Category: Dating

San Diego offers a wealth of great places to eat, fun things to see and do and a load of activities and attractions that could keep anyone entertained. Finding a great spot for a breakfast date, however, can get tricky if you aren’t sure what to look for! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Through my experiences, I’ve discovered several great morning spots for a breakfast date in San Diego.

Originally hailing from Chicago, Richard Walker’s Pancake House offers an incredible selection of breakfast favorites, from the traditional to more “upscale” tastes. When I went here after a late-night partying session, I was pretty impressed. Their prices are very reasonable, and I absolutely loved their baked cinnabon pancake. Seriously, if you like cinnamon you don’t want to miss this. Their house brand coffee is pretty delicious, too, I might add.

As a vegetarian, I am especially impressed by Lean and Green in La Jolla. While not strictly a breakfast spot, it’s a great place to take a health-conscious date in the morning. Start the day off right with a glass of fresh squeezed organic orange juice or a delicious peach smoothie. For something more filling, I recommend their Irish Steel-Cut Oatmeal. You can mix and match with strawberries, nuts, agave, banana, honey and a host of other combinations.

For something a little classier, check out the breakfast menu at The Shores, a place I never would have figured served breakfast until a date brought me here. Order a Mimosa or hot coffee to start the morning off to a great start, and then choose from a surprisingly wide selection of great food like the tropical fruit waffle or Grand Marnier French toast. I guarantee you won’t leave the place without feeling satisfied, even if your date leaves something to be desired like mine did. He insisted on complaining about everything from the noise to the prices, and when breakfast was over I hit the road.

While there are always the traditional diners open around San Diego, for something a little more exciting, these breakfast spots are great alternatives. For a morning date in San Diego, I highly recommend the previous establishments. Who knows? You might discover a new favorite restaurant… even if the date doesn’t work out as planned!

So, you’ve managed to snag that first date. Where to now?

FYI, McDonalds is NOT an option. The guy who took me here on our first date did not get a second date… or even to second base. Word to the wise, fellas!

Luckily, my extensive dating experiences can serve to inform and instruct those of you who are a little… lacking in the date planning department.

These are the best first date spots in San Diego I’ve come across. You won’t find any fast food spots here!

For those who are on a bit of a budget, the Corvette Diner serves up great food and an amazing atmosphere that’s sure to please even the most discriminating date. I was taken to the Corvette Diner on a third date, but hey, he got a fourth out of it! They’ve got a wide selection of food and beverages to suit any taste, and offer weekly entertainment and a nightly DJ. Plus, they’re entirely 50’s-themed, which is pretty rad.

If 50’s-inspired dining isn’t to your liking, hop on over to Jimmy Loves. Open 7 days a week, the restaurant/night club offers an amazing menu selection and nightly entertainment. Check out their website for a calendar of upcoming entertainment acts so you can plan your first date perfectly. Seriously, it’s worth it to plan… I should know. I went out with a guy who had no clue what we were doing, and basically drove around for two hours waiting for me to decide. Puh-lease!

If dining isn’t an option or you’re taking a date out during the morning or mid-afternoon, why not take a stroll through scenic Balboa Park? It’s the perfect place to people watch, talk and get to know one another in a gorgeous environment. Plus, if you get bored of sitting around there are tons of museums and other attractions to keep you busy. Plus, the water fountains and forested areas make it very romantic… hint, hint!

If you’re lucky enough to score a date with a girl who can be a kid when the moment calls for it, check out Belmont Park for rides, arcades, midway games, shopping and dining. You’ll certainly enjoy yourself, but feel her out (no, not THAT way!) before you take your first date to a glorified amusement park.

San Diego offers a wealth of restaurants, clubs, bars and attractions – yet surprisingly enough, I’ve dated plenty of people who never had a clue where to take me. Hopefully, this short list will give you an idea of some of the greatest first date spots in San Diego.

If you’re lucky, you might just score a second date.

Even if you don’t have a date this season, you can still troll for potential matches at these top activities for singles in San Diego.

When I was hitting the singles scene, I checked out tons of hot spots. While I wasn’t able to score a date every time, the following activities were where I seemed to have the best luck.

Dakota Grill and Spirits offers a relaxed atmosphere to eat, drink - and potentially score a date.

I checked out this spot during lunch time, when there seemed to be more singles present. Within about 20 minutes, I was talking to a busy professional who was there on his lunch break. We only lasted about four dates, but even so…!

