7 of San Diego’s Most Romantic Walks
Romantic walks are an incredibly underrated romantic date idea, and San Diego offers a lot of romantic options to get out and explore!
Whether it’s a first, third or 50th date… a walk is the perfect way to spend time together. And since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, a romantic walk may be the perfect way to get some extra quality time with someone you care about!
Balboa Park
It’s going to be hard to find more options for a romantic walk than those you’ll find in Balboa Park!
Swap out your typical date night and spend some time enjoying the fresh air at sunset to see the sky painted pink and the buildings glow. The architecture will capture your attention and keep you walking around until you can’t walk anymore. Or until you find Panama 66 and sit down for a cold beer or warm cocktail!
Take a stroll down some of the many tree-lined garden paths and explore the many beautiful gardens found throughout Balboa Park to escape some of the crowds. To locate each of the different gardens, click here!
The San Diego Zoo
There’s no date like a zoo date! If you’re living in San Diego, we hope that you’ve gone to the zoo at least once. If not, now is the time!
Walking around the lush greenery and seeing all the different animals makes for a lovely day with your better half. You can easily spend a whole day watching the orangutans swing from branch to branch. To purchase tickets to the San Diego Zoo, click here!
The San Diego Safari Park
If you’ve already visited the zoo and want to go somewhere new, the San Diego Safari Park is another must-visit spot! It’s located in Escondido but it is well worth the drive out of San Diego.
Although there are fewer animals at the safari park compared to the zoo, this park is much larger than the zoo which allows for more space for the animals and more walking for you and your plus one. If you ask me, the best part about the safari park is the lion exhibit! You can get face to face with the King of the jungle and other wild animals.
If you want to see a full comparison of the zoo vs. safari park, click here!
Del Mar Beach
What is more romantic than a walk on the beach? We can’t think of anything! No matter the time of day, it makes for a great way to spend time outdoors with someone who makes you smile from ear to ear. Start at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar and head south towards Torrey Pines State Beach for a beautiful view of the ocean and La Jolla.
If you’re still not tired from the 2-mile walk and want some elevated views, take the staircase up from the beach at Torrey Pines! Although it’s considered an easier hike, you still might want to pack a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots.
San Diego Botanic Gardens in Encinitas
Whether you are a plant enthusiast or you just enjoying being around them, this 37-acre urban oasis offers four miles of trails and makes for the perfect spot for a romantic stroll around the gardens. There is a cost of $18 per person and they are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
It’s strongly recommended that you pre-purchase tickets online and make a reservation for the time you plan on visiting as they often have special events that can book the garden up fast. Visit here for more details and to purchase tickets. Remember to bring your phone along to snap some selfies!
Kate Sessions Park
You can’t beat the beautiful park and sweeping views from Kate Sessions Memorial Park! Make the trek to Mount Soledad in La Jolla to find the 79-acre park and stunning views of Mission Bay and Downtown.
We recommend that you go for romantic bonus points and pack a picnic with a bottle of wine and soak in the views!
The Seven Bridges Walk
The San Diego 7 Bridges Hike is one of the coolest and most romantic walks in San Diego, with the added bonus that it takes you through several different neighborhoods along the way, including Balboa Park, Downtown, and Hillcrest.
The route is 5 miles in total, but you don’t have to do the whole thing, of course. If you want to hit a museum before or after, take the Cabrillo Bridge into Balboa Park (stunning!). If you want to get off the beaten path a bit and have a little more sense of adventure (you may wonder at times if the bridge is going to hold!), then head to the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge that crosses Kate Sessions Canyon.
Either way, you’re in for treat!
Just Go For a Stroll in a New Neighborhood
Coming from someone who rarely leaves North Park, I know the importance of exploring all the different neighborhoods throughout San Diego. No matter how much you love where you live, try walking around a new part of the city – North Park, South Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, Encinitas, Sunset Cliffs, La Jolla, Solana Beach – we have so many great options!
Simply park your car, pin your location on Google Maps (yes, I’ve lost my car before), and explore! I like to keep track of spots I stumble upon that I want to visit at a later time. I usually use the bookmark feature on Instagram or simply add it to my notes on my phone!
Since giving never goes out of style and our local businesses can certainly use the support, while on your romantic walk, make a plan to buy each other one thing at a local spot! It will make the day more memorable, even if it’s just an iced coffee or a simple souvenir.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
If you’re struggling to find a romantic date idea in San Diego, remember that it’s the small gestures that mean the most. In fact, quality time is one of the most common love languages. Getting out of the house away from any distractions can be the most romantic thing you do for your partner.
Plan a day to visit one of these spots and offer your undivided attention as you explore. No matter the place, you two will end up having an unforgettable time together.
Enjoy, San Diego!
