MEMORABLE FIRST DATES
FROM FARMERS MARKETS AND ARCADES TO NATURE WALKS AND UNIQUE EATERIES, THESE IDEAS FOR A FIRST OUTING IN SAN DIEGO ARE SIMPLE YET CREATIVE AND MAY JUST CREATE A SPARK
You’ve matched with someone on a dating app or website who seems perfect for you. Or maybe you finally mustered up the courage to ask out the person you sit next to in class. Or maybe you and your friend realize you want to be more than friends. Whatever your circumstance, it might be time for the first date. While the initial date can be stressful — after all, you only get one chance at a first impression — it should also be fun. San Diego offers hundreds of neat places to take your next first date. We’ve picked 25 of them here.
We kept in mind that, according to recent data from Match’s Singles in America study, 84 percent of people are looking for a casual first date, meaning nothing too elaborate or expensive. Most participants also noted that they’re ready for a relationship instead of a fling.
Data like this informed our research; for example, we looked for spaces where you could have a real conversation without struggling to hear each other over the noise of a venue. We also didn’t try to think too far outside of the box, instead focusing on simple yet creative dates.
We found date spots that could work for nearly all ages and are in more public areas for the sake of safety. Lastly, we kept an eye out for accessibility-friendly places, along with inclusive spaces where all can feel welcome.
Not every idea on this list will be a home run for everyone, but we hope they’ll help get you excited about your next first date. Do you have a favorite date spot in San Diego to share? Let us know by emailing us.
Check out the view
Share a special moment together by looking at something beautiful. These three views are exclusive to San Diego.
Picnic at the Torrey Pines Gliderport: The sight of paragliders soaring over the Pacific Ocean at the Torrey Pines Gliderport is one of San Diego’s most iconic views. Get a bite to eat at the Cliffhanger Café, naturally located near the cliff, or opt to order your food to go and set up a quasipicnic on the grassy knoll. 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla. flytorrey.com
Mount Helix: Mount Helix offers excellent views of the sunset for a romantic first date. With an elevation of 1,373 feet, you’ll see views of East County and, on a clear day, even the ocean to the west. Get there early to walk along the quarter-mile Yawkey Trail that surrounds Mt. Helix Park before settling in for the sunset.
4901 Mt. Helix Drive, La Mesa. mthelixpark.org/visiting-mt-helix-park
Snorkeling at La Jolla Cove: Not all views need to reach new heights. Go snorkeling at La Jolla Cove, the perfect summertime date for ocean enthusiasts. While it’s critical to be able to swim, all you really need otherwise are goggles and a curious mind. — Maura Fox
Explore a neighborhood
Why not get to know someone while also discovering some of San Diego County’s most publicly accessible neighborhood gems? These areas have artwork, eateries, shops and fun activities, along with public parking and public transit accessibility.
Convoy District: For an Asian and Pacific Islander cultural excursion for foodies, the Convoy District is the place to go. Start at the intersection of Armour Street and Convoy Street and work your way up to Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. On this 2-mile round-trip trek, you will find various Cantonese, Chinese, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Thai, Lao and Vietnamese food options. There are also all kinds of dessert, tea and coffee shops serving boba, bubble tea, ice cream, pastries, shaved ice and Vietnamese coffee. If you are going out later in the day or find your date going well, there are happy hour spots, karaoke bars and restaurants that bring in a DJ or live music.
convoydistrict.com
Chula Vista’s Third Avenue: Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Village is mostly known for its craft beer scene, but if you journey on this half-mile business corridor, you will find more to talk about on a date. This section of Chula Vista’s downtown goes from E Street to G Street on Third Avenue. You will come across mom-andpop shops, a public park, cafes, public art, event spaces, murals and a variety of food selections including food trucks. Some places do close earlier on the weekdays, but on weekends you can find some nightlife with bands and DJs playing at certain breweries and bars.
