7 unexpected drive-in ideas that are perfect for summer dates (VIDEO)

Summer is a fleeting season, and every moment is to be soaked-up and savoured: the pink-hued sunsets, the scent of sunscreen, and the spontaneity of road trip adventures. It’s a time when we can shed our inhibitions along with those winter layers and discover the unexpected.

Recent occurrences might be keeping us landlocked for the season, but that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of things to explore or surprises in store.

We’ve joined forces with Lower Mainland Kia Dealers and the new Kia Seltos to inspire you to hit the open road, roll the windows down, and put that summer playlist on repeat — starting with some date ideas that are sure to get sparks flying.

Drive-thru grocery shopping

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This idea sure is a sign of the times, but why not make the most of it by combining the fun of going out with the comfort of relaxing at home with some eats?

Vancouver recently opened its first drive-thru grocery store, which means you can get everything you need to cook-up a summer meal while bopping to some tunes with your honey on the passenger side.

Stargazing

One of our favourite things about summer is seeing impossibly beautiful sunsets transform into star-filled skies.

A short drive from Vancouver you’ll find ideal stargazing settings like Aldergrove Regional Park or Boundary Bay, where the unobstructed views give way to celestial skies.

Impress your date with your ability to navigate the night sky by downloading an astronomy app in advance. Better yet, with a little help from Kia Seltos’ smartphone connectivity, you can safely re-up on your space literacy en route. And, thanks to the available sunroof, peering up at the stars above is as easy is reclining your seat.

Beach picnic

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Frankly, if we could catch the sunset on the beach every evening, we would.

Next date night, surprise your crush with a basket of picnic goodies and make your way over to one of Metro Vancouver’s many lovely beaches, like Spanish Banks or Kits Beach, to watch the golden sun sink into the ocean. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Berry picking

Maybe it’s because our ancestors were foragers, or the fact that summer fruit tastes like literal candy — whatever it is, there’s something incredibly satisfying about picking your own berries.

Head to the fringes of the city and you might be stunned to find the highway skirted with delicious fruit just waiting to be plucked. Plan a trip to a nearby picking field, like Krause Berry Farms, where fresh crops of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are ripe for the picking.

Fantasy house-hunting

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Yes, buying a house in Vancouver is outrageously expensive, but that doesn’t mean a person can’t dream. Drive around some of the city’s swankiest neighbourhoods, like Shaughnessy or Point Grey, and make a game of finding your fantasy house (ocean views and all).

Cruise the narrow streets stress-free with Kia Seltos’ available Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, which will warn you with an audible alert and automatically apply the brakes in the event — acting as a second set of eyes.

Drive-in movie

There’s something romantic and nostalgic about old-school drive-in movies.

Pack some popcorn for the road and make your way to Langley where you’ll find Metro Vancouver’s only drive-in movie theatre, Twilight Drive-In.

It’s the perfect spot to pop the trunk (there’s more than enough room for everything you’d like to bring along), put down a blanket, and snuggle with your significant other on a date night that’s sure to transport you to another decade.

Chilliwack rafting

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Craving some excitement? Embark on a white water adventure at Chilliwack River Rafting. Take in the super natural beauty on the journey there before carving your way through the rushing waters.

If you’re in much need of some decompressing on the ride home, Kia Seltos’ Drive Mode Select allows you to select your preferred ride — relaxing, fuel-efficient, or sporty — depending on your mood.

Live summer adventures to their fullest with a vehicle that fuels your freedom and allows you to discover the surprises that lurk around every corner. Visit your local Lower Mainland Kia Dealer and experience what it feels like to get behind the wheel of a Kia Seltos.