Our 3 Favorite Bay Area Date-Night Spots
San Francisco is a truly magical place. Anyone that visits is often amazed by the beauty that surrounds them in nature, historic architecture, and modern art throughout the city. There are so many different sights to see and activities to join in on that could provide countless hours of entertainment no matter how old you are.
You could take your family to spend an entire day out on Alcatraz learning about the history and feeling what it was like to be incarcerated on this iconic rock. You could also spend an entire day in Fisherman’s Wharf visiting shops and restaurants as well as checking out the sea lions that are known to hang out at Pier 39. However, if you’re trying to plan a romantic date night for the special person in your life, you won’t be disappointed. We’ve put together a list of our favorite Bay Area date night spots to help you plan a night she (or he) won’t soon forget!
Mission Foreign Cinema Restaurant
For an experience that goes beyond the usual dinner and a movie, take your companion to the Mission Foreign Cinema Restaurant. You won’t find the big action blockbusters that are currently in theaters across the country here, rather you’ll be treated to classic films like Rebel Without a Cause, The Outsiders, and The Maltese Falcon. The screenings are held in a covered outdoor courtyard filled with heat lamps so you both stay warm in the winter months, but they also have seating available inside by a fire or upstairs on a semi-private mezzanine.
After indulging in their California/Mediterranean-inspired menu that changes daily, you may want to stay for a few cocktails in their bar, Laszlo, while also listening to some great music spun by a rotating selection of DJs. On the other hand, if you prefer a daytime date, you can still come in for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. No matter when you choose to make your reservation, you and your date will both enjoy one of the most romantic nights this city has to offer.
Top of the Mark
If you want to make a lasting impression on that special someone, the best place to do so is at the Top of the Mark. The 360-degree views from the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel will knock their socks off. From high above the Bay Area, you will be blown away by the twinkling lights of the city below you. The San Francisco skyline and iconic bridges are also visible from this restaurant as well as beautiful views of the Bay.
The Top of the Mark offers light dining with world class options like their “Turf, Surf, or Earth” flats with sample sized selections of their Kobe beef sliders, Dungeness crab bits, or grilled pear quesadilla. You can also dance the night away after a cocktail, glass of wine, or one of their signature martinis. The views alone are enough to provide a romantic backdrop for any date night you may have coming up.
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences
If you want to stimulate your date’s mind as well as her heart, consider taking her to one of the many NightLife events held at the California Academy of Sciences. The perfect option for some intelligent sexiness is the Feel the Chemistry event they have planned for February 12th. Starting at 6pm, you can stroll hand in hand with your date through the pop-up beer hall while stopping to try your favorites from local breweries like Devoto Orchards Cider and Six Rivers Brewery. While enjoying some tasty beverages, you can learn all about the chemistry involved in the brewing process or learn how to brew your own from home.
To stoke the romantic feelings, be sure to stop in for a talk about human sexuality from Carol Queen and Robert Lawrence or joining in on an R-rated tour of the Universe during a special showing of Celestial Attractions. If you’re bringing a date, you’ll probably want to skip the speed dating session and head straight to the GoGo Craft’s pop-up Valentine station to create a custom card just for that special someone. Intelligence can be sexy and a night out at the California Academy of Sciences CAN be romantic if you take the right person along.
These three options are just a tiny fraction of the amazing romantic destinations around the Bay Area for you to take your date. Put a true VIP spin on the evening and pick your date up in a luxury car service so you can focus on them and not the road. This way you’ll both be able to indulge in a drink or two and still make it home safely, maybe even together!
Image Credit: freedigitalphotos.net/CNaene
