Pack a picnic and take a stroll among the towering redwood in Muir Woods. Either hike up to the hut for a glass of vino or find yourself a private spot for a romantic lunch followed by cuddles on a blanket.
When is the last time you went bowling? It is the best fun for under $30 - hands down! What better way to spend a couple of hours than reliving a favorite childhood activity and laughing. Take your gal out to Yerba Buena or the Presidio - i bet she will love it!
On a nice day, make your way over to Marina Green and go for a stroll along the water taking in the wonders that are the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Take some time to stop, lie on the grass, and..well.. just stop! You will soon remember how lucky you are to be in such a great city with your lovely.
Take the BART to the 24th Street / Mission station. Once you come out of the station on Mission, head north. On the right handside--don´t blink or you´ll miss it--is a small Nicaraguan Restaurant called the Red Balloon.
Call me bias but I have come to love and appreciate this cuisine that is a mixture of Carribean, Central American, and Spanish foods. My wife is from Nicaragua and this food is the next best thing to her home cooking. Take your time on the BART to conversate! A conversation that wouldn´t normally take place if you were driving. Since you can´t look into each others eyes in the car.
Order burgers at Taylor´s Automatic in the Ferry Building, share your fries. Maybe order a PBR to go with it. Once you have eaten, take a stroll along the Embarcadero and enjoy the lovely sights along the bay.
Hit the ICE at the Embarcadero Center Holiday Ice Rink - during Christmas time
Remember the Golden Gate Park Carousel? Brought the memories back for me - a great place to share childhood memories with your sweetie.
Take your date to the Presidio Driving Range for a few practice shots. Loads of fun, even more so if your date hasn't hit a golf ball before!
Have you tried Queen of Sheba? It's a must, especially for first timers to Middle Eastern and Ethiopian cuisine! Munch on Arabic delights - Labne, brilliant Pita and Turkish Delight to die for... and hostess with the mostess Miss Galia is sure to put a smil on your face! 1100 Sutter St, between Larkin and Polk, Nob Hill.
I took my partner to Shalimar for Indian food the other night. It's seriously cheap and seriously good! And its BYOB - so if you bring your drinks from home it doesn't really count in the $30... shh!
Sandwich Date? Try Ike's Place. A plethora of original, hand crafted sandwiches - hot, sticky and dressed with dirty sauce. Highly recommended - Nacho Boy (takes you back to high school!), the Vegan Meatball (ya-ha!) and the Beer Battered Onion Rings (on the INSIDE of the sandwich)! Eat in or takeaway and have a picnic nearby (napkins, people!! Napkins!)
Make your date night a mission to find the TAMALE LADY. (Hint, hint: Start by hanging out at the Zeitgeist in Mission with your date, and wait for her to materialise... get stuck into some beer or an award-winning bloody Mary while you kill the time, and if Tamale Lady is a no-show, there's always the $6 burgers!)
I love Tommy's Joynt - a place for Carnivores and late night dwellers. It's on 1101 Geary Blvd - you'll be fed well for under $30!
Date Night Mission = To find the Creme Brulee Guy (Curtis). The hard way is to hit the streets on foot - the easy way to find him is on twitter - @cremebruleecart.You´ll love his Creme Brulee - and at $3 a piece, you´ll have heaps of change or heaps of brulee!
Take your sweetie for the scenic 49 mile drive in, around and through the city. Pick up road-trip snacks and take a camera for cheesy tourist shots together in front of all the sights! Perfect if your date isn't from the area!
Guide your date on a tour of tropical heaven at the Conservatory of Flowers, $5pp entry fee. Make sure you take a good camera and get lots of pics of the beautiful flowers (if you're into that sort of thing) or just of the two of you with the gorgeous backdrop! Then you can print it, frame it and keep it for the memories!
Vampire Tour of San Francisco - not a bad way to spend a date night. Although it breaks the budget, $40 for 2 people.
