Photo credit: Nate Haniger
It’s date night. And you have no idea what to do. Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.
One of the best gifts I received at my bridal shower was a beautifully decorated jar full of popsicle sticks. During the event, the guests wrote creative date ideas on these sticks; some were simple and perfect for a budget, others were extravagant, but definitely worth saving up for. I loved reading their ideas. It felt like I was given a jar of inspirational gold!
Now, I want to share the wealth with you. I’ve included suggestions from the popsicles sticks, a few of my own ideas, plus some ideas from my girl friends for dates they’d love to go on.
These date ideas are a perfect resource for when you’re feeling stuck in a rut, or when you want to plan something special, but have NO clue what to do.
I hope you have fun getting inspired and have a super happy date night (or day) very soon! And if you’re single, many of these would be super fun to do with a friend or even a group!
Note: Some of these suggestions include specific locations. If you are not a Bay Area local, you can adapt the ideas by visiting cool places near where you live!
Movie Dates
Enjoy an evening at home with a movie, cheese and fruit platter.
Make a giant bowl of popcorn and have an “Opposites Attract” double feature movie night. Here’s the catch: each of you gets to choose a film you’d enjoy, but that the other person wouldn’t normally watch with you.
See a movie in style at the theaters in Mountain View (Century Cinemas 16), you can fully recline back and they also serve drinks.
Go to a drive-in movie. If you’re feeling fancy, put a couch in the bed of the truck and watch it from there!
From a friend: “We love going to drive-in movies because we can go to the later showing with our kids asleep in their rear facing car seats (this works best when they are little), but a cheaper movie + not paying for a babysitter = a success for us!”
Activities and Outdoor Dates
Paddle board in the ocean, or a nearby lake.
Play an epic game of laser tag. This would be a fun double date, especially if the losing couple has to buy dinner afterwards.
Go rock climbing indoors or outdoors. Planet Granite is a blast for indoor climbing!
Visit a winery. If you don’t like wine, go for the ambiance.
Take a ballroom dance class. It's fun, romantic and educational.
Stay at a B&B in Carmel or Napa.
Wilderness camping (free if you have the gear or can borrow it).
Build something together for your yard or house.
Petroglyph. It’s creative, and you’ll get to keep what you make.
Get tickets to a game! Football, basketball, hockey, baseball- whatever you both enjoy.
From a friend: “I love going to a live game and being in the craziness!”Commit to a fun, but challenging experience. Try to find something that involves personal/couple growth.
From a friend: “Doing something challenging mixed with something familiar creates a memory that really sticks (even when it’s super ironic). Case in point: I’ve been struggling with anxiety lately and for our anniversary this weekend, my husband booked a date with Escape Room SF. I just laughed when I found out (it was supposed to be a surprise but it’s basically impossible to surprise me). “I’m struggling with anxiety and you thought to surprise me and take me to a locked room!?” Haha! I love that he found something I love (solving puzzles) mixed with something I totally dread (being locked in a room somewhere). When we push ourselves to do things together that challenge us, we always grow closer together and end up with memories that last a lifetime!
Food Focused Dates
Select a delicious meal (from a cookbook or Pinterest) that you’d like to make as a couple. Then go shopping for the food and cook it together.
Pack a picnic and enjoy it mid-hike, on the beach at Point Lobos. Follow with an early dinner at Il Fornaio. Then have lattes at Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company and walk to the beach to watch the sunset.
Put on “The Nearness of You,” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and dance in your living room while dinner is cooking.
Get dressed up in your swankiest clothes and walk around Santana Row… like you live there. The ambiance is the priority for this one. You can decide on food based on your hunger levels and budget; order only appetizers, splurge on a full dinner, indulge in a dessert or just get coffee.
Take a pasta making class (you can usually find a Groupon for a good deal).
Visit the local farmers' market- it's productive and date like!
- Go out for dinner and then go for a country drive.
From a friend: "This may not sound exciting to many, but for me, as a stay at home mama/homeschooler of 4 who doest get out much, it's a sweet retreat!"
8. Go on a “dessert date”. Eat cheap/healthy food at home then go out for a super indulgent dessert.
From a friend: “I loooooove dessert. I told my husband I want to go on a “dessert date”. I would be totally content to eat at home if it means we can go splurge on a ridiculous dessert we wouldn’t normally try.”
Which of these date ideas do you want to try?