Looking for some of the best date ideas in Los Angeles that are different than the typical dinner and a movie date? There are so many fun things to do in Los Angeles and many of them can work as dates.
To start, US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Los Angeles here. They are very affordable too!
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To help you out, I have broken down the list into the following categories.
Foodie Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Outdoorsy Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Cultural Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Romantic Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Unique Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Other Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Table of Contents
GoCity Pass
GoCity offers a ton of different sightseeing passes for cities around the world. These passes allow you to visit the best of each city for one low price, rather than paying individually for each attraction. I have used it in several cities around the world and would recommend getting a GoCity pass! Check out the options for the Los Angeles GoCity pass here. There are so many attractions on this pass that will make for amazing date ideas in Los Angeles.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Los Angeles hotels here!
Los Angeles can be a very expensive place to stay, so expect to pay a minimum of $150 per night. I recommend staying in the Downtown area as it does have a ton of amazing hotels right in the middle of everything.
Some of the best Los Angeles include the following. *means it is one of my favorites.
- Hilton Checkers Hotel
- The Westin Bonaventure Hotel*
- Hotel Figueroa
- Freehand Los Angeles
- Omni Los Angeles
- Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
- Biltmore Los Angeles*
- The Hoxton, Downtown LA
Foodie Date Ideas in Los Angeles
For those who love fun foods and restaurants, these date ideas in Los Angeles are for you!
Dinner at Otium
Cost: $$$
Hours:
Odium is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles. This small plate restaurant has a ton of delicious options to choose from. Its atmosphere is fun and trendy. I highly recommend the gnocchi and make sure to get some of the delicious seasonal cocktails.
Dinner at 71Above
Cost: $$$
71Above is known for having some of the best views in Los Angeles. The restaurant sits at the US Bank Tower. They offer a 3-course menu with an optional wine pairing. It is the perfect place to go celebrate something special. The menu changes each season.
Go on a Food Tour
A food tour is always a fun idea, especially for those who like to sample a ton of different foods. We have done one in Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles, but there are a ton of options and companies. I recommend checking out options on Groupon for the best deal, but the following are some that I have found.
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour
- Little Tokyo and Arts District Food Tour
- Secret Food Tour
- Private Food Tour
Grand Central Market
Foodies will love heading to the Grand Central Market for a date. The Grand Central Market offers a ton of fun places to eat and snacks to try. You can even grab a few different things and share them. Afterward, take Angel’s Flight up the hill for a view of the area. It only costs $1!
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea is always a fun experience and makes for a different date idea in Los Angeles. There is a scatting of tea rooms across Los Angeles, but the following are some of the most popular options.
- Chado Tea Room
- Rose Garden Tea Room at the Huntington
- Tea Room and Wilshire Terrace
- Rendezvous Court
- Alfred Tea Room
Brunch at Pitchon!
One of my favorite brunch places in Los Angeles is Pitchon! This French bakery offers delicious pastries, coffees, and crepes. It has a super cute feel to it and a nice patio to eat at outside as well.
Grab Coffee
Los Angeles is known for having a lot of kitschy and cute coffee shops. You can easily have a nice date at any one of these. Nimbus Coffee and Coffee and Plants are two of my favorites.
In N Out by LAX
The In N Out by the Los Angeles International Airport is one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles due to its proximity to the airport. You can grab a meal and then sit and watch the planes take off and land. Many of them will soar right over your heads. It is located at 9149 S. Sepulveda Avenue.
Stroll through the Original Farmer’s Market
The Original Farmer’s Market has hundreds of vendors and is a haven for foodies. They often have unique things to try and lots of fresh produce.
Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Los Angeles
There are so many fun free and cheap date ideas in Los Angeles. If you want some activities that will save you some money, these are some of the best options.
Santa Monica Boardwalk
The Santa Monica Boardwalk is a fun place to walk around. From unique shops to various rides on the pier, you can easily spend an afternoon exploring the area. Other things to do include hanging out on the beach and renting scooters or bikes to explore the area.
