Top 46 Fun Date Ideas in San Diego
Looking for fun date ideas in San Diego? Look no further! We put together a list of the top 46 fun date ideas in San Diego. There are so many things to do in San Diego from a thrilling boat tour of the San Diego bay to hot air ballooning over the city.
But not all fun date ideas in San Diego are equal, and we have some standout favorites.
Here are our favorite top date night ideas in San Diego:
- Explore the San Diego Bay on a boat tour
- San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
- Make a trip to Coronado with an electric GoCar
- Ax throwing
- Check out the mountains in Julian
- Cabrillo National Monument
- Wine tasting in Temecula
- Romantic Gondola ride in Coronado
- Paint a masterpiece while drinking wine
- Visit Bayview Park in Coronado
Other types of fun date ideas in San Diego:
Adventurous Date Ideas
Relaxing Date Ideas
Indoor Date Ideas
Outdoor Date Ideas
Explore San Diego Bay on a Boat Tour
Set out on the water as your own captain on a high-adrenaline boat ride in San Diego! Zip along the coastline and take in the stunning views of area attractions like the Maritime Museum, Seaport Village, and of course, the iconic downtown skyline. No other boat rental in San Diego packs this much excitement and sightseeing into a two-hour tour.
San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
Spend the day at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park. They’re about 40 minutes apart from each other so it may be difficult to complete both on the same day. You can touch kangaroos and wallabies without paying anything more than your general Safari Park admission. The only restriction is that they have to come to you. And you have to stay on the walking paths. But it does happen!
Make a Trip to Coronado Island With an Electric Car
Coronado Island is one of the top coastal retreats in San Diego. One quintessential aspect of Coronado is its theater district. There are various arts and theaters such as the Lamb’s Players Theatre, the Village Theater and the Coronado Playhouse, all of which have plays and other live performances year-round.
Courtesy of Baltimore Magazine.
Ax Throwing
Perfect for any date night but especially great for a first date! There are a few places to go in San Diego, make sure to make reservations so you won’t have to wait too long. Great way to get to know each other while learning a fun new skill.
Courtesy of San Diego Travel Blog – San Diego Tourism
Check Out the Mountains in Julian
Getaway from the busy city life and take in the fresh air and beautiful scenery in the mountains. Julian is located in the Cuyamaca Mountains just an hour east of Downtown San Diego. The drive to Julian is full of breathtaking views with changing landscapes. Stop for lunch, go apple picking, take a bite of Julian’s famous apple pie, take a hike and much more.
Courtesy of Tripsavvy
Cabrillo National Monument
Drive up to Cabrillo National Monument for a 360 view of San Diego. Learn about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and how he discovered the San Diego Bay, take photos or drive down to visit the Point Loma Tidepools.
Wine Tasting in Temecula
Drive up to Temecula for a day full of wine, eating and adventures. Take a jeep winery tour, hot air balloon over the wine country or dinner at a winery.
Courtesy of xpierencedays.com
Romantic Gondola Ride in Coronado
Not ready to take your date overseas? Don’t worry! You can take them right over to Coronado for a romantic gondola ride. Indulge in all the magic and tradition of Venice right here in San Diego as you gently cruise in a private romantic gondola through the enchanting canals of the Coronado Cays.
Courtesy of valleyjcc
Paint a Masterpiece While Drinking Wine
Best way to figure out your dates artistic abilities early on! Let loose and laugh your way through a creative night painting while enjoying local wines.
Visit Bayview Park on Coronado
Grab a hot beverage, warm clothes, and maybe a blanket before heading to Bayview Park. Wait until after sunset to see the entire Downtown San Diego skyline light up.
Adventurous Date Ideas in San Diego
Courtesy of SFGate
Swim With Sharks
If swimming with sharks is on your bucket list, make sure to do this while at La Jolla Shores. If you’re afraid of sharks don’t worry, the only sharks we see at the Cove nowadays are the harmless leopard sharks. The end of August and September are the best time to go and swim with these sharks. Make sure to go during the day when the water is calm and there is good visibility.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Take your relationship to new heights on an exhilarating hot air balloon ride.
