We know. There’s so much to do around here that planning your next date can be overwhelming. Should you try something new or stick to what you’re familiar with? Aiming for adventure or looking for romance? Here are a few Orange County date night (or day) ideas to keep things fresh and fun.
Hit the Trails
Take a guided trail ride on horseback for a romantic country-style date. Choose from the equestrian center in Huntington Beach or the back country trails at Irvine Regional Park in Orange. Both companies are good with beginning riders so if it’s your first time saddling up, they’ve got you.
Horseplay Rentals 18381 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach 92648
Country Trails 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange 92869
Want to venture beyond Orange County? Check out Pony Land San Diego. Just south of Downtown San Diego, you’ll ride through the River Valley Nature Preserve with beautiful scenery. They offer a variety of trail ride options including sunset rides, riverbed and jungle rides, and the popular two and a half hour Sea Shore Beach Ride. We did the beach ride and it was one of the best trail rides we’ve ever been on.
Climb the Walls
While heading up the side of Half Dome might not sound like your idea of a great date, recreational rock climbing gyms are super fun. You’re never too high, all the safety precautions are in place, and there are other people who are new to the sport too. Many gyms even offer other activities like yoga and fitness classes. Opt for taking a class together or participate in the open gym sessions. Check out the offerings at Sender One, Rockreation and Hangar 18.
Sender One 1441 Village Way, Santa Ana 92705
Rockreation 1300 Logan Ave, Costa Mesa 92626
Hangar 18 Locations in Mission Viejo, Orange, and San Clemente
See the Stars
Take your date to the planetarium to see the stars, explore the solar system, and learn about the mysteries of the universe. The OCC Planetarium is the newest addition to the area, but the Tessman Planetarium is one of our favorite spots. The small, intimate theaters gets you up close and personal on your journey through the solar system.
OCC Planetarium 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa 92626
Tessman Planetarium 1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana 92706
Want to explore beyond OC? Check out the Mt. SAC Randall Planetarium. They offer new planetarium shows every month and free telescope viewing at the Observatory on a monthly basis. Tickets are only $4 per person, and parking is only $4 as well.
On the Water Adventures
Take advantage of Orange County’s waterways and spend some time cruising the harbors or the Back Bay. Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Sunset Beach all have kayak, boat, and SUP rentals and launch sites. Looking for a day date that includes physical activity? Kayaks and SUPs are for you. Keep in mind that the likelihood that you will get wet increases significantly on SUPs. If cruising the harbor with a picnic lunch sans submersion is more your style, opt for renting a Duffy Boat instead.
Dana Point
Pure Watersports 34671 Puerto Place, Dana Point 92629
Huntington Beach/Sunset Beach
Huntington Harbor Boat Rentals 16732 PCH, Sunset Beach, CA 90742
OEX Sunset Beach 16910 PCH, Sunset Beach 90742
Sunset Rentals 16862 PCH, Sunset Beach 90742
Newport Beach
Duffy Rentals 2001 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach 92663
Newport Fun Tours 2901 West Coast Highway #160, Newport Beach 92663
Just Hang Out
Take risks. Tackle a new adventure. Every relationship gets stronger when you seek out new things together. I’m guessing you haven’t mastered the art of trapeze, so why not give it a shot. Trying out the trapeze should be on everyone’s bucket list, and SwingIt Trapeze in Anaheim makes it possible for you to cross it off.
SwingIt Trapeze 900 N. Maple St. Anaheim 92801
The Great Escape
Put those problem-solving skills to the test as a team to solve a selection of puzzles. Will you work together well enough to survive the escape room? If horror movies and scary scenarios are your thing, try the Hex Room at CrossRoads Escape Games, Zodiac Killer at Wild Goose Escape Rooms, or Escape the Darkest Hour: Torture Chamber at Mission Escape Games. Looking for something less fear-inducing? Each location has multiple games so be sure to review the details before you book.
