Hills &
Heartbeats. 🚋
Dating in SF is different. It’s layering up for microclimates, picnic blankets in Dolores Park, and finding that perfect window seat at a Victorian wine bar.
Roman Holiday
Marina District
"It’s monumental, Greco-Roman, and utterly out of place in a modern city. That’s why it works. Walking around the rotunda and the lagoon feels like stepping into a dream."
Palace of Fine Arts.
Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition, it was too beautiful to tear down. It is the definitive romantic stroll in the city.
The Lagoon
Watch the swans glide over the water. It’s quiet, peaceful, and sheltered from the bay wind. Perfect for a first date walk.
The Drum Bridge
Golden Gate Park
"Climb the steep moon bridge. It requires you to slow down and help each other over the arch. It’s the oldest public Japanese garden in the US, and arguably the most peaceful spot in the city."
Japanese Tea Garden.
Step away from the city noise. Winding paths, koi ponds, and cherry blossoms. Stop at the tea house for jasmine tea and fortune cookies (which were invented in SF, not China).
Morning Fog
Arrive right when it opens at 9 AM. The fog often still clings to the pagodas, creating an incredibly atmospheric scene.
The Glass Palace. 🌺
It’s the oldest wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. Inside, it’s a humid, tropical escape from the chilly SF fog. It feels like stepping into a 19th-century botanical drawing.
Highland Tropics
The mist-filled High Altitude room is incredibly romantic. It’s warm, quiet, and smells of rare orchids and damp earth.
After Hours
"Look out for their 'Night Bloom' events. They light up the greenhouse with neon colors and serve cocktails. It turns a museum visit into a party."
North Beach. ☕
The spiritual home of the Beat Generation. It’s a neighborhood of poets, jazz, espresso, and focaccia. It feels alive, historic, and wonderfully chaotic.
City Lights Bookstore
Browse the poetry room upstairs. Sit in the "Poet's Chair" overlooking the street. It’s an intellectual, cozy date spot.
Vesuvio Cafe
Right across the alley. Order a drink and sit in the mezzanine. It’s barely changed since Jack Kerouac drank here.
Tony's Pizza
"World champion pizza. The wait is long, but you can grab a slice at the window or wait at the bar. It’s loud, fun, and the best pie in the city."
The Ruins. 🌊
It looks like the edge of the world. The concrete remains of a massive 1896 glass swimming complex sit right in the ocean surf. It’s haunting, beautiful, and wildly romantic.
The Cave
Walk through the tunnel cave where the ocean waves roar echoingly. It’s a sensory experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Fog & Fire
"This is the best place to watch the sunset—or the fog roll in. Afterward, hike up the trail to the Cliff House area for a warm drink."
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Bay View
"Sit outside at the back. You are practically on the water, looking at the Bay Bridge lights. Oysters, clam chowder, and white wine. It is quintessentially San Francisco."
Ferry Building.
The cathedral of local food. Walk the halls, sample artisan cheese at Cowgirl Creamery, get fresh bread at Acme, and eat your way through the building.
Farmers Market
On Saturdays, the plaza explodes with vendors. It’s the best day date. Grab street food and sit on the pier.
Golden Gate View
The Presidio
"Built on top of highway tunnels, this park offers the single best unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Bring a picnic blanket and watch the cargo ships pass under the bridge."
Tunnel Tops.
It feels like San Francisco's front lawn. It’s spacious, modern, and filled with food trucks. It’s the perfect low-pressure day date spot.
Il Parco
Grab an Italian spritz and pizza at the glass-walled cafe right in the park. You can drink wine on the lawn legally here.
Dinner & A Show
Mission District
"It’s the most romantic patio in the city. You sit under string lights, eating California cuisine, while a classic foreign film plays silently on the massive wall behind you."
Foreign Cinema.
This place defines the Mission dining scene. It’s industrial-chic, sophisticated, and totally unique. It turns a standard dinner date into an event.
The Move
Book an outdoor table after sunset. Even if it’s chilly, they have heat lamps. The flickering light from the projector makes everyone look good.
The Coconut Guy
Local Legend
"Listen for the bell. The 'Rum Coconut' vendor is a park icon. Buying a fresh coconut with a splash of rum while sitting on the hill is a rite of passage."
Dolores Park. ☀️
This is where San Francisco comes to thaw out. The view of the skyline from the top corner ("The Gay Beach") is iconic.
Picnic Culture
Stop at Bi-Rite Market nearby for cheese and wine first. It’s the quintessential lazy Sunday date.
Top of the Mark. 🍸
Located on the 19th floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. It has a 360-degree view of the city, the bay, and the bridge. It’s old-school glamour at its finest.
100 Martinis
Their martini menu is legendary. It’s pricey, but you are paying for the view and the history. Servicemen in WWII used to buy a "squadron bottle" here before shipping out.
The Skyline
"Go at sunset to watch the city lights turn on. You can see the fog rolling through the Golden Gate from above. It creates an instant 'wow' moment."
The Microclimate
Game. 🌫️
It can be 75° in the Mission and 55° at Ocean Beach at the exact same time. Here is how to play the weather map.
The Sunny Belt
Mission / CastroProtected by Twin Peaks, these neighborhoods stay warm when the fog rolls in. Perfect for picnics and outdoor beers.
- ● Dolores Park Picnics
- ● Valencia Street Strolls
- ● El Techo Rooftop
The Fog Zone
Sunset / Richmond"Karl the Fog" lives here. It’s moody, chilly, and atmospheric. Dress in layers and embrace the cozy vibes.
- ● Bonfires at Ocean Beach
- ● Hot Pot on Clement St
- ● Lands End Hikes
The Burrito
Bracket.
We are currently debating La Taqueria vs. El Farolito to bring you the definitive guide to the Mission Burrito date.
Secret Stairs
The 16th Ave Mosaic Steps
Napa & Sonoma
The Weekend Escape
Sausalito
Ferry Date Guide
Run an SF Gem?
We are looking for the hidden speakeasies, the best dim sum parlors, and the most romantic view spots to feature.