downtownchulavista.com
Embarcadero: If you’re looking for an afternoon walk or sunset along a waterfront, San Diego’s Embarcadero would be a nice option. You can start at the Star of India and
work your way approximately 1 mile to Seaport Village or vice versa, finding various talking points and scenic attractions along the way. On your stroll you will see the USS Midway Museum, various art installations, the Broadway Pier, cruise ships, a couple of city parks, and various vendors selling souvenirs and local trinkets. If you get hungry or thirsty, there are numerous restaurants, coffee shops and places to get adult beverages such as Cheesecake Factory, Mike Hess Brewing, Puesto and Portside Coffee & Gelato. — Carlos Rico
Go to a market
Perusing a market is a low-pressure first date. Plus, some experts say that people are less self-conscious and tend to open up more on activity-based dates.
Farmers markets: Get something to eat or drink from a vendor and admire locally made craft items, like jewelry and soaps, at markets like those in Ocean Beach, Oceanside and Hillcrest. Along with listening to live music from local artists, the variety of things to see and do at a farmers market will keep this date interesting.
Swap meets: Like at a farmers market, you’ll be able to visit different vendor booths while you walk, but the mystery of what you’ll find at a swap meet adds to the fun of this date. You can spend as little or as much time as you want here, and you’ll learn about each other based on the items you both are most interested in. Here are two of San Diego’s largest swap meets: Kobey’s Swap Meet: 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. kobeyswap.com. Spring
Valley Swap Meet: 6377 Quarry Road, Spring Valley. springvalleyswapmeet.net
Food halls: A food hall takes the question out of where to eat on a first date. San Diego has several, including Market on 8th (41 E. Eighth St., National City), Windmill Food Hall (890 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad), Liberty Public Market (2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego) and the Sky Deck (12841 El Camino Real, San Diego). You can each get a separate dish or share a few items to see if you connect on matters of the stomach as well as the heart. — Maura Fox
Grab a drink
You don’t need to do anything too adventurous to see if you and your date are compatible, but these unique bars will take the tried-and-true “let’s get a drink” date to the next level.
Part Time Lover: Don’t let the name of this listening bar fool you: Even those seeking full-time partnerships will have a great time here. The high-ceilinged, effortlessly cool space offers Japanese highballs paired with a hi-fi system to play vinyl records. Enjoy a drink and then explore the small record store located at the back of the bar. 3829 30th St., San Diego. parttimeloverhifi.com
Whiskers and Wine: Choose a drink from a long menu of wine, beer, cocktails or soft beverages and grab a snack, from salads to paninis and flatbreads, before heading into the cat room, where you’ll sit and play with adoptable cats and kittens. Be sure to book a reservation online beforehand. The experience costs $30 per person for an hour and 15 minutes. 2856
Adams Ave., San Diego. whiskersandwinebar.com
Go to a brewery: San Diego is known for its craft beer, and there are dozens of places you could go on a first date. Consider one like Pure Project, with locations in Balboa Park, North Park, Carlsbad, Miramar and Vista. The breweries are bright and airy and have 20 beers on tap. Pure Project aims to do some good for the planet, too, giving 1 percent of all proceeds to environmental nonprofits. 305 Hot Springs Way, Vista. purebrewing.org — Maura Fox
Play with your food
Meeting up at a restaurant where you can work together on making your meal immediately gives you something to talk about and look at. It may also teach you something about each other.
Flap Your Jacks: Why not trade dinner dates for a breakfast or brunch date? At Flap Your Jacks, you’ll find tabletop griddles and many batter flavors, toppings and syrups to make your own pancakes. There are also premade breakfast options to order and lunch options. 3020 University Ave., San Diego. flapyourjacks.com
Korean barbecue: If you’re a meat eater, the experience of grilling your own Korean barbecue feast is pure bliss. You’ll find a whole host of restaurants where you can do that with a date in the Convoy District. With so many different types of meat, veggies and other side options, you’ll have plenty to discuss and need to strategize together. convoydistrict.com/restaurants-1
S’mores at the table: For a dessert date option, here are two restaurants where you can make your own s’mores. It’s sure to bring up childhood memories or at least a good debate over the perfect roast on a marshmallow. Campfire, 2725 State St., Carlsbad. thisiscampfire.com.