Choose a nice warm day and explore Sutro Baths. Take a camera for happy snaps.
Sunset at Fort Funston - simply stunning! Pack a picnic basket...
SF National Cemetery Walk - this is a free tour. You´ll hear about the history of the people buried at the cemetery.
Rent a kayak at City Kayak. Rates are Single $15/ hr or Double $28/ hr. Remember to bring water, sunblock, sunglasses, a snack, maybe a change of clothes.
On a clear night go to Treasure Island / Buena Vista Island and go for a walk... you´ll get an amazing view of SF lights.
Sat Morning Farmers Market. Try Ferry Plaza, but remember the markets usually shut by mid afternoon.
SF stairway search... if you’ve never been on these – you'll explore places unreachable by any other means. Exploration and adventure date.
Mural Walks in the Mission district. While checking out the local murals keep an eye on the sidewalks for stencil graffiti.
Ride cable cars, yeah touristy but hey... if you've never done it before then it could be a cheap thrill! Heaps to do at the end of the line (Pier 39, Fisherman's Warf)
If you like ice cream, I recommend Ghirardelli Square. They have an ice cream place. And you can see how they make chocolate.
Stop at Chez Spencer On The Go!: The only mobile french bistro in the city. Served out of a converted taco truck parked across from Terroir wine bar in SoMa, the truck offers an inexpensive, fun and quirky way to enjoy fine french cuisine without noses up in the air.
Volunteer at the San Francisco Food Bank - reach out and provide a helping hand together. You'll be doing something simple like packing food or measuring packs of rice, its all easy work. It is for senior citizens in the area. It's a happy feel good date!
I took a date for a pash at the Grand View Park once - I made him work for it though. This place has the perfect panoramic view of SF! Be warned, the park is small but fierce, to grab the best view you'll have to hike it over a few obstacles. At least you know when you get up there there's little chance you'll be interrupted. (Moraga St & 14th Ave, Inner Sunset)
Take a walk along Lands End Trail. The trails and vistas are beautiful. When my boyfriend and I just got a new puppy we brought it here and made it a play date together. It's easy to access and the views of the ocean and perfect on a summers day! (El Camino del Mar & 32nd Ave, Outer Richmond)
Watch at Bay Area Derby Girls smash the competition! Roller derby is one of the coolest things I've seen in my life. The girls are so bad ass, its pretty full-on and so cool to watch! Before the whistle blows for the first jam, they show you a demonstration of how the game is played which is cool. There's actually a bit of strategy to it. Tix's are sold online for $10.
Help out at HandsOn Bay Area. Go to their website and register, look for a project in your area, sign up and then show up! You can choose what you want to do, such as: pulling weeds, clearing pathways, scrubbing clean the beautiful stone sitting areas and chairs. There is free snacks or meals. Make it a working-bee date!
Clear your mind at YogaKula San Francisco. The studio is beautiful, airy and filled with light. If you've both never done it before - you should definitely try it as a "something new date". The classes are challenging for all levels, and the studio provides mats, blocks and blankets for anyone who needs them. Per class is starts at $8.
Jog at The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project. Great views, especially when the sun is setting into the Pacific! You will blown away by the detail they've put into each step of this spectacular staircase.
Spend a day at Fort Mason Community Garden. It's such a unique space, a perfect place to meditate together. A place of tranquility, inspiration, new life and positive vibes.
Meet up with your date for coffee at Philz Coffee. They have heaps to order from on the menu and its a great atmosphere. The coffee is good!
Hang out at the Black Horse London Pub. It is a cool spot and happy hour drinks are cheap!
A date once took me out for Truffles at XOX Truffles. They have so many different flavors! My favorites were Mango, Orange, Earl Grey and Hazelnut. Simply delicious and melts in your mouth. Prices are super duper cheap at $0.75 per truffle! Get some coffee to go with your truffles.
