.” Everything is made right there in their shop, and they specialize in fine goldsmithing. You figure since this is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, why not try something a little different?

Best place to find the music to rekindle your romance
The Beat
1700 J St., (916) 446-4402
If you’ve fallen into the same-old, same-old routine, spending too much time working and driving kids to soccer practice, stop by the Beat one evening on your way home from work and pick up a used copy of “your song.” Whether it’s the Beatles, the Captain and Tennille or Tony Bennett, they’ll have it, and you’ll score big points at home.

Best place to sip a chardonnay or a petite sirah or buy one to complete your romantic meal
Bogle Vineyards and Winery
37783 County Road 144, Clarksburg, (916) 744-1139
The Bogles have been farmers in California since the 1800s, but in 1968 Warren and Chris Bogle started in the wine business by planting 20 acres of wine grapes in Clarksburg. They now farm more than 1,000 acres of wine grapes in the Delta and produce some of the best wines in the state. Christopher Smith, who has worked for both Jordan and Kendall-Jackson, is the winemaker, and he creates some wines that will definitely be the topper to a romantic wine-tasting day or a romantic dinner.

Best place to find the ingredients for the perfect romantic picnic
Taylor’s Market
2900 Freeport Blvd., (916) 443-6881
This is the kind of place where you can find things you just can’t find somewhere else—wonderful cheeses, breads and breadsticks, delicious deli salads and cold cuts, sausages, wines, special sodas. There’s so much good food and drink here, you may not have time for the romance. And, the young men and women who work at Taylor’s are probably the nicest, most polite kids you’ll ever meet.

Best new place to hold your wedding or your reception
Julia Morgan House and Gardens
3731 T St., (916) 227-5527
Everyone who’s lived in Sacramento for a while has probably seen this house, originally owned by Charles Goethe, who died in 1966. The Goethe Mansion closed then, but now, thanks to private donors and California State University, Sacramento, who raised nearly $2 million to refurbish the 1923 structure, it’s back to its original glory. Although the house isn’t open to the public, it can be rented for weddings and other social gatherings.