The best first date ideas in L.A.

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 $13 per person per hour. Reserve a time after 5pm, and the boats will all be illuminated for extra romance.

It’s the one tourist attraction we never get tired of. Whether you hike up to it during the day or drive to it at night to see the stars, the Griffith Observatory makes for a romantic location for first dates. Look out at the city below—a sure conversation starter—or sit through the planetarium show. Whatever you do here, it makes for a fun day and can be as romantic or casual as you want.

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 in the Rose Garden Tea Room for something a bit more formal.

Grab your new love interest and take a stroll through maybe the only romantic spot in all of Venice. Venture along these three canal-lined blocks—hence the Italian-inspired name, Venice—and you’ll discover an idyllic scene: arching pedestrian bridges, charming beach houses and bunches of ducklings. You can also take your date on the water, though you’ll need to bring your own nonmotorized vessel (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard).

Floating live jazz as a first date option is always bound to impress. What could be classier? (Plus, if conversation isn’t exactly flowing at the start of the night, live music takes some of the pressure off.) The Baked Potato, Catalina Jazz Club and Vibrato Grill Jazz are mainstays for jazz lovers. Or head to a new entry to the live music club scene: Andy’s in West Hollywood is owned by none other than Anderson .Paak, while South L.A. supper club Somerville, which counts Issa Rae as a celebrity investor, is worth the drive. 

Can’t settle on a single place? Picky eaters and avid foodies will all find something to love at Grand Central Market. Full of local-favorite dining options from Shiku to Villa’s Tacos, you can each hit up separate vendor stalls and reconvene at a table together. If it’s going well, opt for dessert from The Donut Man or Fat + Flour and canoodle in the vintage-inspired Photomatica booth to commemorate the day. Make sure to stop by the Bradbury Building across the street, the stunning brick building featured in Blade Runner and 500 Days of Summer.

Watch new releases and cult classics under the stars and take advantage of beautiful city views at one of L.A.’s many outdoor screening series. You don’t even need to bring your own blanket or camping chair—series like Rooftop Cinema Club (which installs heaters and operates throughout the winter) or Melrose Rooftop Theatre provide you with a comfy seat and blankets for a cozy evening.

Whether you go for the art, the architecture, the panoramic views of L.A. or to eat at the restaurant, the Getty has enough variety to please any date. Stroll through the garden or get intellectual in front of some of the world’s most renowned artwork—you can make the date as short or as long as you’d like here. And if you’re really trying to impress, bring along a picnic to enjoy on the lawn as you soak in the view.

Bowling is has been quintessential date-night activity for decades. Luckily bowling alleys abound in Los Angeles—some new and highfalutin’ with cocktail bars and dress codes, others old and divey, crumbling with character. So when you’re looking for a place to knock ’em down (and knock a few back—White Russians, anyone?), where should you head? We’re particularly fond of the 1933 Group’s stunning Highland Park Bowl and the quaint 1950s-style Montrose Bowl—the oldest operating bowling alley in L.A. County was just recently restored.

This 22-mile bike path traces nearly the entire extent of L.A.’s westward-facing coastline. If you’d rather take the path at a more conversation-conducive walking pace, you’ll find pedestrian-friendly forks in Santa Monica, Venice and Manhattan Beach. And if you don’t care about being too cheesy, you could opt for a tandem bike.

Oh it’s touristy as can be, but come on, there’s something clasically romantic about the Santa Monica Pier. Take a ride and a cute couple selfie on the Ferris wheel or brave the new-and-improved Sea Dragon, win your date a big stuffed animal, and grab an ice cream cone as you stroll along the sand. The Pier isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, though, so definitely pair it with one of the restaurants or bars in the neighborhood for dinner or a nightcap.

One more coastal option: With 70-degree days year-round, Angelenos can enjoy SoCal’s beautiful beaches from January to December. Whether you go to Manhattan Beach to play volleyball, rent beach cruisers to ride along the Venice Beach Boardwalk or plan a picnic at sunset in Malibu, there are plenty of ways to use SoCal’s beaches as the perfect first-date landscape. Try a beach with a hidden entrance for an even more secluded spot on the sand.

Dating is supposed to be fun, and what’s more fun than having a couple drinks while playing arcade games? (Assuming you’re not that overly competitive person.) This fun-filled date is a surefire way to break the ice and see if your new love interest can tap into their childlike qualities to have a good time. And if they can’t? There’s booze to get you through.

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.

Every Sunday you can find dozens of food vendors at this market at ROW DTLA, with a mix of much-loved pop-ups and future foodie stars. Variety is the spice of life, so share some bites as you bounce from vendor to vendor, then settle in together at the beer garden.

Travel back to a time when dinner and a movie was a major Friday night date activity. No, we’re not talking about the swanky dine-in theaters around town—we’re talking about drive-in theaters. There are about a half-dozen in Southern California that have stayed true to the original concept, including relatively cheap ticket prices. And in the privacy of your own car, you can chat (or not…) as much as you’d like without bugging the people next to you. Most are a bit of a drive away though, so make sure you enjoy your date’s company enough for a long car ride.

If you’re going to take your date to a concert, there’s no better place to see a show than the Hollywood Bowl. During the lengthy summer season, watching a band or orchestra play under the stars makes for a romantic and special first date—and one that you can bring your own booze and snacks to. Even in the off-season when there’s no show, you can still use the space as a public park (or work out together by hoofing it up and down the stairs).