Looking to treat your partner or fiancée to a romantic fun date night in San Francisco? What could be more romantic! And we’ve got you covered. From fun date night ideas SF to secret romantic spots and luxury date ideas, we’ve compiled the most romantic things to do in San Francisco for you.
What you’ll find in this article:
- Why having a fun date night in San Francisco goes beyond fun
- Best date night ideas in San Francisco that aren’t boring
- The most romantic restaurants for fun date night in San Francisco
- Secret romantic spots in San Francisco
- Romantic date ideas in SF for outdoorsy couples
- Best luxury date ideas in San Francisco
Why having a fun date night in San Francisco goes beyond fun
Going on a date is an amazing way for couples to connect and create new memories. A date night in San Francisco can be a way to celebrate a wedding anniversary. You could even go on a date before your big day to ease the stress of wedding planning. And one great thing about San Francisco is how many romantic date options the city has. But the importance transcends the fun.
Having new experiences can stimulate your mind, ease stress, and serve as an escape from your everyday worries. Especially when you are stressed out from work, having a rough patch in your relationship, or making up after a crisis, trying out some fun date ideas in San Francisco can help tremendously.
Here, we are all about helping couples! And hey, a fun date in SF won’t make you go broke! There are many budget-friendly and free things to do in San Francisco. So sit back as we bring you the best fun date ideas and secret romantic spots in San Francisco.
Best date night ideas in San Francisco that aren’t boring
Here are some incredible fun date night ideas in San Francisco:
Enjoy a movie at the theatre
One of the most notable things you’ll discover in SF is the myriad of theatres the city offers. Spice up your San Francisco date night with a movie experience in the historic Castro theatre. The moment an organ player rises from underneath the platform is when you realize this is a movie experience like you’ve never had. Strictly “made in San Francisco!”
Other movie theaters to try for your fun date night SF include the giant screen at Fort Mason and Foreign Cinema Patio. If you’re looking for the best Friday date night ideas SF, you don’t want to miss the free Friday movie nights at the Chase Center.
Catch an outdoor movie at the park
One of the most fun date night ideas in San Francisco is snuggling up while watching a movie at one of its many parks. Take a cozy blanket and a food basket and enjoy a movie on the big screen. It is free, making it arguably the most romantic thing to do in San Francisco on a budget. Just ensure you make a reservation early to get a front-row seat.
Play couple games
No one likes it when people play games while dating unless it’s a game where everyone wins! Games will always remain one of the most fun date night ideas you can think of. Games can help bring you and your partner closer together or at least make for an exciting date night.
The best couple games to try for a fun date night include:
- One word, one answer. Start with any word, and let your partner reply with another word. The goal should be to form sentences to tell your love story.
- 36 questions. These questions will help you know your partner better and make you fall more in love.
- The dating divas
- Card games
- Video games if your partner is cut out for it
- “Just for you” question games
- Truth or Dare. It’s just you and your partner, so make it fun.
Enjoy some stargazing for your romantic date night in San Francisco
What could be more romantic than cuddling up and gazing at the stars? San Francisco offers some of the best stargazing spots for a date night. Get some sheets, torchlights, and binoculars for added fun!
Catch a theater performance for a fun date night San Francisco
Enjoying an evening of Jazz at the SFJAZZ Center or a hypnotic dance at the SF Ballet is the definition of a fun date night in San Francisco. Want more? Then you really need to visit the ACT Theater for an out-of-this-world performance. The best part is that these places are a walking distance of each other.
Other theaters to visit include:
- Presidio Theatre
- Palace of Fine Arts Theater
- Boxcar Theater
- Cowell Theater at the Fort Mason Center
- San Francisco playhouse
If you and your partner are one for stage performances, then you really should consider these San Francisco date night ideas.
Enjoy a night of laughter at a comedy club in San Francisco
This fun date night idea in San Francisco is the definition of fun! Laugh your hearts out at the Punch Line, The Setup, or the Cobb’s Comedy Club. The best part is the food and drinks you get to enjoy alongside the jokes.
Cozy up around a beach bonfire
Cozying up around a beach bonfire is one of the most romantic date night ideas to try. The rest of the country can rely on the summer heat to keep them warm, but we in San Francisco know better. Thankfully, Ocean Beach has 16 rings of fire on the beach. Simply load up a ring with wood and light it up for a truly romantic evening. Indeed, the fire rings make Ocean Beach one of the best secret romantic spots in San Francisco.
Note that the rings are only available through October and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dine through the night at SF’s biggest food truck patty
Want to take your date out for a truly fun date night in San Francisco? Visit Fort Mason Center on Friday night for the biggest food truck party you’ve ever experienced! With over 25 food trucks and live music, you and your partner will surely have an evening of staggering fun! One of SF’s best date night ideas that aren’t boring.
