Valentine’s Day is coming up and people are scrambling for cute date spots to set the mood! These first date spots are some local hidden gems scattered across the Bay Area!

The first thing you have to check off your list is the must see Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the most famous aquariums in the world! Located atin, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, it’s home to various marine life such as sea otters, sharks, penguins, sea turtles, whales, and all kinds of fish. 

Of course, we can’t forgetThe next spot is restaurants!The following list can range from fancy to simple, depending on you and your significant others’ taste buds and wallets. Shadowbrook Restaurant is an amazing Californian cuisine with decorative interior and even an outdoors elevator leading to the restaurant. Located at 1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA 95010, it’s very suitable for taking photos and provides an ambiance perfect to soft launch your first date! La Pizza & La Pasta in Eataly is also a tasty Italian alternative featuring dishes such as margherita pizza, lasagna, focaccia, and various mocktails. Though, consider the pricing of the food items which ranges from $30 – $50. It’s located just in Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, so definitely pay a visit sometime!

Next are some more convenient first date spot alternatives, cafes! Hops and Beans Cafe is a family-owned business with a very cozy and decorative interior, excellent customer service, and comforting treats such as crepes, lattes, cappuccinos, and sandwiches. It’s located on 4000 Bay St, Fremont, CA 94538. Another trendy dessert shop, Cha Cha Cha, located on 3623 Thornton Ave, Fremont, CA 94536, sells croffles (croissant waffles) and various boba, alongside  with a photoshoot to print out and take home as your very own pictures! 

To get more into spirit, scenic spots are a must for you and your partner. Located in The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, this highly rated yearly lantern festival takes place sometime during the summer, which is perfect for a dreamy romantic setting. And don’t forget beaches! Shark Fin Cove Beach is known for a sea cave that you can enter through and take photos, which is located in Davenport, CA 95017. Lastly are picnic spots, including Municipal Rose Garden, located on  1649 Naglee Ave, San Jose, CA 95126. It is California’s best flower garden which blooms sometime in May, making it great for outdoor picnics and strolling.

If you and your date need some sort of adventure and are always on the lookout, look no further! Claw Meee, located on 532 Barber Ln, Milpitas, CA 95035, is a claw machine shop with cheap deals and quality prizes. But if you prefer hands-on activities, Big Al’s is a suitable spot for arcade games, food, and prizes, located on 27 Ranch Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035. If you enjoy karaoke, Pure Karaoke is a perfect spot, featuring a snack bar, reservable rooms for karaoke, and excellent customer service. It’s located on 1297 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035. Golfland, located on 1199 Jacklin Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035, is another fun activity featuring a mini golf course and arcade games.

Last but not least are date spots for more peaceful couples. If you and your partner are both book worms, Banter Bookshop is a must visit! Located at 3768 Capitol Ave Ste. F, Fremont, CA 94538, this bookstore is very suitable for book lovers, and the shop is surrounded with pleasant nice scenery, making the location quite nice too. If you love to keep a record of the memories you made along the way, visit POTOBOX, a cute aesthetic photobooth shop with many accessories to choose from, and the lines aren’t too long! It’s located at 434 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035. 

All these handpicked first date spots will definitely set the mood for Valentine’s Day! Whether it’s a fancy restaurant date or a cute karaoke session, this list of spots got you covered!