Date Night in North County San Diego

Welcome to Carlsbad! My hubby and I are also having date night same night! If you do go to Coyote grill, heads up that the music is outside and they allow smoking outdoors. They do have a few fire pits, and depending on when you're there, the trains might come by-- but the food is good!. In that same complex is a Mediterranean rest. and they have live music and fun seating/atmosphere--if you end up there, check it out--there was great music when we were there. Not sure if you are into wine bars, but Relm is pretty new (on State St.) and they have a great atmosphere, good wines, and good food/appetizers, decent prices, and good service (also an informal art gallery). Paon (corner of Cbad Vill Dr and Roosevelt) has a cool wine tasting room and decent food in the restaurant (if you like French food). Bistro West is another good place for a lounge (drinks, apps, desserts). On the other end of the spectrum is Dini's which is right across the street from the beach and draws the younger crowd, but can be a fun pit stop, though, especially for late night night life! Hennesseys and Hensleys are other options for casual atmospheres with music. If you're looking for a true "club" atmosphere, you'll have to leave Cbad! Belly Up (Solana Beach) is a great place, but you'll need to check if you need tixs for the night you are going. You might be able to take the Coaster down (prob need a cab back if it's too late).Le Papagayo (in Leucadia) is fun and trendy, but usually books up in advance. Other ideas (more fun than romantic) are K-1 Speed in Cbad (adult go-kart racing), driving range at the Carlsbad Golf center and bowling at Surf Bowl (Oceanside).
Hope you have a great Valentine's Celebration! Let me know if you come up with other ideas...we're always looking for new fun ideas "close" to us! Have fun!

aww so sad I used to live there and just got homesick reading your post. Belly Up is fun..Riptides is cool too. Pretty much anywhere in Del Mar is going to be fun.

Okay here is a long shot I know you said that you don't want to drive to gaslamp, but the Sheraton on Harbor Island is having a valentines day special where one room is $129 and it comes with strawberries and champagne. You could also get the $169 spa package same deal as above but a $100 free towards a spa treatment. I think its pretty cool deal and you can have a mini staycation. You could get a taxi to gaslamp and go salsa dancing, or any dancing for that matter. It's romantic and you don't have to worry about driving too far after dinner. I work in the spa as an HHP, if I could I would do this but my 5 month old is too adorable to leave for a night.

Another option is I think it's called Coyote's in Carlsbad has dinner and dancing. Not too familiar with the upper north county I live in Rancho Bernardo.

Go check out Carlsbad Village there are nice restaurants there plus live music and dancing at the Coyote Grill.