The Most Romantic Things to Do for Couples in San Diego

Home to stunning, sherbet-colored sunsets, wide, soft sand beaches, and near-perfect weather year-round, San Diego is the perfect getaway for the two of you, whether you’re newly matched or you’ve been together for years. While dining out and hitting up the bars is always fun in a new city, San Diego has options for all types of travelers, from thrill seekers to museum buffs. Here’s our list of amazing things to do when you visit America’s Finest City.

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Tiki culture has always been a big part of San Diego bar culture, so if you happen to be visiting on one of those rare days when a romantic stroll on the beach isn’t in the cards, you can easily fake it by sipping a tropical libation served in a cool tiki glass. One of our old school favorites is Bali Hai, a waterfront icon since 1954 that serves up a classic Mai Tai that’s so potent it has a two drink limit, plus Zombies and Scorpion Bowls. New wave tiki bars include a trip to an alien planet via Mothership, a death metal soundtrack and Victorian/goth decor, along with an inspired cocktail/mocktail program at vegan restaurant Kindred, lovingly crafted classic favorites like daiquiris, painkillers, and chi chis at The Grass Skirt, and Forbidden Cove’s modern tiki interpretations that range from plush and fruity to refreshing and crisp.

Mira Mesa
Take your beer-loving beloved to White Labs, a world-class international company that maintains more than 500 strains of yeast. They offer fun and educational 30 minute tours of their San Diego facility every Friday and Saturday at 2 pm and 3:30 pm, where you’ll both learn what makes a Belgian ale taste so different from an American ale. After the tour, head to the 32-tap tasting room, so you can put your new-found yeast knowledge to use firsthand and taste for yourself how much yeast impacts the flavor profile of beer while you nosh on pizza that uses their WLP518 Opshaug Kveik Ale Yeast in the dough. No reservations are required for the beer tour; just show up and enjoy!

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Food halls are still a trend in casual dining, but they’re a far cry from the old mall food courts you used to hang at back in middle school. The Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center, Market on 8th in National City, the Liberty Public Market in Liberty Station, and the Old Town Urban Market in Old Town host craft cocktail bars, artisan breweries, and nearly every kind of food shop you can imagine, from pizza to poké, so you can scope out your crush’s culinary leanings while indulging your own whims.

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Everybody loves to be in on a secret, even when it’s not really a secret. There’s just something vaguely clandestine (and a bit naughty) about going into, say, Kilowatt Brewing’s Oceanside tasting room and finding the hidden passageway, where a “space elevator” beams you up to the planet Rillispore and The Space Pad, a 1950s Atomic Era-style spaceport with futuristic cocktails that employ molecular tricks and treats like color changes, pearlized surprises, jelly textures, and smoke bubbles. Or, open a door situated in plain sight at the back of Common Theory in Kearny Mesa to visit a futuristic Chinese apothecary, the stunning Realm of the 52 Remedies, an opulent Art Deco masterpiece fused seamlessly with Korean and Chinese elements. A long, jade bar gives you a front row view of the mixology magic, while sexy private booths are cast in flattering, flickering light. Sneak behind the walk-in refrigerator in Little Italy’s Craft & Commerce for tropical libations at False Idol, or sit in one of the chairs next to the fireplace at Raised by Wolves in University City, where you’ll be gently spun via a revolving panel into the opulent bar hidden behind. Reservations are usually required, so check their websites before heading out.

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San Diego has trivia options for basically every night of the week, starting with Mondays at Cutwater Spirits Tasting Room in Miramar; groovy retro bar Sycamore Den in Normal Heights is a popular spot on Tuesday nights; The Regal Beagle in Mission Hills, famous for their house-made artisan sausages, has Wednesdays covered; and the East Village’s Knotty Barrel Gastropub combines trivia with half-price bottles of wine every Thursday night. Head to Crushed in Pacific Beach for Friday night sips and sliders, and hit Dirty Birds UCSD college area location on Saturdays, where your biggest challenge will be choosing from more than 30 flavors of top notch wings to go with $4 mimosas.

