Iconic LA Date Ideas, From Swan Boats to Stand-Up Comedy
Everything to do with your special someone in LA, from casual to cinematic, and laid-back to luxurious experiences—chemistry not included.
This may be the best time of year in LA; the air is clean and crisp, and going outside doesn’t feel like you’re in a dry, smoggy sweatbox. And although a little sweat can be sexy, chilly weather gives you no option but to cozy up with your partner, a friend, your cat, or your body pillow. And whichever of those you’re seeing most these days, there are tons of great places to take a date in LA right now, from outdoor adventures to artsy experiences, essential restaurants, and more.
This is also that weird time between the winter holidays and summer, where you could be freshly engaged from a Christmas morning proposal or still recovering from a New Year’s Day breakup because your ex didn’t want to dump you “before the holidays.” So whether you’re lucky in love, in need of some distraction dating, or only dating yourself this year, we’ve got date ideas for you. Just make sure to mention us if you happen to spark a romance rumor.
Cultural and Artsy Dates in LA
Museums
Various locations
LA has an impressive collection of museums, many with new and exciting exhibits to help you show your date (or at least let you pretend) that you’re the cultured type. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures features three floors of exhibition space celebrating moviemakers and the stories they create. Shifting Perspectives: Vertical Cinema offers a unique vertical viewing experience and explores the historical roots of the format. This exhibit runs through August 4, 2024 so you have time to learn about the contemporary use of vertical filmmaking using smart devices to argue your case next time someone makes fun of you for making a vertical video on your cell phone. Also running through August 4, 2024 is John Waters: Pope of Trash. Journey around the life and work of this unconventional, cult visual artist, and you’ll definitely have something to talk about.
At nearby LACMA, check out the upcoming exhibit which features Korean art from the Chester and Cameron Chang collection. There are always interesting exhibits at DTLA’s beautiful Broad, and you can sign on for hour-long exhibition, garden, or architecture tours at the Getty Center, all happening daily right now.
Various locations
There’s nothing better to set the mood than lighting some candles, and we all know that in dating more is more (right?). So take things up a notch with thousands of little flames and some romantic live music. You and your date can enjoy an array of different musical themes and genres in a magical setting covered in candles at the ongoing Candlelight Concert series. The program is always changing, but the upcoming lineup has tributes to Louis Armtrong, Nirvana, Coldplay, Hans Zimmer, and more. What could be more romantic than gazing into your date’s eyes during a stirring string quartet rendition of the Interstellar theme under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Stand-Up Comedy
Beverly Grove
One of the best indicators of compatibility in any relationship is a sense of humor. And what’s more, laughter causes the brain to secrete endorphins and can alter dopamine and serotonin activity—the same brain chemicals that have to do with infatuation and love. Science said it, not us. Might as well test it out in front of Ben Schwartz, Jenny Slate, Margaret Cho, Mae Martin, Dan Levy, and more at the Largo this month, and laugh together during a Taylor Tomlinson set and see where the night takes you. If established Netflix Special-level comedians are not your thing, check out indie comedy show Popular Kids Club at Cypress Park’s old-school hideout Permanent Records Roadhouse.
Classic Movie Theaters
Hollywood, Los Feliz
Everyone loves a movie date, but it’s time to venture beyond the Nicole Kidman intro. The 101-year-old Egyptian Theatre and the Vista Theatre are now open for business again, and there’s something magical about seeing a film at a historic single screen theater. The Egyptian, for instance, is also home to American Cinematheque, which always has an absolute beast of a calendar. Look out for special filmmaker Q&As that sell out fast, or their upcoming “Nitrate Festival” series for members only—the Egyptian is one of only five theaters in the country equipped to show nitrate film.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most cinephile-focused, let’s put The Egyptian at a 5 and the Vista at a 3. The website has only one movie option, usually a new release and always shown in either 35 or 70mm, and that’s how new owner Quentin Tarantino likes it.
Argentine Tango Classes
Atwater Village
It takes two to tango, they say, but it’s time to find out for yourself. Argentine tango may be the most seductive dance in the world, and even if you “don’t dance,” it’s still a fun bonding experience with Golden Age classics in the background. No date? No problem—there will always be someone there to be paired with, and who knows, it could be serendipity. LA Tango Academy offers different levels ranging from experienced dancers to people like us, who only have drunk dancing under our belts. It might be best to start with a drop-in class, before you move to the next step of your relationship and get a membership. If you’re shy in front of a group of people, they also offer private lessons. Afterwards, complete the Mendoza two-step with a 10 minute drive to Malbec Market to reward yourselves with some wine, empanadas, and asado.
Sporty and Active Dates in LA
Hike to a Picnic
Various locations
There's no better way to block out the chaos of the city than with a hike to a beautiful picnic. Want to brave the wilds of Topanga Canyon? Snag sandwiches from Cricca’s and choose from any number of nearby trails. To get high on the Westside, try the Los Liones trail, a seven-mile-plus climb that rewards you with endless ocean views at the top. But first, hit up coffee shop goodboybob for a perfect cortado and a travel-friendly chapati wrap to power you up the trail, and maybe a pastry or two to reward yourself at the top. Looking for more under-the-radar treks? Check out one of these secret hikes or go for a waterfall adventure.