CrossRoads Escape Games 4245 E. La Palma Ave, Anaheim 92807
- Private 2 person games available, or team up with other couples
- Interactive theater experience with rooms for all ages
Wild Goose Escape Rooms 123 W. Amerige Ave., Fullerton & 7700 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach
- All private rooms
- Other available games include Cold War Bunker and Zombie Lab
Mission Escape Games 400 Disney Way #313, Anaheim 92802
- 2 person games available
- Other available games include The Ultimate Bank Heist and Escape The Hydeout
Solve A Mystery
Interactive dinner theater and murder mysteries can be a great date-night adventure for outgoing couples. These entertaining dinner experiences include a full dinner with beverage service and both take place at Orange County Hotels.
The Dinner Detective 1221 South Harbor Blvd, Anaheim 92805 (Four Points By Sheraton)
- Ticket includes admission, food, and show. Guests begin with the interrogation reception and appetizers.
- Meal includes bread, salad, entrée, and dessert.
- Fully stocked cash bar available.
The Gourmet Detective Irvine, Lake Forest, Newport, Costa Mesa
- Running since 1991. Become part of the crime scene upon entry.
- Ticket includes dinner and admission.
- Meal includes fresh bread, house salad, choice of entrée, dessert, and coffee or hot tea.
- Bar service is available
More Orange County Date Ideas
Support a local Orange County Team and enjoy a great day or night out supporting your local Angels or Anaheim Ducks.
Comedy Clubs are excellent for first dates or just a fun night out with your spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend.
Reserve a restaurant with a view of Orange County.
See a concert at many of the concert venues in Orange County including the FivePoint Amphitheatre, Pacific Amphitheatre, Honda Center, Garden Amp and more. There are even many free summer concerts and live music venues to check out.
Book a day or overnight trip to Catalina Island.
Tour Newport Beach in a Duffy Boat rental.
Cruise off the coast on a whale and dolphin watching cruise.
Go on an illuminated swan boat ride on Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach. Yes, this is slightly beyond the OC but split the difference is gas cost with a Groupon discount.
Enjoy a one of a kind dining experience at The Hobbit in Orange or the Summit House Restaurant in Fullerton. The Hobbit starts in the wine cellar and then moves to the main room for a multi-course French dinner that changes often. The Summit House Restaurant is an old school dinning experience that pecializes in prime rib and classic American fare and has a romantic interior and beautiful outdoor patios.
Visit a farm and enjoy a cookout and tour.
Disneyland sets off an incredible firework display that lights up the night sky right above the rooftop at Fifth OC and the Parkestry at the JW Marriott. Check out of these places to watch without a ticket.
Go to one of the Artwalks in Orange County.
Cruise Newport Beach in style in a Moke rental.
Grab the S’mores, firewood and blankets and have a bonfire on the beach.
Go on a haunted tour or ghost walk.
See or catch grunion April through August.
Make a day or night of it and stroll through one of the many great OC downtowns featuring unique boutiques for shopping, a great selection of restaurants, and hot spots for local nightlife.
If you like to ride motorcycles head on over to Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon, a historical landmark since 1926. Even if you don’t own a bike you can still enjoy food, drinks and live music in an indoor and outdoor setting. It’s an experience!
Visit an OC Night market.
Taste wine in Temecula while on a wine tour.
Check out the craft beer scene via a brewery tour.
Venture out to one of Orange County’s hidden dining or drinking spots or take in the views at a rooftop bar or restaurant.
Put your boots on and go country line dancing.
Reserve a cabana and spend the day relaxing by the pool at one of Orange County’s top resorts. With a resort day pass, you get all the resort poolside perks, without staying the night.
Cuddling by the fire is pretty romantic. Have a beach bonfire, make s’mores, and take in the sunset. Here’s a list of Orange County beach bonfire locations and information.
Book a day at the spa. Schedule a couples massage, facial, or scrub and spend the day relaxing and getting pampered together.
Pack a picnic and take in the view. Here’s a list of some of Orange County’s top picnic spots.
Connect in nature. Despite our bustling cityscapes, Orange County has an abundance of excellent trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Check out Irvine Ranch Open Space Preserve for hikes out to Black Star Canyon, Fremont Canyon, and Limestone Canyon, some of OC’s most spectacular natural destinations.
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Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.