30 Ideas for a Romantic Date without Spending Much Money

With all of the hustle and bustle in our daily lives…. It’s important to do things together. We cannot downplay the importance of spending quality time with your S.O. and what better way than to plan some date nights.

One of the common things we hear from couples is how expensive going out can be. Well, we’re here to tell you that there are many awesome dates that you can do for free. We live in the San Diego area and are very fortunate to have so many free activities readily available.

There are great dates night to be had without breaking your bank account. We make it a practice to have date nights when we find that we have a night or day to ourselves with no children.

A Saturday for us may mean attending the Farmer’s Market in Little Italy.

A walk across the San Diego Spruce Street Suspension Bridge with coffee in hand before heading to Balboa Park for a morning stroll.

Visiting La Jolla Cove to see the seals basking on the beach.

Walking through the Meditation Gardens on the bluffs in Encinitas.

Going for an afternoon walk around Lake Calavera near our home. And, you know what the best is, all of these activities are free (sans coffee).

Going on a date night (or day) doesn’t have to involve fancy restaurants or elaborate activities. In fact, some of our most favorite dates were free or relatively close to free (Leah always insists on a coffee:) and many of these dates were also some of our most memorable. Regardless of where you live, there are always great activities that don’t have to cost a fortune, or better yet, may cost nothing at all.

Here are some ideas for you - 35 to be exact. Extra points if you can come up with some additional ones on your own.

1. Cook each other dinner or better yet, cook a new recipe together.

2. Find a free concert in a park. Most cities will have some type of musical venue going on.

3. Visit some landmarks in your city.

4. Explore a library together.

5. Explore a beach, lake, or creek.

6. Have a movie-night. Make some popcorn and grab a blanket to cuddle.

7. Write and give each other a love note.

8. Grab a coffee at a local coffee shop and take your time talking to each other.

9. Download a movie on your laptop, iPad etc and take it with you somewhere to have an outdoor screening together.

10. Bake something together.

11. Learn something – take a free class together or watch an online tutorial.

12. Make a playlist together.

13. Learn a new language together.

14. Go dancing – this can be done at home too ;) And is one of our favorites to do together.

15. Do a puzzle together.

16. Go Skating.

17. Play Bingo.

18. Take a drive – Bring some snacks for an impromptu picnic.

19. Watch the sunset / sunrise.

20. Go stargazing.

21. Ride Bikes.

22. Volunteer.

23. Go get a Milkshake.

24. Do a project together.

25. Stay in bed.

26. Go in a hot tub.

27. Go on a hike. You will most likely find some great spots for photo ops as well.

28. Find a farmer’s market to stroll through. Many of these will also have free samples.

29. Go to a museum. Check out their schedules. Many museums will have a free admission sometime each month.

30. Have a game night.

31. Workout together.

32. Take a yoga class – I have found many in parks that were relatively inexpensive or check YouTube and do at home.

33. Go Bowling.

34. Go to a trivia night.

35. Swim together.

It's time to go on an adventure.

With Love & Kindness,

Justin & Leah

Leah Scott & Justin Andrade founded Upgrade Your Joy. A program that educates you how to bring more joy in your relationship through small daily actions. They live in Carlsbad, CA. and are enjoying life one day at a time while educating others to do the same.