The best date ideas in Los Angeles for a charming outing

The bequest of entrepreneur Henry E. Huntington is now one of the most beautiful attractions in the Los Angeles region. From a Gutenberg Bible to an exquisitely landscaped Japanese garden, nearly every inch of the estate’s ever-growing grounds and collection is essential. It’s best enjoyed at a leisurely pace rather than as part of a mad day-long dash; consider treating your date to a meal on the patio or in the Rose Garden Tea Room.

With a variety of terrain, flora and views of the Pacific and city, this Pacific Palisades park is perfect for a more active date. You can encourage each other along the sunny, slightly demanding uphill portions, marvel at the breathtaking views from the top and thenkeep the conversation flowing during the shaded descent. Just don’t roll through the stop signs nearby or that $100 fine will make for one expensive date.

Mulholland Drive is the road of classic make out points—and more practically, a scenic date night route to navigate around cross-town traffic. Make a stop at the half-dozen or so overlooks along the way, or follow the road to its gravelly terminus at San Vicente Mountain Park, where a decommissioned radar tower provides 360-degree views of Palos Verdes, Downtown and the entire Valley, including the adjacent Encino Reservoir.

Can’t settle on a single place? Picky eaters will all find something to love at Grand Central Market. You can’t go wrong with anything from Shiku, Ramen Hood or Knead & Co., and, of course, a scoop from McConnell’s. Make sure to stop by the light-filled loby of the Bradbury Building across the street.

A former reservoir turned public recreation area, Echo Park’s manmade lake boasts skyline views and summertime lotus blooms. It’s a surprisingly romantic spot from on the water: You can push your way through the lake in a swan boat for $12 per person per hour. Reserve a time around or after sunset and the boats will all be illuminated for extra romance.

There are few L.A. hangouts more beautiful than Highland Park Bowl, and it’s a triple threat, no less: a bar, bowling alley and restaurant all in one. The price to rent a lane fluctuates between $35 and $70 per hour, depending on the date and time, so drive that cost down with another couple or two (each lane accommodates up to eight).

L.A.’s sole Alamo Drafthouse screens first-run flicks along with repertory picks (its late-night, deep-cut horror films are particularly great) all within auditoriums that feature plush, reclining seats with in-theater food and drink service (including booze). In other words, if you’re looking for dinner and a movie, you can do both in one pretty cool spot in Downtown L.A.—just maybe save the romantic chitchat for later (or before the film in the easygoing lobby bar), lest you reckon with the theater’s hardline no talking, no texting policy.

Travel back to a time of cheap tickets and flicks from the privacy of your own car at one of the half-dozen or so drive-ins left in the region (Paramount and Vineland are the closest). While it’s a cinema sin to smooch loudly in a movie theater, you can cozy up a bit more easily at the drive-in: Keep it in your car and we’re cool.

The west lawn of the Hollyhock House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest hilltop homes, offers fantastic views, especially at sunset. The home itself is a remarkable destination and a cheap one, with self-guided tours for $7 (Thu–Sat, 11am–4pm). If you’re looking for more of a crowd, try the summertime wine tastings.

A walk around the leafy grounds of this suburban Sylmar sanctuary makes for a surprisingly charming afternoon—unless you bump into a school trip or birthday party. But most of the time, it’s an easygoing opportunity to see everything from monkeys to foxes that’ve been given a second chance. For hands-on photo ops, request a close encounter with a porcupine or a two-toed sloth. Make sure to say hi to Zeus, the starry-eyed blind owl in the gift shop.

Whether you hike up to it during the day or drive to it at night to gaze at the moon, the Griffith Observatory makes for a romantic location. Look out at the city below—which often makes for interesting conversations—or sit through the observatory show. Just don’t expect it to be as magically empty as in La La Land.

We love the idea of perusing fresh fruits and veggies with a new crush. Even if you don’t buy anything, you can sample some fresh eats, people-watch and plan for a future spent cooking breakfast for each other—maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Regardless, Santa Monica hosts four of our favorites, particualrly on Wednesday and Saturday mornings on Arizona Avenue.