Strike out at a bowling alley for a fun date night SF
Bowling remains one of the best date ideas ever, and the Presidio Bowl of San Francisco offers a fun bowling experience like no other. Find out how competitive and game-loving your date is with this amazing date night idea in San Francisco with lots of beer and fancy cocktails. If you can drive, check out the Sea Bowl in Pacifica and end your evening with great tacos at the world’s most beautiful Taco Bell.
Dance through the night at the Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is never devoid of fun, but it’s their nightlife event that makes it one of the most fun date night ideas in San Francisco. From 6-10 pm on Thursdays, expect unlimited drinks and DJs that transform this four-story rainforest into an exhilarating arena. Sit in the dark, watch bioluminescent sea creatures, and marvel at the 87-foot-long blue whale skeleton with your significant other.
Tour the Alcatraz by night for a fun date night in San Francisco
Next on our list of fun date night ideas in San Francisco is touring Alcatraz island. By night, you get to experience the island as you’ve never seen it before. An otherworldly sunset view hovering above the city in the distance creates a sight so romantic and calm. It inspires so much to talk about with your partner.
The most romantic restaurants for fun date night in San Francisco
Eating and drinking at any ordinary restaurant may seem cliché for a date. To make it special and sensational, take your date to the most romantic restaurant you can find.
Here are the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco:
Californios
As one of the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco for a date, Californios takes California Mexican food to whole new heights. There’s hardly anywhere else better for fine dining with your significant other.
Shanghai Dumpling King
A romantic restaurant in SF, this popular Chinese restaurant has such an extensive menu that choosing can take some time, making it a great fun date idea in San Francisco. Munch on some appetizer while you and your date have fun choosing. Or perhaps try everything you could lay your hands (or tongues) on!
Plaj
enjoy some Swedish and Scandinavian mouthfuls in this cozy, sophisticated SF restaurant.
Campton Place
The intimate dining room at Campton Place makes it a perfect restaurant for a romantic date in San Francisco. Enjoy yummy dishes and exquisite cocktails.
Mister Jiu’s
The elegant, open, and historic room at Mister Jiu makes it one of the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco for a date.
Secret romantic spots in San Francisco
There are so many romantic spots in San Francisco that you might think the city was specially designed with couples in mind. Looking for such a spectacular location?
Here are secret romantic spots in San Francisco for a romantic date:
Strawberry Hill, Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is arguably one of the best locations in San Francisco least known to tourists. Of all its features, Strawberry Hill is the best for stargazing, making this secret romantic spot ideal for a date night in San Francisco.
Foreign Cinema’s outdoor patio
This serene outdoor patio is one of the secret romantic spots in San Francisco. Adorned with string lights and a large screen for movies, it’s the perfect date idea for a romantic evening under the night sky.
Grandview park
With spectacular views across the San Francisco peninsula, Grandview Park will instantly make you fall in love. It’s a secret romantic spot in San Francisco you’ll want to return to as frequently as possible.
Pier 7 for a romantic date night in San Francisco
Here’s a secret romantic spot in San Francisco where you can have all the privacy in the world for your SF date night. Go at sunset and watch with your partner as the sun goes down and the stars come out.
Baker beach
Baker beach is the perfect romantic spot for anyone looking to admire the Golden Gate Bridge in the arms of their significant other. Sit in the sand and take in the fresh air as you bask in the presence of each other.
Tank Hill
Although not so secret, Tank Hill is a romantic spot in San Francisco that drowns you in peace and calm. There’s greenery and trees all around, and the atmosphere is so peaceful here. Make your date night in San Francisco truly romantic and memorable by spending some time at Tank Hill.
Lover’s Lane
Strolling down Lover’s Lane Trail is the perfect romantic date idea if you desire a secret romantic spot in San Francisco. The name tells it all! Hold your lover’s hand as you walk towards Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line installation, and finish the stroll at the Main Post Parade Ground, where you can place a blanket down and savor a picnic. One of the most romantic date ideas in San Francisco for sure.
Ina Coolbrith Park at night
This small, modest park in Russian hill is an absolute hidden gem, perfect when you desire a secret romantic spot in San Francisco. Climb the steps for a breathtaking sunset view and lounge on a bench with your partner for a romantic date night in SF.
One Kearny
The privately-owned public space on the rooftop of One Kearny is one of the best secret romantic spots in San Francisco. With limited seats, there’s never a crowd here, and you can enjoy a quiet, peaceful, and romantic date night in SF with your partner. The place is really gorgeous, and you’ll think there’ll be crowds, but no.
Romantic date ideas in SF for outdoorsy couples
Not every fun date occurs at night. Perhaps, you prefer the outdoors and are looking for a fun date idea in San Francisco to explore beautiful locations with your significant other.
