7 Great Bay Area California Date Night Ideas
Are you looking for the perfect date night activity in the San Francisco Bay Area? Look no further! From dinner and drinks to iconic locations to sports adventures and cultural experiences, there's something for every couple in the Bay Area. Here are a few ideas to get you started on planning the ultimate date night.
Wander Through One of Many BAY AREA Museums
The Bay Area has no shortage of museums so we will highlight a few of our favorites. First up is the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
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Positioned on the old Presidio Army installation, it's a quirky museum dedicated to the Disney Family. It has some amazing exhibits and even a tiny replica of Disneyland when it opened.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is a great place for a date night because you can take in all the offerings the exhibit has within a few hours and then stroll over to the nearby restaurants.
You can also consider packing a picnic and stretching out on the Presidio lawn that faces the Golden Gate Bridge.
Another favorite is the East Bay Oakland Museum of California located off Oak St in Oakland. Regular admission ticket prices are $19 each and that includes the history section, California arts, natural sciences, and the museum garden (which is also free to the public).
Make sure to check out the Bay Area history section and its interactive activities which includes railroad history within the Bay Area and its role in the gold rush. If you are on a budget, take advantage of the Sunday $5 donation admission price!
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Axe Throwing Date
Have you ever wanted to experience the unique art of axe throwing? Challenge your partner to see who can perfect your throwing aim first. There are several axe-throwing locations around the Bay Area but our favorite is Bad Axe Throwing in San Francisco.
Bad Axe staff will check you in and go over safety features and the art of axe throwing. The experience itself lasts anywhere from 45 mins to an hour, and it’s a fun way to try something new with your loved ones. Bad Axe accepts walk-ins but we recommend making a reservation.
Catch a show at the Fox Theater in Oakland
This iconic theater has been an Oakland staple for years. Bands like Earth, Wind & Fire, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Deathcab for Cuties have played at the Fox Theater.
Do yourself a favor and get the upgrade to the Telegraph Room with your ticket!
It's such a great place for your date night, as the theater serves food, has a no-host bar with short lines, clean bathrooms, free coat check, and you get access to the un-crowded middle section of the theater (next to the sound booth, which means the best sound).
Parking at the Fox Theater can be challenging and expensive so we recommend taking public transportation like BART.
Bocce Ball Date
Have you ever of Bocce? The popular Italian game is similar to bowling and is a unique date night option for couples in the Bay Area. Bocce (pronounced “baa-chee“) is essentially a lawn or indoor game that's played with eight weighted balls aimed at a smaller target ball, or Pallino.
Campo di Bocce Los Gatos in the South Bay is a fun spot with a full bar and lots of bocce pristine courts. They are well set up for date night with a good choice of pizzas, pasta, and salads. Make sure to get instructions on scoring the game before playing!
Other bocce ball locations in the Bay Area include SF Bocce and Skeeball in San Francisco!
Explore a World Famous Tiki Bar
Tiki bars are incredibly popular in the Bay Area but the Tonga Room and Hurricane Club is the perfect one for a date night experience!
Located in the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, the Tonga Room and Hurricane Club serves up cheeky vibes with a huge pool in the center.
The Tonga Room has a $15 entrance fee and offers tables with food or you can just grab a drink at the Bar. Make sure to catch the live music which usually has the band on a floating stage.
We love the Tonga Pupu Platter and the Mushroom Fried Rice. For drinks, we enjoyed the Jungle Bird, 1944 Mai Tai, and the Sailor's Guillotine!
Stroll the Grounds at Filoli Gardens
Have you ever seen the movie Heaven Can Wait starring Warren Beatty? It was filmed at the Filoli Gardens in Woodside California!
The Filoli Gardens is a beautiful country house and date night goers can admire the interior of the mansion, and there are small exhibits and signs to learn about Filoli's history.
Filoli has a massive area spanning multiple gardens comprising of seasonal fruits and flowers which are perfect for couples to stroll through hand in hand.
Filoli is wheelchair friendly with a visit fee of $25 for adults. During the holiday season, they decorate with Christmas trees and thousands of lights making it a magical space to visit!
Get Spooked at Winchester Mystery House
Speaking of mansions, another amazing Bay Area date night option is Winchester Mystery House. The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester.
According to legends, Sarah Winchester believed that the mansion was haunted by the ghosts of people who had been killed by Winchester rifles.
Sarah Winchester had the house continuously under construction for 38 years in an effort to appease or maybe confuse the spirits. The house is known for its architectural oddities, including doors and staircases that lead nowhere, windows that overlook other rooms, and a number of other peculiarities.
Regular tours start around $42 but they also offer garden tours and the famous flashlight tours which is a great option for couples who like a spookier vibe.
Do you have a favorite date night spot in the Bay Area? Let us know in the comments! And since the Bay Area is one of our top places to visit, here's even more fun date night ideas in San Francisco!
Looking for a stay at home date night idea? Check out our Dream Date Nights Jar!
