The 18 most romantic things to do in Los Angeles

You may not have a sprawling estate to call your own, but a day at the former home of entrepreneur Henry E. Huntington isn’t a bad substitute. The grounds of the library, museum and gardens are so spacious that they rarely feel crowded. The usually-in-bloom rose garden is a must-see, as are the rest of the exquisitely themed gardens, particularly the desert, Japanese and Chinese gardens. If you visit in the spring, keep an eye out for blooming cherry blossoms.

Time Out tip: Secure a reservation at the renovated Rose Garden Tea Room for some extra romance. Pinkies up!

A former reservoir-turned-public recreation area, Echo Park’s manmade lake boasts Downtown skyline views and summertime lotus blooms. For maximum adorableness, you can pedal your way through the lake in a swan boat for $13 per person per hour. Reserve a time after 5pm, and the boats will all be illuminated for extra romance.

Time Out tip: Bring a picnic to spread out on the grass before you embark on your voyage. Or grab a slice from the new pizza shop in the Echo Park Boathouse—the latest concept to open in the oft-changing space. 

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

Time Out tip: Save time before the 10pm closing to gaze through the 12-inch refracting telescope on the roof; otherwise you can look through the far less crowded modern, reflecting telescopes set up on the front lawn.

The name “Malibu” calls to mind coastal luxury, but the city is equally rustic and mountainous. And its rolling interior is perhaps best explored on four legs, rather than two. Malibu Riders operates guided horseback rides across Malibu and Agoura Hills, from 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.

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 seasonal prix-fixe feast that may include fare like tuna tartare, grilled octopus, short rib pasta, beet “steak” and A5 Japanese Wagyu. Try the bar for a sunset-facing seat, or for a more private, culinary-focused experience, opt for one of the two chef’s table booths.

Time Out tip: Note the smart casual dress code, which encourages “polished elegance” and prohibits shorts, sweatpants, flip-flops and beachwear, among other casual clothing items.

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 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.

Silver Lake’s shuttered Cliff’s Edge always had the location down, but the Mediterranean-leaning small-plates specialists at its replacement—a particularly picturesque outpost of local mini-chain 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 only-one-of-its-kind 90-minute open bar, which keeps the wine, sangria and beer flowing for $32 per person.

Time Out tip: Check out our guide to the best restaurants for outdoor dining in L.A. for more beautiful alfresco spots, from tucked-away patios in the Valley to a rooftop in Santa Monica with ocean views.

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). If you don’t love the idea of sleeping outdoors, JT is also home to a disproportionate number of cool Airbnbs.

Time Out tip: If you want to visit the dome-shaped Integratron ($61), a popular destination about a 20-minute drive from Joshua Tree, be sure to book online way before your trip—time slots for its public sound baths from Thursdays to Sundays get snatched up weeks in advance.

A former roadside motel-turned-stylish (and pricey) beachy retreat located right on Pacific Coast Highway, 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 for a nightcap overlooking the ocean. Just a heads-up: Weekend reservations fill up months in advance, so book early.

Time Out tip: Make sure to take advantage of the beach gear—towels, blankets, umbrellas, sunscreen and surfboards—the hotel has on hand for guests to borrow, then stake out a spot along the sand.

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 April through December), and you’ll be rewarded with a lunch spot with an elevation of over 5,700 feet. For a little more seclusion, the sweeping views just off the road on the southwestern section of Mount Wilson Circle Road are sublime. Admission to the area is free, but you’ll need to buy a $5 Forest Service Adventure Pass in order to park at the picnic area, as it’s located within the Angeles National Forest. 

Time Out tip: Make sure the road is open before you head up, as it often closes for large stretches depending on the weather. 

Ojai is home to a burgeoning dining scene, with L.A. chefs opening restaurants like daytime bakery/Burmese dinner spot the Dutchess (whose dining room is gorgeous) and a new location of Highly Likely. But that’s not the only reason the foot-of-the-mountains oasis is such a great a romantic destination. Take a hike and catch the famous “pink moment” sunset, browse through famed outdoor bookstore Bart’s Books, walk through an orange grove or go wine tasting—whatever you choose, Ojai is ripe for romance. It’s close enough for a day trip, but if you want to stay overnight, retro hotels like the Hummingbird Inn, Capri Hotel and Ojai Rancho Inn have been imbued with upscale, trendy vibes by hospitality group Shelter Social Club. All make for lovely stays for couples, as does the luxurious Ojai Valley Inn—if a room is out of your price range, at least try to fit in a spa treatment for one of the best pampering experiences of your life.

Time Out tip: 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—you’re more than halfway there once you’re in Ojai.

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. 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 signature Sunday brunch to keep things in check. Be sure to book a service at the sumptuous, recently renovated spa, and afterward relax with a cocktail at the adults-only pool.

Time Out tip: You can complement your stay with a variety of experiences—from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to falconry and pickleball—which you can book through the hotel. 

Drive-ins popped back into fashion again in 2020, but in L.A. they’d never really left. And six years later, several old-school spots in the region still offer nightly drive-in screenings of films, including the newest box-office hits. If you’re up for a drive, head to Paramount Drive-In or Van Buren Drive-In Theatre for a classic movie date—watch the feature presentation from the comfort of your car, and make like a couple from the ’50s and canoodle in the backseat.

Don’t miss: Some theaters’ parking lots pull double duty as swap meets, so you can shop for vintage treasures during the day and stick around for a double feature at night.

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 weekdays in particular) offer a considerably more laid-back 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, spas and even wellness classes, offers plenty of romance.

Time Out tip: Muddy the waters at Club Mud, a spring-water mud pool where you can slather each other with California red clay, known for its exfoliating and detoxing properties. (Just make sure to wear a swimsuit you don’t mind getting stained.)

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 some of 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.

Time Out tip: The hotel—which has hosted artists like Joan Jett, the Who and the Doors over the years—features a lobby gallery filled with rotating photography exhibitions dedicated to rock ‘n’ roll royalty. (It’s named after the famed cover of the Doors’ album Morrison Hotel.)

Midcentury 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.

Time Out tip: Before you head up, try to score a reservation at the incomparable Bar Cecil for $50 martinis, steak frites and warm chocolate chip cookies, or try your luck at snagging one of the 12 walk-in bar seats.

Hike a 2.5-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. Along the way, you’ll also see some Chumash Native American cave paintings, native wildflowers and possibly the ranch’s llamas, donkeys, goats and sheep. The popular tasting room at nearby 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. 

Like a Topanga Canyon hideaway dropped in the middle of West Hollywood, this bohemian hotel pulls off the magic trick of balancing of antique, thrift-store vibes with a luxe level of service. There are candlelit nooks seemingly everywhere, and the private rooftop boasts some pretty perfect views—though note, similar to the Surfrider Malibu, that the space is only open to hotel guests. 

Time Out tip: You’ll need an advance reservation to procure a pool bed or cabana for daytime lounging at the saltwater pool.