Certainly, the Coronavirus pandemic has created a whole new normal with pretty much everything in our lives, including the way we typically spend quality time together, go out, and enjoy the company of others. Since many restaurants, bars, and breweries have opened up their patios for business, date night is making a come-back. Here are 10 COVID-19 friendly ideas for a date night out on the town.

1. Hit the Bike Trails

The Sacramento area is rich with scenic trails, perfect for bike-riding with your sweetie. Depending on your experience, you can hit local trails from easy and paved to rugged and challenging. If you don’t own your own bicycles, there are plenty of rental shops like Folsom Bike, Trek Bikes in Midtown or Blue Zone Sports in Roseville.

2. Sharpen Up Your Aim with Archery

Cupid shouldn’t be the only one who gets to have all of the fun. You’ll love the challenge of archery, a cool date-day idea that’ll give you enough room for conversation, trash talk, and competition. There are quite a few ranges in the area, including one in El Dorado Hills, MAYA Archers in Roseville, or the Discovery Park Archery Range in Sacramento. 

3. Plan Your Escape

If you haven’t noticed, escape rooms have been making all the buzz over the past couple of years, providing companies, churches, youth groups, and love birds the chance to test their intelligence in real-life situations and mazes to escape from. Google escape room [your city], and you’ll be sure to find several you and your date can conquer.



4. Float, Float On…

Fall is a great time to relax on the river in an inner tube. This date idea is chill. You can pack a cooler, slap on some sunscreen, and enjoy the sunset. Check out American River Raft Rentals or if you’re feeling adventurous, plan a day trip to go white water rafting but camp the night before. White Water Adventures in Sacramento has you covered for only $49.

5. Camp Out

The summer hit us hard with several wildfires that affected thousands, but once the smoke clears, a great date night idea is camping. Blow up the air mattress and pitch a tent in the backyard, or make it a weekend getaway and reserve campsite. Either way, enjoying the night sky wrapped in the arms of your love sounds about as good as it gets. Here’s a list of 30 of the best campsites in Sacramento.

6. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping

Are you or your partner an adrenaline junkie? There’s no better place to get it going than Quarry Park Adventures in Rocklin. With so many activities to choose from, you and your date will work up a sweat and have plenty of fun. If you get a 4-hr day pass, you can enjoy ziplining, rock climbing, and even aerial adventures.

7. Kayak, Canoe, SUP

With so many rivers and lakes around, it’s a no-brainer to impress your date with some fun water activities. Get out on the water and test your sense of adventure. Need a great way to work on your communication skills? Canoeing is your answer. Pack a picnic and pull off to the shore mid-float to fuel up for the row home.

8. Online Cooking Class

Both Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma offer virtual cooking classes ranging from stir fry to Greek Night. Switch it up. If one of you claims the kitchen domain, give cooking together a try. Find a recipe online that tickles your taste buds, or go even bigger. If hands-on cooking isn’t really your jam, try whipping up a charcuterie board. Easy and delicious, plus- No rules!

9. DIY Wine & Art

Bring out your inner Picasso by recreating a paint and sip class in the comfort of your own home. Even better- you get to choose the subject matter. Since many of the public parks, lakes, and beaches are open to the public, grab your supplies, and do this date outdoors. Collaborate with your partner and scan Pinterest or even Youtube for a “How to paint ___” that catches your eye. Grab supplies and a bottle of vino- you’re all set!

10. Game Night

You can make your next date night both fun and competitive. Get tangled up in a game of Twister, blindfold taste test (chocolate, ice cream, cheese, or wine are a few ideas to get you started!), or even a card game- Euchre, Rummy, or Dominoes.