If you’re looking for something with a Spanish flavor, check out Cafe Coyote for authentic Mexican cuisine and a fun atmosphere so you can scope out the scenery.

Again, I’d suggest hitting up this place during lunch time. The dinner crowd seemed mostly married couples with children - definitely not a prime time to pick up a date!

For a night of partying, grab a couple gal pals and head to Club Montage where you are sure to find plenty of eligible dates to choose from.

A few of my best friends and I decided to hit up Montage and within minutes I had an invitation to dance and a phone number. It’s definitely worth a look.

For a rockin’ atmosphere and great times, check out Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

Seriously, this is one of the hottest clubs around, and I’ve always scored a date every time I’ve been here. If you’re into live music and dancing, you will love this place.

Of course, my all-time favorite spot for singles in San Diego is Balboa Park. Between the many museums and other attractions this San Diego favorite has, you can also choose to sit and people watch.

The next time you head here, try striking up a conversation with a photographer like I did. Balboa Park is full of amateur photographers taking pictures of the beautiful scenery and buildings, and I managed to form a long-term relationship this way.

If you’re tired of the boring singles scene in San Diego, the previous establishments are some of the great spots I’ve found to attract local singles.

Try out a few, and test your luck.

Let's face it – being alone without a special someone during the holidays can be quite lonely. Not only that, but you oftentimes have to field questions from well-meaning friends and relatives about why you aren't bringing a date to the Christmas party. Sheesh.

I remember last Christmas vividly because of such an experience. I failed to bring a date to my family's annual Christmas get-together. Unfortunately, I was the only one without a significant other, which of course had to be the topic of conversation several times throughout the evening.

Let's just say this year, I'm bringing a date!

In any case, if you are bound and determined to get in some holiday dating in San Diego this year, there are a number of options available to you.

Forget the traditional bar scene… how depressing does that sound to spend the holidays? Instead, go for something unique – something that's low-key and an enjoyable way to spend your holiday.

Ice skating is popular, fun – and a great way to make a fool of yourself if you've never done it before (like me…!) Horton Plaza mall in downtown San Diego offers an inexpensive skating rink every holiday season, and it's a great place to have fun and mingle with other San Diegans this winter.

Personally, my favorite way to spend the holidays is a nice, cozy car ride through various parts of San Diego to look at – what else – Christmas lights!

Bring a hot thermos of coffee or tea, bundle up and hit the road for a night-time extravaganza of lights and Christmas cheer. It's an intimate way of getting to know your date, and it's cheap – fun, too!

If you're feeling adventurous (or crazy), hit the local malls for some Christmas window shopping. A few years ago, I braved the mall crowds to browse all the hottest Christmas items of the season with my sweetie.

Even though it was crowded, stuffy and hot, we had a blast messing around with the latest Christmas toys and games we came across. This holiday date idea works better if you've already been on a few dates with your significant other – otherwise, the noise and crowds may be too much to bear!

Honestly, I love this time of year. There are so many fun things to see and do that it takes you away from the traditional, often monotonous dating scene.

Don't let friends or family get you down this season because you don't have a date. Make it happen, and when you do, try one of these holiday dating ideas in San Diego on for size. You'll have a great time, and who knows – maybe you'll even have a partner for next year!

Looking for a romantic dinner cruise for yourself and a loved one? How about an edifying tour of historic San Diego Bay replete with narrative history? Perhaps whale watching inspires the Captain Ahab in you. Well avast, ye matey and all aboard a Hornblower Cruise. They’re setting sail multiple times a day, all year ‘round.

From its origin as a two vessel business operating out of the San Francisco Bay, Hornblower Cruises has expanded down the California coastline to permanently drop anchor in several ports of call, bringing with them their unique brand of seafaring entertainment. In partnering here with the San Diego Natural History Museum, The Maritime Museum, the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center, and the USS Midway, Hornblower brings guests not just an entertaining afternoon, but genuine science education supplementing the experience of the area’s rich, oceanographic history. Not only will you spend an afternoon in close proximity to the sea lions who call the San Diego bay home, or with the whales and dolphins further out, but you’ll benefit from the knowledge of some of the world’s finest researchers broadening your understanding of the world before you.

