Bay Area Date Ideas: Cozy Pub Vibes, Stunning Views, and Fun Games

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

Looking for a memorable date idea in the Bay Area? Whether you're a local or just visiting, there's no shortage of great places to enjoy good food, cozy atmospheres, and fun activities. Here are a few top spots perfect for a date – from charming English pub vibes and even a little friendly competition along the way.

1. Pelican Inn – English Pub Vibes with a View

Nestled along the scenic coast just outside of Marin, Pelican Inn is the perfect date spot if you want to enjoy a cozy atmosphere, delicious comfort food, and the bonus of breathtaking views. The drive to the Pelican Inn itself is stunning, winding through coastal roads with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, making the journey there part of the adventure. Once you arrive, you'll be greeted by a charming building reminiscent of an English pub with a big, welcoming fireplace that's perfect for colder months.

The food? Think hearty pub classics like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash – all served in a warm, welcoming environment. And here's the kicker: they have darts! Whether you're a dart pro or a beginner, it adds an extra layer of fun to the date. After your meal, you can take a stroll along the nearby beach, making it a perfect spot for a winter or fall date. A little friendly competition with darts followed by a romantic beach walk? Can’t get better than that.

2. Mersea – Waterfront Dining on Treasure Island

If you’re in the mood for spectacular views and a modern vibe, Mersea on Treasure Island is another fantastic choice. The owners of well-known Bay Area favorites like Epic, Water Bar, and now Hurrica in Redwood City have brought their expertise to Mersea, offering a menu that's both fresh and indulgent. From seafood to classic American dishes, the food here is top-notch.

But the real highlight is the view. You can enjoy sweeping panoramas of San Francisco's skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge – a truly unbeatable backdrop for a romantic date or family outing. If you're looking for something extra fun, Mersea has games for both kids and adults. Whether you’re tossing a bean bag or playing cornhole, the playful atmosphere adds a unique touch to your meal. The laid-back but stylish ambiance makes it ideal for a relaxed yet memorable date night.

3. GIorgio’s – Classic Italian Romance

If you’re craving something a little more traditional casual but still with plenty of charm, Georgio’s in the Bay Area is a fantastic pick. Known for its cozy ambiance and great pizza and other classic Italian dishes, it’s the perfect setting for a casual fun lunch or dinner.

Why These Spots Stand Out:

• Pelican Inn offers a cozy, rustic pub experience with the bonus of outdoor fun (darts and a beach walk!).

• Mersea boasts incredible food and drinks, unbeatable views of the city, and games to add a playful touch to your date.

• Georgio’s is ideal for a casual fun pizza place after going to the beach or other SF activities.

From beautiful coastal drives to breathtaking views and delicious food, these spots offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to have a relaxed night with great conversation, enjoy a little competition, or just soak in the views, these Bay Area gems will set the stage for a perfect date.

So, next time you're planning a night out, consider one of these places – they're sure to create a memorable experience for you and your special someone!

Mankeeping: Are Women Doing More Than Their Fair Share of Emotional Labor?

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

In many relationships, women often find themselves stepping into the role of emotional caretaker. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as "mankeeping," involves women taking on the mental and emotional load of supporting their male partners—especially during times of crisis, uncertainty, or personal struggle. While emotional caretaking can strengthen the bond between partners, it can also carry a heavy burden, leaving women overwhelmed as they juggle their own responsibilities alongside managing their partner’s emotional and practical needs.

The Emotional Burden of Mankeeping

Research suggests that men often have fewer close friendships and tend to rely heavily on their romantic partners for emotional support. In fact, studies have shown that a significant number of men report having no close friends at all. This lack of external support means that women frequently bear the responsibility of managing their partner's emotional state, reassuring them during difficult times, and even taking care of practical matters like organizing social events or handling family obligations.

This dynamic creates a scenario where women are not only carrying their own emotional load but are also responsible for managing their partner's emotional health. While this may feel necessary in the moment and can contribute to a sense of closeness, it can also lead to emotional burnout, particularly if the caretaking is not reciprocated.

Why Women End Up in the Caretaking Role

The tendency for women to take on this emotional labor isn't just about love or partnership—it’s a societal and cultural issue. From a young age, women are often socialized to be caregivers, nurturing figures who are expected to maintain harmony, soothe tensions, and put the emotional needs of others before their own. Men, on the other hand, are typically encouraged to be stoic, self-reliant, and avoid expressing vulnerability. These traditional gender roles create an imbalance in emotional caregiving within relationships, with women often shouldering more of the burden.

