Written By Andrea Peña
Staff Writer
Most commonly, people tend to stay in their comfort zones when it comes to dates. However, why not spice things up and do something out of the ordinary? People are always saying that there is nothing to do in Bakersfield and stick to the basic dates such as the movies, dinner, or mini golfing. What people don’t know is that there is so much to do in Bakersfield, and you don’t always have to have deep pockets to have fun.
There is so much history to Bakersfield, so why not make a fun date out of it and visit a few museums to get to know the town in which you live. There are many museums like California Area Living Museum [CALM], The Kern County Museum, and The Bakersfield Museum of Art. Admission for all the museums is no more than $10; however they all offer discounts for students with I.D.
“A weird date that I’ve heard of and have always wanted to try was going to Costco with someone and trying all the free samples! It’s something new and it works out perfectly if you’re on a budget,” said Catherine delToro, a graduate student at CSUB.
Many don’t know that there is actually a skating rink right around the corner from the Maya theater, called Bakersfield Ice Center. Perhaps if someone is looking for a more intimate date they could dare to go ice skating. It is a time to bundle up, no matter the time of year and a great time for holding that special someone’s hand.
“One of the best dates I’ve ever been on was when my boyfriend and I went on a romantic picnic. We had one of the best meals and had music playing in the background. My boyfriend was so sweet by picking me flowers and later read poetry to me. It was definitely the best date,” said Deisy Hernandez, a 19-year-old freshman at CSUB.
A romantic and active date could be a picnic at the park. Riverwalk Park offers a great atmosphere for the perfect date. Packing a dinner and enjoying it by the lake while watching the sunset, screams romantic. Couples can also rent bikes just down the road at Finish Line and ride throughout the park and enjoy the scenery. Bike rentals usually run around $50; however you can save some money by taking your own bike.
“In one of my memorable dates, was walking through the aisles and reminiscing about what we use to eat as children and just sharing things with the other person,” said Phillip Brockett, a 23-year-old credential student at CSUB.
Staying in and cooking may sound strange but is actually very entertaining. Being in a familiar environment will make you feel very comfortable. While cooking, a flirty side definitely can come out when concocting a new creation. A good meal idea would be to make a pizza together. You can really get to know someone by the topping they put on their pizza. If you are on a budget you can reasonable prices for topping at any grocery store or even a pizza place, like Papa Murphy’s.
Instead of going to a movie, why not do something a little different and see a play instead? The Empty Space offers a very casual and relaxed setting. It’s a different experience but still has similar qualities to a movie; however, it is just so alive. This month The Empty Space will present The haunting of Hill House, The Durang Zone, and Major League Improv every weekend in October. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students with I.D.
When choosing any date idea, remember to choose something that will make you both feel carefree, and give you an opportunity to learn about each other. This city is not as boring as people seem; you just have to be creative and be willing to try something new.