Not to worry; from boisterous parks to fantastic museums, this session discusses the best romantic things to do in San Francisco for outdoorsy couples.
Visit the San Francisco zoo
Take a day trip and visit the San Francisco Zoo with your partner. Or, if you’ve both been there, perhaps head out of town to the Oakland Zoo. This is undoubtedly one of the best date ideas around San Francisco.
Take a trip to the aquarium
Visiting the aquarium is one of the best date ideas in San Francisco. As one of the best aquariums in the US, it’s sure to leave you amazed with incredible sights of creatures you’ve never before imagined.
Go on a sightseeing trip
One of the most fun date ideas in San Francisco is sightseeing. With so many breathtaking views in this great city, you just can’t rule it out. Make it more fun by booking with a tour group so they’ll take you to the most intimate and spectacular tourist parts of the city.
Go on a hike
Hiking is next on our list of outdoor romantic date ideas in San Francisco. There are so many fabulous hiking spots around SF, and hiking is an excellent romantic date idea to get them to spend some quality hours with you. Try hiking through Lands End, Muir Woods, or Black Sands Beach.
Take a ferry ride to Angel Island
Book a private day tour to Angel Island on a ferry. This romantic date idea in San Francisco is a chance to explore amazing hiking trails, including one that takes you to the top of Mt. Livermore with breathtaking views of the island spreading out in all directions. If you’re not up for much walking, rent bikes. Finish off with beer and some sandwiches at the Island Café.
See a sports game
Enjoying a game together is one of the most romantic date ideas in San Francisco, and it’s so much fun. Whether you’re a baseball or basketball fan, the city offers many interesting sports and outstanding teams both partners can enjoy. It doesn’t matter if either of you doesn’t know the rules of the game. The cheers can be quite contagious. See the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium or the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center for a fun date in San Francisco. See a night game if you desire a fun date night in San Francisco.
Party at an outdoor music festival
Dancing at The Stern Grove Festival is arguably one of the best date ideas in San Francisco during the summer. With performances from super talented artists, you and your partner are sure to gas out rocking one another. One of the most romantic things to do in San Francisco for sure.
Explore the gardens of Golden Gate Park
Exploring the breathtaking gardens of Golden Gate Park is one of the most romantic things to do in San Francisco for lovers of nature. You’ll see all kinds of blooms in an ambiance so romantic it feels fairytale-like. Go with a picnic in hand and some alcohol to take this San Francisco date idea to another level.
Stroll through an art gallery
Next on our list of romantic date ideas in San Francisco is a stroll through art galleries. This fun date idea SF will help you learn more about your date’s interests. The SFMOMA and its top-class art never lose their splendor, while the Asian Art Museum welcomes you with magical worlds, capes and masks, and more. Or you can do a Walt Disney Family Museum tour and enjoy a picnic later. The visual sensations make this date idea in San Francisco one of the best for new lovers.
Go roller skating
SF’s only indoor skating rink inside Church of 8 Wheels is a good place to be for a fun date in San Francisco. Hold hands during your couple skate and never worry about falling — you’re in a church, so odds are your prayers not to fall will be heard. The place is for skaters of all ages, so if you want an adult-only environment, consider going by night.
Hit the road on a bike
A road trip can be one of the most fun date ideas in San Francisco. With so many spectacular sights and things to do in this city, moving around never gets boring. To heighten the excitement, travel on a bike without a destination in mind. Make stops at shops, restaurants, parks, and any spot that intrigues either of you. Try anything new. It’s the spontaneity that makes this San Francisco date idea truly fun.
Best luxury date ideas in San Francisco
Looking to splash some money and impress your date? Here are the top luxury date ideas in Francisco:
High Flying Love Story at Club Fugazi
First on our list of best luxury date ideas in San Francisco is a visit to Club Fugazi to watch A High Flying Love Story. Produced by a world-renowned circus and arts collective, the show offers all kinds of daring and impossible feats — romantic ones — that will keep any couple intrigued throughout. A super fun date night in SF for sure.
Book a reservation at SF’s newest hot spots
While you may roll your eyes at a cliché “Let’s go out for a drink” date idea, the experience is different when dining and wining at one of SF’s latest bars. Show off your dating skills by taking your date to one of the newest bars to open. Make a reservation for an expensive spot for a true luxury date night in San Francisco.
Wrapping up our list of fun date ideas in San Francisco
The possibilities are endless when it comes to a fun date night or outdoor date in San Francisco. You can have a romantic date night at a luxury restaurant, take a road trip, find a secret romantic spot, or play games all night. Just be a little creative and find what interests you and your partner to create an experience you’ll both live to remember.
