There are innumerable sites in Southern California that will make your heart soar between the mountains and the sea. The city’s Mediterranean climate, cultural diversity, and bustling population make it an ideal destination for a romantic getaway. Because of the city’s year-round bright atmosphere, there are plenty of options to go on outdoor adventures and find romantic settings.
Downtown LA is filled with old-school dating spots like bowling alleys, movie theatres including a drive-in and concert halls that host musicals and opera performances all year.
Here are some suggestions for lovebirds in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the Western United States’ largest art museum. Romantics can get lost in the museum’s nooks and crannies, or simply canoodle on a balmy evening outside under the museum’s famed Urban Light display. In gentle lighting, that’s the ideal spot for a kiss. The permanent collection at LACMA spans the globe, spans every historical era, and includes works ranging from European to Asian and Islamic art. The magnificent Latin American collection, which includes pre-Columbian classics as well as works by historic and contemporary painters such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Jose Clemente Orozco, is not to be missed.
Temporary exhibits, continuously changing film programmes, seminars, workshops, and special events ensure that this top-notch museum always has something fresh and intriguing to offer.
Santa Monica Pier
Since the early twentieth century, the Santa Monica Pier has been entertaining the city’s tourists. From Pacific Park’s looping rollercoaster to a vintage carousel of carved wooden horses, it’s home to a plethora of traditional seaside attractions. Street performers amuse the visitors, while booths sell food and candy floss, just as they have since the pier’s construction in 1909. After dusk, patrons flock to the bars, where entertainers perform live music under the stars.
The pier is backed by Santa Monica Beach’s smooth white beaches, where you can sunbathe or swim and surf in the sweeping blue waves. Take a walk to the pier’s end for the best views of the California coastline spanning as far as the eye can see in both directions, or dine at one of the pier’s restaurants while watching the sunset. The Pier is the most gorgeous location in Santa Monica.
Griffith Observatory
If there is truly a heaven, it is right here. Griffith Observatory, one of Southern California’s top attractions and iconic landmarks, allows you to marvel at the sky and the surrounding universe like never before. The Observatory, which is 1,134 feet above sea level, provides some of Los Angeles’ most picturesque views. It is without a doubt one of Los Angeles’ most romantic locations.
Take a 3.5-mile climb to one of Griffith Park’s highest peaks for panoramic views of the Los Angeles cityscape. Follow your knowledgeable tour guide as they tell you fascinating stories about Hollywood’s past. Before concluding your visit at the world-famous Griffith Observatory, take some photos of the Hollywood Sign. Departures are every day at 10 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
The Ritz-Carlton hotel, Los Angeles
This is the place to go if you’re searching for a romantic setting that’s also posh and luxurious. This is without a doubt one of LA’s most romantic spots. With state-of-the-art interiors and a gorgeous ambiance, the hotel seems like it belongs in a Hollywood film. WP24, one of Los Angeles’ most famous restaurants with a skyline view, is a great place to dine with your loved one. Drinks can be enjoyed by the rooftop pool, or a couples massage can be scheduled in the opulent spa. Everything is in place to ensure that your romance blossoms.
Disneyland Resort
Fans of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars know that Disneyland is a haven for like-minded individuals. So select your favourite companion, whether she’s Minnie Mouse or he’s Han Solo or Captain America (you may even dress up for the occasion), and go to the park for a romantic day. Start with a stroll down Main Street and end with the nightly fireworks and laser light shows. In the meanwhile, visit all of the major attractions, including the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Galaxy’s Edge, Indiana Jones, and, notably, the Haunted House, where snuggling is almost necessary. Make a point of meeting Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and their friends. Don’t miss Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or the Mad Teacups, and spend another day at Disney’s California Adventure Park, which is right next door.
Universal Studios Hollywood
If you’ve ever envisioned yourself with your loved one while watching a movie, it’s time to live the reel life in real life. Explore the things you’ve been seeing on the big screen at Universal Studios Hollywood with your better half. Take each other’s hands in yours, stroll closer together, and enter the world of romance. This theme park and film studio gives you a behind-the-scenes look at some of Hollywood’s most well-known films. This is without a doubt one of the most romantic sites in Los Angeles.
Echo Park
Echo Park reopened a few months ago, and it’s now the ideal location for reenacting one of those romantic comedy movie montages. Feed the resident ducks, go for a sunset stroll, or take a ride on the famed Swan pedal boats, which, in case you didn’t know, actually light up at night. You’ll need to make a reservation, so commit to the plan ahead of time. Yes, you’ll be one of those couples, but you’ve just spent a year inside, so anything goes.