Partner Yoga Classes
Various locations
Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber do it together, so it’ll definitely work for you and your beau too. Yoga is a great method of reducing anxiety and building strength and mobility, and it can also deepen the connection between you and your partner. Give each other cute smirks during virasana pose, downward facing dog, or lend a hand with a particularly hard stretch. We live in a city with yoga studios on every block, and you probably have a go-to spot, but check out YogaSix and Corepower, which both have a variety of locations and courses. Or try a fun themed yoga class like heavy metal yoga or R&B yoga. Couples who yoga together, nama-stay together.
Couples Ice Skating
Paramount
It may not be a frozen pond in a Minnesota forest, but you can still take your significant other for an ice skating adventure at Paramount Iceland. The 80-year-old neighborhood gem was recently acquired by the LA Kings and parent company AEG and given a million dollar facelift to bring it into the modern age. The upgrades include a new rink floor, energy efficient cooling, an upgraded sound system, a remodeled interior, and a brand new museum dedicated to Frank J. Zamboni—yes, he is the inventor of the ice-resurfacing machine. The museum features his original machine, among other artifacts of the Zamboni family, who are also the former owners of the rink. Public skating is available Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day all week long, and if you book in advance you can get all sorts of deals. If you need to learn, there are classes available for all levels.
El Segundo
Tiger Woods might have marred the image a bit, but we promise, golfing is the ultimate couples sport. Not only can you coordinate in preppy chic outfits, but nothing gets chemistry flowing quite like a bit of healthy competition. Enter Topgolf—the high-tech mega-facility for golf, golf-adjacent games, and drinks— in El Segundo, which might already be the leisure capital of LA County. Escape to the beach town with its crisp ocean air and then duck into the range to whack golf balls at giant targets, crush frozen spiked lemonade and local IPAs, and track your score—because nothing spices up a relationship like a little trash talk. Or take a leisurely stroll while you play the ten-hole course at the adjacent Lakes at TopGolf. Afterwards, dip out to El Segundo’s cute Main Street for pasta, pizza, or poke.
Pacific Palisades to Torrance
Maybe a hike sounds a little dusty and hot, the kind of thing better suited to a hangout than a date; then how about some breezier exercise? A bike ride along The Strand, also known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, can take you from the Palisades all the way down the coast to Torrance, a mostly flat and crisp cruise with plenty of places to pull over and hang out, for some booch, some seafood, or sea life.
The Most LA Dates
Swan Boats at Echo Park Lake
Echo Park
Echo Park Lake is fully open, and the grass is back and ready for a perfect picnic. You can join the hipster crowd with some natty wine and tinned fish from nearby Tilda, go a little bigger with a pickup from Little Fish (one of our favorite new restaurants in town) or Valerie, or best of all, support the local street vendors along Echo Park Avenue, like Alejandra’s Blue Corn Quesadillas. Stroll around the park, feed the ducks and turtles, maybe do some fishing if that’s your thing, and then go for a ride on the iconic swan pedal boats, which even light up at night.
Day Trip Across Town
The opposite end of LA from wherever you are
LA is huge, but many of us desperately avoid leaving our neighborhoods, especially in this WFH world. Which means you have an opportunity to surprise your special someone with a big outing without ever leaving the LA area. Say you live in Silver Lake, and you just met someone who lives in Frogtown. Grab your crush and hop on the 110 to the South Bay for soba and a scramble down a rocky cliff in Palos Verdes, then stop for ice cream or a beer on the way home. You live in Marina Del Rey and your boo’s in Culver City? Head out to Sierra Madre for coffee and a hike, then stop for sushi or step into a raucous pub for dinner. One of you never leaves NoHo and the other is a die-hard Valley Villager? Cruise down to Long Beach for pastries and the amazing food scene, with a backdrop of twisting cranes and gentle waves.
Smorgasburg
Arts District
The Sunday food fest Smorgasburg is a perfect daytime date, spanning five acres of delicious pop-up food vendors at ROW DTLA. You and your boo can sample everything from fried chicken sandwiches to horchata cupcakes to sustainable oysters, and wash it down with Micheladas, fresh fruit slushies, coffee, and boba. Pace yourself so you can fit in metal taco spot Evil Cooks, Puerto Rican empanadas from House of Empanadas, Korean fried chicken spot Chimmelier, and newly added Kavahana, the first kava nectar bar in LA.
The Flower Market
Downtown
The Flower District and the Original Los Angeles Flower Market are some banger only-in-LA experiences. Plus, what date wasn’t improved with a bouquet of fresh flowers—especially ones at a fraction of the cost of retail shops? Admission is just $2 per person for the general public, and you two can roam through the fragrant aisles freely, but just be sure to go before noon when most vendors close.