Looking for a fun place to take your date or significant other? There’s more than just restaurants and movie theaters in Cupertino. Instead of taking your sweetie to yet another dinner and a movie, consider something a bit more unique. You might just end up with an unforgettable experience while exploring all that Cupertino has to offer.

Fujitsu Planetarium

Courtesy of De Anza College

Remember that scene in “Friends” where Ross takes Rachel to a planetarium for a date? What about that scene in “La La Land” when Sebastian and Mia dance across the sky at the planetarium in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park? The point is, planetariums are a pretty romantic place.

The Fujitsu Planetarium is located at De Anza College, and it’s the largest school planetarium this side of the Rocky Mountains. It’s also one of the most modern planetariums in existence, making it great for anyone interested in astronomy or outer space. The planetarium also puts on special music and light shows, including ones set to The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”. Have a memorable night gazing up into the heavens or being mesmerized by trippy lasers.

Bay Area Dinner Show

Courtesy of Bay Area Dinner Show

Looking for a place to take your thespian date? The Bay Area Dinner Show routine. Located in the Vallco Mall, the Bay Area Dinner Show will first treat you to a banquet-style meal serving Chinese-style dishes. When dinner is finished, grab a seat and get ready for some amazing magic.

The show features Dan Chan, an internationally recognized magician who has performed for notable figures all over the world. You’ll be stunned as you watch rarely seen magical feats, playful pick-pocketing, and amazing sleight-of-hand tricks. The whole evening takes place in an intimate setting, though watching a show together takes the pressure off those first-date nerves.

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Tasting Room at Ridge Vineyards / Courtesy of Ridge Vineyards

Think beautiful vineyards can only be found in Napa and Sonoma County? Cupertino may not be in wine country but visiting Ridge Vineyards will make you think it is. This historic winery is located high up on Monte Bello Ridge at an elevation of 2,300 feet, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. From the vineyard, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Silicon Valley and the mountain ranges in the distance. 

If you and your date are wine enthusiasts, you can sample some of the wines that Ridge Vineyards has to offer. The winery specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay.

McClellan Ranch Preserve

Photo by Ellen Levy Finch

Want a truly unique date experience? Check out McClellan Ranch Preserve, a former horse ranch that’s now a nature museum and community garden. The original ranch house and livestock barns have been preserved, so visitors can come get a glimpse of the Bay Area’s agricultural past.

Guests can walk around the 60-acre organic community garden (where Santa Clara County’s Master Gardeners program often conducts vegetable trials), go for a hike in the surrounding wilderness (McClellan Ranch maintains the scenic trail that runs along Stevens Creek), and do some bird-watching — there are more than 100 species of birds in the area.