Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to SACtoday.
Okay, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time). Regardless, whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 15+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.
For the ones who want a night out on the town
Grab a drink at one of Sacramento’s rooftop bars, then catch a live show nearby at one of our city’s amazing venues.
If you’re a bit of a craft cocktail connoisseur, pay a visit to some of the best and friendliest “boozy chemists” in town. They’ll be sure to shake up your evening with something exciting.
Ya like jazz? 🐝 Every Tuesday is jazz night at The Butterscotch Den, and best of all, you can get some fresh steaks smothered in house-made steak seasoning along with your drink of choice.
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
Take a DIY approach with a cooking class at Napoli Culinary Academy — prepare dishes from across the globe + bring home some tips and tricks for your next cozy night in.
If something sweet is more your style, try a guided baking workshop with Justine + Candice at Sugar Sweetery.
Depending on their diet, take them to a veggie-friendly restaurant or get on that pescatarian wave with one of Sacramento’s best sushi spots.
If you love the great outdoors
Beat the heat on a toasty day at a swimming hole near Sac, or take a hike at some accessible trails nearby.
Have a pup that wants to join in on the fun? Take your furry friend along to a local dog park, and bond with your date over all the adorable pets.
While the wildlife is abloom, take a walk through Sacramento and try to identify as many native plants as possible — loser has to pay for some scoops at a local ice cream shop.
Sugar Sweetery hosts regular classes and workshops teaching how to make adorable baked goods like these.
Photo by Sugar Sweetery
For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)
Have a blast in the past at Coin-Op Game Room, where you can play a variety of retro arcade games. Pro tip: Every last Sunday of the month is free play, all day.
Check out There and Back Cafe — a board game cafe in the heart of Downtown. You can sip on a coffee or beer, feigning nonchalance while you try to conceal that mean competitive streak.
Tee it up at one of the golf courses in town — we recommend choosing from the mini putt variety to keep things fun and simple.
If you want to get creative
Spend a day at a local museum, and don’t bypass the gift shop. Pick up a little trinket as a memento for your date if you really want to impress them.
Find a farmers market near you to explore — it’s truly a one-stop-shop for food, crafts, art, clothes, drinks, and more.
Set out to discover the many murals of downtown Sacramento. We can get you started with seven of our faves and where to find them.
If you wanna show off by knowing all the hottest events in town
Shameless plug: Sign up for our daily newsletter, where we call out our top picks of things to do around town. Your date doesn’t have to know we’re behind it, you can take all the credit.
Stay up-to-date on the coolest local events around Sacramento with our events page (and check out this guide for our tips on navigating the page).
What did we miss? If you know a perfect date spot that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction using this survey.
