Inexpensive Date Ideas in San Francisco
It’s hard to put together a great date on its own, but on a budget, it’s even more difficult. If you live in San Francisco, and need some date ideas that you can use for an inexpensive, yet fun date night, read on!
Explore the food trucks
This cute area with plenty of food truck is a great cheap date idea; you’ll be spending a fairly small amount of money for some great food, and supporting local businesses. Spark Social is known for being a community hub in San Francisco, and collaborates with over 150 local food trucks to provide a beautiful, comforting atmosphere.
Visit a beach
It’s summer! Grab your beach towels and umbrellas, and head out for a warm beach day. You can also pack a lunch as a romantic picnic if you want to save money on food. There are some great beaches for swimming if you want to cool down, but you can also visit one like Baker Beach, which has gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
View the murals
Another great activity that is free in San Francisco is seeing the beautiful murals that artists paint across town. We recommend visiting Balmy Alley located in the Mission District of the city. These murals are constantly changing, making it a fun date activity to revisit the following year. While you’re there, this might be a great place to grab some pictures of you and your date.
Go to the Cherry Blossom Festival
San Francisco’s cherry blossoms are the place to be in Spring. Japantown has all of the gorgeous cherry blossoms, and you can see them for free! The Japanese Tea Gardens and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens also feature cherry blossoms. This is a cute picture spot, in addition to a romantic walk through the city. The best dates are the ones where you get to spend quality time with your date, so use this as an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation.
Stroll down Lover’s Lane
Going outside is always a great way to have an inexpensive date. Lover’s Lane is the place to have an intimate romantic moment in the city. The trail is an easy hike- only 0.6 miles. There’s also a beautiful bridge to grab some pictures on. This is a great short date that might be best complemented with some coffee or ice cream to add to the good vibes.
WE’RE LAUNCHING IN SAN FRANCISCO!
LAUNCHING IN SAN FRANCISCO!
Originally launched and solely operated in Chicago, Couplr is proud to announce that we are now launching in San Francisco! San Francisco is an incredible place to put down roots with a bursting tech scene, high end food scene and just a ton of community and culture in general. San Francisco is definitely a city that people can easily fall in love with!
As great as San Francisco is, it’s still a big city that can be hard to make friends with. We are hoping Couplr can provide the opportunity for locals to get to know locals and their city even better. We hope it also serves as a way for visitors to create memories and connections with!
Check out our SF date guide here
16 Local SF Date Ideas for Couples that You'll Love
SF we have arrived! Looking for some SF date ideas? Well look no further! We have 16 amazing spots for you to try with another couple using our app.
Morning, Breakfast & Brunch SF date ideas: 8 AM - 12 PM
Pinhole Coffee
Start off your morning with a light breakfast at Pinhole Coffee, a gorgeous cafe merged with an artistic masterpiece. They serve all of the classic coffees and some pastries. Their art and coffee spot has been featured in the Washington Post, Eater, and more, and is definitely worth a visit.
Absinthe
For an elegant brunch experience, hit up Absinthe Brasserie and Bar. They serve exotic seafood dishes, and offer a wide selection of wines, beers, and cocktails. The French bar is one of the longest-running dining institutions in San Francisco, and has great reviews.
Hole in the Wall Coffee
On a morning walk or run and need a pick me up? Hole in the Wall Coffee is an actual hole in the wall serving cheap, but delicious coffee and small bites. This is perfect for a more lowkey date vibe with your partner in between getting active together. Be sure to hit up one of the best scenic trails in the city as well.
Hilda and Jesse
Located in North Beach San Francisco, Hilda and Jesse is all about brunch without boundaries. They offer fun twists on the classic American diner dishes, and offer a well-built brunch tasting menu as well.
Afternoon, Lunch SF date ideas: 12 PM- 4 PM
Have a picnic in Golden Gate Park
One of the highlights of this city is the Golden Gate Park. Make some sandwiches or grab some food at one of the many restaurants located very close to the park. The city also hosts several annual festivals and concerts, so be sure to check those out as well.
Amber India
Craving a bit of spice, vibrance, and culture? Visit Amber India in the Bay area of San Francisco for this colorful restaurant that serves Indian cuisine. The San Francisco location also offers an endless weekend brunch and daily lunch buffets- all-you-can-eat!
Dandelion Chocolate
When is food not the perfect date? This lovely little shop sells all sorts of gift sets, pastries, hot chocolate, and even chocolate experiences. It makes for a perfect late afternoon stop with cookies and drinks.
Scopo Divino
Bottomless brunch, anyone?? Scopo Divino is a wine therapy spot serving delicious beverages and plenty of brunch dishes in a New Orleans style. The restaurant also occasionally has live music and events.
Find Your Lunch Date Pairing on the Couplr App in SF
Evening, Dinner: 4 PM - 8 PM
Bix Restaurant
With live music every night, San Francisco’s supper club, Bix Restaurant, is THE place to be in the city. The restaurant serves modern style cuisine, with a diverse selection of dishes. They also serve classic cocktails, beers, and wines, and are open 7 days a week.
Cotogna
This beautiful classic Italian restaurant is the perfect place to go for a classy night out with your partner. And, if you want to stay in, Cotogna at Home is available for you to order from a select seasonal menu of pastas, pizzas, and meats for pick up.
Foreign Cinema
Films from the past with food from the future- Foreign Cinema is a lovely spot for a dinner date. They offer a wide array of European-style dishes, and display all sorts of art and films from the 1900s.
Urban Putt
You can never go wrong with a dinner date with mini golf. This cute spot is inexpensive, and has an Upstairs Restaurant that you can grab a quick bite at if you have a reservation. A little friendly competition is always fun for a date night out with your partner.
After Hours, Drinks & Small Bites: 8 PM - 12 AM
Mission Bowling Club
More late night competition, but with a bigger ball- bowling at Mission Bowling Club is a great date spot for you and your partner to relax and let out some steam with some drinks and bowling. Be sure to make a reservation if you would like to dine in though! The more the merrier when it comes to bowling! Find some new friends and go on a double date here using our app.
The View Lounge
This gorgeous lounge spot is great to hit up for some late night drinks. The panoramic views will be *almost* as stunning as your date. The lounge also offers small plates, snacks, and desserts along with its wide selection of drinks.
Henry's
This historic pub is attached to the Graduate Hotel, and is a great place to go on a staycation with your partner for a night. They offer a full dinner, but with a smaller, more intricately crafted menu. The drink menu is plentiful though and the space is just beautiful.
Blackbird Bar
And, finally, we have one last bar to hit up before the night ends. Blackbird Bar has more of a rustic feel to it. They offer a much wider selection of drinks, with new creations on their menu as well.
Want to find another couple to visit these incredible date spots with? Couplr is launching near you to help you find your next double date friends! Visit couplr.io to download the app and use it in San Francisco now!