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Living in the Bay Area often means paying $15 for a cocktail and another $15 for a burger — it’s a very good burger, but still. It adds up when you’re eating out for two, especially if you’re looking for an activity to accompany that lunch or dinner date.
Luckily, there’s plenty of inexpensive fun to be had in the Bay Area — including these 10 cheap (but awesome!) date ideas — especially in the summer and early fall. And we’ve got the cheap eats to go with them. From gourmet bites at Santa Cruz’s Picnic Basket to craft beer and apps at San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square, we’ve got you covered.
Golden Gate Park
Spending the day in Golden Gate Park? Good thing it’s just a few blocks from the Sunset District, where you can replace those walked-off carbs with a few slices of freshly-baked vegetarian pizza ($2.75 each) — with roasted baby Yukon potatoes, basil and pesto on an organic sourdough crust — at the no-frills Arizmendi Bakery. Also: Killer fruit pie and gourmet coffee. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and until 6 p.m. Sunday at 1331 9th Ave., S.F.; www.arizmendibakery.com.
Berkeley Marina
Head up University Avenue after a wind-whipped day of kite-flying near the Berkeley Marina. Ippudo is a simple, yet stylish ramen shop — the first West Coast outpost of the famed Japanese chain — and there’s nothing you need more than two bowls of steaming Shiromaru Classic ($14 each). You’ll slurp up every last housemade noodle (cooked your way, from soft to medium or firm) with tender bites of delicate pork belly chashu, sesame kikurage mushrooms and other fixings. Open from 11 a.m. daily at 2015 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; http://ippudo-us.com.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Ah, the perfect spot for beach lovers to spend a summer day. Whether you’re taking in a free Friday concert or a spin on the rides, hop across Beach Street to The Picnic Basket, a cozy cafe brimming with local, seasonal and organic fare, from salads and sandwiches to Penny Ice Creamery cones. We’re partial to the Anna’s Mac and Cheese ($8) made with tender elbow noodles baked in a cheese medley and topped with thyme bread crumbs. Wash it down with one of their seasonal house fruit sodas ($4). Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily at 125 Beach St., Santa Cruz; http://thepicnicbasketsc.com.
Oakland First Fridays
For serious eats, look for no further than this weekly hipster gathering in Koreantown-Northgate, or KoNo. Specifically, get yourselves to Phat Matt’s BBQ for Texas brisket, Memphis ribs, North Carolina-style pulled pork and more. Sharing? Get the 2 Way Plate Combo ($26), which comes with two sides and bread, or a juicy pulled chicken sandwich for each of you ($12.50). Matt’s been working the smoker for 30-plus years and makes all of his own rubs and sauces. Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (or until he sells out) daily at 3415 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; www.phatmattsbbq.com.
Santana Row, San Jose
On Wednesdays, Santana Row transforms into a swanky farmers market brimming with 20-plus farmer and vendor carts. Go for a perfectly-crispy Roli Roti quarter chicken and roasted potatoes ($7.50) then treat your date to gourmet Auntie Viv’s Hawaiian Ice ($6-$8). Viv makes all her own tropical fruit syrups, such as guava, passion fruit and pineapple, with organic fruit whenever possible. Don’t forget to top it with handmade mochi and li hing mui, a salty dried plum powder. 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays on Santana Row between Olin Avenue and Olsen Drive, San Jose; www.cafarmersmkts.com/santanarow
Ghirardelli Square
Whether you’re fresh off a water taxi or hitting the square for window shopping, head over to San Francisco Brewing Co. for a pint and a nosh. The new 12,000-square-foot craft brewery and restaurant offers 5-ounce pours of every beer, from Alcatraz Amber to Presidio Pils, for $3 each. Pair a flight with onion rings with aioli ($8) or bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese and sweet chili sauce ($6). Grab seats by the outdoor fire pits. Open daily at 3150 Polk St., S.F.; www.sfbrewingco.com.
Downtown San Jose
Enjoying an urban date? Whether you’re taking in a museum or a summer concert at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, cheap eats await you at the SoFA Market. Located two blocks from the plaza, this intimate hall features 10 fabulous independent eateries, including Vietnoms, Habana Cuba and fan fave Pizzeta 408, which churns out authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Split the hearty Three Little Pigs ($17) made with caramelized onions, housemade hot fennel sausage, pepperoni, prosciutto cotto and more. Open daily at 387 S. First St., San Jose. www.pizzetta408.com.
Alameda
Spending a day on the island? Whether you’re playing a few holes at Subpar Miniature Golf or taking a walk on the beach, you have to stop into Tucker’s Super Creamed Ice Cream. Located on Park Street, just two blocks from Subpar, the creamery offers 30 classic flavors scooped into old-school glass bowls. Share a waffle-cone sundae stacked high with distinctive seasonal flavors — lemon pie, banana peanut butter, cantaloupe sorbet — and finished with hot fudge and whipped cream. Hours vary. Open daily at 1349 Park St., Alameda; http://tuckersicecream.com.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
One of the largest National Parks in an urban area, the GGNRA is rife with options for outdoorsy dates, from hiking the San Francisco Presidio to touring Point Bonita Lighthouse just across the bridge. Even better, you can grab a post-hike seasonal bite at Presidio Palms Cafe. From the same team behind Presidio Social Club, this casual spot features reasonably-priced and freshly-made soups, salads and sandwiches. We love the Tomato & Basil Soup ($5.75), but if you’re hungrier, go for Meatloaf & Mash ($12.50), featuring mustard-flecked ground beef and pork over garlic mashed potatoes. Open Monday-Friday inside the San Francisco Film Centre at 39 Mesa St., S.F.; www.presidiopalmscafe.com.