The Presley, 2855 Perry Road, San Diego. thepresleysd.com — Abby Hamblin
Seek out a little friendly competition
Date nights revolving around games let you see how your date handles competition. These classic options will have you battling for a win while getting to know each other.
Coin-Op: Coin-Op, with locations in the Gaslamp Quarter and North Park, has 25 arcade games ranging from classics like “Pac-Man” to newer ones like the 2018 version of “Golden Tee.” If you and your date get hungry or thirsty, check out the menu featuring beers, cocktails and American food dishes. Note that you must be at least 21 years old to enter. 3926 30th St. and 789 Sixth Ave., San Diego. coinopsd.com
Tappers Mini Golf in Liberty Station: Tappers Mini Golf, opened in 2021, brings the best of an old-school mini golf course with a modern twist. The nine-hole course is an ideal length for a first date, and when you’re done you can grab a drink at the bar just outside the green. Go on a Friday or Saturday to listen to live music. 2960 Truxtun Road, San Diego. thelomaclub.com
Bowling at Punch Bowl Social: Pick a bowling alley like Punch Bowl Social for
your first date. Its variety of games in addition to bowling (bocce, karaoke and shuffleboard) and full menu makes this place stand out. 1485 E St., San Diego. punchbowlsocial.com/location/san-diego — Maura Fox
Share a new experience
Learning together can help you and your date see where your interests align. Along with these three yearlong options, be sure to consider any seasonal or cultural festivals for your date, like the Autumn Jubilee in Julian or the San Diego Tet Festival celebrating Vietnamese Lunar New Year in January.
Live music at Panama 66: The restaurant, located just outside the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, has a schedule of musical artists playing genres like jazz, blues and swing throughout each month. You’ll get the best of both worlds as you take in a performance while still being able to speak with your date. 1450 El Prado, San Diego. panama66.com
CeramiCafé Art Lounge: Channel your inner artist by making a ceramic, mosaic or clay print with your date. Requiring both creativity and patience, this is a good way to get to know someone in a low-stress environment (making art is known to have calming mental health benefits). 12843 El Camino Real Suite 206, San Diego. ceramicafe.com
Interactive museums: From the ComicCon Museum and Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park to the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista, San Diego has several unique museums for all ages and interests. Along with chatting about the exhibits, you’ll also get to interact with them, an ideal way to see how curious your date is about
the world around them. — Maura Fox
Take a walk
We know that walking is good exercise, but there’s also science behind why it can be a great first date: Research shows that standing side by side, instead of face to face, is often the best way to have a conversation, including when meeting strangers.
Santee Lakes Trail: Cruise along this 3.5-mile paved path and take in wildlife like the 230 different species of birds that live in the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. According to AllTrails, this walk takes about an hour, which should give you enough time to know if you want to go on a second date. 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. santeelakes.com
San Diego Botanic Garden: A walk through this 37-acre garden in Encinitas, an ideal first date for plant lovers, is at once peaceful, exciting and romantic. With 4 miles of walking paths, you and your date can slowly meander to see the 5,300 plant species that reside there. Quail Gardens Drive and Ecke Ranch Road, Encinitas. sdbg.org
Seven Bridges Trail: One of the best urban walk in San Diego, the Seven Bridges Trail takes you to several parts of the city, including Balboa Park, Hillcrest and North Park. It’s 5.5 miles long, but if you and your date find yourselves stopping at one of the museums in Balboa Park or grabbing a drink in Hillcrest along the way, just roll with it. 2125 Park Blvd., San Diego. sdnhm.org/education/canyoneer-hikes/ pedestrian-bridge-tour-seven-bridges — Maura Fox