5 awesome and affordable ideas for reimagining the perfect date

Although we’re known as wine-and-dine county, Sonoma also offers plenty of unique and unusual opportunities for reimagining the perfect date. There are many different activities to try that cater to every type of interest. So, if you’ve had enough dinner-and-a-movie dates to last you a lifetime, here are some great date ideas to stir the romantic pot.

A morning walk at the Farmers’ Market

Here’s a great one if you’re dating a vegan or vegetarian. There’s absolutely no shortage of farmers’ markets to visit in Sonoma, which can be attributed to the valley’s produce-friendly climate. Sprouts Farmers’ Market, Sonoma Valley Fruit Basket, Green String Farm, and Fridays Farmers’ Market are just some of the spots where you and your date can sample fresh local produce.

Retro arcade night

Out of the many different local bars that offer board games and other classic bar pastimes, Beyond the Glory in Petaluma is the only one with a room that’s equipped with pinball machines as well as several retro arcade games. Gala Bingo points out how spending time at the local arcade is a great way to while away a couple of hours without spending too much money. Furthermore, playing retro games offers a unique chance to get to know and spend time with another person, in a setting that’s a lot less formal (and much more fun) than the classic dinner date.

Speakeasy and live music night

If you’re looking for a place where you can listen and dance to jazz, funk, blues, or rock, the not-so-secret Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall is the place to go. Although its supposedly quick renovation turned into a 15-month project, we’re glad to announce here that the Speakeasy has reopened its doors to the public, continuing its legacy of being a breeding ground for musicians in Sonoma County. Apart from being a now-larger venue with regular gigs, Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall is considered by many local musicians to be their home. And now that it’s back, things can only get better, especially if you’re looking for a new spot for that next date.

An afternoon of peaceful hiking

Hiking offers a relative amount of privacy, the calm quiet of nature, and fresh air —a potential recipe for the perfect date. The Sonoma County Regional Parks official website details how hiking remains the most popular activity in the county. They also list several hiking guides that are available should you want to explore Sonoma’s natural beauty, including a guided night hike wherein you can listen to the sounds of the county’s nocturnal creatures. There’s nothing like the beauty of nature to provide the backdrop for a nice date.

Culinary Class afternoon

Sonoma Country’s many farmers’ markets have made it the ideal place for culinary schools, many of which offer short classes that can double as dates. Relish Culinary Adventures hosts a number of events ideal for such occasions. In Santa Rosa, Sur la Table offers a variety of cooking classes. Several of the local wineries also offer their own culinary workshops, complete with complementary glasses of wine. Apart from providing opportunities for the perfect date, these culinary classes can be a great way to improve your home cooking game, which opens up more perfect date opportunities in the future.