Visit a Brewery
Los Angeles has a TON of breweries scattered around the city. The options are endless. Many of the breweries also have food trucks or serve food. Some even have other activities to partake in or live music. The following are some of the best breweries.
- Angel City Brewery
- Arts District Brewing Company
- Firestone Walker
- Golden Road Brewing Company
- Stone Brewing Tap Room
Olvera Street
Olvera Street is a historic street in Downtown Los Angeles that commemorates the Mexican American culture and some of the oldest parts of Los Angeles. It is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and contains some buildings you can walk through as well as shops and restaurants. It is a fun place to grab a meal and walk around for a bit. On the weekends, they sometimes have events in the plaza.
Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo Los Angeles is one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles for those who love Japanese culture. From Japanese Bakeries and sushi restaurants to the Japanese American Museum, it makes for a fun afternoon to spend wandering around the area.
Chinatown
Another fun stop in Downtown Los Angeles is Chinatown. It has tons of restaurants and shops as well as small art galleries.
City Hall Observation Deck
Located at the top of City Hall is a not as well-known observation deck. All you have to do is check-in at the Visitor’s desk and they will assign you a time to head up the tower -all for free! You can also spend some time wandering around to view the architecture of the building.
Griffith Observatory
The Giffith Observatory is the perfect place to watch the sunset and take in some romantic views. You can also opt to check out the exhibits inside the observatory as well. Best of all, it is free to visit!
Outdoorsy Date Ideas in Los Angeles
There are so many fun outdoorsy date ideas in Los Angeles! LA is full of hiking opportunities and gorgeous gardens. Best of all, unless otherwise noted, all of the following are free!
Admire the Gardens at the Huntington Library
Cost: $25
The Huntington Library and Gardens is always a fun stop in Los Angeles. Visitors can wander around the 207-acre estate and visit various types of gardens. They also have a couple of small museums on site where you can view items such as the Gutenberg Bible.
Hike the Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign hike should be on any hiker’s bucket list. It is not too strenuous and, therefore makes for one of the best outdoorsy date ideas in Los Angeles. The hike takes you past views of the sign and the Los Angeles area and then ends behind the Hollywood Sign. Alternatively, if hiking is not your thing, check out the Hollywood sign from the Griffith Observatory or Lake Hollywood Park.
Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is a 160-acre park with a ton of hiking trails throughout the park. Most of the park is open from dawn to dusk. Make sure to follow the signage for which directions to go on the trails. It is pretty popular, so you will want to get there earlier in the day.
Old LA Zoo Trail
The old LA Zoo Trail is a hidden gem and a fun outdoorsy date idea in Los Angeles. This hike takes you through the ruins of the old zoo. It is accessible through Griffith Park, so you can always pair it with a visit to the Observatory. This post gives you more details on the hike.
Picnic on the Beach
Another one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles is having a picnic on the beach. There are even some companies, such as the Picnic Collective, that will set up a picnic for you if you do not want to bring your own.
Descanso Gardens
Cost: $15
The Descanso Gardens are another fun botanical garden located in Los Angeles. During the wintertime, they even have a holiday light display. It can make for a fun day to explore the gardens and one of the best outdoorsy date ideas in Los Angeles.
LA County Arboretum and Gardens
Cost: $15
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Gardens are a great place to take a romantic stroll and check out a ton of gorgeous flowers. They also sometimes put on a light show, so check the website for the most up-to-date information.
Echo Park Lake
Echo Park has many fun walking baths and a gorgeous lake to admire. You can even opt to rent a swan boat on the lake and opt to bring a picnic lunch to make for an exciting afternoon.
Visit Channel Islands National Park
Cost: $42
Located right off the coast of Los Angeles are the Channel Islands. Spending the day on the Channel Islands makes for one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles. Catch the ferry in the morning, spend some time hiking around the island, and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy.
