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 $12 per person per hour. Reserve a time after 5pm and the boats will all be illuminated for extra romance.

Okay, so going on a hike may not be the most original first date idea, but adding a waterfall to the mix might just push it over the edge (pun intended here to remind you to please stay on the trail!). Choose from our list of the best hikes to one of the many waterfalls in the L.A. area, then jump in feet first—into the relationship and the water.

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.

Can’t settle on a single place? Picky eaters and avid Instagrammers will all find something to love at Grand Central Market. Full of bucket-list dining options from Shiku to McConnell’s, you can each hit up separate vendor stalls and reconvene at a table together. Make sure to stop by the Bradbury Building across the street, the stunning brick building featured in Blade Runner and 500 Days of Summer.

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 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 non-motorized vessel (enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard).

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 as romantic or casual as you want.

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.

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.

Going on a date with a beer lover? Taking one of L.A.’s local brewery tours is the perfect fit. Fun, easy and entertaining, you two can try to get to know each other’s palattes—just keep your beer snob tendencies in check. What better way to get a little tipsy (hey, it’s an easy way to get over those first-date jitters) and have it not look out of place than by having a whole date planned around beer tasting?

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.

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, which tend to run through all but the very middle of winter. You don’t even need to bring your own blanket or camping chair—series like Rooftop Cinema Club or Melrose Rooftop Theatre provide you with a comfy 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.

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.

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 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).

Oh it’s touristy as can be, but come on, there’s something clasically romantic about the Santa Monica Pier. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel, win your date a big stuffed animal and grab an ice cream cone as you canoodle by the water. 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.