Venice Canals
Between Abbot Kinney Boulevard and the Venice Beach Boardwalk, the Venice Canals provide lovely views of pastel houses and pedestrian bridges. The walkways, which were built in 1905 by entrepreneur Abbot Kinney, are popular with visitors hoping for a quiet stroll away from the typically packed boardwalk. Venice Beach and Muscle Beach Gym are just a short walk from the Venice Canals if you want to have some fun in the sun.
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is one of Los Angeles’ most popular tourist attractions. It’s a long stretch of concrete paths that hug the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean as part of the Ocean Front Walk. But it’s not the waves and sand that draw the crowds here. Instead, it’s the lively coastal sidewalks, which are brimming with amusing personalities. People-watching in this cultural hotspot is unrivalled in Los Angeles.
Fortune tellers, eccentric painters, chanting Hare Krishnas, and bikini-clad roller-skaters may all be found along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. You’ll also run into other tourists who want to see Southern California’s unique coastal neighbourhood. Fans of skateboarding can see pros at the skatepark, while surfers can catch a wave at the pier. Take a seat at one of the boardwalk’s pubs or eateries and watch the scene develop in front of you. The boardwalk is also an excellent location for purchasing presents and souvenirs.
Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens, 150-acre botanical park 5.4 miles northwest of Kidspace Children’s Museum, is a great place to visit. Oak trees, uncommon herbs, medicinal plants, and stunning flowers abound in the themed gardens, which include North America’s largest camellia collection. Over 100 species of birds and mammals, including squirrels, mule deer, and bobcats, can be found in the gardens. The Enchanted Railroad, which costs $3 every ride, is the greatest way to see Descanso Gardens.
Malibu Wine Safari
A jeep excursion across the 1,000-acre Saddlerock Ranch is part of the Malibu Wine Safari. You can choose from four different wine safaris, which are located 30 miles west of Santa Monica Beach. The Explorer Giraffe Safari is the most popular option, as it includes a tour of Saddlerock Ranch & Vineyard, two wine tasting stops with a total of six wines, as well as complementary spreads and crackers. You can also feed zebras and camels, as well as Stanley, the giraffe from the “Hangover III” movie.
Point Dume State Beach
Point Dume feels like your own private beach, from the towering bluffs to the ocean. Take a lunch and set up your blanket high above the sea, keeping your eyes open (unless you’re having a quick kiss) because Point Dume State Beach boasts the highest number of dolphin sightings of any beach in Los Angeles. During the months of January to March, keep an eye out for migrating whales. At low tide, explore the numerous tide pools and take a four-mile roundtrip stroll on the well-kept beach trail. When you reach the top of that easy-moderate hike, take in the breathtaking views of the Channel Islands in the distance. Finally, for a delightful beachside lunch, end your romantic idyll at the restaurant at Paradise Cove, which is close to Barbra Streisand’s home.
The Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is the most romantic site in Southern California to attend concerts and performances of all kinds from April through October. The L.A. Philharmonic’s summer home, it’s also where the Playboy Jazz Festival weekend takes place every June. On the lovely bandshell stage, there’s sometimes ballet, sometimes a classic movie musical with the entire audience singing along, and sometimes rock, country, Latin, or pop musicians roar out their numbers. Bring your own picnic, wines, tablecloths, and candles, especially if you’re sitting in a box on an important occasion. Alternatively, dine before the event at Ann’s Wine Bar or The Backyard within the bowl; and remember that there’s no rush to leave after the music stops because the parking lots stack everyone’s cars, making it difficult to find a way out.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center is a stunning tribute to the arts and the heritage of billionaire J. Paul Getty. The Richard Meier-designed complex, perched high in the Santa Monica Mountains, is breathtakingly magnificent both inside and out. Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, and many other artists are represented in the museum’s large collection, which also contains ancient artefacts, modern sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and more. The grounds are especially appealing to art lovers looking for a romantic interlude, and the Restaurant at the Getty serves locally produced dishes with a spectacular view. Permanent collections, as well as continuously changing special exhibitions, are always on display.
