Unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas for the South Bay
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 the South Bay and across Los Angeles 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 the South Bay and Los Angeles
1. Get a couples massage. Check out a locally-owned spa for some much-needed pampering. Many spas offer a couples massage for a relaxing shared experience, or specials like DuBunne’s Valentine’s Day packages.
2. Go on a romantic boat ride. Go for a chartered dinner cruise around the Marina del Rey or head to Long Beach for a romantic gondola ride.
3. Take a cooking class together. Stuck in a dinner rut? Spice things up and learn to cook a new dish together with a class by Long Beach-based Pasta Mark or Seasoned By Marissa in Lomita. Don’t want to leave the house, take an in-home class with a private chef through Cozymeal.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Bowl! There are several places in the South Bay and across Los Angeles to bowl. They usually offer specials for their bowling lanes on Valentine’s Day, so call before you go.
8. See a comedy show. Nothing like laughter to break stress and tension. The South Bay has plenty of places to take in a show, like the Cantina Comedy Club at Riviera Mexican Cantina or The Laugh Kitchen in Torrance.
9. Visit an escape room together. Check out an escape room experience, like Quest Room at the South Bay Galleria or The Escape Game Torrance. These fun interactive games provide a good mix of suspense, problem-solving, and teamwork between partners to figure out clues that will allow you to break out of the room within an allotted time frame.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Take a sunset walk on the beach. Pack a picnic and enjoy the view with a bite at one of our many scenic beaches. Make a day of it with luxury beach concierge experience, Beach Now, who will arrange a special day with resort-style service on the sand.
14. 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.
15. Throw an ax. Ax throwing is thrilling and definitely one of the most unique date ideas for parents. At Hatchet Hound in El Segundo or the Axe District in Torrance, you can aim for the target and enjoy a brew while you have plenty of fun.
16. Go wine tasting. You don’t have to trek up north to enjoy some delicious wines. There are plenty of local wine shops right in the heart of the South Bay offering a delicious array to sample. Check out our list of local wine bars.
17. 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.
18. Go horseback riding. Riding together on horses is one of the most unique ways to spend a date night. Enjoy the view with a guided trail ride at Palos Verdes Stables.
19. Enjoy some live music. An evening of drinks and live entertainment is always a relaxing and fun way to enjoy each other’s company. There are plenty of local South Bay breweries and tasting rooms where you can enjoy a drink to the tunes of a local band. Or give the typical candlelit dinner a twist with a candlelit concert instead.
20. 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.
21. Stroll through a garden. 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. 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.
22. Romantic dinner with a view. When in doubt, nothing beats a traditional date night over a delicious meal while enjoying a scenic view, luckily the South Bay offers plenty of places, check out our list of the best South Bay restaurants and bars with a view to pick the perfect spot.
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