Best Date Night Ideas – San Diego
Updated Feb 07, 2024
PLANNING A ROMANTIC EVENING IN SAN DIEGO
There are so many fun and exciting things to do in San Diego all year long – you’ll never run out of date night ideas. Grabbing a drink may have been fine for the first date, but your next date calls for a more unique idea. Fortunately, San Diego is filled with fun and romantic things to do! From San Diego tours to a harbor cruise to the most romantic dinner spots in town, we’ve got you covered on all the best date night ideas in San Diego!
1) VISIT A WINERY
In San Diego County, you can meet actual winemakers at intimate boutique wineries, most of which have been built by the winemakers themselves. You can stroll with your date, through mountainside Zinfandel vines, or take a horseback ride to a Spanish Albariño at a lovely hacienda property, enjoy beautiful live music, charming artwork and Ruby Cabernet, or sit on a dog-friendly patio with a Petite Sirah.
There is something for all guests in San Diego wine country, whether you want to explore the urban wineries of downtown and coastal neighborhoods for a charming and authentic experience of wine-making and tasting, or get a more traditional wine tasting experience right in our backyard. Some of the top urban wineries we love are Carruth Cellars, Negociant Winery, Pali Wine Company, and Charlie & Echo
In addition to San Diego’s top-notch urban wineries, there are actually vineyards pretty close by in San Diego and Escondido you can take a romantic drive to. Some of the ones we highly recommend are Domaine Artefact, Espinoza Vineyards, Speckle Rock Vineyards, and Orfila Vineyards & Winery. Want more info on our fave wineries? Check out our blog of the best wineries in San Diego.
If you are interested in a more detailed tour of the wine options at any of the San Diego attractions, we can also take you on a curated tour perfect for a date night. Enjoy the coastal breeze by the La Jolla shores and admire the beauty of the La Jolla cove on a La Jolla Wine tour. Available food and drink walking tour experiences are available in La Jolla, Little Italy, as well as a private wine tour.
Indulge in a delectable walking food and drink tour of our favorite San Diego attractions and neighborhoods! Discover the Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, and Little Italy through our daily food tours featuring three stops for mouth-watering food and drink samples and a fourth stop for a sweet treat. Or experience our Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tour for a culinary adventure on Valentine’s day, with three stops for wine tastings paired with cheese and pasta. Book now for an unforgettable experience!
2) CATCH SOME LIVE MUSIC
Prohibition | Music Box | Dizzy’s | Santa Gula | Madame Bonnie’s Jazz Supper Club
Photo by Gaslamp.org
Prohibition
Looking for a unique date idea? For many tourists and locals, Prohibition Lounge & Liquor Bar in the Gaslamp Quarter goes unnoticed, and with its intentionally covert existence, it’s no wonder. The bar is both figuratively and literally underground, the entrance is made to favor the front door of a law office, and during the day, you wouldn’t even notice the door among the other shops and offices downtown.
However, at night, the doorman will escort you downstairs and through the hallway to one of the most happenin’ lounges in San Diego, where you can drink specialty cocktails, lounge on cute little couches, and listen or cut a rug to jazz, blues, and classic jams under romantic lighting. The cozy, cuddle-able feel of this speakeasy is one of the reasons why this makes for a great date.
Music Box
Whatever type of music you and your date enjoy, there’s likely a band playing at Music Box that will be music to your ears. From the R&B musical stylings of Eric Bellinger to the frontman of #Scandoval — Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, there’s an artist you’ll be enjoying musical quality time in the heart of Downtown San Diego! Check out their upcoming acts here!
Dizzy’s
There’s no pretension here — Dizzy’s is all about people enjoying an authentic live jazz music experience. The intimate lounge provides a mellow ambiance where you can enjoy live music from people who are part of the local jazz scene. This is more of an artist-driven collective than a bar, so you can rest assured you’ll be able to soak in the intimacy of live music to set the mood for your date night in San Diego. Visit their site to see the upcoming performances!
Santa Gula
Sip on craft cocktails and fine wines while sharing elevated savory and sweet eats at Santa Gula. The intimate and sophisticated setting provides the backdrop of an amazing evening in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. As you eat and drink, you’ll be able to enjoy live entertainment Wednesday to Saturday on their Live Duet and Classic Live Band Nights. If you want to keep the party going, stay for the DJ Thursday-Saturday from 11:15 to 2:00 a.m. Get more info on their website.
Mister A’s
Enjoy a cocktail with a panoramic view of the San Diego Harbor all the way to Coronado and pro live music at Mister A’s. You also have an overlooking view of downtown San Diego. If you’re making it an early date, you can do a Saturday Jazz Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with special guest performers. Check their site for more details on live music performances weekly.
Tour the Town with Us!
Or, leave the planning to us. Our Gaslamp food tour visits four restaurants where you’ll be able to enjoy a light meal and three drink samples while learning about the rich history of the Gaslamp Quarter.