While many women willingly embrace the role of emotional caretaker, this imbalance can be exhausting, especially when the emotional needs of the man are not met in return. As a result, women may start to feel overwhelmed, neglected, or even resentful. This leads to the question: How can emotional caretaking be more balanced?

The Case for Mutual Emotional Support

Emotional labor, when unbalanced, can cause resentment and burnout. The key to a healthy relationship is mutual support and care. Both partners should feel that their emotional needs are being met in equal measure, and that their vulnerability is being respected. A relationship should be a two-way street, where both partners provide emotional support to each other—whether it's offering a listening ear, providing reassurance, or managing shared responsibilities.

If one partner consistently takes on the role of emotional caretaker, it can lead to an unhealthy dynamic where one person's emotional well-being is sacrificed for the other. This imbalance can make it difficult for women to feel truly supported when they themselves need emotional care.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognize the Signs of Emotional Labor: If you’re feeling emotionally drained from constantly managing your partner’s needs, it’s time to assess the balance in your relationship. Are you carrying the emotional load on your own? Are you receiving the same level of care and support in return?

2. Encourage Open Conversations About Emotional Needs: Men may not always express their emotional needs in the same way women do. It’s important to have open conversations about how both partners can support each other emotionally. If your partner tends to keep their feelings to themselves, gently encourage them to open up and share what they’re going through.

3. Create a Supportive Community Outside of the Relationship: It’s vital for both partners to have support systems outside the relationship—friends, family, or professionals—to help carry some of the emotional burden. Encourage your partner to nurture friendships and seek support outside of the relationship.

4. Practice Mutual Emotional Care: A healthy relationship requires mutual emotional care. Whether it’s comforting each other after a tough day or sharing your feelings in an open, vulnerable way, emotional support should be balanced. Both partners should feel like they can lean on each other.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Set Boundaries: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to set emotional boundaries. It’s okay to say no when your own emotional needs aren’t being met. Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship.

Homework for the Reader:

1. Self-Reflect: Take some time to reflect on your relationship dynamic. Are you playing the role of the emotional caretaker? If so, how does this impact your own emotional health and well-being?

2. Have a Conversation: Talk to your partner about emotional support. Ask them how they are feeling emotionally and whether they feel supported by you. Share how you feel as well—open and honest communication is key.

3. Identify Your Support System: Identify at least one or two people (outside your partner) who can help support you emotionally. Having a broader support network can alleviate some of the pressure that comes from trying to be everything to your partner.

4. Create a Balance Plan: Think about ways you can create a more balanced dynamic. Perhaps you can find ways to share more of the emotional load or encourage your partner to seek external support. Balance is key to a healthy relationship.

Friendsgiving

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

If you don’t already have plans for the Thanksgiving holiday, consider reaching out to your friends, posting on your social media, or asking your colleagues, as you might not be alone in wanting to share the day.  This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with those who may need it most, so let’s make sure everyone has a place to feel welcome and appreciated this Thanksgiving.

As I write this, I’m reminded of some people in my life who would truly appreciate an invitation.  One close friend is navigating the challenges of a divorce and will be spending her first Thanksgiving away from her family, and I know she could use some emotional support… and a slice of warm apple pie à la mode wouldn’t hurt either! 

If you’re not a natural or relaxed cook, do not fear!  Although I love eating, I am one of those people who admittedly stresses out with multiple guests hovering around my kitchen if I’m cooking.  Luckily for our family, we have figured out an excellent formula that makes me still feel like the hostess with the mostest.  Plenty of restaurants and grocers (like Whole Foods) offer complete or a la carte solutions for Thanksgiving dinner.  Since I live in Silicon Valley, I call upon a local grocer, Robert’s Market and pre-order tons of items like sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, ham, turkey, mashed potatoes…ok so don’t judge, I order most everything LOL. And guess, what? No stress, everyone loves it and eats it. Plus, I can focus on my guests and not burning the stuffing. ;-) 

You can also encourage guests to bring a dish to share if they wish, or suggest they contribute wine or dessert to the celebration. To make things even more interesting, invite your friends to bring along a single friend of the opposite sex. This approach can help create a diverse and engaging table filled with fascinating guests from all backgrounds. Not only is this idea fun, but it can also create a more intimate and fulfilling holiday experience than you might expect. 

