10 Sacramento Date Night Ideas
If you’re looking to break out of the “dinner and a movie” routine, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re planning a surprise anniversary date or looking to spice up an ordinary Friday or Saturday night, we compiled a list of unique “out-of-the-box” date activities in Sacramento so you can spend less time researching and more time with your loved one.
Sip on a Glass of Wine at a Local Winery
It’s a well-known fact that just over 60 miles away you can find some of the world’s best wine in Napa and Sonoma. But did you know that you have access to great local wineries in your own backyard? That’s right, Sacramento boasts nine wineries and tasting rooms in the city, and even more if you were to include the surrounding area! To narrow down the list, here are a few of our personal favorites: Miner’s Leap Winery, Revolution Wines, Scribner Bend Vinyards and Frasinetti Winery and Restaurant. So grab your loved one and make a day of it as you explore the vineyards and sip on a glass of one of these delicious wines. Cheers!
Take a Couple’s Cooking Class
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced chef, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op has something for everyone at their Community Learning Center and Cooking School. But what we especially love about Sacramento Natural Foods is their commitment to local organic farmers. During their classes they highlight these growers and producers, so you know you’re supporting the local community as you create your culinary masterpiece. Classes vary by week and require pre-registration, so visit them today to book your next outing!
Go on a Farm-to-Fork Tour
Sacramento is known as the farm-to-fork capital so it’s only appropriate that we suggest an activity that highlights its vibrant local eatery scene. The Gourmet on K Culinary Walking Tour is a guided tour through Sacramento’s original main street. You’ll not only explore historic landmarks along the way, but you’ll learn more about the urban revitalization of restaurants in the area. There will be up to 5 food stops along the way, giving you a chance to taste locally sourced foods and meet the local chefs who’ve had an impact in changing the culinary landscape of Sacramento. This is definitely a great dining experience for the foodie couple!
Opt Outside
You may have heard about REI’s “Opt Outside” campaign during Black Friday last year, but as a city with so much outdoor activity, we fully support this initiative all year long! The Sacramento area has no shortage of things to do for the active couple. And with beautiful weather year-round there is no excuse to not take advantage of it! Take a 5 mile waterfall hike along Hidden Falls Trails, go kayaking on Lower Lake Clementine, rent paddleboats at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, or cast your fishing line in the American and Sacramento Rivers.
Enjoy Dinner and a (Drive-In) Movie
Okay, we know we promised not to share any of the “typical” date night ideas, but this is a fun twist on the classic “dinner and a movie” experience. Start your night with an early dinner at The Firehouse Restaurant, one of Sacramento’s historic landmarks. The Firehouse has an interesting history and actually housed the first fire department in the city. Now, it’s been restored to a beautiful restaurant with an amazing outdoor courtyard for dining.
After dinner, catch a show at Sacramento’s West Wind Drive-In! Be sure to pack some lawn chairs and a blanket ahead of time, and hit up the retro snack bar on your way to your seat for a night of nostalgic fun. Even the prices seem like they’re from another era; tickets are only $7 for adults.
Spend the Day at Apple Hill
The key to this date idea is actually spending the day here because Apple Hill has over 50 farms (no, that’s not a typo!) in this quaint little farming community located about an hour from Sacramento. Picking apples as the name implies, sipping on local brews or wine, buying baked goods, and cutting down a Christmas tree are just a few of the things you can do here.
Because of its size, we recommend taking a look at this map when planning your visit. And while many farms are open year-round in Apple Hill, look over each grower’s hours of operation and open seasons, or check out their schedule of events to make sure!
Try Indoor Skydiving
Another adventurous Sacramento date idea involves experiencing what it feels like to free fall; no plane required. iFly, coming to Roseville in March 2016, offers an indoor sky diving experience without the parachute, jumping, and fear of falling to Earth from over 12,000 feet. It’s a safer, more affordable way of enjoying the sport as you “fly” through the air in a vertical wind tunnel. Trust us when we say your date will be blown away by this exciting date activity.
Visit the Zoo Animals
Lions, tigers and bears are just a few of the wild animals you’ll find at the Sacramento Zoo. The zoo, which spans across 14 acres, is home to more than 140 animal species. Explore the zoo’s many exhibits, catch a wildlife stage show or get up close and personal with the giraffes! For only $3, you can feed the giraffes in the supervised encounter area on the Tall Wonders giraffe viewing deck. Talk about an experience your loved one won’t soon forget.
Explore Our City’s Vibrant Art Scene at Second Saturday
If your date night happens to fall on the second Saturday of the month, you’re in luck! On this day, you can stroll through the streets of Sacramento and visit local art galleries and businesses to see exceptional art exhibits, drink wine, listen to live music and more. Check out this map to see what galleries are participating!
Tour a Historic Building
We may be a little biased, but because this deals with beautiful real estate in the local community (and real estate is kind of our thing!), we just had to include this fun date activity on our list! There are several sprawling estates that offer tours to the public including our very own Governor’s Mansion. Guided tours are available on the hour from 10:00am – 5:00pm Wednesday through Sunday and only costs $2.50 for adults! Two other tours we recommend include the Leland Standford Mansion State Historic Park, a stunning example of what life was like during the Victorian era in California; and Sutter’s Fort, whose location was where gold was first discovered and sparked the California Gold Rush.
Have Another Date Night Idea to Add to the List?
These are just a few of our favorite date night ideas. If there is an outing that you and your loved one especially enjoy, share the experience with us in the comments below!
Category Neighborhood Guides, Roseville, Sacramento