11 Best Things to Do for Couples in Los Angeles

Santa Monica Pier attracts families with its beachfront promenade and the impressive carnival rides and kid-friendly games you’ll find there. Founded in 1909, this traditional amusement park is where you can ride the iconic Santa Monica Pier Carousel, which has delighted visitors since the late 1930s. Fairground rides typically cost between $5 and $10 each.

Cycling is also a popular activity as the pier features a 26-mile-long pathway that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Fitness enthusiasts can work out at an outdoor body-building gym located south of the pier.

The Venice Canals, located between Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Venice Beach Boardwalk, offer idyllic views of pastel mansions and pedestrian bridges. Built in 1905 by millionaire Abbot Kinney, the walkways are popular spots for those looking to enjoy a quiet stroll away from the often-overcrowded boardwalk.

Why not take a picnic and sunbathe with your loved one alongside these peaceful, man-made canals? If you’re looking to enjoy some more fun under the sun, Venice Beach and Muscle Beach Gym are just a short walk away from the Venice Canals.

Descanso Gardens is a stunning 150-acre botanical park located 5.4 miles northwest of the Kidspace Children's Museum. Its themed gardens are teeming with oak trees, rare herbs, medicinal plants and beautiful flowers, including North America’s largest camellia collection.

The gardens are also where you can spot over 100 species of birds and mammals such as squirrels, mule deer, and bobcats. The best way to explore Descanso Gardens is by taking the Enchanted Railroad, which takes you past the gardens near the promenade. Don’t miss the Ancient Forest bursting with prehistoric plants or the tranquil Japanese Garden with its pastel cherry blossoms and iconic red bridge, perfect for a romantic stroll.

If you and your loved one need a little romantic pampering, why not take yourselves to Beverly Hot Springs? Built over the city’s only natural hot springs, you can bask in satisfying 40.5 °C pools and allow the minerals to encourage circulation and relieve bodies tired from wandering in the Los Angeles heat.

After a thorough soaking, take a moment to unwind in the eucalyptus steam room or dry sauna. Then, you and your partner can head to the couples’ VIP suite where licensed staff will treat you to indulgent treatments such as a Thai massage or a customised facial. You’ll both leave feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world side-by-side.

A palm tree-lined street of luxurious fashion, Rodeo Drive is where you may spot Hollywood’s rich and famous going about their day in Los Angeles. This 2-mile-long shopping haven has over 100 designer boutiques and jewellery stores, such as Gucci, Dior, Harry Winston and Gorgio Armani, all showcasing their latest collections.

There are also plenty of 5-star hotel spas and beauty salons, where you can splurge on nail services, body massages and facials. If you’re looking for meal options, you’ll be spoilt for choice with everything from poolside dining to gourmet restaurants, all championed by Michelin-starred chefs.

The breath-taking Echo Park Lake, founded in 1860, attracts couples  with its abundance of colourful gardens, walking paths and picnic areas. Loved-up couples can rent a pedal or swan boat from the onsite Wheel Fun Rentals to cruise through the expansive lake and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. It’s especially beautiful during sunset. 

There are several community events held here that make for unique date ideas, like the summer Lotus Festival or the annual Dragon Boat Race. Echo Park Lake also features many al fresco brunch spots, where you can bond with your loved one over coffee and dessert.

A vintage bowling alley dating back to the Prohibition era, Highland Park Bowl features a stunning steampunk setting, with industrial chandeliers and bar shelves made with pin-setters. You can find authentic 1920s popcorn and cigarette machines alongside other antique treasures, and a horseshoe bar that serves innovative craft cocktails and draught beers.

Hourly lane rates and shoe rentals at Highland Park Bowl are moderately priced, and you can also enjoy a friendly game of billiards. Don’t leave without purchasing a branded sticker, shirt or limited edition bowling pin to commemorate your date.

The iconic Hollywood Bowl has been hosting some of the world’s biggest concerts since 1922. The largest natural amphitheatre in Southern California, this open-air venue can accommodate over 17,000 people at a time. Among the many music legends who have performed here are Elton John, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. 

Fans of classical music can catch the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, which comprises 80 musicians performing film scores, Broadway tunes and jazz music. It’s not just music either, you can catch cultural events like the Mariachi Festival, or wander around the free Hollywood Bowl Museum. A particularly show-stopping date idea that you’ll remember for a lifetime is watching big screen blockbusters accompanied by the LA Philharmonic.

Griffith Observatory, with its impressive height of 1,134 feet above sea level, is where you can see the entire Los Angeles landscape and learn about Earth’s relationship with the cosmos for free. A ton of intriguing exhibits await you and your partner. Wander through the Wilder Hall of the Eye Gallery before taking in a live presentation at the Planetarium. Don’t forget to gaze through a telescope at the sky, day or night.

The observatory is located in Griffith Park, a municipal park with over 50 miles of trails if you’re wanting a romantic hike or a horseback ride, many of which are set close to the gorgeous waterfalls and lagoons within the park.

Hollyhock House is one of America’s most famous buildings and Los Angeles’ only UNESCO heritage site. The home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and it is now the centrepiece of the Barnsdall Art Park. Built in 1921, it is a wonder of modern architecture, incorporating classical and Mayan themes.

Visiting the house, you can explore its many rooms and courtyards. Docents lead tours and provide insightful info on Wright and American architecture while explaining what makes the home so innovative and appealing. If you’re a fan of art and the LA sun, you don’t want to miss Hollyhock House and the surrounding art park.