Sweat it out at Lyon Street Steps! It is a great workout place. Can't beat the view, the beautiful homes and the well manicured gardens. Take bottled water - you'll need it. Feel good about yourselves. (Lyon Street & Green Street, San Francisco)
Pack a picnic for an afternoon at Huntington Park - place yourselves down with a good view of Grace Cathedral, and bring along a camera for some happy snaps of your date. Afterwards you can hang out by the fountain and watch people walking by.
Take your date to Broken Record, the food is delicious. They have my favorite... mac n cheese! But also very tasty is the tuna tortilla/burrito and the fried chicken wings.
Get your swing on with free Dance lessons at Lindy in the park. It's a LOT of fun! Let yourself go and learn how to swing dance. It's great to sit back and watch too! There is even a hot dog stand nearby with refreshments for when you get hungry - I cannot recommend it enough!
Check out Fort Point under the Golden Gate - it's free! The history here is amazing, cannons are dotted everywhere and the gun powder room was filled with barrels and barrels of black powder as if it was a winery. Great views and a fascinating place too.
Have you heard of Hiking Yoga? Dress ready to exercise and carry a water bottle. It's urban hiking that goes through different SF neighborhoods, down paths you've probably never been before! There is 15 minutes of yoga at each stop and 3 stops during the hike. $10 for first timers. something different for fitness fanatic daters.
Breakfast at Double Team Coffee. Take your date out for breakfast rather than dinner for a different spin on things. Double Team Coffee is a great place to try - they've got lots of bagels and pastries and their coffee is superb! Located at 882 Bush Street, San Francisco.
Make it a lunch date at Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream. Try their $3.25 sandwich with all the fixin's, grab a side of nachos and potato salad. You'll have heaps of cash to hit the ice cream bar! Coconut and Pistachio... YUM! A single scoop cup for only $2.25 (1470 Fillmore St, Western Addition)
You'll find the perfect setting for a Romantic San Francisco date at Crissy Field! It's such a cool urban escape - my favorite in fact. Sit out on the pier and chat with each other overlooking the water. Bliss!
The Golden Gate Park was originally the location for the old zoo. It's such a romantic place to enjoy a picnic with your date. For less than $30 you can buy a nice bottle of wine and some great cheese or antipasto. The park is stunning.
Saturday night fun at Film Night in the Park. Watch a movie on a huge inflatable screen with stars in the sky as the backdrop is an amazing experience. It is a free (make a donation) outdoor Saturday event. Go early to grab yourself a good position in front of the screen. They sell drinks and popcorn on site for $2. Bring jackets and a picnic.
Bike across Golden Gate Bridge, it's totally amazing! It's an 8.5 mile bike ride across and the wind when going through the ocean gap is remarkable. An experience you have to try! Bring the necessary stuff like helmet, jacket, food, water, camera and so on.
Grab you camera and make your way to St. Dominican's Catholic Church. This church has a beautiful Gothic architecture - grab photos of each other on the outside. The church has a variety of masses that even non religious people can attend.
Spend an afternoon at San Francisco Botanical Garden. It's a paradise of garden scents, including Monterey Pine, Cypress trees and even Australian Eucalyptus. Admission is free or you can donate to support it.
On a summers morning, get up before dawn and make your way to San Francisco's Tank Hill! Watch a stunning sunrise together and enjoy the views - rug up and take a camera. Afterwards head into the city for breakfast - or get back into bed. (2 Belgrave Ave, Twin Peaks)
Race your date on the Seward Street Slides. Take along wax paper or cardboard and you'll zoom down! Makes it even more fun! (Seward St & Douglass St, San Francisco)
Tag along with the San Francisco City Guides It's a free tour, but you can / should donate some cash. The tour will take your around the city providing interesting facts about SF, it's quite educational. Take a camera - play like tourists.
Take your date through the Saint Ignatius Church, it is simply beautiful! A masterpiece of architecture - if your date is into architecture they'll absolutely love this date idea. The place is magnificent.
