For the first time in years, we’re California is finally experiencing a winter with rain. Lots of it. There’s no shortage over here.
Quick pros and cons list for you: Pros include that we aren’t really experiencing a drought anymore and that our reservoirs are getting pretty full, while Cons include flash floods, reservoirs spilling over, power outages, and bad driving. Oh, and it feels like there’s nothing to do.
But feelings aren’t facts (haha!) and there is actually plenty to do when it’s raining. We just don’t feel like we want to do anything when it’s raining. But that feeling gets old and cabin fever can set in pretty quickly. There’s only so much Netflix someone can watch. Maybe you’re tolerance is higher than mine, but I would rather not spend every weekend binge watching a new show.
Here’s a list to refer to when you can’t think of anything. This list is for everyone everywhere, but I’m also going to list local suggestions for those in the Bay Area.
Rainy Day Date Ideas:
Go Bowling – If you’re in the Bay Area, head out to San Francisco’s Mission Bowling Club or Oakland’s Plank.
Appreciate art and history at Museums & Art Galleries – Oakland Museum of California, Pace Gallery, and SFMOMA are popular spots.
Look at fish, sea critters, and more at an Aquarium – The only thing cuter than watching otter videos on Youtube is watching otters IRL. Aquarium by the Bay and Monterey Bay Aquarium are your Bay Area options!
Shoot some pool at your local Pool Hall – Slate in San Francisco also has skee ball sooooo
Get active and go Rock Climbing – Planet Granite has locations across the Bay Area, but there are also other small gyms around so do some research before you head out. Also, if you’re a beginner, you might have to take a training class so keep that in mind.
Buy a book you’ve been eyeing from a local bookstore or visit the Library – I love the feeling of picking up a book that I’ve been thinking about buying and finally making the purchase. Pay a little more to support your local bookstore (or else Amazon will eventually be your only option) or pay nothing and pick up some books at the library. My favorites include Green Apple Books in San Francisco and Books, Inc. across the bay area.
Wine Tasting / Brewery Tours – Depending on the winery and brewery, they may offer tours during the rain, so you’ll have to do a little research. Some brewery options: Anchor Brewing in San Francisco, 21st Amendment in San Francisco, Gordon Biersch in San Jose, Lagunitas in Petaluma.
Play some games at an arcade – Coin-Op Game Room in San Francisco, Dave & Busters, and Brewcade in San Francisco are some good options.
Check out live performances like concerts, plays, or comedy shows – This one is easier said than done for sure, but many restaurants and bars have live music at night. Grab some drinks at a local dive. Savanna Jazz in San Francisco, Berkeley Playhouse in Berkeley, and Tommy T’s in Pleasanton are a few options for you.
Go to the Movies – This isn’t very creative but the movies are always an option. Consider going to a matinee if tickets are expensive. To switch things up, go to a historic theater, or one that serves alcohol and or has dinner service. Sundance Kabuki and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema are popular in SF.
Belt out your favorite song at Karaoke – You could do this in a group or just as a couple but head to a karaoke place and just sing.
Relax at the spa – Go to a nice spa in the area and get massages and facials or whatever you want. Watercourse Way Bath Room Spa in Palo Alto and Serenity Spa in Atherton have great reviews.
Have an adventure at an Escape Room – What’s an escape room you ask? “Real-life room escape games are a type of physical adventure game in which people are locked in a room with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit. ” – Quora. There are quite a few in SF and in the South Bay
Play Indoor Mini Golf – Urban Putt in SF and Subpar in Oakland are good options.
Play with some animals at a Cat Cafe – These aren’t located everywhere but there is KitTea in SF and Cat Town in Oakland. You may have to make reservations in advance.
Shop for some vinyls – Check out a good record store and buy favorite albums on vinyl.
Get some tickets to a game – Basketball and Hockey take place indoors. Look for last minute deals on SeatGeek and StubHub.
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Want to stay in instead?
Home-cooked Meal / Bake something – Why step out in the rain if you really don’t have to? Make some comfort food at home or bake something!
Plan a trip – Think of a place local or a new destination where you would want to go!
Learn a new language – Open up Duolingo on your phones and start learning! Then start speaking to each other in that language.
Listen to records/music – ’nuff said.
Board Games – Some aren’t as fun with only two people but that doesn’t mean you can’t play!
Video Games – Not everyone’s cup of tea but it can still be fun.
That’s what I came up with! What are some rainy day date ideas you have? Please share!
