From my own travels over the years:

local to me (Scottsdale):
Uncle Sal's -- started by Salvatore (aka Sammy the Bull) Gravano. Normal Italian fare, good prices and they have a great cannelloni made from a crepe wrap with a veal and spinach stuffing).

Tommy Bahama's -- I know it's a chain, but the one here is open-air in the Fall and Winter, and afterwards you can take your girl shopping at Kierland Commons.

San Diego:
Charthouse on Coronado, across from the Del. Great views of the inner harbor, a bit pricey for the fish (which I hope is locally-caught).

(name escapes me) -- take the ferry from Coronado to San Diego, turn left and walk in the first door in the Gaslight District. Best local seafood in the area...and you don't have to drive across the bridge.

Bay Area:
Cha Cha Cha -- Cuban restaurant in the Haight/Ashbury (corner of Haight & Shrader). Great Cuban steak, great shrimp with a cajun sauce, and of course lots and lots of sangria. Take a taxi, and be ready to wait.

French Laundry -- in Yountville (aka Wine Country). Probably the best formal restaurant in the West. French, and very formal. A prix fixe chef's tasting is about $300 per person, worth every penny.

Alioto's -- Fisherman's Wharf, SF. Best Italian/seafood theme ever. Get a table facing the dock and watch the chefs buy directly from the fishermen, and cart them into the kitchen.

more if you want 'em.