Picnic at Golden Gate Park Windmills - it's so romantic! The grass is so green and the flowers and beautiful. Guys make sure you bring your women here for a picnic in the springtime!
Go hiking at Mount Sutro! It's an amazing area you wont believe you're in the middle of San Fran! Hike your way up till you've left the street noise and there's nothing but nature around you. It's so peaceful, it's such an amazing area.
Take your date to Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze. $5 will get you in and you can go back to the start as many times as you want. There's lights flashing and dance music pumping through the system, and the mirrors the room seem so bizarre. Definitely something to check out. (Located at Pier 39 - Fisherman's Wharf)
Take your date for a run with the Dolphin South End Running Club. The club runs on weekends and it's only $5 for non members, $3 for members. They have snacks and water after each run and anywhere between 70 and 120 people show up! It's great for fitness fanatics, and a great way to socialize.
There's this place called Sigmund Stern Grove and hardly anyone is ever there, unless it's July (concert time). This park has cute little grassy areas and a small lake. Make this the perfect romantic picnic on a warm summers evening. (2750 19th Ave, San Francisco)
Make it a doggie day date at Bernal Heights Hill. You could introduce your date to your dog or if you've both got dogs introduce them to each other. It's a great way to break the ice for a second date! This place has got great trails throughout the hill - take a stroll and get to know your date. Great views too! (Bernal Heights Blvd, Bernal Heights)
Take your date to the Stonestown Farmer's Market to find Golden Waffle. Go for the Nutella and whipped cream waffle - only $4! hmmm - tasty, fresh, crispy on the outside and moist in the middle. Walk through the farmer's market while you're there.
Visit the Shakespeare Garden - it's open to the public unless a wedding is taking place. You'll find some secluded and secret grass areas where you can throw down a rug and peer up into the sky, maybe enjoy a pash or three. (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco)
Play pool at the Billiard Palacade. Cheap, easy, fun. (5179 Mission St, between Geneva Ave & Rolph St, Crocker-Amazon)
Make the perfect date at China Beach! Keep an eye out to see if Robin Williams drive by, he lives in the area. China Beach is one of my favorite places to visit, it's so romantic... The sea lions make it for me!
Make it a midnight rendezvous date at Dolores Park in the summertime. The views are amazing, the breeze caresses your face. Take some wine, maybe some cheese and a picnic rug - lay back and enjoy the city lights.
Take your date to Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous for their incredible ice cream, it's so delicious! They also sell cookies which are damn too. Half pint - $4, a pint is $7.50, they also have scoops. My pick is the Chocolate Chip Cookie, it is only $1.75 and work it in with a creamy ice cream.
The best things in life are free - like laying back in the sun at Sutro Heights Park! Pure bliss.
In 2008, daters Denis Merkas and Emma Veale uploaded a random date idea generator to the web - they called it $30 Date Night.
It was never intended for public use - rather a personal tool to serve them up with random date ideas they could do for cheap!
The idea to grab $30 and it in your back pocket, go to the site and do something you've never done before.
5 years later and Denis and Emma still date each other, they're now married and the site has grown bigger than they'd ever imagined - it is now the largest collection of date ideas on the internet. People from all over the globe have joined in to celebrate their relationship.
Here are a few insights that daters Emma and Denis have learned over the past 5 years.
New experiences: This is the key to date night. In most cases trying something new, that takes you just a little out of your comfort circle will create the most amazing date ideas.
Planning the date night. This is the killer and is what keeps couples at home in front of the television rather than getting out into the world and looking for something new and fun to do.
No Magic Bullet: There is no one date idea that trumps the other. We all have different tastes and flavours. Step out of your comfort circle every now and then and we promise you'll find excitement, adrenalin and romance. It'll be everything you've wanted from a date, and you'll be telling your friends and family how amazing the experience was for months later!
