Romantic and Fun Northern California Date Ideas
Looking for more romantic and fun Northern California date ideas? NorCal has plenty of fun, exciting, and wistful date spots you can enjoy. It’s only a matter of finding them.
need to spice things up with some romantic Northern California date ideas?
We’ve got you. It can be stressful to plan a romantic vacation, especially when you want it to be perfect! Show your partner just how much they mean to you with this curated list of romantic date ideas that are guaranteed to sweep them off their feet. Going to SoCal? Check out these Romantic and Fun Southern California Date Ideas instead!
Having favorite, go-to date spots is nice, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up and go out to try something new! Make a playlist both you and your person will enjoy, grab both of your favorite snacks, and take a mini road trip to one of the following locations for romantic, fun date ideas!
Need a place to stay? Check out these 7 Romantic Getaways in Northern California for the ultimate list.
1. Beach Bonfire & Picnic, Ocean Beach, San Francisco
A great way to make an impression and create a night to remember is watching the sunset at Ocean Beach, making a bonfire, and having a romantic picnic! This will require a bit of shopping beforehand, ensuring you have lighter fluid, wood, snacks, and maybe even s’mores! However, if you go the s’more route, make sure to bring your date hand wipes because they can get sticky and messy (and that’s not very romantic)!
Don’t forget to bring multiple blankets, one to sit on and at least one to wrap up in. Beach nights can get chilly, so be prepared to dress warm or just cuddle for warmth by the bonfire! Having put so much thought into the date and all of the small things that will contribute to making it the most romantic date they have ever had! Nothing is more romantic than spending some good quality time with your partner at one of the most popular beaches in California, but when your partner anticipates your needs and goes above and beyond, it will surely be a night to remember!
2. Museum & Ice Skating, Santa Rosa
When most people think of museums, they think of classical art. However, in Santa Rosa, CA, you can find your inner child with your person at the Charles M. Schulz Museum! The museum showcases exhibits curated around the work of beloved cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz, and his good pal, Snoopy, and the Peanuts! Inside, aside from plenty of artwork to take you down memory lane, there’s also a small movie theater where you might even be able to catch a classic Snoopy & Co. cartoon. Who says cartoons are for kids?
After, take a short walk across the street to Snoopy’s Home Ice. Here you can enjoy an evening of ice skating. If you already know how, great! However, if you both need some help getting on the ice, schedule a private lesson for both of you! Then, after having tons of fun on the ice, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and cookies outside the rink at Warm Puppy Cafe. Being able to have fun and bond over those memories is priceless. It’s the perfect way to forget your worries and embrace your inner kid!
3. Dinner & Show on a Steamboat, Sacramento
Sacramento has some of the best restaurants and bars to create a romantic atmosphere for your evening—but one stands out among the rest! The Delta King Riverboat is a boutique hotel floating along the Old Sacramento Waterfront that offers a house restaurant where you and your person can dine along the water. They are proud to serve delicious food such as fried calamari, shrimp cocktail, cajun linguini, grilled swordfish, and so much more! They also offer an event schedule, where you can catch a comedy show or catch live music, making it a unique and fun date night to remember.
Staying the night in this floating riverboat hotel is entirely up to you, but it could be fun! The Delta King’s staterooms offer rooms with views of the city and rooms with views overlooking the water. You can even stay in the Captain’s Quarters, which is a premiere luxury sweet! The best part is they offer mobility-accessible rooms, making this a great place for all to enjoy!
4. Glamping in the Redwoods, Cobb
Have a romantic evening spending the night in a furnished tent or treehouse next to Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest. A luxurious evening camping in style comes with the added bonus of being able to go stargazing whenever you want! Given it’s away from big cities and loud noises, it’s an ideal place to get the quietest alone time with your love.
In the morning, you can start your day off with a healthy hike if you’re feeling up to it. If not, take a short drive and have a spa day at Harbin Hot Springs. They offer both cold and warm pools, massages, and yoga sessions. Take a break and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at their Dancing Bear Cafe. You’ll have such a relaxing experience with your partner that it will become a favorite spot to visit. You may even want to make this an annual trip!
Most Important Tip: While going on your romantic weekend getaway with a plan is helpful, make sure you also leave free time for any potential spontaneous adventures! Some of the best memories happen when you let go of control and see where the day takes you.
