Date Nights, Happy Hours, Fun Casual Dinner Spots, Places To Meet Singles In Silicon Valley, San Jose & Palo Alto, First Date Spots San Mateo, Hwy 1 Road Trips, Bay Area, South Bay
Collectively, the area spanning Santa Clara to San Mateo counties has been dubbed Man Jose by various local and national media outlets. The male to female ratio in Silicon Valley can be devastating to men. Cliche stereotypes and lack of choice can drive women to look elsewhere for dates. This is all the more reason to make sure you don’t mess up your dates if and when you do manage to get them.
Check this list to see if places are requesting proof of vaccination or recent negative covid test for indoor dining/drinks.
For the longest time, people would venture off to San Francisco for date nights but slowly but surely the South Bay and Peninsula has been added some great options to explore for day time activities or fun date nights. If you are creative enough, you can plan some great dates without having to travel to San Francisco.
As a dating consultant and professional photographer in San Francisco, I have scouted many areas for photoshoots, lifestyle images, branding sessions 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, SFGate. Check out some of my favorite spots in and around the Peninsula and South Bay.
Related reading: Dating someone who works in tech.
Fun Things To Do In The South Bay Area: Places To Go, Date Ideas In San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Los Gatos
As an online dating photographer and consultant, I have helped clients plan first dates to provide good first impressions. Here are a few of my favorite places around Hwy 1, San Jose, San Mateo, Menlo Park and everywhere in between. Scroll to the bottom of the page for San Francisco, East Bay, Marin, Napa and Sonoma date ideas.
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Great, classic theatre showing timeless movies in a beautiful, rustic space.
Dio Deku, Hotel Los Gatos
Beautiful hotel with open air courtyard. Great setting for grabbing a drink on a first date.
Falafel’s Drive In, San Jose
One of my go-to spots when I am in town. This classic drive in is a favorite amongst locals and featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Don’t forget the banana shake!
http://www.falafelsdrivein.com/
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Boulder Creek
One of my favorite hike in the Bay Area. Time it well for some amazing waterfalls.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540
Los Altos Stage Company, Los Altos
Local community theatre with rotating performances taking place in a small, former barn. With 99 seats there is no bad seat in the house.
Bottle & Bottega, Campbell
Wine and painting in a fun, casual environment.
https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/campbell
Santana Row, San Jose
Many places to grab a drink, share a bite or do some clothes shopping (nothing like getting a second opinion while shopping with a date). Head to the hotel for rooftop drinks or head to El Jardin for margaritas.
Selby’s, Menlo Park
One of the newer places to open up in the Peninsula, this old-school vibe with a modern twist is good if you want something more intimate and upscale without having to drive into SF.
https://www.selbysrestaurant.com/
Library Bar, Rosewood Hotel, Menlo Park
Great for drinks, people-watching and hot messes.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/sand-hill-menlo-park/dining/The-Library-and-Bar
Haberdasher, San Jose
Great cocktail bar, one of the few places where I would come for a drink in the South Bay.
https://www.haberdashersj.com/
Stanford Architecture Tour
Create your own personal tour of the campus and finish it off with a picnic on the grass in front of the main quad. Clients get my list of favorite buildings, views and more.
https://visit.stanford.edu/tours/
Bevri, Palo Alto
Bevri is one of my favorite restaurants in Palo Alto – who doesn’t love CHEESE Boats?
Ramen Nagi, Palo Alto & Santa Clara
Who doesn’t like ramen? Sure there is a line, but you can order drink while waiting and the line moves quickly. The extra time could be a plus for the two of you to get acquainted.
Alpine Inn, Woodside
Los Gatos Soda Works
Quaint restaurant and cocktail bar in Los Gatos with indoor and outdoor seating.
https://losgatossodaworks.com/
Trivia Night San Pedro Square Market, San Jose
Trivia night in a casual, social environment.
http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/
Vegan Veganos, Santa Clara
Plant based Mexican food truck.
Hedley Club, San Jose
Great for cocktails. This hotel lobby bar is casual, relaxing and great for getting to know each other.
https://www.destinationhotels.com/hotel-de-anza/dining/hedley-club
Sidecar Modern Tavern, Los Gatos
Cute little gastropub and upscale cocktail lounge serving fun drinks and small bites as well as meals if you want to extend the date but without feeling obligated.
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Date Ideas Bay Area Peninsula (San Mateo, Burlingame, Redwood City & More)
New England Lobster, Burlingame
Great lobster and crab shack. Take it to go and walk over to Bayfront Park. Don’t forget to try the lobster corn chowder.
https://www.newenglandlobster.net/
Fieldwork Brewing, San Mateo
Outdoor beer garden with various beer styles, benches, fire pits, bocce ball and more.
https://fieldworkbrewing.com/san-mateo/
Harley Farms Goat Dairy, Pescadero
Cheese, harissa, habanero jelly, baby goats – what else do you need? Make a day out of it with half and half soup from Duarte’s and fresh, warm olive bread from the market in town.
Sandbox VR, San Mateo
For you gamer types, this is a fun spot to play games in a more interactive manner.
