Unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas for L.A. Parents 2024
Parenting can make it challenging to enjoy alone time with your significant other. However, carving out time is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship, which is also vital to a healthy family. Finding something exciting to do on a date night isn’t always easy, so we’ve put together a list of romantic date ideas in Los Angeles and the South Bay to inspire you.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to get started. See how many creative date ideas you can check off before next year.
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20+ Valentine’s Day Date Ideas for Los Angeles
1. Immerse yourselves in art or history. From the art of Vincent Van Gogh to a festival of bubbles, there are many exciting ways to enjoy an immersive experience in Los Angeles. Check out our guide to immersive experiences and find one you’ll both love.
2. Dine in the dark. Take a typical dinner date to a whole new level with Dining in the Dark. This unique experience at City Club in downtown Los Angeles provides a delight for the senses.
3. Visit a museum. Regardless of your passions, Los Angeles is home to many exciting museums featuring art and culture from around the world, and they offer the perfect spark for a conversation that doesn’t involve kids. Enjoy art with a view? Head to the Getty Museum or Villa. Love cars? Take a drive to the Petersen. Is Netflix and Chill your go-to date night? Kick it up a notch with a visit to the Academy Museum, where you can get behind-the-scenes looks at some of your favorite films and then enjoy themed cocktails and dinner at Fanny’s.
4. Get a couples massage. LA has endless spas for some much-needed pampering. Try a couples massage for a relaxing shared experience. You may even be able to book an in-home massage, so you don’t even have to go out.
5. Go on a romantic boat ride. Go for a chartered cruise around the Marina del Rey, rent a Swan pedal boat at Echo Park or Lake Balboa, or head to Long Beach for a romantic gondola ride.
6. Have a low-key night in. Instead of hiring a babysitter to come to you, drop the kids off and enjoy the silence. You might find it more romantic to escape the outside world and enjoy each other’s company at home for a perfect Valentine’s Day or any day.
7. Take a cooking class together. Stuck in a dinner rut? Spice things up and learn to cook a new dish together at a spot like Hipcooks LA or Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom. Don’t want to leave the house, take an in-home class with a private chef through Cozymeal.
8. Bowl! There are several places in Los Angeles to bowl. They usually offer specials for their bowling lanes on Valentine’s Day, so call before you go.
9. See a comedy show. Nothing like laughter to break stress and tension. LA has some great comedy shows so that you can enjoy a laugh together. Check out an improv show or see big names at one of LA’s many comedy clubs.
10. Visit an escape room together. These fun interactive games provide a good mix of suspense, problem-solving, and teamwork between partners to figure out clues that will allow them to break out of the room within an allotted time frame.
11. Spend time outside of your regular neighborhood. Little Tokyo is a great spot, for example. Delicious restaurants, funky shops, and cultural sites like the Japanese American National Museum make the perfect day date.
12. Go for a romantic hike on one of LA’s many scenic trails. Hiking is a great way to bond with your date if you feel like taking in some fresh air while enjoying the outdoors. Excellent trails and scenery surround LA, so you’ll have plenty of photo ops as the date progresses. There are various trail lengths and difficulties, so you can choose based on what’s most appropriate for your fitness levels and interests.
13. Catch a game together. Whether you watch the LA Kings hit the ice or the Lakers at the newly named Crypto Arena, sporting events are guaranteed to make date night exciting. Plus, it’s an opportunity for you both to cheer on your favorite team.
14. Take a sunset walk on the beach. Pack a picnic and enjoy the view with a bite at one of LA’s many scenic beaches.
15. Visit a theme park without kids. Enjoy Disneyland or Universal Studios rides without hefting a stroller and diaper bag. You’ll experience the thrills in a whole new way. You don’t even have to drive far; just head to the Santa Monica Pier and top your date with a romantic evening ride on the iconic Ferris Wheel with a view of the glittering Pacific Ocean below.
16. Throw an ax. Ax throwing is definitely not for kids, making it one of the best date ideas for parents. At LA Ax, you can aim for the target and have plenty of fun.
17. Stroll around the Venice Canals. The scene is beautiful in this iconic spot, and you’ll get to talk and catch up with each other. To make it even more romantic, go during sunrise or sunset.
18. Go wine tasting in Malibu. You don’t have to trek up north to enjoy some delicious wines. Thanks to Malibu Wine Hikes, you can taste wine while taking in the Malibu coast’s scenic beauty.
19. Stargaze at the Griffith Observatory. Catch a timed show at the observatory and then take in the city lights surrounding Griffith Park from one of the best views in LA.
20. Visit an indoor trampoline park. Jumping isn’t just for kids. It’s a great way to let go of your inhibitions and have fun with your date while getting some exercise, too.
21. Go horseback riding. A guided sunset trail ride is one of the most unique ways to spend a date night. Enjoy the view of the city and the Hollywood sign.
22. Enjoy some live music. An evening of drinks and live entertainment is always a relaxing and fun way to enjoy each other’s company. Give the typical candlelit dinner a twist with a candlelit concert instead.
23. Step back in time at the Queen Mary. This iconic ship may not leave Long Beach harbor but offers one of the most unique experiences for a dinner date night in Los Angeles. Enjoy a dining experience steeped in history with stunning ocean views.
24. Stroll through a garden. Los Angeles is full of scenic botanical gardens, like the Huntington Library and Gardens and Descanso, which have excellent dining options, so you can share a meal and drink afterward. Or enjoy a day at South Coast Botanic Garden, then stay for the evening when Astra Lumina lights up the gardens with an enchanted night walk with a beauty of galactic proportions.
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