San Diego, CA Dating Guide

Are you looking for a new date spot in the San Diego area? Check out our 2023 San Diego City Dating Guide featuring many different locations for your first date, whether it’s something casual, outdoors, romantic, or something that’s sure to make memories!

Explore Japanese cuisine or 300 flavors of ice cream. Traverse 1,500 acres of beautiful South Californian nature or attend a performance by the San Diego Symphony. Climb to new heights in either a hot balloon or a rollercoaster. And if you’re looking for a romantic experience, partake in wine tasting or enjoy a gondola ride in the San Diego bay. There’s much to do in San Diego and lots of opportunities to make memories with your date!

Rooftop Cinema Club

A cinema experience with a twist. Offering a relaxing experience with adjustable deckchairs, personal wireless headphones, and a city skyline backdrop. Also, Rooftop Cinema Club takes the “dinner and a movie” idea to new heights with a nice food menu, full bar, and classic movie snack mainstays.

Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream

Home of “The Original Ice Cream Flights,” Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream offers 300 flavors of premium Hawaiian-made ice cream and sorbet. There are two different locations in San Diego (North Park and Point Loma), and ice cream flights that will help you tackle a bit more of their extensive flavor menu each visit.

The Cat Cafe

Enjoy award-winning locally roasted coffee in the company of cats in downtown San Diego. How it works is you “check-in” at the coffee bar, order your food and drink, and then you can enter the cat room and interact with all the cute cats. Just make sure to keep your voice down so as to not stress the cats!

Miguel’s Cocina

A Cali-inspired Mexican restaurant that is committed to providing an authentic Mexican cuisine experience just north of Mexico. They have a packed menu consisting of many different Mexican-inspired dishes, with some standouts like Grilled Swordfish Tacos, Sirloin Fajitas, and Spicy Rich Chicken Mole.

Tabu Shabu

Tabu Shabu’s main attraction is their hotpot, which you get to customize the broth, protein, grains, and noodles to your liking. Once you get all your ingredients (with included fresh vegetables), it’s your turn to be the chef as you get to cook your fixings and create your own special food experience!

Seaport Village

Seaport Village sports many different casual dining options, tons of shops, and fun activities like art galleries and a historic carousel built in 1895. If you are more in the mood for lounging rather than checking out shops, there’s a beautiful waterfront park where you can sit and watch the sunset as sailboats go by.

Sunset Cliffs

A charming neighborhood that borders the Pacific Ocean with many different nature spots to explore. Check out the Sunset Cliffs, which offer a gorgeous view of the sunset over the ocean. You can also venture your way south along the coast to experience other natural beauties like the Sunset Cliffs Cave, Luscomb’s Point, and the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

Balboa Park

Originally known as “City Park” and origins dating back to 1868, Balboa Park has been a San Diego staple for generations with tons of stuff to do and see. Balboa Park also hosts the San Diego Zoo, many gardens and trails, and so much more that you will end up coming back for another date experience.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

A 1,500 acre area of land that has been preserved since before San Diego came into existence. Considering this is a reserve instead of a park, a permit is required to enter and there are strict rules in place. Still, it’s a great date idea for those who are obsessed with hiking!

The Rady Shell

The Rady Shell at Jacob’s Park is a newer outdoor venue on the edge of San Diego bay and the heart of downtown. Plus, the Rady Shell also offers free concert performances by the San Diego Symphony.

Compass Balloons

Do you not have a fear of heights and want to experience a bird’s eye view of San Diego? Compass Balloons has you covered with their sunset hot air balloon rides. You’ll also be able to sip champagne while taking in the breathtaking views. Rides are usually around an hour long.

Petco Park

Home of the San Diego Padres, Petco Park first and foremost excels in providing a fun baseball experience. Beyond being a place to experience America’s favorite pastime, Petco Park offers a wide variety of food options that is sure to beat the standard hot dog and beer affair at most ballparks. Plus, there are numerous different themed nights throughout the baseball schedule to experience.

Belmont Park

Built in 1925 by a wealthy sugar magnate by the name of John D. Spreckels, Belmont Park is a timeless icon of the San Diego beachfront. One of the star attractions is the 2,600 foot long wooden roller coaster known as the Giant Dipper. There’s much more to do at the park though, with fun attractions such as ziplining, rock climbing, laser tag, bumper cars, and much more!

The Marine Room

A fine dining establishment offering a unique experience by being right on the La Jolla Beach. Pairing with the beautiful seaside view, the Marine Room offers a high-class dining experience with a great selection of seafood and steak dishes. There is a dress code to follow too, so keep that in mind!

Bernardo Winery

The Bernardo Winery has been in business for over 130 years and incorporates the old ways of winemaking with modern technology. Guests can stroll through their historic antique winemaking facility, and partake in events with pasta-making classes, “paint and sip” classes, or just taste their selection of wine from locally sourced grapes.

The Gondola Company

The Gondola Company offers three different cruises intended for couples that cater to different times of the day (any time, right before sunset, after sunset). You can also add a professional mandolin player into the mix to really capture that Venetian gondola dream.