Famous for its 70 miles of pristine beaches, and all year round sunny climate, San Diego is California’s second largest city. It’s home to a vast array of world-class attractions including theme parks, zoos, and aquariums, and has been named the 10th best foodie city in the USA, with a cuisine that mixes up Mexican, Italian, and American flavors with fresh ingredients and local produce. It’s a magical city to visit with a loved one, so read on for our special list of the eight best San Diego gifts for couples to help date nights San Die-go with a bang!

Learn to fly:

What could be better than flying over the gorgeous landscapes of Southern California? Only flying the plane yourself! With this unique flying lesson, you’ll get to be in the pilot’s seat as you soar over coastal landscapes in a Cessna 172. Accompanied by a Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll be given a course in the aircraft’s controls, before taking off and putting your skills to the test on a one hour flight across San Diego, all under the instructor’s supervision. Loved ones can also sit in the back seat to enjoy the views too. It’s the ultimate gift for adventure lovers, and a fantastic experience to share. 

Viva Il Mambo Italiano:

For a truly one-off and romantic experience with an Italian twist, head out on a magical 50 minute gondola ride around the Coronado Cays. Beginning at Grand Caribe Shoreline Park, you’ll step aboard the traditional gondola, complete with blankets, ice bucket, and wine glasses for you to bring your own drinks. As you’re gently propelled across the water by your gondolier, you’ll enjoy the glorious waterside surroundings while you listen to Italian music in the background. Ideal for unforgettable date nights and couple’s vacations, this gondola ride is a superb experience gift for anniversaries 

Surf’s Up:

San Diego is one of the best spots for surfing in America, especially for beginners, and Bird’s Surf Shed has been supplying surfers with handcrafted boards for more than 50 years. It’s run by Eric ‘Bird’ Huffman, a San Diego surfing legend. The shop on Morena Blvd is a paradise for surfers, with boards, clothes, accessories, and more to browse. So, whether you’re a surfing fanatic or you’re a first timer to riding the waves, Bird’s Surf Shed is the perfect place to go and find equipment and know-how before hitting the surf at La Jolla Shores or Black’s Beach 

Uncover the flavors of the city:

From pizzas to burgers to oysters, San Diego is a foodie’s dream. Get to grips with the distinctive food culture on a two and a half hour guided tour taking in either the Gaslamp Quarter or San Diego’s Old Town. Both areas are home to a fantastic food scene featuring flavors from all around the world. Sample Indian curry, Mexican tacos, and fresh local seafood, as well as digesting some fascinating information about each neighborhood’s interesting history. You’ll also be able to wash down all that tasty food with a visit to a brewery to learn how local craft beers are made. The ultimate experience gift for foodie couples, this tour is a great way to experience the real San Diego flavor.

Take a walk on the wild side:

Visit San Diego Zoo for a totally wild experience that animal loving couples will go absolutely bananas for. The world-famous zoo is home to a huge variety of animals including birds, mammals, and reptiles from Africa, Australia, Asia and more. From the mysterious duck-billed platypus to American bald eagles, African lions, giraffes, elephants, and rhinos to polar bears, the largest living carnivore on the planet, you’ll find a visit to the zoo is a fabulous day out to share with a loved one. 

Cruise the streets in a GoCar:

Ride the streets of San Diego in a GoCar, the world's first computer-guided storytelling car. In this thrilling adventure, you'll be navigated around San Diego via the GoCar, which will also be there to tell you stories and facts about the sights you'll see along the way. You can relax and take in the sights, whilst also having the chance to stop for a coffee, lunch, and for any photo opportunities. The audio is available in a range of different languages, and is the perfect experience to take part in if you are new to the city! 

Have a whale of a time:

San Diego is famous for being on the migration route for gray whales heading from Mexico to Alaska, but it’s also a hotspot for marine life including dolphins, orcas, turtles, and sea lions. A whale watching trip aboard a Rigid Inflatable Boat is an excellent way to maximize your time viewing these amazing creatures thanks to its ability to travel quickly over the waves. Piloted by a skilled captain, and accompanied by an onboard naturalist, you’ll spend three hours enjoying amazing views of wildlife, and the beautiful Californian coast, and discover more about the animals that live here.

Have a brew:

San Diego has been named as one of the ‘World’s Top Beer Cities’, with more than 140 breweries to explore. While you may not be able to get round them all, a five hour brewery tour will see you visit three of the best. Guided by a knowledgeable local, you’ll be chauffeured to three breweries to taste award winning beers, ales, and lagers. You’ll also learn more about the brewing process, and the history of craft brewing in the city. This sud soaked brewery tour is brilliant for lager lovers, and makes a great experience gift for couples visiting San Diego. 

Mixing up stunning outdoors scenery, shopping, culture, food and drink, and amazing attractions, it’s easy to see why San Diego is such a popular tourist destination, and one of the best places to live in the USA. It doesn't matter if you’re a resident or just passing through, you’ll find that San Diego, or America’s Finest City, is the perfect base for couples looking to share unforgettable experiences and celebrate special occasions. So, whether you’re looking for a romantic activity to share with a loved one, or an experience gift for birthdays or Christmas, San Diego is the finest choice.