Date Ideas You’ll Both Enjoy in San Francisco

From upscale to casual, make date night a great night in the city

NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” gave us the meme “Treat Yo Self!” And who isn’t ready to take self-care to the max? And you and your loved one both deserve to be spoiled. From exquisite meals and smart lectures to casual spas and Tiki bars, we’ve curated date ideas that you’ll both enjoy in San Francisco. 

Gary Danko’s name is perfect, because this dining experience is, one could say, extremely dank, with service to match. A five-course tasting menu will set you back $143, but you will feel like a member of the royal family at every turn. 

Got a turtleneck and loafers you’re just dying to show off? Eager to hear the brilliant minds of scholars in conversation in the heart of downtown San Francisco? City Arts and Lectures curates some of the most probing and acerbic minds across the arts and sciences and brings them together in a classic Civic Center venue.

Almost everything about the city’s Japantown evokes charm, and the escape known as Kabuki Springs Spa is a sensory delight. You can pick from an array of massage and treatment options for couples and singles alike, including a full-body exfoliation scrub down, or just take a little soak in the communal baths.

Even the locals love the Tonga Room and their suspiciously strong mai tais. Located in the bottom of the Fairmont Hotel, The Tonga Room is the perfect way to feel like you went to a tropical island without stepping on a plane or disturbing the local flora and fauna.

You’ve never had dinner and a movie like this. Rather than trek between the restaurant and theater, Foreign Cinema’s Mission District venue is a hybrid of the two. You can indulge in delicacies like oysters and fine food while catching a flick projected onto an outer wall. They also do a mean brunch.  

Fore! While mini-golf in the city isn’t exactly new, this outdoor course will not only take through the holes, but each is designed to represent a foundational event in San Francisco’s history, from the Barbary Coast saloon days to the Loma Prieta earthquake to the building of the Salesforce Tower, and everything in between.

If you feel like getting out of the city on a noble steed, Sea Horse ranch is perfect. Sweep your sweetheart off their feet and onto a stallion with a guided tour of Half Moon Bay, and ride off into the sunset together.