North Park & Gaslamp Quarter
Hang out and play arcade games in a grown up atmosphere at Coin Op Game Room. These “barcade” features old school games like Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat, vintage pinball, Skee-Ball machines, and Super Shot Basketball games with the added allure of craft cocktails, punch bowls, a dozen or so beer taps, and inventive twists on classic bar bites. Hit them up on weekday afternoons for happy hour deals on drafts, cocktails and appetizers, or for free play all day on the first Sunday (Gaslamp Quarter) or last Sunday (North Park) of the month. 

North Park
Let’s face it, no matter how much you love someone, traveling with your partner can occasionally lead to a bit of friction. Let off some steam with a go at a different kind of stress relief at AxeVentures in North Park. The idea is pretty straightforward: book a lane online or walk in anytime, learn the ropes from one of the coaches, and spend the next hour or so perfecting your throwing technique. You can also vent your frustration in a Smash City Rage Room, or just play corn hole, giant Jenga, and Connect Four. Thursday nights feature Dark Light Axe Throwing, when the lights go down and the blacklights provide for Instagrammable memories. Safety note: Closed toe shoes are required.

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Discover whether you and your partner’s musical tastes are in sync at one of San Diego’s listening bars, a concept that began in 1950s Japan and is designed to provide a perfect atmosphere for relaxing, with comfortable seating and low lighting. North Park’s Part Time Lover is a combination listening bar and record shop, as well as a visually dazzling room with an open layout for optimal sound, cushy banquettes perfect for snuggling, and music chosen by San Diego’s own Folk Arts Rare Records store. The bar program focuses on Japanese highballs and amped-up takes on traditional cocktails. Convoy Music Bar in Kearny Mesa cultivates a chill vibe, decked out with a custom built Japanese sound system for the best listening experience and specializing in Japanese whiskey. It’s somewhat hidden, accessed via the alley behind The Taco Stand (hint: look for the red light.)

Downtown
The Rady Shell, San Diego’s stunning outdoor bandshell on Embarcadero Marina Park South, is home to the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, as well as host to productions and performances ranging from John Legend to the Gipsy Kings, plus cult classic musical scores performed by the symphony. With 13,000 square feet of performance and backstage area, The Shell can accommodate elaborate productions, while the enhanced levels of seating give nearly every spot a clear view of the stage. Food and beverages are available from San Diego faves like Lola 55, Urban Kitchen, Biga, KItchens for Good, and Master Chef winner Richard Blais’ Blais by the Bay, with an upscale pre-order dinner menu available in select sections.

North Park
Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, part of the iconic LaFayette Hotel & Club in North Park, brings a New York jazz nightclub atmosphere and live music to its historic clam shell stage, as well as CH Projects’ signature over the top decor and elevated craft cocktails. Chef Ted Smith’s menu is inspired by classic supper club cuisine and a retro cocktail program showcases new school twists on Espresso Martinis, Caiparitas, Negronis, Painkillers, and more, plus a choice selection of beer and wine. Straddling the line between a restaurant and a live music venue, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room has regularly scheduled live entertainment Thursday through Saturday, as well as added dates for acts coming through San Diego.

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Nothing beats grooving together to a live band, but tickets for the big names can get expensive. Fortunately, San Diego’s live music scene is as exciting and diverse as the venues that support it, and you usually don’t have to buy tickets months in advance. The Belly Up in Solana Beach welcomes acts ranging from Saharan folk music to alt-reggae, with a good sprinkling of comedy, tribute bands, and legendary early rockers from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The Music Box’s three tiers of seating include opera booths with bottle service, two outdoor patios, bars on two levels, and a private VIP skybox overlooking the stage, as well as a menu that includes kobe sliders, charcuterie, flatbreads, and cocktails on tap. See up-and-coming underground alt-rock at the famously divey Casbah, where past guests have included Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, or hit Winston’s Beach Club in Ocean Beach for jam band/reggae vibes.

