Ideas for First Dates in San Diego
As a San Diego transplant 5 years ago I found that many of the First Date ideas I used to try in the Bay Area were not feasible in San Diego. Instead in the last 5 years I have been forced to find new dating ideas that were more relevant to the City of San Diego. Now before I continue it is crucial that I point out which qualities I deem necessary for a successful first date. There has to be something going on at all times. This eliminates the feeling that you and your date must make small talk. There must be plenty of excitement going on around you, so you needn’t fill in awkward silence with awkward interjections. This gives you time to become comfortable with the person you are spending time with. Second there must be ample opportunities for comfortable conversation so that the date is not left in the realm of the totally superficial. You need to get to know this person to see if you have any interest in pursuing a second date, so there must be some space for casual conversation, especially after the initial discomfort of the date is averted. Generally if I can accomplish both of these things, I feel both comfortable with the person and comfortable by the end of the date with a decision as to whether or not I want to see this person again. San Diego is a city that is full of activities that offer tremendous opportunities to interact with someone in both a social and romantic way. The key is finding the right mix for your particular date.
One of the most successful dates I have planned in terms of how easy it was to get comfortable and how much fun both of us had was as follows. I understand that many of you consider a dinner date to be the standard, but in my mind starting an evening with dinner is almost begging for awkwardness as you have had little time to find common ground with your date before committing yourself to an hour or more of conversation with this person. Thus for a first date I recommend avoiding dinner no matter how non-traditional it sounds. I like to go to an event instead as it takes the pressure off. One of my favorite events in San Diego for first dates is a trip to the National Comedy Theatre, a “Whose Line Is It Anyway”-esk show where actors play improvisation games for the audience. You and your date will be able to laugh together which is a wonderful beginning, and since audience participation is encouraged you are both able to take part in the games. After the show, you should have eliminated much of the first date awkwardness as you and your date laugh about the events that just took place. This is a good time to engage in more in-depth conversation. Now since NCT generally finishes around 9pm, dinner is pretty much out. Thus I recommend going for dessert as a mini meal where you both can talk. Extraordinary Desserts, a local bakery near the theatre has some of the most amazing desserts I have ever tried and they are open very late, giving you and your date plenty of time to get to know each other better over pastries and coffee.
This date is a great way to have a great time with someone and to see how compatible you are. Not only that, but it’s a unique date that can be done for very little money.(Tickets to NCT are around $10 a piece and desserts are generally $5, makinga whole date cost in the $30 range.) San Diego is full of great things to do not only for first dates, but for subsequent ones when you and your date want to get closer. For more creative suggestions and unique sample dates read future submissions on Dating in San Diego.
Notes: National Comedy Theatre’s website ishttp://www.nationalcomedy.com/ and Extraordinary Desserts phone number is (619) 294-7001
HAVE A GREAT DATE