Enlist the help of a friend to help you decorate the table the day before your party. Even the simplest autumn decor can work wonders! Think about using votive candles, collecting fall leaves or branches from a hike, or scattering a few mini pumpkins from your local Trader Joe's, and curating the perfect Spotify playlist to set the mood. In fact, we just put one together for your upcoming Friendsgiving… Enjoy….our gift to you! Link to Thanksgiving Spotify Playlist!

Connections that Count: Mastering Networking in Silicon Valley

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

Networking is one of the true cornerstones of living and thriving in Silicon Valley. When I initially started my business in 2003, I immediately placed myself in the middle of events that were high-value and target rich -- I wanted to mix and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Early on, I found out about the first location based social network called “Meetro.”

The founders of Meetro would put on networking events in "real life.”  I started by attending their bowling nights in Palo Alto, which truly put me completely out of my comfort zone as I wore a pink bowling shirt, ugly bowling shoes, and played against different entrepreneurs. It was goofy, it was silly, and it was plain old cheap fun. I met some great folks and remember handing my business card to a lady named Jessica. I didn’t think much of that particular contact other, than that I was trying to be friendly, hand my card out, and meet lots of new people. 

A few weeks later, Jessica called me and shared details that she was a reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle and inquired in a very kind way if she would be able to do a story on my teeny tiny matchmaking biz. I was completely surprised that she even remembered me, let alone wanted to do a story on Linx Dating. Delighted, I agreed and was interviewed over the phone. It was going to be a story right in time for Valentine’s Day. The day before the story was supposed to come out, she asked if she could get some images of me and proceeded to send a San Francisco Chronicle photographer down to meet me. We snapped a bunch of photos. She later shared, “Amy, rumor is, I think you might get the front cover of the newspaper!”  

February 14, 2007, my story came out and basically occupied the ENTIRE front page of the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle. I literally could not believe my eyes! Link to story

My business changed overnight and has never ceased growing! As an entrepreneur, I will be forever grateful to Jessica for that tremendous opportunity.  Beyond the friendships I made, all of this created incredible business opportunities and great business contacts. I met a man named Baris Karadogan who guided and periodically mentored me in my little Palo Alto office. Professionally, he spent ten years as an Stanford educated engineer, ten years in VC, and as a CEO. Most recently, he is CEO of a tech platform called Jingle.

A quick plug about Jingle….If you ever need fresh foods, beverages, etc., download the Jingle app - Jingle is a super cool food and services delivery platform. In a nutshell, it’s a very cost-effective marketplace for fast, direct deliveries from mobile stores and services.  In fact, at my recent networking event “Mix n Mingle” in Menlo Park, we hired Jingle to provide all of the beverages for our guests and boy was it a hit!  One of his VC mentors provided him business advice years ago and it has always stuck with Baris as a solid mantra, "Everyday you spend in the office at lunch is a waste.” What’s this mean exactly? Get out of the office at lunch, go outside, learn from people. Networking is paramount to being successful and everyone should make it like a second habit. Great advice!

Baris attended my 20th anniversary party for Linx Dating and shared this beautiful tribute on his social media. I was so touched. Baris didn’t need to do this but he did. 

"Some friendships are special. I met Amy about 20 years ago at a VC bowling event and she told me she was thinking of starting a matchmaking business.  I listened, tried to help every now and then and Linx dating was born in a tiny office in Palo Alto. As her business grew, so did our friendship. We both had families - each had kids, and we shared birthday parties, trick or treat walks, and were always there for each other. No matter what life threw at us, we always could grab a coffee or a glass of wine, and tell each other our happy and sad stories.  Twenty years later, Linx is a big success and we have been friends for 20 years.  It’s been a real pleasure walking parallel to the path of Amy’s life. I am utterly grateful to call you a dear friend. Thank you and here’s to 20 more years.” 

I will end this with a favorite quote by Woody Allen that Baris lives by: “Ninety percent of success in life is just showing up.” This is so true. I showed up to the Meetro event and that greatly impacted my career in ways I never could have imagined, and the professional dividends are still paying out some 20 years later!  

Celebrating 20 Years Of Love and Matchmaking

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

I recently hosted an incredibly memorable event at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel memorializing over two decades of my running Linx Dating.

The Rosewood is particularly symbolic for me as I hosted one of the original private events at the hotel when it opened in 2009. Vanity Fair magazine got wind of the excitement of my Link & Drink and ended up doing a feature on love in Silicon Valley that became a global sensation.

