30 Things to Do in Los Angeles for a Fun and Cheap Date Night

comments icon 5 comments

What To Do In Los Angeles – Fun, Cheap Date Ideas

Look no further because here are 30 of the BEST date ideas to do in Los Angeles, California! From the romantic to the adventurous, you will be able to find the perfect date idea in L.A. on this list!

Couple enjoying a date night in Los Angeles - The Dating Divas
Los Angeles Date Night Ideas for Couples
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about ’em, click here.

Romantic Date Ideas in Los Angeles

1. Echo Park Lake – Enjoy a picnic at this historic reservoir surrounded by a quaint park offering boat rentals, picnic tables & walking paths! Grab one of these adorable picnic baskets to complete your picnic.

People walking and biking in Echo Park Lake.

2. Vineland Drive-in Theatre – Go old school at a drive-in movie! Snatch one of these cozy blankets to snuggle with your cute date!

Vineland Drive-in Theatre.

3. UCLA Botanical Garden – Stop and smell the flowers at the most beautiful botanical gardens in Los Angeles.

UCLA Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles | The Dating Divas
Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles.

4. Paddle Boats – Day or night, have fun with these adorable swan paddle boats for rent at Echo Park. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun sets – it’s just getting started! Don’t forget to take a couple of thermos flasks!

Man and woman enjoying their date at Echo Park in Los Angeles. | The Dating Diva
Couple on a date riding swan boat.

5. Venice Canals – Take a stroll along the stunning Venice Canals near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, at the corner of Washington and Strongs Drive. There, under a small sign that says “Venice Canals Walkway,” turn in and begin exploring.

Free activities to do as a couple on a date. | The Dating Diva
People walking in Venice Canals.

6. Highland Park Bowling Alley – The coolest bowling alley to take your date and some friends!

Bowling ideas that are perfect for group dates | The Dating Diva
Highland Park Bowling Alley.

7. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Enjoy dinner and a movie at the stylish theater chain known for showing new & classic films and serving cocktails & creative bites eat-side.

Audiences loving their time at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. | The Dating Diva
People enjoying their dinner and movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

8. Griffith Observatory – Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Visitors can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

Griffith Observatory date idea is perfect for couples. | The Dating Diva
Griffith Observatory.

9. Runyon Canyon Trail – Hike and watch the sunrise at the top! Some of the most scenic views of the city (and the Hollywood sign) can be had from this trail. For couples closer to the Westside, the trails in Topanga State Park afford breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from certain vantage points.

Inexpensive hiking dates are perfect for young couples. | The Dating Diva
Runyon Canyon Park.

10. 71 Above – One of the best date destinations in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s a fine dining restaurant located on the 71st floor of the First Interstate building. Needless to say, the views are incredible because you’re towering over almost every other building in the area. This is the place to go if you want to impress someone special!

12. Grand Central Market – How fun would this date be shopping for some yummy foods?!

Free date idea adventuring throughout the grand central market. | The Dating Diva
People at Grand Central Market.

13. The Last Bookstore – Airy book & record store offering new & used items in a multilevel space adorned with local art.

The Last bookstore is perfect for date night. | The Dating Diva
A beautiful display of books at The Last Bookstore.

14. Staples Center – Staples Center is a multi-purpose arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street.

Staples center in Los Angeles that are perfect for sports lovers. | The Dating Diva
Front of Staples Center.

15. Downtown Central Library – Take your date to the stunning downtown Central Library.

Downtown central library date idea that are perfect for book lovers. | The Dating Diva
Downtown Library in California

16. Le Petite Paris – Elegant bi-level French brasserie with a patio serving classic fare & cocktails all day.

La Petite Paris is perfect for a romantic dinner date. | The Dating Diva
Women eating at Le Petite Paris.

17. The Orpheum Theater – The Orpheum Theatre at 842 S. Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles opened on February 15, 1926, as the fourth and final Los Angeles venue for the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. 

Audience watching in the Orpheum Theatre that are perfect for couples who love theatre | The Dating Diva
Front of Orpheum Theatre.