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is a must-see for any tourist to Los Angeles who wishes to explore the famous streets and shop at the famous storefronts that have been featured in films since the beginning of the industry. The Beverly Hilton hotel and Beverly Hills Park are at the end of the three-block span between Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards. The street has been dubbed “the shopping mall of the rich and famous,” and it lives up to its moniker.
A stroll down Rodeo Drive will reveal stunning art pieces as well as the occasional film crew. Many of the world’s most luxurious sports cars, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Bugattis, are parked on the street. You’ll see architectural marvels by prominent designers like Frank Lloyd Wright and have the chance to stroll down Two Rodeo Drive, a European-style cobblestone boulevard. Take a picture of the famous street sign at the corner of Rodeo and Wilshire.
The Carbon Beach Club Restaurant
The Carbon Beach Club Restaurant is one of the most romantic spots to spend an afternoon in Southern California. The restaurant is part of the Malibu Beach Inn, a wonderful boutique hotel on the beach overlooking the Malibu Pier. You’ll be swept up into the wonderfulness of it all at the restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or drinks (if that’s all you’re in the mood for). Watch the waves crash along the shoreline, see the birds swoop and soar overhead, and, if you’re really lucky, catch a humpback whale breach as it makes its way along the shoreline during migration seasons.
This is a location where love is in the air, even if all you see are your lover’s star-struck eyes. With their “Romantic Retreat” package, book an overnight stay at the award-winning hotel.
Electric Dusk Drive-In
For couples in Los Angeles, Electric Dusk Drive-In offers an old-school theatre experience. The Van de Kamp Bakery Building, about a 10-minute drive from Griffith Park, hosts a drive-in cinema. If you’re not driving to the event, you can even bring lawn chairs. At the door, tickets range from $14 to $16 per person. Bring your own popcorn or purchase it at the onsite concession stand, which also sells hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft beverages.
The Huntington Library, Art collections and Botanical gardens
On a cultural and horticultural date, stroll through the Huntington’s 120 acres of stunning and diverse gardens (Chinese, Japanese, Australian, Desert, Rose, Jungle, Subtropical, and more), then explore the library’s extraordinary collection of rare books and admire the art gallery’s impressive collection of artistic masterpieces, including Thomas Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy.” Also worth seeing is the Greene and Greene collection, which honours the work of Pasadena’s renowned architects. The Huntington, which is located in San Marino (approximately ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles), recently added two new pavilions to its Chinese garden, five rooms to its American Art Gallery, and a new visitor centre. The Huntington is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding Tuesday).
High Rooftop Lounge
The greatest L.A. views are from the High Rooftop Lounge at the Hotel Erwin in Venice. Hands down, the best city vistas can be found anywhere. Catalina Island, the South Bay, and LAX are seen from one direction; Santa Monica Pier, Malibu, and the Getty Museum are visible from the other. You can see the Hollywood Hills, Century City, downtown Los Angeles, and beyond if you keep looking. It’s also a warm and inviting pub with great tapas and specialty cocktails. After the brilliant sunset, lovers can snuggle on the comfortable banquettes under the blankets supplied to keep patrons warm, however all patrons must be over 21 to be up on the roof. This lounge is so popular with locals and visitors that it is expanding, adding more bars to meet demand. Making a reservation is recommended to guarantee a romantic seat with a beautiful view.
El Matador State Beach
This beach is not only one of the greatest to visit, but also one of the most romantic places in Los Angeles for a date. It is small, picturesque, and mostly bordered by rocky outcrops. Arrive either too early or too late in the evening to take in the grandeur of the sunrise at one of Los Angeles’ premier beaches. Once you’ve found a quiet location, lie down, make love to each other, and keep an eye on the approaching high tides.
Park Rose Garden
This garden, which is considered one of Los Angeles’ best-kept secrets, is an ideal setting for couples. The vibrant atmosphere transports you away from the hustle and bustle of city life and provides a stunning setting for photography. The California Science Center, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and other fantastic attractions are all located within the park. Prepare to enjoy a romantic stroll among the flowers, shoot some lovey-dovey photos together, and take home lifelong memories at one of LA’s most beautiful locations.
Beverly Hot Springs
There’s no better way to unwind and spend quality time with your partner than to indulge in a natural hot springs spa. The spa, which is located just outside of Beverly Hills, offers a variety of Balneotherapy treatments, massages, and water-based therapies. This is one of the most romantic sites in Los Angeles, with a tranquil environment surrounded by natural components such as rock, waterfalls, and flowers.