Plan a memorable date in LA without emptying your wallet. From exploring captivating museums to soaking in breathtaking city views: we reveal 21 Free Date Ideas in Los Angeles.
📍 Location: 8591 Mulholland Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046
⌚ Hours: Daily 6AM - 9PM
💰 Price: FREE
Located on the South Side of Mulholland Drive, this overlook is one of the most famous in the country. With a rare view of both Los Angeles, the city skyline, and the Valley, this scenic spot has been featured in a vast number of films, TV shows, music videos, etc., making it a must-see place for the perfect date in LA.
🪄 Insider Tip: Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal with a view.
📍 Location: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
⌚ Hours: Sat-Sun 10AM-10PM, Tues-Fri 12PM-10PM
💰 Price: FREE
The Griffith Observatory is an attraction that cannot be missed if you are spending any time in Los Angeles. Surrounded by the natural beauty of LA, there are a number of fascinating exhibits such as a state-of-the-art planetarium, that provide an immersive and educational experience for both you and your date.
🪄 Insider Tip: The museum guide gives a free 15-minute presentation on the Gottlieb Transit Corridor.
3. Little Tokyo
📍 Location: First Street # 201, Los Angeles, CA 90012
⌚ Hours: Varies
💰 Price: FREE
If you’re looking to experience a little slice of Japan in LA, you should check out Little Tokyo. This historic Japanese commercial district in downtown LA allows for many activities including shopping, dining, museum hopping, and so much more.
🪄 Insider Tip: The Japanese Village Plaza is the best area to visit.
4. The Getty
📍 Location: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
⌚ Hours: Tues-Fri, Sun 10 AM–5:30 PM, Sat 10 AM–8 PM, Closed Mon
💰 Price: FREE
The Getty in Los Angeles hosts a remarkable combination of stunning architecture, historical and modern art collections, with encompassing views of the city. Its diverse range of artwork coupled with its renowned gardens, and a captivating sunset view make it a cultural haven that makes for an unforgettable date night.
🪄 Insider Tip: Book an evening reservation at the Getty Restaurant for a sunset view.
📍 Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
⌚ Hours: Daily 6AM-10PM
💰 Price: FREE
Aside from the breathtaking view of the Pacific, the Santa Monica Pier is one of the more exciting places in LA. With its lively amusement park rides, street performers, and a wide variety of dining options, this prominent LA feature is a great choice for a date day.
🪄 Insider Tip: Underneath the Santa Monica Pier, you can find picture-worthy murals. Stay safe.
📍 Location: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
⌚ Hours: Daily 6AM-6PM
💰 Price: FREE
Located on the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Runyon Canyon Park is a small but highly frequented hiking space in Hollywood. If you're looking to take a quick hike, with ranging difficulty from easy to moderate, the Canyon offers several trails and incredible views of Los Angeles. It’s perfect if you and your date are looking to incorporate some fitness into your day.
🪄 Insider Tip: The best sunrise shots are along the western trail while sunset shots are along the eastern trail.
📍 Location: 453 S Spring St Ground Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
⌚ Hours: Daily 11 AM–8 PM
💰 Price: FREE
We’re calling all book nerds and insta baddies now. A multilevel space adorned with cool architecture, offering both new and used items. It’s ranked as one of the top five bookstores in the United States. If you enjoy books, vinyls, and are seeking great photo ops, this is the place for you and your date.
🪄 Insider Tip: Find secret passageways and hidden rooms on the mezzanine floor.
📍 Location: Venice, CA 90291
⌚ Hours: Open 24 hours 💰 Price: FREE
Discover European culture in this charming LA staple. Created over 100 years ago by visionary Abbot Kinney, the Venice Canals offer the best atmosphere for a romantic day out. With its quaint bridges, lush footpaths and the gorgeous architecture of the surrounding homes, it’s a wonderful way to get some distance from the bustling nature of the city and enjoy a scenic stroll.
🪄 Insider Tip: Historic plaques/markers provide information about the history of the Venice Canals.
📍 Location: 6901 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
⌚ Hours: Open 24 hours
💰 Price: FREE
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a record of Los Angeles’s greatest entertainment legends and should be seen by anyone visiting LA. Surrounded by numerous shops and restaurants, walking along the iconic star-studded sidewalk allows visitors to immerse themselves in the rich culture and legacy of Hollywood's most renowned stars, making it a guarantee for an exuberant date.
🪄 Insider Tip: You'll run into many familiar, costumed characters near the TCL Chinese Theatre.