Visit Catalina Island
Another awesome place to visit and a good date idea for Los Angeles is to take a day trip to Catalina Island. Here, there are so many fun and unique things to do like an Island Eco Tour or diving off the coast of the island.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
A lot of people do not know about the Santa Monica Mountains NRA. This area is run by the National Park services and offers a ton of hiking trails. Overall, they have 500-miles of trails and several beaches included as part of the park.
Relax on the Beach
Heading to the beach, especially when the weather is nice, makes for one of the perfect date ideas in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area has some awesome beaches where you can rent equipment or just relax on the beach. Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica Beach are popular options.
Cultural Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Museums and concerts always make for fun date ideas in Los Angeles. LA has a ton of venues to visit and you could easily spend several weeks hitting them all.
Attend a Concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
Cost: Tickets start at $50
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. They put on a variety of types of concerts with different themes and guest conductors. I recommend their “Fun Friday” series, which includes a happy hour before and after the show.
Visit an Art Museum
Los Angeles has a ton of fun art museums that make for one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles. Some of them are free and some you just pay for parking. Some of my favorites include the following.
- The LA County Museum of Art (LACMA): This is the largest art museum in the west and contains a variety of styles of art with rotating exhibits.
- The Academy Museum: Goes over the history and art of filmmaking.
- The Getty Center: Focuses on European paintings and manuscripts as well as sculptures, decorative arts, and photography.
- The Getty Villa: Focuses on Greek and Roman Art.
- Norton Simon Museum: Home to a variety of art including European, Asia, Modern, and Contemporary Art.
- Museum of Dream Space: Contains many light installations and digital art.
- The Broad: Free Contemporary art museum located in Downtown Los Angeles.
Visit a Museum
Outside of the art museums, there are many other cool options for museums to visit. The following are some of the fun options for museum date ideas in Los Angeles.
- California Science Center: Hands-on science museums where you can view the Endeavor Spaceship
- La Brea Tar Pits: Preserved animals and tar pits formed over thousands of years.
- Natural History Museum: Largest Natural History Museum on the west coast.
- Grammy Museum: This museum is devoted to the history and winners of the Grammy awards.
Groundlings Theater
The Groundlings Theater is infamous for its comedy sketches and performances. You can opt to go see a comedy show, or you can even sign up for a one-day improv class. Either way, visiting the Groundlings Theater makes for one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is such a fun venture for concerts and performances. It is home to the LA Philharmonic during the summertime, but there are often many other concerts there. I highly recommend a LA Phil film performance, where they play the music to a movie while it is playing.
The Greek Theater
Located in Griffith Park, the Greek Theater is home to concerts and other performances/stage shows. It is outdoors and makes for a great night out under the stars. Check their website for the most up-to-date list of performances.
Romantic Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Nothing beats a romantic night out on the town! These are some of the best romantic date ideas in Los Angeles.
Spa Package
Los Angeles has a ton of places with high-end spas that can make for a romantic and relaxing day. Desuar Day Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, and Hugh Spa are three popular locations. You can also check sites like TravelZoo and Groupon for discount spa packages that include amenities at hotels.
Staycation at the Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is an iconic and well-known hotel in Los Angeles. You can splurge and book a stay here for a nice staycation for a special occasion. There are also a ton of popular restaurants in the area.
The Magic Castle
The Magic Castle is an exclusive, member’s-only magic club. The dress code is 5-star, and the meals are fancy. You can sometimes get in if you opt to stay at the hotel, or, if not, search for someone with a membership. This is one of the most romantic date ideas in Los Angeles.
Drive Along Mulholland Drive
Mulholland Drive is known for being windy and offering amazing views of Los Angeles. Take a drive at sunset and stop at some of the lookouts for some romantic sunset views.
Have a Pool Day
Many of the hotels in Los Angeles have a “Resort Pass” you can buy in order to be able to access their amenities like their pool for the day. Spending the day by a fancy pool makes for one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles.