Or maybe it’s a romantic dinner and dancing cruise you’ll be wantin,’ ye scalliwags! Well, they’ve got that, too. Steak dinners with all the fixins and as much champagne as you can toast are yours for the asking on the Hornblower evening dinner and dancing cruises, seven nights a week. Evenings all tied up? Try the Saturday and Sunday brunch cruises. You won’t believe the menu.

Of course, you might prefer privacy. Easy! Just charter a Hornblower yacht for yourself and your guests. With over 10,000 private and corporate charters under their belts, who better than the crew of a Hornblower cruise to navigate you and your party to a good time? Besides, what prom would be complete without an evening-ending cruise around the bay? They’ll provide the band, the refreshments - and won’t getting the captain to marry you and your date make it a night to remember? It can’t hurt to ask!

There’s a Hornblower leaving port any minute - landlubbers, don’t miss out!

A visit to the Hotel Del Coronado should be a must on any vacationer's list.

With beautiful accommodations, delicious food, a full-service spa and shopping galore, you can experience the height of luxury.

Additionally, the new Beach Village resort accommodations affords breathtaking views of the ocean, with private access to the beach and other amenities.

Dine at one of several amazing restaurants or have a drink at the Babcock and Story bar - which looks like no bar you've ever been to before!

You can also shop at one of 15 stores located within the Hotel Del, from clothing to eyewear, spa products to toys, you can find whatever you need - or want!

With so many things to see and do, and beautiful accommodations, a trip to the Hotel Del Coronado will be a visit you'll remember forever.

Show that special someone you care by taking them to dinner at the romantic Cafe Pacifica.

Located in the heart of San Diego's Old Town district, Cafe Pacifica offers a variety of fresh seafood cuisine, as well as a selection of pasta, lamb and steak.

Voted "Best Seafood Restaurant" in San Diego Magazine's reader's poll again and again, Cafe Pacifica cannot be beat.

Start off your evening with one of several delicious appetizers, including grilled portobello mushrooms stuffed with crab meat or a shrimp quesadilla.

If you like, you can add one of seven hearty salads or soups to your meal. But I suggest leaving room for the seafood entrees!

From grilled mustard catfish to cafe shrimp scampi, Cafe Pacifica caters to all taste buds.

Plan your next romantic evening at Cafe Pacifica!

Whether you are a native to San Diego or visiting from out of town, a relaxing cruise aboard a yacht from Classic Sailing Adventures is an absolute must.

The yact departs from Shelter Island and offers picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay.

You can choose to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery or actually take part in the sailing yourself!

In order to maximize your enjoyment, beverages and hors d'oeuvres are typically included on a cruise. During the summer, you have your choice between an afternoon sailing cruise or a wonderful champagne cruise at sunset.

Plus, during late winter and early Spring, you can enjoy the once in a lifetime experience of watching the gray whales migrate past San Diego.

Whatever your pleasure, take a cruise aboard a yacht from Classic Sailing Adventures. You will be very glad you did.

If you are looking to have a night out on the town or a rowdy rendezvous with friends, Dave & Busters will be the perfect fit!

A restaurant that's like the adult equivalent to Chuck E. Cheese? Who wouldn't be stoked to play a few games, have a nice meal and throw back a cold one or two?

You might think you'll have trouble sitting down to a meal with all the fun things you can do at Dave & Busters, but trust me - with such amazing food, you'll have no trouble packing on the pounds!

Whether you go for the classic Philly Cheesesteak or try something new with Black Jack BBQ Chicken, there's something for even the pickiest eater.

Then it's time to hit one of two fully-stocked bars where you can choose from a wide assortment of drinks including margaritas, martinis, beer and wine and other delicious beverages.

Whether you choose to play games at their exciting midway before or after you've had a few is up to you, but either way you'll have a blast! Choose from over 200 games ranging from classic arcade-style of old and the latest and greatest video games. You'll feel like a kid again!

For over 70 years, San Diego's Old Globe Theater has drawn crowds from all over the world. The year-round season hosts 14 plays and musicals, including the much-loved Shakespeare Festival.

You can also enjoy several special events the Globe hosts each year, including their famous Gala. The public are invited to come and participate in these events - check their website for further details.

If you want to plan a romantic night on the town, take in a show at the Old Globe. Your date will be thrilled, and both of you can cherish the experience for a lifetime.

California's oldest professional theater, the Old Globe has had a long and exciting history as one of the country's leading regional theaters!

Here's hoping the Globe will continue to showcase excellent talent for many years to come.