San Francisco Fun Date Night Ideas: Romantic, SF Date Ideas

Fun Date Ideas San Francisco: Date Spots, Date Night Ideas San Francisco, Romantic Restaurants San Francisco, Date Ideas Bay Area, SF Date Ideas

As a professional photographer and dating consultant in San Francisco, I have scouted many areas for photoshoots, lifestyle images, branding sessions, date ideas and backgrounds for headshots and portraits.

It’s my job to create photos with the best conversation starters and iconic locations that invite people to learn more about my clients whether it’s for dating profiles, press releases, business profiles or personal branding efforts. Click here for press coverage in the NYTimes, WSJ & more.

When it comes to restaurants, bars, cafes and other date ideas, San Francisco has a range of options to satisfy any need (well except maybe good rooftop bars, sigh). Date night ideas in San Francisco are plentiful, and below are a range of ideas to fill your needs.

In any case, I have compiled an extensive list of places for first date spots, fun unique date ideas and romantic restaurants in the city. San Francisco date ideas are plentiful and can be had regardless of budget, lifestyle, interests and location. Come back and check out this list as it will be updated regularly with new openings and new tips. 

For date ideas in other parts of the Bay Area and country, read this. For date ideas for this current week, check out this list.

For those seeking help with their dating woes, check out my services here. Services span on where to live, places to meet singles, grooming, styling, lifestyle choices, hobbies, interests, conversation skills, help with dating apps, photos, identifying blind spots.

My specialty is working with introverted men, engineers, successful women, gay men and those seeking relationships

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If you are new to town, don’t get out much or are unfamiliar with a neighborhood, planning a date can be difficult. Private events, noisy bars, crowded cafes with nowhere to sit, sold out shows and more are the last things you want to encounter on a first date.

As an online dating photographer and consultant here in the San Francisco Bay Area, my offerings go beyond photos to include wardrobe, bio/prompt critique, photo analysis, conversation starters, app strategy and first date ideas. If you are looking for social distancing date ideas, check out my other list.

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Here are my favorite places around San Francisco neighborhoods for nearly every occasion, lifestyle on those early dates.

Please note there are many, many other places I recommend beyond those listed below including more intimate locations, seasonal or weekly one-off events, hidden gems and date ideas beyond early dates – these are exclusively available for my clients and paid subscribers to my newsletter.

For my Marin County, Sonoma and Napa date ideas scroll to the bottom of the page.

For more tips on online dating first date etiquette, read this post: http://eddie-hernandez.com/online-dating-first-dates/

Andytown Coffee + Salesforce Park Walk 

Snowy Plover Drink (Pellegrino, crushed ice, espresso, brown sugar-based syrup and homemade whipped cream) is a great choice on a warm day in the city. There is even a mini-tram ride to reach the park as well as a center courtyard area with board games and snack bar with beer and wine during select times.

https://salesforcetransitcenter.com/salesforce-park/

Church of 8 Wheels, Alamo Square

Fun, festive, funky rollerskating rink inside a converted church.

http://www.churchof8wheels.com/

Radhaus: Bavarian Biergarten – Fort Mason

Limited outdoor seats are actually less coveted than the indoor seats which feature big, beautiful window views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge.

https://radhaussf.com/

Land’s End Hike, Labyrinth

Scenic hikes that lead to the Legion of Honor, Labyrinth and beach, this set of trails is popular for outdoor dates.

San Francisco Crosstown Trail

https://www.sftravel.com/article/hike-along-san-franciscos-new-crosstown-trail

Buena Vista Cafe – Fisherman’s Wharf / Pier 39

Upgraded coffee from Graffeo and handmade whipped cream make Irish Coffees the perfect drink when you realize you underdressed and are freezing cold with your family on vacation. A destination place even for locals.

http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/home.html

Ocean Beach Walk / Golden Gate Park Bike Ride on Sundays

A large section of the park is off-limits to cars making it easier to ride bikes around the park. Stops to see the Bison as well as a stop at Park Chalet or Trouble Coffee or bites at Hook Fish are a great way to round out a date.

This is just a sample list of recommendations. To access the full list, check out my guide here.

San Francisco Weekly Event Newsletter – Curated Food, Drink, Music, Cultural Events, Classes, Pop-Ups, Art Openings & More; Date Activities San Francisco, Couple Activities San Francisco, Romantic Restaurants San Francisco

Weekly curated events list: food, drink, arts, culture, nature, classes, music, pop-ups, crafts, speaker series, galas and more! No sponsored ads, no commissioned links. One-stop shop to events in San Francisco.

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More places available to clients and paid subscribers to my weekly newsletter here. 

