When Joe and I when we were first married would have spaghetti nights, and we would drink Mexican cokes and watch the office. Now we make dinner early and watch Peaky Blinders or Brooklyn99. But finally after 5 years of marriage, Joe and I are finally committing to a Wednesday Night Date Night outside the home. So far, we’ve have been trying out different restaurants and it’s been awesome! I love this little tradition that we’ve started and it got me thinking of what other couples our age are doing. Are you setting time aside each week for intentional conversation, no screens and 100% focus on your partner?

Everytime we’ve gone out to eat, I’ve seen couples sitting across the table from each other on their phones, not interacting, not engaging and it makes me sick to my stomach. I’m not saying I’m not guilty of being on my phone while around my husband, family or friends but on a date, come on people, leave your phone in the car put it on Do Not Disturb, just leave it alone for a few hours. I know most of our phones have become extra limbs to us but it’s so so so important to remember that your person, your loved one, your partner is right there with you and deserves your undivided attention. Even while we were having our Valentines Day dinner there were couples on their phones and I just couldn’t believe it. So I hope this list of Date Night Ideas is encouraging to get out in your city on a regular basis and spend intentional 1 on 1 time with your boo away from distractions and devices.

If you have a polaroid or real camera take that instead of your phone to capture your memories!

San Diego Specific Date Nights

1. Karl Strauss Brunch at the Scranton Road Location
2. Comedy in La Jolla or on Tuesdays for Free at Lestat’s at 9pm
3. Take a Drive and hike or have a picnic up in Julian, Lake Cuyamaca, Mt.Laguna or Idywild. Or bring the Dog to run around and explore!
4. Ko Pah Desert Tower near the 8 Freeway
5. Taco Shop and Sunset Cliffs
6. Axe Throwing
7. A movie at the Santee Drive In or Rooftop Cinema Club
8. Take the pup to Del Mar Dog Beach
9. Liberty Public Market at Liberty Station
10. San Diego Zoo

Date Nights Ideas for Couples in Any City

1. A Picnic near the mountains, bay, lake or park. Don’t forget to bring a bluetooth speaker to set the mooooooddddd.
2. Trip to a Winery or Brewery. Joe and I love Breweries, he loves them for the IPA’s, I love them for the food:)
3. Book Store: Pick out a book for the other person or pick out a book to read together!
4. Pick out a new plant for your home! One of you pick the plant, the other person can pick the pot!
5. Cooking class at Sur la Table or any other restaurant that offers it!
6. Sofar Sounds: Secret Concerts in different cities!
7. Thrift shopping. This could be such a fun date night, because you never know what you’re going to find! You might just have fun trying on funny clothes, or your might find some awesome records, games or other cool finds!
8. Game Night: Mad Libs, Rummy, Monopoly, Scrabble, or my personal favorite Catch Phrase!
9. Make dessert together. Homemade apple pie, Tiramisu, Donuts, Cinnamon Rolls are just some examples!
10. Stay in a fun and unique Airbnb for the night!

That’s all folks! If you have fun date night ideas please tell me in the comments!

Be Good,

Frankie