Courtesy of BusinessWire
Belmont Park
Enjoy Mission Beach’s amusement park right on the boardwalk. Take a ride on the coaster, go to an escape room, or play mini-golf.
Courtesy of Xingzhao Wen
Go to the Secret Swing in La Jolla
Hidden up the hill from Sea Birch Aquarium is a local gem in La Jolla. Take a trip into La Jolla to find these secret swings with an incredible view of La Jolla.
Paraglide at Torrey Pines Gliderport
Cross this off of your bucket list for a fun date day! Take in the beautiful cliffs in La Jolla as you soar.
Courtesy of adrenaline.com
Take a Helicopter Tour
SoCal is known for its beautiful beaches and landscapes. See it all of San Diego from the sky.
Courtesy of San Diego Sky Tours
BIPLANE RIDE IN SAN DIEGO
Not a fan of helicopters? Take a biplane ride to experience epic aerial views of San Diego.
Courtesy of adventureribrides
Whale Watching
Take a boat tour out to the open seas to search for whales! You won’t see much on the bigger vessels so opt-in for the smaller groups on the RIB boats in San Diego.
Courtesy of San Diego Tourism
Go on the Bahia Belle
Cruise Mission Bay on the Bahia Belle. A scenic and romantic way to see Mission Bay. Hop on the Bahai Belle at the Catamaran Hotel or the Bahia Hotel. Enjoy food, drinks, and live music.
Relaxing Date Ideas in San Diego
Take a Spa Day
Relax and reset with a Spa Day in San Diego. It’s a great way to recenter mentally and physically. Here are a few of our favorite spas in San Diego: The Spa at Estancia La Jolla, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, The Chopra Center Spa, Spa Kingston, and Saffron & Sage.
Courtesy of Roots Rated
Watch the Sunset
There’s no better spot to watch the sunset than at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Walk along one of the cliffside trails or find a spot to sit down and watch the sunset. Check out the nearby restaurants in Ocean Beach for dinner and drinks. Some popular spots are Hodad’s, Wonderland, OB noodle house, Ragland’s, and Pizza Port.
Courtesy of chefsfeed
Dessert at Salt & Straw
Located right in Little Italy is the popular delicious ice cream spot, Salt & Straw. Their incredible ice cream flavors make this place the new standard to beat.
Beach Bonfire
Pack up and head to the beach for a bonfire. Bonfire pits are available in Ocean Beach, Coronado Island, La Jolla Shores and Mission Beach.
Courtesy of blog.sandiego.org
Go To a Tiki Bar in Pacific Beach
Surprise your date at this Pacific Beach speakeasy. Also, their rum drinks can be pretty strong so make sure to grab some food while you’re there too.
Get Dinner in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
If you’re craving some delicious Mexican cuisine, then head over to Old Town! Our favorite is Miguel’s Cocina and Cafe Coyote.
Get some Vitamin Sea at the Beach
There’s a perfect beach for everyone here in San Diego. If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach head over to Coronado, La Jolla Shores, and/or Mission Beach by Belmont Park. If you are a surfer wanting to shred the gnarr… check out the beaches in Ocean Beach or near Scripps Pier. Other popular beaches are Windansea, Pacific Beach, and Marine Street.
Courtesy of the Hornblower
Sunset Cruise on the Harbor
Take a sunset dinner cruise down on the San Diego harbor. Enjoy dinner and drinks on the water while watching the sunset.
Dine Out in Little Italy
Grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious restaurants in Little Italy. You’ll find seafood and Italian restaurants, dessert spots and more. Here are the top restaurants to eat at now: Kettner Exchange, Juniper & Ivy, Born & Raised and the Crack Shack.