Summer’s here and we’ve done the hardest part for you. Here are the best free summer date ideas in LA.
Elysian Park Wildflower Trail
ELYSIAN PARK
If you want a romantic hike away from the crowds at Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon, this trail next to Dodger Stadium will give you plenty of space for that deep and meaningful conversation. Stop by the Marian Harlow Memorial Garden and enjoy the views of the LA skyline, and check out the white and purple daisies.
El Matador State Beach
MALIBU
With its jutting rocks and incredible natural arch formations, El Matador has to be one of the most romantic beaches in LA.
Camera Obscura
SANTA MONICA
There’s no limit to the fun you can have in a darkened room with an ephemeral projection of Santa Monica on a giant, rotating disc.
Hauser Wirth & Schimmel
ARTS DISTRICT
The exhibitions are free in this sprawling Downtown arts complex, and impress your date by talking about big-name artists like Paul McCarthy, Louise Bourgeois, and Isa Genzken.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
PASADENA
There’s plenty of fun to be had at this sprawling flea market!
The Last Bookstore
DTLA
Book nerd or not, you’re sure to find some fascinating, bizarre, and hilarious oddities while browsing the many rooms of this legendary downtown bookstore.
Venice Canals
VENICE
There’s nothing more romantic than a stroll through the Venice Canals on a sunny day
Downtown Walking Tour
DTLA
Downtown LA is packed with fascinating historical sites that are often hidden in plain sight, which are fun to explore on your own. The LA Conservancy lists a number of fascinating self-guided tours on their website that cover everything from architecture to LA film history.
Barnsdall Art Park
LOS FELIZ
Whether you attend a DJ-soundtracked wine tasting, an outdoor film screening, or simply wander the grounds and take in the gardens and incredible “Mayan modernism” of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, a trip to Barnsdall Art Park is a sure-fire way to impress your date.
Electric Dusk Drive In
DTLA
Who knows why, after 30-odd years, we’re still obsessed with 80s classics like Risky Business and ET? As long as we are, take advantage. It might just be the key to getting your date to phone it home.
