The 19 most romantic things to do in Los Angeles

You may not have a sprawling estate to call your own, but a day at the bequest of entrepreneur Henry E. Huntington isn’t a bad substitute. The outdoor portions of the library, museum and gardens are so spacious that it rarely feels crowded. The usually-in-bloom rose garden is a must (secure a reservation at the renovated tea room for some extra romance), as are the rest of the exquisitely themed gardens, particularly the desert, Japanese and Chinese areas.

Picnics are romance 101, but consider this spot an advanced course: Drive about 40 minutes up Angeles Crest Highway and onto Mount Wilson Red Box Road and you’ll reach its mountaintop observatory. Take a short walk from the parking lot to the shaded Skyline Park pavilion (also home to the Cosmic Cafe on weekends) and you’ll be rewarded with a seasonal lunch spot from 5,700 feet up. For a little more seclusion, the views just off the road on the southernwestern section of Mt. Wilson Circle Road are sublime.

A former reservoir turned public recreation area, Echo Park’s manmade lake boasts skyline views and summertime lotus blooms. For maximum adorableness, 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.

Why tackle Malibu’s rolling interior on two legs when you could do it on four? Malibu Riders operates guided horseback rides across Malibu and Agoura Hills, as brief as an hour ride through Zuma Canyon to a two-hour route around Malibu Creek State Park. Our preference? The hour-long option that starts by Paramount Ranch, which charts a course through wooded areas and open fields with a mountainous backdrop.

Joshua Tree is one of the most magical places, period. Spiny trees and jumbles of boulders dot a desert landscape surrounded by arid mountains that’s ideal for leisurely drives, a range of hikes and countless climbing opportunities. It’s also home to some of the most remarkable stargazing in the region, best enjoyed via a night at one of the national park’s in-demand campsites (just don’t mind the sound of wild coyotes howling in the middle of the night).

Whether you hike up to it during the day or drive to it at night to gaze at the shimmering sprawl below, Griffith makes for a classic romantic spot. On summer weekends, don’t expect it to be as magically empty as in La La Land, so off-season weekdays are definitely encouraged—as is the charming planetarium show inside the Art Deco landmark.

Small, beautiful and dominated by rocky outcrops, El Matador is easily the most picturesque piece of coastline in the county. It’s particularly stunning around sunset, which peeks in and out of the many coves. Just make sure to wear shoes and not to bring bring too much gear (the western Malibu beach is only accessible via a steep gravelly path from a paid parking lot). Oh, and watch out for high tide when sand comes at a premium.

Skyscraper-topping restaurants always seem like perfect go-big date ideas, but many end up coasting on views alone. But 71Above—you guessed it, it’s 71 floors up in the U.S. Bank Tower—backs up its height and handsome design with a tasty prix-fixe feast of poached oysters, agnolotti, steak tartare and scallops. Try the bar for a sunset-facing seat, and look out for a pair of tables pushed right up to the edge of the windows.

A former roadside motel turned stylish (and pricey) beachy retreat, this magazine-spread-worthy spot has easily the best—and most exclusive—rooftop in Malibu. The reason to stay at the Surfrider, this low-key, privileged perch is only open to hotel guests, and it’s a perfect spot for a cozy breakfast while the marine layer burns off or a nightcap overlooking the ocean. Off the premises, make sure to take advantage of the beach gear on loan. Just a heads up that weekend reservations book months in advance.

Ojai could land on this list solely for the Ranch House, a lush patio restaurant hidden behind a bamboo forest. But that’s not the only reason the foot-of-the-mountains oasis is such a great a romantic destination. Small hotels like the Hummingbird Inn make for lovely stays for couples, as does the totally-pampered Ojai Valley Inn. Take a hike, have a spa day, walk through an orange grove or go wine tasting—whatever you choose, Ojai is ripe for romance. (If the wine aspect has you particularly interested, consider putting in the extra mileage and venturing into the Santa Ynez Valley or hop between tasting rooms in Santa Barbara.)

Silver Lake’s shuttered Cliff’s Edge always had the location down, but the Mediterranean-leaning small-plates specialists at Bacari have finally brought in a menu worthy of the secret garden space. Aim for a meal around twilight, and for an extra relaxed evening opt for the 90-minute open bar, which keeps the wine, sangria and beer flowing for $30 per person.

Close enough to reach in an hour or two but far away enough to feel like you’ve escaped L.A., Glen Ivy Hot Springs lets you relax in mineral baths and float around in pools in a tropical plant-filled valley in Corona. Though summertime brings the crowds, cooler months (and on weekdays in particular) afford a considerably more laidback experience. You can pay up for a massage or get covered in body butter in a steamy grotto, but we think the “admission only” pass, which grants you access to all of the pools and spas, offers plenty of romance—especially if you slater each other in red clay at Club Mud.

With a variety of terrain, flora, a waterfall pit stop and views of the Pacific and city, this Pacific Palisades park is perfect for an active, outdoorsy date. You can encourage each other along the sunny, slightly demanding uphill portions, marvel at the breathtaking views from the top and then keep 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.

Drive-ins popped back into fashion again everywhere in 2020, but in L.A. they’d never really disappeared. A couple of years later, they’re thankfully still here, with about a half-dozen old-school spots in the region that offer nightly drive-in screenings.

Like a Topanga Canyon hideaway dropped in the middle of West Hollywood, this bohemian hotel pulls of the magical balancing act of antique, thrift store vibes with a luxe level of service. There are candlelit nooks seemingly everywhere, and the saltwater rooftop pool boasts some pretty perfect views. 

Paradise is a place on the point of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Situated on an oceanside bluff, this picturesque hotel offers the ultimate in resort life—assuming you can swing the premium room prices. The spa, too, is sumptuous, but you’ll need to book an overnight stay to make the most of it. If that’s not in the budget, opt instead for a meal at Mar’sel, the go-to impress-your-date kind of place on the property. Dinners at the patio restaurant quickly climb into the triple digits, so consider the three-course Sunday brunch for (a still expensive) $95 to keep things in check.

Hike a two-mile loop across the varied terrain of Saddlerock Ranch, with stellar views of the scenic Malibu surroundings along the way, and reward yourself with some wine—both a mid-hike tasting and a to-go gift at the end. The popular tasting room at Malibu Wines never reopened following the Woolsey Fire—the vineyard instead shifted its attention to a wine and beer garden in the Valley—so this two-hour, 21-plus hike is pretty much your only option to trek through the area (and, frankly, a more low-key option).

Jetsetting houses with pools, fire-lit patios, palm-tree–lined scenery: Palm Springs is a primo destination for a bit of desert romance. Stick to an Airbnb for the most privacy, though among the area hotels, Korakia Pensione is particularly romantic. Make sure to ride the gondola up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway while you’re there; you’ll be whisked from the warm desert to a snowy mountaintop well into the spring, and get a little break from the heat in the summer.

Blocks from the Sunset Strip, this luxe Spanish-style villa offers a lush refuge to guests yearning to feel like rock stars with tranquil gardens, fine dining and celeb-endorsed spa treatments. Every room here is a villa or a suite, but it’s surprisingly not any more expensive than the considerably more boring luxe hotels in the area. At the very least, the lush grounds are intimate and perfect for a romantic stroll, so stop in for dinner on the romantic patio at Cavatina.