Date Night Ideas 2016. With school in session once again the kids are off busy with their studies and peers. This is a good opportunity to concentrate on your relationship. It’s easy to feel excited about your relationship in the Honeymoon Phase. But when it transitions into a committed long term relationship it can be difficult to keep the excitement ongoing as routine and the lack of newness tend to make the once passionate mundane.
As a Marriage Counselor and having been married for 18 years I can relate to what it feels like to be on a date with my husband and not feeling the difference between a date and “just going out to dinner” with each other. It makes a difference if you put yourself in a different mind set and do the behavior indicative of people in the early dating phase where they want to look and appear good and want the other to be interested in the effort put in doing so. Going out on a date with your spouse doesn’t mean going out to eat in your house clothes with neglecting to brush your teeth or fix your hair.
As a Couples Counselor working in couples counseling, Date Night is incorporated in the Moving Forward Plan developed for each of my Couples so that the “details of life” don’t overcome the spark needed for continued emotional and physical intimacy.
Here are some suggested ideas for Date Night that have been tried and test by me and my spouse. Please feel free to add some of your own date night recommendations.
Cinema Under the Stars – topspresents.com
Baja Winery Tours – www.bajawinerytours.com
Gondola Rides in San Diego – www.gondolacompany.com
Cooking Class – Hipcooks in North Park (619) 8844; Cafe Merlot at the Bernardo Winery (858) 487-1866
CeramiCafe – Wednesday Wine and Cheese. They provide the cheese and crackers you bring in your favorite bottle of wine. Any night you can bring in your own bottle of wine after 4pm for a fun date night. Del Mar (858) 259-9958; La Mesa (619) 466-4800
Take a dinner cruise. – Hornblower or Flagship
Paint and Vin0 – painting class and wine
Historic Missions – Mission San Diego de Alcala, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Historic Old Town – shops and dining opportunities; Trolley tours
Whale watching
Kayaking – La Jolla Kayak, Hike Bike Kayak, or Bike & Kayak Tours
Oceanside Harbor – shops and dining opportunities
Belmont Park
Little Italy
Gaslamp
La Jolla – Mt. Soledad for Sunset spots
Solana Beach – Jakes, Poseidon, downtown Del Mar
Coronado Island
Coaster – trip to Oceanside
Rooftop fun – The Altitude Bar atop the Gaslamp Marriott on Sixth Avenue; Float at the Hard Rock San Diego Hotel; The Top of the Hyatt downtown.
Cafe Sevilla – dinner and a Flamenco show
Dancing – or take a dance class so you can go dancing on your next date.
It’s important to keep in mind relationships are hard work and putting in the effort is just like anything else that is important to us. If you neglect it don’t be surprised when it becomes stale. If you need help in developing a more enriched relationship please do not hesitate to contact me at (858) 735-1139.
