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# Issue No. 8: Feeling Sort of Romantic
- URL: https://thesort.news/issue-no-8-feeling-sort-of-romantic/
- Published: 2026-08-13T15:05:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-13T15:05:46.000Z
- Description: Nine date nights across North County, from a private escape room in Carlsbad to a hundred-year-old movie theater in Encinitas — built around who you two actually are. The Sort: Free, every Thursday.
- Author: The Sort
- Tags: the-sort-weekly, sort-of-romantic, north-county, oceanside, carlsbad, del-mar, solana-beach, encinitas, escondido, cardiff

ISSUE NO. 08 · NORTH COUNTY, SAN DIEGO

# Feeling Sort of Romantic

Not every couple wants the same night out, so we stopped writing like they do. Some couples want a private hour solving a fake murder, some want cheap wine and a sunset walk. Nine date nights across North County, built around who you two actually are — not who a greeting card thinks you should be.

Del Mar + Solana Beach

For the couple who'd rather dance than talk

Some seafood small bites and a good to drink at **Glass Box** in Del Mar, then stay through the encore and dance yourself clean for whoever's on at **Belly Up** — [check the calendar for upcoming shows](https://bellyup.com/calendar/?ref=thesort.news).

Rate → $$$ · [See Glass Box menu](https://www.glassboxsd.com/menu?ref=thesort.news) · [Check show schedule](https://bellyup.com/calendar/?ref=thesort.news)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0c/cf/0ccf39f2-33b0-4776-aa79-3311ccdf479a/content/images/2026/08/DSC_2790.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0c/cf/0ccf39f2-33b0-4776-aa79-3311ccdf479a/content/images/2026/08/DSC_2798.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0c/cf/0ccf39f2-33b0-4776-aa79-3311ccdf479a/content/images/2026/08/DSC_2850.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0c/cf/0ccf39f2-33b0-4776-aa79-3311ccdf479a/content/images/2026/08/IMG_6267--1-.jpg)

Carlsbad

For the couple who reads together

Do the crossword together over coffee at **Marla's**, the café built right into **Carlsbad Village Books**, then get lost in the stacks arguing about what you got wrong.

Rate → $ · [See store hours](https://www.carlsbad-village.com/go/carlsbad-village-books?ref=thesort.news)

Encinitas

For the couple who shares a Letterboxd account

North County's only single-screen movie theater has been running since 1928 — catch whatever's playing at **La Paloma**, then talk through plot devices over sliders a few blocks down at **Rosemarie's Buns & Brews**.

Rate → $$ · [See what's playing](https://www.lapalomatheatre.com/showtimes?ref=thesort.news) · [See Rosemarie's menu](https://rosemariesburgers.com/?ref=thesort.news)

Oceanside

For the couple who wants a change of pace

Build your own spread by filling up a basket with sake, snacks and sushi at **Kyoto Japanese Market**. Then, grab a blanket and eat it under the trees at **Buddy Todd Park**. For extra credit, go at sunset. You won't be disappointed by the view.

Rate → $ · [See what's in stock](https://kyotomarketoside.com/products?ref=thesort.news)

Cardiff

For the couple who wants a night by the water

Watch the sunset from the beach in Cardiff, then eat where you can still see it — **Pacific Coast Grill** does the whole thing beachside. Book ahead; walk-ins get bar seating at best.

Rate → $$$ · [Reserve a table](https://pacificcoastgrill.com/pcg/reservations/?ref=thesort.news)

Encinitas

For the couple who'd rather sweat it out together

Fifty minutes, five modalities, one reset at **Club House** in Encinitas — cold plunge, sauna, red light, compression boots, vibration plate, no hidden fees. First session is $20\. Acai after at **Lotus**, a six-minute walk down Coast Hwy 101.

Rate → $$ · [Book a session](https://www.clubhouse-enc.com/book-session?ref=thesort.news) · [See Lotus menu](https://www.lotuscafeandjuicebar.com/?ref=thesort.news)

Escondido

For the couple who shares something quietly different

Start the morning at **Queen Califia's Magical Circle** in Kit Carson Park — the strangest, most beautiful thing you'll find in Escondido, open only Tuesday mornings and every other Saturday. Save the evening for **Vintana**, perched on the third floor above a Lexus dealership — their Tuesday special runs two entrées and a bottle of wine, the whole city lit up below you.

Rate → $$ · [Confirm garden hours](https://www.escondido.gov/1252/Queen-Califias-Magical-Circle?ref=thesort.news) · [Reserve at Vintana](https://www.opentable.com/vintana-wine-and-dine?ref=thesort.news)

Carlsbad

For the couple who bonds over solving something together

A private hour inside Mansion Murder at **Escapology** in Carlsbad — no strangers, just the two of you and a body that needs explaining — then dinner at **Yard House**, a few steps from the door.

Rate → $$$ · [Book Mansion Murder](https://www.escapology.com/en/carlsbad-ca/escape-games/mansion-murder?ref=thesort.news) · [See Yard House menu](https://www.yardhouse.com/locations/ca/carlsbad/carlsbad-the-shoppes-at-carlsbad/8368?ref=thesort.news)

Oceanside

For the couple who can't agree on a drink order

**Meantime** pours a $5 pinot next to a $5 Michelob Ultra, weekday happy hour. Order whatever actually matches the two of you, then walk to the pier and watch for the green flash.

Rate → $ · [Follow @themeantimebar](https://www.instagram.com/themeantimebar/?ref=thesort.news)

Go be annoying about how much you like each other, just for a night.  
— The Sort