Balboa Park
Balboa Park, the “Jewel of San Diego”, is a must-visit, well worth seeking out as a cultural hub. Boasting more than 1,200 acres of museums, attractions, restaurants, and gardens, you can easily spend an entire day ambling through the beautiful grounds and stunning architecture without spending a penny.

Museums of particular note are the San Diego Natural History Museum, which first opened in 1874 and is the oldest scientific institution in Southern California; the Fleet Science Center and planetarium, home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater; the WorldBeat Center, which promotes and preserves African, African-American and other Indigenous world cultures through art, music, dance, education and technology, and, of course, ComicCon Museum.

A total of 15 dedicated gardens turn even the most casual stroll into a romantic nature walk. The best place to start is at the iconic Botanical Building, one of the park’s most recognizable and photographed structures. The area around the lily pond is a popular spot for picnicking, lounging or meditation. Learn about California flora and fauna in the California Native Plant Garden, trek through lush Palm Canyon or visit Zoro Garden, a serene butterfly garden, where monarchs, swallowtails, and sulfur butterflies sip water from tiny pools in the rocks; lush plantings like milkweed, passion fruit vines, and California lilac feed butterfly larvae, and verbena, butterfly bush, lantana, and the like provide nectar for adult butterflies.

Balboa Park isn’t just full of culture, it's also full of hiking trails. There are 19 trails at varying levels of difficulty that will take you 65 miles through the park. Access the trails from one of five trailhead gateways, where you’ll find info on length, difficulty and type of trail and can download maps of specific areas or the entire park.

Carlsbad
Hop on an open air, Swiss Military 6x6 Pinzgauer and make your way to some of San Diego’s top breweries on a North County Brewery Tour. Relax and let your designated driver/tour guide chauffeur you to local hot spots like Stone Brewery, The Lost Abbey, Latitude 33, Breakwater Brewing Co., and more, where you’ll enjoy 4 to 6 beer samples at each of 3 selected craft breweries. Your tour includes pickup and drop-off, a highly qualified, knowledgeable beer guide, transportation, all tasting fees, and a picnic lunch from famous Phil’s BBQ. 

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What could be more romantic than ending a day of exploring San Diego with a gorgeous sunset and a cozy bonfire? There are over a dozen beaches that supply designated fire pits from North County to our southern border. Keep in mind that different beaches operate by different rules though, even within the San Diego Park System, so read all the signage when you enter the beach or parking lot. Once you’re done making s’mores and cuddling, be sure that your fire is out before you leave, and never dump hot coals in the sand—even if you cover them, they can still be red-hot hours later for some poor unsuspecting soul to step on. And not to be a party pooper, but note that alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, vaping of any sort, and glass are not permitted on any beaches in San Diego County. Sorry.

Old Town
The notorious Whaley House is reputed to be one of the most haunted houses in the United States, according to the Travel Channel. It’s built on the site of the public execution of Yankee Jim Robinson, who was hanged for stealing a boat with two companions, and who is now the most famous resident of the nearby El Campo Santo Cemetery (which is worth a visit on its own). The gorgeous two-story Greek Revival home was almost immediately the site of tragedy; shortly after the Whaley family moved into the home, 17-month old Thomas Whaley died; later his sister Violet, depressed and humiliated over an adulterous husband, died by suicide in the home as well. Even the Whaley family themselves reported paranormal activity, particularly the sound of heavy boots stomping throughout, attributed to the restless spirit of Yankee Jim. Visitors have reported cold pockets of air, the distinct odor of cigar smoke, the sound of a laughing or crying child, and the impressions of sleeping bodies on the beds. In addition to daytime and evening tours, the Whaley House Museum hosts an After Hours Paranormal Investigation, where guests can visit rooms not accessible on the regular tours and have hands-on access to the latest ghost hunting equipment.

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