Unique Date Ideas in Los Angeles
Some of the best fun and unique date ideas in Los Angeles can be found scattered across the city and not in many other places.
Clifton’s Republic
Clifton’s Republic is the perfect place for an evening date. This multi-level bar has different themes and things to do on each level. From the hidden tiki bar to live jazz bands and other music, you can easily spend several hours with the different entertainment options at Clifton’s.
Street Food Cinema
Cost: $19
Street Food Cinema is the perfect summertime date idea in Los Angeles. During the warmer months, food trucks are paired with a movie showing to create a fun and unique date night. There is usually a live band before the movie too. You can opt to bring your own food too and make sure to bring a blanket or chairs to sit in. There are locations all over Los Angeles, mostly on weekend nights.
Spend a day at Universal Studios
Cost: $100 and up
Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles for theme park lovers. From fun attractions, roller coasters, and live-action shows, Universal Studios offers a day full of fun. Universal also has lots of delicious places to eat and many fun bars. Harry Potter lovers will enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Go on a Studio Tour
You cannot visit Los Angeles without going on at least one studio tour. Although Universal Studios has one as part of the park admission, the other studios offer some fun tours as well.
Sony, Paramount, and WB are the other options outside of Universal Studios.
Venice Canals and Murals
The Venice Canals make for a romantic stroll to take in the gorgeous houses and canal views. It almost makes you feel like you are in Venice. Pair it with walking Abbott Kinney Boulevard and viewing all the awesome murals in the area.
Architecture Tour of Union Station
Once a month, Union Station offers free architecture tours of the station. The tours last for about 30 minutes and are perfect to pair with a trip to Olvera Street or a visit to the Arts District.
Other Best Date Ideas in Los Angeles
There are so many options for some of the best ideas in Los Angeles. There are other random ideas that do not fit in another category.
Hang out at Rooftop Bar
Downtown Los Angeles has a ton of awesome rooftop bars to hang out at. They make for a great spot to relax and have great conversations. The following are some of my favorites.
Escape Room
There are several fun escape rooms in Los Angeles. It makes for a fun date idea, especially as a group or double date. Groupon sometimes has some on sale, but the following are some of the popular locations.
- Escape Room LA
- 60Out (Multiple Locations)
- Quest Room
Dodger Game
Cost: $22 and up
Baseball lovers will love heading to a Dodger Game. This stadium offers one of the best ballpark views. You can easily find tickets for cheap, especially if you buy them at the box office for less popular games.
Crypto.com Arena
Cost: Varies by game, but around $40
The Crypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Center) is home to the LA Lakers, the LA Kings, the LA Clippers, and the LA Sparks, and is often a concert venue. Heading to one of these events makes for one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles, especially for a sports fan.
Oue Skyspace
Cost: $30
The Oue Skyspace is one of the most popular observation decks in the area. It makes for one of the best date ideas in Los Angeles as you can opt to add dinner and drinks to your experiences as well. They used to have the glass Skyslide here, but it is now closed.
Pop Up Experiences
Los Angeles typically has a ton of pop-ups throughout the year. Previous ones have included Good Burger, Mean Girls, and Stranger Things. Sometimes they even have free pop-up experiences.
Lost Spirits Distillery
The Lost Spirits Distillery is a unique theme park-like experience. Included with your ticket is a tour and tasting as well as various shorts and art experiences. It is currently closed in Los Angeles but is expected to reopen soon.
Helicopter Ride
A helicopter ride around the Los Angeles area is definitely a splurge but can make for such a fun and unique evening. You can see many of the classic sites from above.
Final Thoughts on the Best Date Ideas in Los Angeles
There are so many fun date ideas in Los Angeles and hopefully, you have found some new adventures for you and your significant other. You can also opt to head out on one of these day trips from Los Angeles or plan a romantic weekend away. If you have any other ideas, feel free to comment below.