Boba Guys Boba Tea + Hayes Valley Neighborhood Walk

Lots of boutiques, murals, green space and a biergarten make this area a popular place to walk around.

https://www.bobaguys.com/

Philz Coffee Truck Marina + Wave Organ – Marina Green / Crissy Field

Great area to walk and explore on a clear day. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the San Francisco skyline.

https://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/wave-organ

Spark Social SF Drinks, Food and Games – Mission Bay

For those that like games, food trucks and people watching, this is a popular date spot. Activities include mini-golf, fire-pits and areas to watch sporting events.

http://sparksocialsf.com/

San Francisco Ferry Building Farmer’s Market

There are endless sampling of food and snacks at the Farmer’s Market as well as the permanent vendors in the building. Some favorites are the empanadas and pork buns. If craving Blue Bottle, go to the outside location for shorter lines.

https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/

El Techo Rooftop – Mission District

This popular destination in the Mission fills up quickly on weekends and after work on warm days so plan ahead. With great margaritas, this place is the place to be when temperatures hit 70 and skies are clear in the city.

https://eltechosf.com/

Blue Bottle Coffee and Downtown San Francisco Architecture Tour

A do-it-yourself walk will reveal how much effort your date planning skills.

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More places available to clients and paid subscribers to my weekly newsletter here.

Bix, Jackson Square

Another classic restaurant, this place has a beautiful alley set up for outdoor dining.

https://bixrestaurant.com/

Tosca Cafe, North Beach

After a few changes in ownership over the years, this rustic establishment with dimly lit vibes is back open. Their house cappuccino cocktail is a crowd favorite, but bites at the bar are fun too if you want something more casual.

https://toscacafesf.com/

The Tailor’s Son, Pacific Heights

Fun classic Italian dishes with an impressive amaro selection (did someone say Black Manhattans?)

https://www.thetailorssonsf.com/

Routier, Pacific Heights

This French bistro brought to you by Belinda (B. Patisserie) and John Paul Carmona (chef de cuisine, Manresa) is a must-try. Definitely one of the more approachable French bistros you will encounter.

I waited a while to finally check it out and it does not disappoint. I have developed a strong love for cocktails featuring amaros and this place delivers.

https://routiersf.com/

San Francisco Weekly Event Newsletter – Curated Food, Drink, Music, Cultural Events, Classes, Pop-Ups, Art Openings & More – Best Date Ideas In San Francisco, Creative Date Ideas SF, Unique Date Ideas San Francisco, Luxury Date Ideas San Francisco, Fun Events San Francisco

Weekly curated events list: food, drink, arts, culture, nature, classes, music, pop-ups, crafts, speaker series, galas and more! No sponsored ads, no commissioned links. One-stop shop to events in San Francisco.

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Botanical Garden – free for SF residents

Conservatory of Flowers – free 1st Tuesdays

Japanese Tea Garden – free hour, M/W/F

Street Art Self-Guided Tour, Mission District

Hike The Presidio, Marina Green

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Aside from dinner places, San Francisco is filled with great date ideas year-round or during seasonal occasions.

These are often overlooked by tourists as they are particularly enjoyed by locals and even then, locals forget about these timeless classics given all the hype around new openings, celebrity chefs etc.

Clients of mine receive access on places to go, best times to visit, what to order, strategy on getting best seats in the house and other customized date ideas based on their lifestyle.

San Francisco First Date Ideas, Where To Go On A First Date In SF, Bumble First Dates San Francisco, Hinge First Dates SF, Best Bar To Meet Singles In San Francisco

See the list here.

Additional Date Ideas Bay Area: East Bay, Marin County, Napa, Sonoma, Peninsula and South Bay, Bay Area Date Ideas, Secret Romantic Spots San Francisco, Best Restaurants San Francisco For Dates, SF Date Ideas

East Bay Date Ideas (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda)

http://eddie-hernandez.com/east-bay-date-ideas/

Napa and Sonoma date ideas

http://eddie-hernandez.com/sonoma-and-napa/

Marin County date ideas

http://eddie-hernandez.com/marin-county-date-spots/

Silicon Valley, San Jose, South Bay & Peninsula Date Ideas

http://eddie-hernandez.com/silicon-valley-date-ideas/

Best San Francisco Happy Hours (2021): 

http://eddie-hernandez.com/san-francisco-happy-hour-list/

Dating In San Francisco – What Is Dating In SF Like For Men, Women

Best Cafes, Coffee Shops, Hotels & Places w/ WiFi – Best Coffee Shops w/ Wifi, Places To Work Remotely

How To Meet People in San Francisco – How To Meet People In SF, Offline

Best Dating Apps In San Francisco – Best Dating Sites In SF

Best Places To Drink, Dine Solo In San Francisco – Best Bars To Drink Alone In SF, Best Restaurants To Dine Alone In SF

Best Bars To Meet Singles In San Francisco – Best Places To Meet Men/Women In SF

San Francisco Happy Hour List: Bars, Restaurants, Drinks, Food, Hotels & More, Best Places For First Date San Francisco, First Date Ideas San Francisco, Fun Date Ideas san Francisco

Read this.