3) HOP ABOARD A SUNSET SAIL OR HARBOR CRUISE
Triton Charters | Alana | Flagship Cruises | Maritime Museum of SD
Photo by Next Level Sailing, Schooner America
San Diego is one of the largest harbor towns in America, including sunsets that are some of the best in the world, which means that it’s not too difficult to find a boat departing around sunset on any given day of the week. This could be a great date idea with your special someone. Here are a few of our favorite companies that offer ways to tour the harbor and bay at golden hour:
Triton Charters: Take a 2.5 hour San Diego Bay cruise and glide past the USS Midway, the Coronado Bridge, and the world-renowned Star of India. Nothing beats the view of a sunset on the San Diego Bay.
Alana: Hop aboard Mission Bay’s newest and largest power catamaran for a 2 hour sightseeing cruise. Book your tickets at sunset for an extra romantic view.
Flagship Cruises: Explore all of San Diego Bay’s sights with their Full Bay Tour – book the last cruise of the day so you can take couple’s pics with a stunning golden hour background. You can also sip on cocktails on their champagne brunch cruise, or eat a meal with a sparkling bay view on a Harbor Dinner Cruise.
If you want to stay on land for this date night, you can also keep with the marine theme and visit the Maritime Museum of SD.
Looking for something different?
Private Tours
Learn how to cook!
Private Cooking Classes San Diego
There is always room for improvement when it comes to cooking.
- Sushi Cooking Class
- Pasta Making Class
- Mexican Cooking Class
Local Brews and Views
Carlsbad Food & Drink
Tour
Journey through time and space on our Carlsbad food tours. Enjoy notable San Diego cuisines.
- History on the move
- A pour de force
- A tour designed for you
Craft Breweries, Local Flavors!
San Diego Brewery
Tours
Tour San Diego on foot, and you’re sure to find a tasty brew in your hand!
- North Park Brewery Tour
- Ocean Beach Brewery Tour
- Little Italy Brewery Tour
The heart of Downtown San Diego
Balboa Park Walking
Tours
Immersive walking tour with insights into the park’s extensive history and architectural marvel.
Sip Around Town
san diego Urban Winery
Tour
Taste great wine from the best urban wineries in San Diego.
- Wine Production
- Taste Award Winning Wine
- Explore San Diego
4) CATCH A DRIVE-IN, DIVE-IN, OR ROOFTOP MOVIE
Drive-In Theaters | Rooftop Cinema Club | Pearl Hotel Dive-In Theater
Photo by Rooftop Cinema
In the age of Netflix, home theater systems, and recordable television, people rarely go to the drive-in movie for the audio/visuals. They go for the nostalgia and intimacy of it all. Little is more cozy and intimate than laughing, crying, and enjoying a movie in the privacy of your own car.
If audio/visuals are more your thing, opt for a movie atop a roof overlooking the city. Rooftop Cinema Club (pictured) maintain that “great films deserve great locations, and because outdoor cinema is about embracing the world around us, this makes for a great experience.”
This date is considerably more comfortable than a car because they use comfy deck chairs with adjustable seat heights and plenty of legroom. In fact, they have recently added Rooftop Love Seats with enough room for two people to snuggle on the rooftop.
If you’re wishing that it was still summer, or haven’t retired your swimsuit yet, The Pearl Hotel Wednesday Dive-In is the perfect San Diego date idea on this list. You can watch a movie from inside the outdoor pool which makes for a very unique date. This month, the movies include Elf, Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and (of course) Die Hard. After, grab your date and track down the best ice cream in San Diego.
5) PICNIC AT BALBOA PARK
December Nights | Balboa Park | The Prado
Balboa Park may be one of the most romantic places in San Diego. The park itself stretches over 1200 acres of land and there are many quiet spots inside the park where you can enjoy a picnic without distraction.
Or, if you prefer to leave the cooking up to someone else, you can check out one of the many delicious eateries in Balboa Park — Panama 66, Artifact, The Tea House at the Japanese Friendship Garden, and Cafe at the Park. If you want an unforgettable nighttime experience, visit the San Diego Natural History Museum on the third Wednesday of the month for Nat at Night, and enjoy a meal at their rooftop restaurant who has partnered with Wolf in the Woods.
If having a picnic is not the activity for you, there are so many other things you and your date can enjoy at the park. There is the San Diego Museum of Man, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the San Diego Museum of Art – just to name a few. Balboa Park also has a Japanese Friendship Garden where you and your honey can take in the beautiful sights of flowers, stone arrangements and koi ponds.
6) ENJOY SOME LIVE THEATER
Broadway SD Theaters | The Old Globe | Copley Symphony Hall | La Jolla Playhouse | San Diego Musical Theatre | Lamb’s Theatre
Enjoy a trip to the theater with your artsy boo. San Diego’s live theater scene is a vibrant tapestry of culture and artistry, offering an array of experiences for theater enthusiasts.
Broadway SD Theaters, a prominent player in this domain, showcases a variety of Broadway hits at venues like the San Diego Civic Theatre, This season, Broadway SD’s lineup includes captivating shows like “Chicago”, “MJ The Musical”, and “Disney’s Aladdin.”
