San Francisco offers many breathtaking places for you to see and explore. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the Alcatraz Prison, there is no shortage of activities for couples either. So if you are going out for a date and want to discover more of San Francisco, here are a couple of great ideas that are super fun.
1. Climb the Stairway at Grandview Park
Located in the Sunset District, Grandview Park sits on a hill overlooking San Francisco. Locals also call this park Turtle Hill. The view stretches to the Golden Gate Park, the downtown area, and the Pacific Ocean. If you want a perfect spot to watch the sunset and don’t mind hiking, climbing the stairway at Grandview Park is a marvelous idea. Just make sure you and your date are wearing comfortable shoes.
You can find the stairway at 16th Avenue and Moraga Street. They are decorated with mosaic tiles depicting various animals. The best part is that the entire Sunset District pitched in and created an art piece from a simple stairway. Once you get to the top of the hill, find yourself a lovely spot, enjoy the view, and relax a bit.
2. Have a Picnic at Shakespeare Garden
Shakespeare Garden might be the most romantic location in San Francisco. Located within the grounds of Golden Gate Park, this place is a favorite for couples. The well-maintained park is an excellent choice for a relaxing picnic or just a casual stroll. The city opened the garden in 1928 to celebrate the works of William Shakespeare and the plants and flowers he often mentioned in his plays.
As a result, Shakespeare Garden is filled with roses, daisies, lilies, violets, poppies, and so on. You can learn more about the flowers from the panels featuring quotes from Shakespeare’s works. If you and your significant other are fans of the Bard of Avon, you may bring your copies of his plays and read them right here, at the Shakespeare Garden.
3. Sip Vine from Napa Valley
Napa Valley is ideal for a romantic getaway. The scenery is simply magical, and you can sample some of the best wines in the whole state of California. But Napa Valley isn’t all about the wine. Outdoorsy couples will have plenty of breathtaking locations to explore on foot. Of course, there are spa resorts too. They are perfect for those of you who want to stay in and de-stress.
Not everyone can take a whole weekend off to spend in Napa Valley, even though it is just a short drive away from San Francisco. Luckily, there are a couple of wineries downtown that have Napa Valley wines on their menu. You may try out the different types of wine and explore the rich flavors. That being so, couples can have a Napa Valley experience in the very heart of the city.
4. Visit the Alcatraz Prison
Alcatraz Prison isn’t the most romantic place in the world. However, couples craving a bit of an adventure (and unconventional dates) will love this location. Alcatraz is considered a symbol of San Francisco, so it’s no wonder tourists flock to the island.
The prison is located in San Francisco Bay, so visitors need to catch a ferry to get there. The ferry takes off from Pier 33. The tour of Alcatraz Prison includes a friendly guide who will tell you a lot about the history of the place and anecdotes about all the famous prisoners. Couples who are into history and unusual places will have a blast touring Alcatraz Island.
5. Enjoy San Francisco’s Street Art
A lesser-known fact about San Francisco is that this city has unique street art. There are hundreds of gorgeous murals scattered all around the urban area. However, one part of San Francisco is the hotbed of street art - the Mission District. It used to be an immigrant neighborhood, but gentrification changed everything.
Therefore, urban renewal is a common topic of Mission District street art. You will see dozens of murals depicting the everyday struggles of immigrant families, as well as the colorful history of this community. So if you want to feel like a local, grab your other half and go on a stroll through Mission District.