Savanna Jazz, San Mateo
Casual live music spot with rotating bands. Great for those who want some tunes to listen to over drinks in San Mateo
Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero
One of the more picturesque lighthouses on the West Coast (alongside Point Arena).
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533
Filoli Gardens, Woodside
Beautiful space, a bit pricey for admission but large enough to get a decent walk in.
Vestar, Redwood City
This pizza place is a fan favorite of locals.
Ale Arsenal, San Carlos
This is arguably the best place on the peninsula for a beer. This thoughtful, balanced bar and bottle shop is often overlooked but worth a visit when in the area.
MexiStanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Great, classic theatre showing timeless movies in a beautiful, rustic space.
New England Lobster, Burlingame
Great lobster and crab shack. Take it to go and walk over to Bayfront Park. Don’t forget to try the lobster corn chowder.
https://www.newenglandlobster.net/
Fieldwork Brewing, San Mateo
Outdoor beer garden with various beer styles, benches, fire pits, bocce ball and more.
https://fieldworkbrewing.com/san-mateo/
Harley Farms Goat Dairy, Pescadero
Cheese, harissa, habanero jelly, baby goats – what else do you need? Make a day out of it with half and half soup from Duarte’s and fresh, warm olive bread from the market in town.
Falafel’s Drive In, San Jose
One of my go-to spots when I am in town. This classic drive in is a favorite amongst locals and featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Don’t forget the banana shake!
http://www.falafelsdrivein.com/
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Boulder Creek
One of my favorite hike in the Bay Area. Time it well for some amazing waterfalls.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540
Filoli Gardens, Woodside
Beautiful space, a bit pricey for admission but large enough to get a decent walk in.
Santana Row, San Jose
Many places to grab a drink, share a bite or do some clothes shopping (nothing like getting a second opinion while shopping with a date). Head to the hotel for rooftop drinks or head to El Jardin for margaritas.
Sandbox VR, San Mateo
For you gamer types, this is a fun spot to play games in a more interactive manner.
Selby’s, Menlo Park
One of the newer places to open up in the Peninsula, this old-school vibe with a modern twist is good if you want something more intimate and upscale without having to drive into SF.
https://www.selbysrestaurant.com/
Savanna Jazz, San Mateo
Casual live music spot with rotating bands. Great for those who want some tunes to listen to over drinks in San Mateo
Los Altos Stage Company, Los Altos
Local community theatre with rotating performances taking place in a small, former barn. With 99 seats there is no bad seat in the house.
Bottle & Bottega, Campbell
Wine and painting in a fun, casual environment.
https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/campbell
Library Bar, Rosewood Hotel, Menlo Park
Great for drinks, people-watching and hot messes.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/sand-hill-menlo-park/dining/The-Library-and-Bar
Hedley Club, San Jose
Great for cocktails. This hotel lobby bar is casual, relaxing and great for getting to know each other.
https://www.destinationhotels.com/hotel-de-anza/dining/hedley-club
Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero
One of the more picturesque lighthouses on the West Coast (alongside Point Arena).
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533
Haberdasher, San Jose
Great cocktail bar, one of the few places where I would come for a drink in the South Bay.
https://www.haberdashersj.com/
Stanford Architecture Tour
Create your own personal tour of the campus and finish it off with a picnic on the grass in front of the main quad. Clients get my list of favorite buildings, views and more.
https://visit.stanford.edu/tours/
Bevri, Palo Alto
Bevir is one of my favorite restaurants in Palo Alto – who doesn’t love CHEESE Boats?
Ramen Nagi, Palo Alto & Santa Clara
Who doesn’t like ramen? Sure there is a line, but you can order drink while waiting and the line moves quickly. The extra time could be a plus for the two of you to get acquainted.
Alpine Inn, Woodside
Trivia Night San Pedro Square Market, San Jose
Trivia night in a casual, social environment.
http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/
Vegan Veganos, Santa Clara
Plant based Mexican food truck.
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Dating Someone In Tech: https://eddie-hernandez.com/dating-someone-in-tech/
Dating In San Francisco: https://eddie-hernandez.com/dating-in-san-francisco/
Silicon Valley, Man Jose Gender Ratios: https://eddie-hernandez.com/match-com-bay-area-gender-ratios/
East Bay Date Ideas (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda): https://eddie-hernandez.com/east-bay-date-ideas/
San Francisco Date Ideas: https://eddie-hernandez.com/san-francisco-date-ideas/
Sonoma + Napa, North Bay Date Ideas: https://eddie-hernandez.com/napa-and-sonoma-date-ideas/
Marin County Date Spots: https://eddie-hernandez.com/marin-county-date-spots/
About Eddie Hernandez
Eddie Hernandez is a dating consultant & professional photographer based in San Francisco, servicing clients in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and beyond as featured in the NYTimes, SFGate, ABC7News, East Bay Express, Salon; contributor to Good Men Project, Plenty Of Fish and Meddle.
In addition to photos, he provides guidance around app choice, bio optimization, messaging techniques, wardrobe advice, date planning, screening profiles, ID'ing red flags, offline techniques for meeting people organically, naturally.
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