The Old Globe, another iconic San Diego theater, is renowned for its Shakespearean productions and contemporary plays, contributing significantly to the rich theatrical heritage of the city.
Copley Symphony Hall or Rady’s the Shell, primarily known for its musical performances, also occasionally hosts theatrical productions, blending the grandeur of orchestral music with the dramatic flair of theater.
La Jolla Playhouse often stages groundbreaking new works and has a reputation for sending shows to Broadway. Their commitment to new voices and stories makes each visit a unique adventure.
San Diego Musical Theatre is a nonprofit organization that offers a more local flavor, giving audiences a taste of Broadway-style productions closer to home. Known for their high-quality renditions of classic musicals, they ensure a Broadway-like experience within the community.
Lastly, Lamb’s Theatre, with its intimate setting, specializes in producing thought-provoking plays and musicals, offering a more personal and engaging theater experience.
Each of these venues contributes uniquely to San Diego’s live theater tapestry, and set the stage for a lovely date night!
7) TAKE A SUNSET (OR SUNRISE) BEACH HIKE
Torrey Pine State National Reserve | San Diego Hiking Trails
Lace up those hiking boots, pack some extra trail mix, and take a hike at The Razor Point (1.3 miles) or Guy Fleming Trail (0.7 miles) in Torrey Pines if you’re looking for active date night ideas in San Diego. Both trails offer gorgeous, picturesque views of the Pacific ocean. In the winter, you may spot Gray Whales, however, bottlenose dolphins can be seen throughout the year.
If you’re feeling a bit more romantic and adventurous, the Beach Trail (1.7 miles) is a bit steeper, but allows access to the beach which is a breathtaking, secluded area to picnic or just cuddle and watch the waves with your date. Make sure to bring a blanket, sweaters, and a bottle of wine to warm up both you and your date.
9) MAKE A CORONADO BAY FERRY DATE
Coronado Ferry | Jolie Coronado
You can drive across the bridge to Coronado Island, but for a more special date experience, take the Coronado Ferry, which will get you there in fifteen minutes. Once you arrive at the Coronado Ferry Landing, there are over twenty-five unique shops and restaurants for you and your date to explore.
Walk around the historic Hotel Del Coronado, take a romantic stroll on the beaches of Coronado, and then return to the Coronado Ferry Landing and have an elevated dining experience at the nearby Jolie Coronado. Enjoy amazing dishes from the land and sea in a multi-course dinner of locally sourced in-season foods.
10) CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE IN OLD TOWN
Old Town Official | Old Town Trolley Tours | Tequila, Tacos & Tombstones Tour | Whaley House |
Old Town San Diego, California’s first settlement, is a great cultural destination and makes for a great date. The Old Town Trolley Tour is a fun experience throughout the year, but during the Holidays you can check out the sights, learn the history of the city, and experience the sparkle of Christmas lights along with the glow of city lights on your date night in San Diego during their City Lights Night Tour.
For a more interactive dating experience, take the Tequila, Tacos, and Tombstones Tour with us, where one of our knowledgeable tour guides will take you on a journey through the historical eras of the early Spanish settlements while sprinkling in some authentic and delicious food tastings, traditional cocktail samplings, and fun. Let us know that you’re on a date, and we’ll even throw in a special gift for the two of you.
If you aren’t taking a trolley tour, or adventuring with us, you can still explore the famously haunted Whaley House museum, eat at any of the many Restaurants on your Date night in San Diego, watch a show at Cygnet Theatre or Old Town Improv Co., or even bring a picnic to eat in the middle of Old Town Park. There is so much to do in the Birthplace of California.
11) A JULIAN DAY TRIP
Stonewall Peak | The Julian Grille | Mom’s Pie House | Julian Pie Co.
Imagine this: you and your special someone kicking off your day with a hike up Stonewall Peak. It’s a bit of a climb, but the views at the top? Totally worth it. At the top, you’ll find a bald granite summit that boasts panoramic views of peaks, lakes and desert.
Then, head into the heart of Julian and step back in time to the 1870s gold rush. Julian has quaint shops with cool finds you won’t see elsewhere housed in historic buildings dating back to the 1870s. This small town is all about charm – and charm leads to romance. (Why else would every Hallmark movie be set in a quaint mountain town?)
When it’s time to eat, The Julian Grille is the spot. It’s more than just a mom and pop restaurant, it’s housed in a cottage adorned with antiques and art that reflect the town’s rich history. And you can’t visit Julian without trying some famous pie – Mom’s Pie House and Julian Pie Co. are legends for a reason. This mix of adventure, chill town vibes, and amazing food is the recipe for a day trip you’ll both love.
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If you want to extend your lovely evening, why not grab some of the best cocktails in San Diego?
Plan the perfect date night with your loved one and experience everything San Diego has to offer. Contact us at So Diego now and book one of our fun, unique, and special daily food tours.
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
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