Bay Meadows

Looking for a romantic date night idea but want to skip the cliché dinner and movie combo? Whether you’re looking for a way to celebrate a special anniversary or to spice up a free evening, we’ve dug up the best ways to spend precious time with your love. Check out these local hotspots sure to impress your special someone.

Experience the Fondue Effect
The Melting Pot in San Mateo offers a unique, interactive experience creating memorable moments with your sweetie. This is the perfect place to enjoy time to chat with your date, learn new things or catch up on the conversation between courses. Tailor your visit with a four-course dining experience including cheese fondue, salad, entree and dessert. Just looking for a bite? Stop by for fondue cheese paired with a glass of wine or to satisfy that chocolate craving after a movie during your evening.

Head to the Spa
A visit to Kanna Spa for a couples massage can be an awesome way to unwind. Romance and recuperate together by candle light as a hot stones blended customized massage melts away tension & stress. Experience a touch of four handed bliss while a softening, invigorating foot scrub and hot towel wraps occupy your partner. Then head into the infrared sauna for quality detox time and a re-mineralizing Oligomer tonic. 

Cozy Up in a Wine Café
B Street and Vine is located in downtown San Mateo and features a variety of small plates, panini, bruschetta, soups, salads, desserts, nonalcoholic beverages, wine and assorted beers by the tap and bottle. Check their schedule and visit on an evening with live music for a great ambiance to go along with the delicious bruschetta and wine.

Take a Drive on Skyline Boulevard
Just south of San Francisco, balancing on the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, lies a highway of great roadside stops and vistas. Give yourself an afternoon for a great escape with your love, filled with curvy, narrow roads and dramatic mountain views. There’s something awfully romantic about bonding on the open road together and making little stops along the way during your drive along Skyline Boulevard.

Dine at a Romantic Restaurant
The Plumed Horse in the quaint and historic village of Downtown Saratoga is an upscale watering hole featuring an ultra-plush bar and lounge with a candle-lit fireplace and list of expertly made, premium cocktails. If you want to sit back with your date, enjoy fine food and drinks and indulge in a footsie under the table, this special-occasion spot is the place to be!

Stroll in Peace and Harmony
Hidden up a hill surrounded by trees stands the oldest Japanese and Asian estate, Hakone Garden. This tranquil place is 18 acres of magnificent beauty nestled in the verdant hills of Saratoga overlooking Silicon Valley. Stroll the hill and koi pond garden, ascend the moon bridge or have tea overlooking the dry landscape garden with your date in this timeless oasis of peace.

Pedal to Some Sweet Spots
Someone once said that the journey is far more important than the destination. San Mateo County is known for its plentiful bike-friendly terrain and beautiful scenery. From unmatched vistas to parks, there are plenty of local sweet spots to pedal on 2-wheels with your love. Check out our favorites here.

Indulge in Art
Enjoy a bit of browsing and conversation the first Friday of the month while gallery hopping. San Mateo First Fridays is a self-guided evening tour through galleries, museums, and independent creative businesses, including Claremont Art Studios, Peninsula Art Studios, Scribble Me Happy, Neologian Art Gallery, The Shop at Flywheel Press and more. (Next up: Feb 6^th from 6-9pm) See our Mosey for more and get inspired to create your own! Love is in the air. Share the experience at Love on the Run, an annual free event founded on the idea of giving back to your local community the very next day on Feb 7^th from 10-5pm at The Shop at Flywheel Press.  Visit the Facebook page to know what to expect:

Ride the Rails
Extend your special date to a long weekend by stepping aboard a train. You can take a short day trip to San Francisco, San Jose, or Sacramento simply by boarding an Amtrak long-distance train. Surround your senses with waterfront views, the beauty of Yosemite National Park, and exquisite food and wine selections – all in one location. Book your train today to take on a memorable journey.

Hop on a Helicopter
What’s more romantic than sharing an hour of pure eye-opening enjoyment and truly unforgettable scenic views with your love? This, all from the comfort, and safety of a modern Bay Aerial helicopter.

Dinner dates are a big part of romance and love, so however you decide to spend an evening or weekend with your special someone, make it memorable, celebrate each other and enjoy!

An ideally located community, Bay Meadows is only 10 minutes from Palo Alto, 20 minutes from San Francisco, and has 3 airports (SFO, OAK, SJC) within 30 miles. Bay Meadows is also located on Caltrain, which makes travel and commutes that much easier. Talk about convenient! Bay Meadows is the centralized place to reduce commutes, meet friends and play. Looking for ideas of where to ride? Check out our bike map here.