Fun Date Ideas Along the Waterfront
Plan your next date with something new and fun to explore with the person you adore! Whether you’re a couple who likes the outdoors, craves new adventures, or wants a date that is beyond the usual, the San Diego Bay waterfront has something for every couple to enjoy.
The Duo Looking for Something Different
Experience a spectacular San Diego evening from the comfort of a comfortable and spacious yacht. Sit down to a delicious plated dinner at your private table on City Cruises by Hornblower. It’s a magical San Diego experience so many never forget. Your San Diego dinner cruise awaits!
It’s lobster season! Support local San Diego fishermen by visiting the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market every Saturday. Local fishermen sell local California spiny lobster and other fresh seafood direct to you at off-the-boat prices. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to meet local sellers and receive easy recipes that you can cook together at home.
Beers on a boat? Say no more! Hop aboard the Flagship San Diego Hops on the Harbor, a Friday must-do for beer enthusiasts. The evening dinner cruise includes a five-course menu, each paired with a different local craft beer to partner the flavors perfectly!
Grab the best seat on the Embarcadero and sport your jersey to cheer on your favorite team from Carnitas’ Snack Shack. San Diego’s original fast-casual porkhouse provides you and your favorite fan with outdoor dining, big screens, buckets of booze and obviously, carnitas all game long!
Boogie down with your dancing partner with live music Sundays at Coronado Ferry Landing. Featuring local music talent from 2 – 5 p.m., this weekend concert series offers the perfect day date with beautiful sounds and sites.
The Sporty Twosome Wanting to Play
From Coronado to Chula Vista and National City, stunning views are yours when you and your favorite cyclist bike the Bayshore Bikeway. The coastal 24-mile loop ride around San Diego Bay may leave you ready for a bite mid-ride, be sure to stop at the Waterfront Grill at Pier 32 Marina for a burger and beer break!
Have some fun in the sun together. Imperial Beach Pier is the perfect spot for an intimate beach day complete with beach games, playing in the water and boogie boarding with a board rental from Sound of Beach! To cool off, visit Cow-A-Bunga Ice Cream for a cone or take a stroll to Tin Fish Restaurant at the end of the pier for classic fish tacos!
For the competitive team, let the best one win! Jump into the water and rent jet skis, stand up paddle boards or kayaks from Chula Vista Kayaks or Chula Vista Water Sports (reservations are required in advance). In a few short minutes, you’ll leave the Chula Vista Bayfront and be racing each other in the San Diego Bay. After riding in the water, enjoy the water from a different viewpoint and grab a seat on the outdoor patio at Galley at the Marina for a well-deserved meal. Looking to catch some air? See who can get to 50 feet above the water, get adventurous and fly high with fly boarding lessons from Luxury Jet Ski Rentals on Harbor Island.
The Foodies Looking for Tasty Finds
A romantic atmosphere is guaranteed when dining along the water’s edge in Coronado with delectable seafood at Peohe’s or authentic Italian at Il Fornaio. Each dinning option offers the perfect ambience and picturesque views of San Diego’s skyline to celebrate something special or that special someone.
Wow your love with a chic evening at the Intercontinental Hotel. Choose between a hidden, speakeasy-style alfresco restaurant or a laid-back rooftop bar and lounge next to the pool, perfect for spectacular views and stunning sunset cocktails. Grab a photo next to “Groundswell,” a public art piece at the hotel by Chris Puzio, inspired by the water, the tides, and the ocean.
Treat you and your sweetie to a treat at Portside Coffee & Gelato at one of two bayfront locations – Portside Pier or Shelter Island. Morning, noon or night, both are prime spots at any time to enjoy something sweet when holding hands during a beautiful stroll while admiring the water and each other!
Sites to See
Celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month with a self-guided walking art tour. With over 70 public art pieces along the waterfront, immerse yourself and one another by downloading a walking tour map in either Chula Vista, Imperial Beach or Harbor Island and spend your time appreciating the arts together.
For the love birds who love bird watching, National City is an easy birding location to get to and navigate with a flat overlook of the wetland area. Spot a variety of birds across a wide vista of marshland and be on the lookout for short-eared owls and caspian terns. Then finish the day with a romantic picnic nearby at Pepper Park.
Relax alongside your love at Bayside Park in Chula Vista. Head there before sunset and find a cozy spot on the grass for a picnic perfect for capturing the reflections of the sun on the bay! With plenty of shady trees, paths to walk along the bay and a quiet atmosphere, this is the perfect area to unwind at.
Located in the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, plan a family date and visit the Living Coast Discovery Center for a private tour visiting native wildlife such as sea turtles, sharks & rays, and eagles, complete with an up-close encounter of your family’s choosing!