18. El Matador State Beach – A collection of 3 small cliff-foot beaches with blufftop parking popular in the summertime.

Free summer water activities that are perfect for romance | The Dating Divas
El Matador State Beach.

19. The Groundlings – Cozy venue for an improvisation & sketch comedy troupe that launched many famous careers.

Audience waiting in line to go into The Groundlings for a date. | The Dating Diva
People laughing at a comedy show.

20. Santa Monica Ferris Wheel – Pacific Park is home to all 12 fun, family-friendly rides on the Santa Monica Pier, including the world-famous Ferris wheel and roller coaster.

Santa Monica Ferris Wheel date idea in Los Angeles. | The Dating Diva
Santa Monica Ferris Wheel

21. Pacific Coast Highway – Take a drive along this famous route. State Route 1 is a major north-south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. At a total of just over 656 miles, it is the longest state route in California.

Free date idea driving along Pacific Coast Highway. | The Dating Diva
Pacific Coast Highway.

22. Rooftop Cinema – Sit back, relax and catch one of L.A.’s outdoor movie screenings, on a rooftop!

People having fun watching a movie on a rooftop | The Dating Diva
Rooftop Cinema.

23. Cirque School – The Cirque School in Hollywood teaches Cirque 101 classes for $25 each and offers the chance to attempt static trapeze with the help of an instructor. Could be a super fun date!

Cirque classes that are perfect for active couples. | The Dating Diva
People taking Cirque classes.

24. The Passage Bike Ride – The Passage Bike Ride is a weekly bike ride that starts and ends at a donut shop. The guides try to lead riders to lesser-known parts of LA, and the route varies each week to keep things interesting.

Couple enjoying biking with the Passage Bike Ride. | The Dating Diva
Couple enjoying biking with the Passage Bike Ride.

25. Escape Room L.A. – Escape Room L.A. contains fun and challenging puzzles your group must solve before your time runs out! Clues are tricky, but no special skills or knowledge are required.

Cheap date idea in Los Angeles. | The Dating Diva
The front of the Escape Room.
26. Sunset Ranch – Consider a country-style getaway on a ranch offering day & night horseback riding tours & BBQ buffets.
Horseback riding date idea that are perfect for adventurous couples. | The Dating Diva
Couple horseback riding on the beach.

27. Getty Center – Where you’ll enjoy art, architecture, and free admission. Parking is $15.

Getty center events that are perfect for date ideas. | The Dating Diva
Couple enjoying the Getty Center.

28. Da Poetry Lounge – The best date ideas in Los Angeles don’t need to break your wallet. Listen to some of the city’s best poets on Tuesday nights at Da Poetry Lounge at the Greenway Court Theatre for a $5 admission fee.

Poetry Lounge to spend together on a date night | The Dating Diva
Man reciting poetry.

29. Movers and Shakers Salsa and Bachata Dance Academy – Take your date out for some spicy salsa dancing.

People salsa dancing for a perfect date night idea. | The Dating Diva
People taking a dance class.

30. Concert Date Night – There’s pretty much always a concert happening somewhere in L.A. Enjoy outdoor seating at the Greek or the Rose Bowl, or take in a show at the Shrine or the Forum.
List of concerts that are perfect for date idea. | The Dating Diva
Couple at a concert for date night.

Pin this post to save for later

Pin It

Whitney

I am a passionate, fun, and caring gal married to the most incredible man in the world! Where I am the happiest is in nature with my handsome husband, my sweet baby girl Isla Joe, and my fun doggos Woods and Pancake! I enjoy reliving my glory days by playing volleyball with my girl friends or relaxing at the golf course! I am convinced I could not live without popcorn, caramel apples, and my guilty pleasure, vanilla coke! You can find me outdoors, partying with family, or on that dance floor baby!

Learn more about Whitney
Free 7-day Program

One week to a better marriage.

Sign up now and get our 7 Days of Love Program absolutely free!

Husbands or Wives
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

You Might Also Like

diamond iconWe love your comments

We LOVE hearing from our readers! Thanks for leaving us some love!

Recent Comments

  1. Umm… OKAY!!! Thanks for planning our next romantic getaway!! There are SO many great ideas here that I’ve never even heard about. Thank you SO much!!