With Valentine’s Day having just passed last month, love is still in the air and people want to talk about it! I took this as an opportunity to poll students on the USD campus about their favorite date spots in the San Diego area. Being such a large city with many different parts to explore, this list will help you narrow down your options the next time you’re planning an aesthetic outing for that special someone. Depending on the vibe you’re going for there’s everything from sunset lookouts, trendy restaurants, farmers markets, picnic spots and more. This list will help you impress him/her.
Keep reading for the Top 10 Date Spots in San Diego According to USD Students:
10. Coronado Island
Take the ferry, water taxi or drive over the San Diego-Coronado Bridge to this 32 mile island right off the coast of SD. Home to the beautiful Hotel Del, this island offers some of the purest white beaches in all of San Diego. This island feels like one giant beach resort. During Christmastime, the Hotel Del sets up a skating rink right on the ocean. It’s quite the paradox to be ice skating right next to the ocean. The great thing about this hotel is that it allows visitors to walk around the hotel and tour it even if you aren’t staying there. Tall palm trees, white sand dunes and miles of secluded beaches sum up Coronado.
9. Downtown Encinitas
A personal favorite, this treasure trove of shops and restaurants in North County is underrated. If your date is vegetarian, take them to Plumeria for an entirely plant-based Thai menu. Moonlight Beach and Swamis frame this special stretch. Go see the sunset at either of these picturesque lookouts and then walk to a restaurant on this strip. Gelati and Peccati serves a la carte flatbreads with creative topping combos. La Paloma Theater shows feature films and is hidden amongst the shops and restaurants. This historic theater (the oldest in San Diego) will transport you straight to the 1920s with velvet red seats and quaint stage.
8. Liberty Station
This formal naval training center has been revamped into a trendy-historic-arts quarter. One of the best places to visit is the Liberty Public Market which houses boutiques and vendors of a wide range. Visiting this market feels like walking through an Etsy craft fair. You’re sure to find one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories. Want to paint pottery? The Hot Spot Studio located in the heart of Liberty Station offers a creative project for you and your date. Paint together or paint separately but make sure to take advantage of all the tools the studio has on-hand.
Last but not least, Liberty Station is home to Corvette Diner. The waiters dress up in authentic fifties attire including beehives and skirts. The milkshake menu takes up two entire pages. My personal favorite is the Fat Elvis with PB, Nutella and banana. Kitschy but cute, Corvette Diner will have you and your date laughing, singing and maybe even dancing.
7. The Gaslamp District
Does your date like to dance? The Gaslamp District is home to some of the hottest clubs San Diego has to offer. This district comes alive at night and, true to it’s name, it is lit by gas lamps that cast shadows on the Victorian-style architecture. Some of the best clubs are: F6IX, Onyx and Oxford Social Club. If nightlife isn’t your vibe, then you can take your date to Horton Plaza Park and get ice-cream and sit by the fountains. These sixteen blocks in downtown San Diego are some of the liveliest you’ll ever encounter.
6. Little Italy
Overlooking the San Diego Bay, at night this neighborhood resembles the Italian coast with twinkling lights and sailboat masts. Known for trendy upscale restaurants, Little Italy offers an excellent culinary experience. If that’s not up your alley, there’s also the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s year-round (arguably the best farmers market in all of San Diego).
“As long as you’re good at making reservations, then I’d say Little Italy is the best place to go,” University of San Diego senior Tatiana Giles said.
You can’t get any more aesthetic than Little Italy. Get dressed up and hit some of these restaurants: Nolita Hall, Queenstown Public House, Born & Raised, Barbusa. Then, go to Salt and Straw if you still have room for dessert. To finish it off, take a walk along the San Diego Bay and look at the stars (too cheesy?) to make it a romantic-movie worthy night.
5. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Looking to get your hands wet? You can touch stingrays and starfish at this local aquarium. Just walk through the main entrance and explore the interactive outdoor tide pools. Inside, exotic species of colorful jellyfish and seahorses await. The grand finale is the Giant Kelp forest exhibit. Oh and I almost forgot, the penguins have their own show too. Hopefully you can impress your date with random facts about fish and reptiles. If you can’t, that’s okay too. You can just stand awkwardly in front of the tanks and gawk at the sharks.
4. San Diego Zoo
Did you know that the San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the world? It’s actually ranked number-one in the U.S. Walk through the 100 acre zoo and experience over 600 species with your date. The exhibits and enclosures are creatively designed and interactive which shows just how well the animals at this zoo are taken care of. Places like these are perfect for first dates. There’s not really an opportunity for awkward silence when you’re busy looking at red pandas or poison dart frogs.
3. Torrey Pines State Park
If you’re looking for something more active to do with your date, Torrey Pines has hikes to offer with optimal views. Abstract-art-esq natural formations of sandstone line the hike as well as wild-flowers depending on the season. So, drive up to North County and experience this hidden gem.
“I took my long-distance boyfriend here when he came to visit and he was blown away by the views,” University of San Diego senior Caroline said.
Similar to Sunset Cliffs, beach access is offered in these hikes. There are shorter and longer options depending on your style. Something to note: parking can be a bit expensive but worth it.
2. Kate Sessions Park
Quite literally a storybook place to have a picnic. This park overlooks downtown San Diego from afar. Located right outside of Pacific Beach area, luscious green grass and shady trees await you and your date. All you have to do is pack the food, maybe a bottle of wine —if you’re 21+ of course— and nature takes care of the rest for you. Lots of cute dogs enjoy this park too, so bring your pup or pet a few while you’re there (hopefully your date likes dogs…). Spacious and clean, take advantage of this park to get to know your date in a peaceful setting. Hopefully their flags are as a green as the grass!
1. Sunset Cliffs
What was one thing in common among all the USD students polled? They all named Sunset Cliffs as one of the best date spots. Is this place cliché? Maybe a little bit, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Sandstone cliffs make a stark contrast along the coastline making this an Instagram-worthy date.
“Sunset cliffs is super versatile because you can go to the tide pools or watch the sunset. You can have a picnic… There’s just so many options and it’s very romantic,” University of San Diego junior Malia Rios said.
Bring some takeout and a blanket and watch the sunset or take a stroll along the boulevard next to the view. When the tide is low you can even access the beach below and the famous tide pools. You never know what kinds of sea creatures you might find nestled in the rocky shore.
