By Nora Heston Tarte
Are you a victim of clichéd dating? Update your tired dinner-and-a-movie routine to something more adventurous. Whether you crave competition, have a need for speed or simply want to connect on a more intimate level, we’ve got you covered with five great date ideas across San Joaquin County.
Dart, Dash & Dive. Couples who play together stay together—or rather they feel closer, experience more positive emotions, and report being overall happier together (it’s true, just ask science). So instead of splitting a popcorn and browsing Fandango, head into battle. CQB City in Stockton has a swank indoor air soft arena where you can try your hand at the competitive sport that pits people against each other in a fight for survival. To sweeten the deal: loser buys dinner. CQB City, 3200 E. 8 Mile Rd., Stockton (925) 457-4832, CqbCity.com
Ride On. Hold on tight while you climb coastal roads, traverse wide-open desert or navigate redwood forests by motorcycle. Whether you’re looking for a day trip to Daffodil Hill or a three-day excursion to Death Valley, AdventureWest in Manteca has a calendar filled with mini-adventures for you and your loved one. Add some romance: plan your ride to last into the evening when you can literally ride off into the sunset together. AdventureWest Motorcycle Tours, 1169 S. Main St. #295, Manteca (209) 910-4238, AdventureWestMoto.com
Climb Rocks. Recreate the thrill of romantic attraction from your first date by partaking in a pulse-quickening pastime together. Psychology Today claims couples that sweat together have staying power in part because the symptoms of exercise mimic those of physiological arousal. Get creative with an activity like indoor rock climbing and build strength, flexibility, and balance while you scale the walls at Stonehenge in Modesto. Take it outside: try ascending a real mountain. Stonehenge Indoor Climbing Gym, 500 9th St. L2, Modesto, (209) 521-3644
Bike San Joaquin. San Joaquin County is filled with exciting trail rides for biking beginners and advanced riders alike. Grab your honey and hop on your wheels before heading for one of the Valley’s scenic options. Tidewater Bikeway in Manteca, an 8.2-mile asphalt trail that attracts active road bikers, is one such option, as well as the dependable Lodi Lake Trail, a 2.5-mile paved loop. If you choose the later, stop in for a drink at Bikes & Bites. Here you can shop for upgrades, repair your ride or fuel up with a Wackey Mackey (kiwi, pineapple, banana, and strawberry) smoothie at the organic juice bar. Make it special: ride tandem. Bikes & Bites 651 N. Cherokee Ln., Lodi (209) 224-8504, BikesandBitesLodi.com
Grab a Brew. Taste and get tipsy together at Valley Brewing Company where bartenders pour an array of appetizing brews in addition to tastings at events. The experience opens the door for conversation as you and your partner discuss flavor profiles and discover new favorites together. Designated driver recommended. Do it again: head to Delta Brews in Tracy where beer flights are on the menu daily. Valley Brewing Company, 157 W. Adams St., Stockton (209) 464-2739, ValleyBrew.com