5. Hot Air Balloon Ride, Lake Tahoe
Visiting Lake Tahoe is known for being a relaxing and fun time. There’s so much to do no matter what time of year you visit. Whether you visit in winter during ski season or during the summer and spend time on the lake, you are sure to have the best time. However, Lake Tahoe Balloons are one of the most unique and romantic experiences you can have in the area. They offer flights from May to October, so be sure to go during their peak season. You can book a private tour or even schedule a wedding in the sky. You definitely can’t get a more romantic and unique experience than that!
After your flight, there are plenty of great options nearby to enjoy a meal. Other romantic things to do on your Tahoe adventure include walking along hiking trails together or experiencing the Heavenly Gondola ride. Many non-skiers go because it’s another great spot to sit back and enjoy the lake views! You’ll have plenty of privacy and just enough space to cuddle up with your partner while you enjoy spectacular sights! There are also plenty of romantic hotels and Airbnbs in the area if you want to stay the night. Lake Tahoe is truly a great time for nature lovers, so have fun, take flight, and enjoy the views!
6. Explore Underground Wine Caves, Napa Valley
While there are several wine caves you can explore in Napa, consider starting at The Jarvis Estate. Jarvis is known for being one of the best places to have a romantic glass of wine in an intimate setting. The property is 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the scenic Vaca Mountains. Take The Vintage Wine Tasting Tour to explore their expansive estate and taste some of the best wine Napa has to offer.
At the end of the tour, you get to enjoy the serene sounds of their underground waterfall—a feature meant to keep the cave temperature steady and somewhat humid—a unique feature to assist with their extended aging process. After your date, you can even visit other tasting rooms if you’re feeling adventurous. There are plenty of other locations to tour in the area and plenty of great restaurants to enjoy a romantic dinner to wrap up your day!
Stay the night at one of our favorite Romantic Places to Stay in Napa to keep the good times rolling!
7. Dance & Drink in a Museum After Dark, San Francisco
The California Academy of Sciences offers several fun night events. You can purchase Nightlife VIP Experience tickets that include a private tour, two complimentary cocktails with light hors d’oeuvres, and your own private lounge with bar service
Enjoy the aquarium after dark and enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars. The options will seem endless once you realize all the museum has to offer. They even have a four-story rainforest… can’t get much more unique than that. When was the last time you could say you had a rainforest experience in the midst of a big city? You are sure to have fun and take away romantic moments to remember!
Romantic Essentials
Picnic Blanket
A picnic blanket is great to have handy for a romantic meal out in nature. It’ll make things extra cozy and sweet for you and your better half.
Disposable Camera
Give your vacation photos that old-school romantic aesthetic with a disposable camera! It’ll be a wonderful surprise treat once they’re developed, and you’ll get to hang them up in your home.
Your Best Outfit
Show the world the power couple that you two are by packing your favorite dressy outfit for an unforgettable night on the town.
Pack Your Suitcase…
With so many Northern California date ideas, you are sure to find the perfect place that both you and your person are sure to enjoy. From Big Sur to Yosemite National Park, there are even more date ideas to explore. If you’re looking for an extended weekend getaway, be sure to check out 7 Romantic Getaways in Northern California!
FAQs
What is the best time to visit Northern California?
It’s a tough call! The truth is, no matter when you choose to come, there are plenty of things to do and places to explore in this stunning region. Summer brings warm days and cool nights perfect for outdoor recreation, while winter brings snow-capped mountains ideal for skiing or snowboarding.
Fall is the time for wine-tasting tours in the Napa and Sonoma valleys, while spring is the perfect season for wildflower hikes. So really, it comes down to personal preference – there’s no wrong time to visit Northern California!
What food is Northern California known for?
Clam chowder, of course! This rich stew is a staple in many homes across the region and can be found in restaurants all over. The traditional recipe includes clams, potatoes, and onions, all cooked together in a creamy broth. But the best way to enjoy it is wrapped in a warm sourdough bread bowl. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures, and a must-have for anyone visiting Northern California!
Is Northern California cheaper than Southern?
Yes, but it all depends on where you are. For example, San Francisco and the Bay Area can be some of the most expensive places to live in this region. Avoid these areas if you’re looking for a more affordable option. But other than that, Northern California tends to be cheaper than Southern.
