For those of us still navigating the dating world, finding a soulmate can feel like a numbers game. Between uninspired bar meetups, the high cost of going out in San Diego, and everything else that comes with modern dating, it can get overwhelming. But with around 30% of Americans currently single, there’s no shortage of romantic potential! This guide should help make dating more fun, creative, and a little less stressful. Here are some of our favorite date ideas in San Diego.
1. Take a stroll through Balboa Park
For art and culture lovers, Balboa Park is one of San Diego’s top landmarks. A cultural park that’s 1,200 acres of gardens, musical theaters, sports complexes, 17 museums, and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Get an Explorer Pass that lets you hop between museums like the Fleet Science Center, Japanese Friendship Garden, or the Museum of Us for an inside look at the nature of humans. These will inspire the perfect existential questions to discuss on your date in San Diego!
2. Explore Sunset Cliffs
For people who love the beach, Sunset Cliffs is an excellent date idea in San Diego, and a great example of what makes San Diego such a gorgeous place to live. A first date can’t possibly go wrong when you’re having a sweet little picnic at this 68-acre resource-based park. It stretches along the Pacific Ocean and borders the western edge of Point Loma. Hike along the coastal trail, check out the tide pools during a low tide, or take in the view. Sunsets here are known for being incredible.
3. Discover the magic of We Call It Ballet together
“We Call It Ballet” in San Diego is a unique and romantic outing, featuring spectacular ballet dancers. It’s inspired by Tchaikovsky’s famous The Sleeping Beauty. From the captivating costumes fitted with LED lights to the breathtaking music and magical narration, this show provides an incomparable atmosphere for a date.
4. Go on a hike
If you both love being active, a great date idea in San Diego could be a hike. The city has a huge list of different potential places, like Torrey Pines in La Jolla with its beautiful coastal views, Cowles Mountain Trail which is the highest peak in the city, or the easy Big Laguna Trail, where you’ll be rewarded with groves and a lake.
5. Get closer while coloring the canvas at Neon Brush
Neon Brush is a fun filled sip and paint experience, from the retro neon-lit setting to the fantastic playlist. Show off your artistic skills to your date and express your creative sides. Bond while painting a cityscape, abstract shapes, or a serene sunset, with a drink. You can even take your work home with you afterward – something to treasure and a keepsake to have from your date.
6. Walk through Embarcadero
Another cheap and pleasant activity to do is Embarcadero, a walk along Big Bay and adjacent to the Downtown Skyline. Visit a museum like the Contemporary Art Museum or the Maritime Museum, grab a bite or go shopping at Seaport Village. Rather chill? Just relax at the Waterfront Park, while taking in the views.
7. Check out an outdoor market
San Diegans are farmers markets lovers, and it shows – we pretty much have one in each corner of the city! While some are focused on fresh produce, others offer great options for ready-to-eat meals, and other hold antique gems. The variety of these spots make this one of the best date ideas in San Diego – whatever you and your date are into, you’ll find your perfect fit. We’ve made a list of our favorite right here.
8. Or visit a food hall
Food halls are the best way to experience the gastronomical culture of a city, and San Diego is not short of those, either. Go hopping from one food vendor (or one food hall) to another at one of these many spots. Little Italy Food Hall was once named in the Top 10 in the US, Market on 8th has a big variety of Asian influence, and Mexican and Latin-inspired concepts are exciting at Old Town Urban Market.
9. Check out a candlelight concert
If you’re not looking for dinner and wine, but still interested in a romantic atmosphere, these concerts are a great alternative. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to beautiful locations like never seen before in San Diego. There are many versions of this unique experience, so check out this page to see which one would fit best. From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Bad Bunny, Pink Floyd and so much more, it’s impossible not to find an event that will catch your eye. If you haven’t yet, make sure to add this to your list of date ideas in San Diego.
10. Go see live music
Watching live music on a weekend is one of the best ways to spend time. San Diego has no shortage of intimate venues, plus some that bring the party vibes. Check out Music Box, House of Blues, Soda Bar, or SOMA San Diego for a unique mix of national, international, and local acts.
11. Enjoy some friendly competition
One of our favorite ways to spend a date is with some friendly competitive games like darts, pool, or bowling. It’s especially fun if you have a bit of a competitive streak. For bowling, Punch Bowl Social, Mira Mesa Lanes and Breakpoint are all good options. Bars that have billiards are Pocket Billiards and Brew and O Billiard Cafe, which is a pool hall. For mini golf, head to Pelly’s Mini Golf in Del Mar or Rockin’ Jump.
12. Paint together, freely
Into art, but prefer creating it rather than exploring museums? Maybe fluid painting is the perfect to-do for your date night! This is a hands-on process that transforms liquid paints into stunning works of art, but without the guided direction of a sip-and-paint class. Whether you’re seasoned artists or first-time explorers, this should be great time, meant to inspire, and even bring you closer together. You can find such experiences here.