Over 120 members of the Linx network helped me celebrate 20 incredible years of love and matchmaking in Silicon Valley and reminded me how beyond grateful and honored I am to wear the title of Cupid of Silicon Valley.

My small but mighty team Dani Geary and Caroline Novia stood by my side and, collectively, we made our guests feel warm, welcome, and appreciated for how wonderful they are! Our guests networked and made excellent professional connections and, as in true Link & Drink fashion, we witnessed some sparks potentially blossoming into love connections.

As my toast illuminated, it’s hard for me to articulate how deeply meaningful my business is to me. It has been the source of such deep satisfaction to me over the years. But far beyond me, I also wanted to make it clear how grateful I am for your supporting our local community and female run businesses.

Cheers to another 20 years of matchmaking and spreading more love in this world!

I’ve been deeply touched by all the praise and kind words shared after the event. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our efforts have resonated with so many and created truly memorable experiences.

"Thank you for hosting in such a beautiful setting, a true pleasure to attend and meeting so many interesting people as well. Wishing you a happy 20th celebration of Linx and with many more successful years to come!"

"Thank you for the invitation to your 20 year anniversary of Linx. You are an inspiration to women business owners and your care, attention, and sincerity are evident in all that you do. I had a lovely time. Thank you again for the invitation and I wish you, and your lovely team much success!” 

“To honor you as you have done so much for us. You are so special to me. A sister from another mister;) I love you and I celebrate all the magic you do in the world. Xoxox” 

"Thank you for hosting in such a beautiful setting, a true pleasure to attend and meeting so many interesting people as well. Wishing you a happy 20th celebration of Linx and with many more successful years to come!"

"Thank you so much for putting on and inviting me to the 20th year anniversary celebration of Linx.  The locale, mix of people, drinks/appetizers/desserts were all amazing.  You were receiving major kudos from everyone regarding your professionalism, kindness, responsiveness and making a difference in people's lives.  Here's to the next 20 years!  :-)"

"Amy - I am really looking forward to being there to celebrate a true success story of American Entrepreneurism! Cheers!!” 

“Dear Amy, Congrats to Linx’s 20th year anniversary! Your vision, hard work, and dedication has brought success and impacted so many lives for the better. We celebrate this milestone with you!” 

“Congrats on everything! Thank you for all you're done for love around the world!” 

“I am so proud of all your accomplishments and be the countless marriages and children that have some about from all you hard work and passion cultivating love in this world.”  

“Congratulations on 20 incredible years! Through your vision, passion, and extraordinary talent, Linx has become a trusted haven where people discover the beauty of deep, meaningful relationships.” 

“You should be very proud of building a maintaining a district, high-end luxury service brand with premium pricing as a TRUE entrepreneur! EXTREME congrats for 20 years!” 

"It was a terrific event and I had the opportunity to meet some interesting people! I also want to give you my congratulations (again) on achieving 20 years of success! I think Linx Dating must literally be a labor of love because in at least one way it is a terrible business proposition - if you do your job well, you will have zero repeat customers! Nevertheless, I saw that you have an enthusiastic fan club so you are clearly doing a lot of things right.” 

"Thanks again for including me in your 20th Anniversary event. It was so lovely interacting with the wonderful community you've created and hearing all the well-deserved accolades. (Talk about an Amy fan club!)  I look forward to seeing you again soon and wish you continued happiness and success ahead.  Sending kudos and big hugs!” 

"It was an absolute pleasure meeting you in person last week at your unforgettable event at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel. I am truly honored to have been part of such a special occasion, celebrating over two decades of Linx Dating's remarkable journey.” 

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with you, your wonderful team, and the extraordinary people you bring together. Your passion for fostering connections and love in Silicon Valley is truly inspiring, and I am so glad you enjoyed my card and gift. The warmth, energy, and genuine care that you, Dani, and Caroline extended to everyone was deeply felt.”

“Thank you for sharing the beautiful picture from the event—it captures the essence of the celebration and the incredible memories we created together. I’m so looking forward to seeing you again at next week’s event and continuing to support your mission of spreading love and connection.” 

In a delightful surprise that left guests buzzing, Monika Spruch of Catwalk Opera graced the stage with a breathtaking performance at our event. Her enchanting voice and stage presence truly made her one of the highlights of the evening!