Looking for unique San Diego date ideas? You came to the right place. Kevin and I recently made the trek from Los Angeles to San Diego for a mini-getaway. San Diego is an easy 2 hour drive from LA (during these gridlock-free pandemic times). While we recently had twin babies, we both agreed that travel should remain a priority. And quality time remains my #1 love language. Thanks COVID! At least something good came from all of this, right Kevin? Okay, maybe he shouldn’t answer that! It was time for a change of scenery. So we packed our car to the brim, including our little dachshund Doug, and headed south for a mini getaway.
Doug, the dog, is ready for the quick trip to San Diego. Someone doesn’t look happy though.
Whether you’re a foodie or looking for a unique romantic night out, here are our top 5 San Diego date ideas for a special time with your partner. We did many things on this trip, but these were the most unique experiences that rose to the top.
San Diego Date Ideas: For The Gourmet Chef
A pasta cooking class, makes one of the most unique San Diego date ideas.
Have you ever attempted to make pasta from scratch? Even if you have, we’re sure you’ll learn something new in the private cooking classes held at Mattarello Restaurant in the heart of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp District. We joined their 2-hour pasta cooking class where we made fresh pasta that any Italian grandma would approve of.
Rolling out the pasta by hand. Phil looks like he knows what he’s doing.
It doesn’t get much more authentic than this. Our instructor Francesco grew up in Tuscany before settling in San Diego with his wife and opening this classic Italian restaurant and cooking school. For each class, you’re given the option to make either ravioli, spaghetti or tagliatelle. Kevin and I chose ravioli since we loved the idea of stuffing it with fresh cheese. You’re speaking our language. Does cheese count as another love language? If so, we’re totally on board. Move over quality time!
By the end of class, you’ll have a full Italian feast. The 3-course meal also includes a delicious charcuterie and cheese board as well as dessert (both prepared by the restaurant). Last but not least: bring your own bottle of wine. At the end, you’ll taste your handmade pasta and pair it with your drink of choice. We picked up a bottle of red at the Mona Lisa Market in Little Italy. After a few glasses of wine, we were fully convinced that we were ready to compete on Top Chef. Okay, on second thought, maybe we’ll actually attempt to make ravioli at home rather than just the dried pasta at the back of our cupboard? It’s all about obtainable goals, I say.
Classes are $45 per person and can be booked directly on Mattarello’s website.
A San Diego Date For Some Spooky Fun
Who knew San Diego had so many creepy stories? If you’re looking to get outside and learn about the scarier side of San Diego, we recommend an evening out with San Diego Ghosts. We met our guide in the Gaslamp District, which was once one of the city’s seediest neighborhoods. In nearly every corner of this haunted district, a story or a piece of history leads back to the supernatural. While some of these spirits are peaceful enough, others are ready to pounce on you.
This could be the perfect way to cozy up to your date (or they’ll kill you and you’ll end up as one of the stories on their tour!). Full disclosure, I was a little nervous about this one. Let’s just say, Kevin isn’t much into ghosts and scary things. In fact, we recently watched Disney’s The Haunted Mansion, and that even had some jumps and scares. But the Gaslamp district today is pretty lively, so it never feels truly terrifying. Though, the stories can get pretty graphic and gruesome at times. It’s definitely more PG-13 than rated G. The tour will take you past some of the city’s most creepy spots, including the Davis-Horton House, known as ‘the most haunted house in the Gaslamp Quarter.’ Tours are $19 per person and can be booked directly on the San Diego Ghosts website.
Learn To Fly A Falcon And See Their Beauty In Flight
Ever dream of flying like a bird? Kevin and I recently had the ultimate falconry experience — flying with falcons in California and seeing them up close with Total Raptor Experience. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes place along the coastal bluffs of La Jolla, Calif., overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I mean, can the setting be any more picturesque?
This is the only place in the United States that offers a falconry experience like this. We joined in their falconry class to learn about the environmental importance of these birds as well as soar with them in flight. And in case you’re wondering, flying is Kevin’s top choice for his superpower (even though he has a crippling fear of heights). Clearly, he’s a glutton for pain.
Flying with falcons in California: A falconry experience not to be missed.
After literally being cooped up all week — and cursing the latest coronavirus shut downs — Kevin and I were ready to enjoy some time outside in the sun and do something unique in San Diego. And trust us, it doesn’t get much more unique than interacting with falcons. We met up with our teachers Antonella and Dave. Together, they formed Total Raptor Experience 4 years ago as a way to share their love and knowledge of these incredible birds. The falconry experiences ($77) run Thursdays through Sundays at 11 AM or 1 PM and last about 1.5 hours. Parahawking is booked separately. This includes flight training and about 20-25 minutes of flying with the falcons (cost $400 per person). Want to learn more about the falconry experience and parahawking? Check out our full feature here and learn how you can book.
San Diego Date Ideas: To Get You Moving
Looking to burn some calories with your date? We can’t think of a better way to spend your afternoon than taking on some of San Diego’s best biking trails. We loved the entirely flat and well-paved trails along Mission Bay San Diego. We booked a pair of beach cruiser bikes from Cheap Rentals. At just $15 for an entire day, it doesn’t get much cheaper than this. The bike path is located just minutes from the shop.
The bike trail has plenty of bathrooms along the way. Best of all, it’s virtually impossible to get lost. Just keep the water on your right the entire way as you ride the roughly 12-mile trail past SeaWorld and other fun spots. Before heading back for the day, be sure to ride by Belmont Park (with its rickety, teeth-rattling wooden roller coaster) and the waterfront boardwalk. You’ll have plenty of people watching — plus test your biking abilities as you navigate the madness. In total, we spent about 3 hours cruising Mission Bay by bike including lunch along the boardwalk.
Enjoy a Meal Under the Stars With Hornblower Cruises
One of our favorite activities in San Diego had to be the dinner cruise with Hornblower Cruises. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect, but this was certainly one of our favorite San Diego dates. We boarded our cruise and headed up to the top deck where each of the tables were well spaced out in the open air.
We soon were off, slowly drifting by San Diego’s skyline twinkling with lights in the distance.
It was chilly that night for us. In the cooler winter months, we’d recommend bringing some layers and a heavy jacket. But the cold weather only made us cozy up closer. We loved the complimentary glass of champagne, which also helped us forget about the arctic conditions. For the main entree, I ordered the vegetable lasagna while Kevin got the braised short rib. We didn’t expect much, but the food was incredible.
Chowing down on the vegetable lasagna, which we highly recommend.
Dinner cruises start at $89 per adult, and $54 for children (4-12). We didn’t see any kids on the dinner evening cruise and feel like it is best for a special night out. It was the perfect date night for these dads.
Cruises can be booked directly from the Hornblower website.
Looking for other ideas of things to do in San Diego? Check out our full coverage of San Diego must-see spots, including 8 fun date ideas for a weekend in San Diego. Love Mexican culture and food as much as we do? Check out our self-guided walking tour through San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood. Or go further afield and see all of our adventures in Los Angeles including the best places to get a close look at the Hollywood Sign.
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