10. The Getty Villa
📍 Location: 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
⌚ Hours: Wednesday - Monday (10 AM–5 PM); closed Tuesday
💰 Price: FREE
For a date that feels like a transportation in time, the Getty Villa is the place to be. With an explicit focus on the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria, this museum is designed to resemble a first-century Roman country house and offers not only an exciting encounter with but a genuine experience of this time-long forgotten.
🪄 Insider Tip: If you plan to visit both Getty Center and Getty Villa in 1 day, pickup a same-day parking coupon.
11. Echo Park Lake
📍 Location: 751 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
⌚ Hours: Daily 5:30AM-10PM
💰 Price: FREE
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, this urban oasis of Echo Park is known for its iconic lotus flowers and a stunning view of the downtown LA skyline (great views really do wonders to enhance the magic of a date). In addition, the area is home to a historic boathouse and frequent community events, making it a popular spot for both relaxation and recreation.
🪄 Insider Tip: If you are going to spend some money, rent a swan boat.
📍 Location: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
⌚ Hours: Daily 10 AM–5 PM
💰 Price: FREE
While a cute setting for a date, the California Science Center is an even better option if the kids are coming along on this one. Located in Exposition Park, most come to this family-friendly museum to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour, in addition to other really cool exhibits covering different topics such as various ecosystems and space exploration.
🪄 Insider Tip: The Science Center has IMAX movies, check the schedule.
13. Flea Markets
📍 Locations:
1911 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
1030 Alpine St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
⌚ Hours: Varies
💰 Price: FREE
Los Angeles hosts a number of flea markets all over the city, and they really do make for an enjoyable date. A couple of the more well-known ones are Silver Lake Flea Market and Los Feliz Flea Market. While Silver Lake tends to attract vendors with YTK fashion and merch, Los Feliz offers more of the groovy tastes of the late 60s/early 70s. So if you’d like to support the local community vendors and have a nice day out, be sure to stop by a Flea Market while you’re in the city.
🪄 Insider Tip: Negotiate with the vendors.
14. The Huntington
📍 Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
⌚ Hours: Wed-Mon 10 AM–5 PM, Tues closed
💰 Price: FREE
The Huntington Library in Los Angeles offers an array of things to do. With an extensive collection of rare books in their library, a museum gallery filled with top-tier art, and a lovely botanical garden, visiting this Library hosts a number of things to do for a day filled with both fun and tranquility for couples.
🪄 Insider Tip: The first Thursday of every month is Free Day (with reservation in advance).
15. LACMA
📍 Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
⌚ Hours: Varies
💰 Price: FREE
Visiting LACMA is required if you are an art enthusiast or simply want to see its more well-known features. The museum hosts over 100,000 works spanning from ancient to contemporary art, and features such famous exhibits as the "Urban Light" installation by Chris Burden (it’s especially stunning at night), so you will definitely want to plan your next date there.
🪄 Insider Tip: Free admission for LA County residents, check tickets & times.
16. El Matador State Beach
📍 Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
⌚ Hours: 8AM to Sunset, Every Day
💰 Price: FREE
What could make for a more romantic date than a secluded and visually stunning stroll on the beach? Nothing. That’s why you should plan a day to visit El Matador State Beach in LA. With its relative distance from the bustle of the city, unique cliffs, golden sands, and sea caves, it's great for photography, intimate walks, or simply enjoying the beauty of coastal nature.
🪄 Insider Tip: You can wear flip-flops, but we recommend tennis shoes for an easier hike down to the beach.
17. Grand Park
📍 Location: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
⌚ Hours: Daily 5:30AM - 10PM
💰 Price: FREE
Nothing says welcome to Los Angeles like Grand Park. Located in downtown Los Angeles, this area boasts an incredibly dynamic environment filled with colorful gardens, large fountains, and so much more. Since it’s also known for hosting various community events, cultural festivals, and public art installations, you’ll want to visit this park for your next date.
🪄 Insider Tip: Grand Park hosts free events such as yoga, live concerts, movie nights, and holiday celebrations.
18. Beverly Hills
📍 Location: Beverly Hills, CA 90210
⌚ Hours: Varies
💰 Price: FREE
Believe it or not, one of the most expensive LA County cities to live in has a great number of free activities available to tourists. From the sculptures and diverse plantlife of the Beverly Gardens, to iconic selfies in front of the Beverly Hills Sign, to window shopping through Rodeo Drive, to strolling through the tudor-style architecture of the Greystone Estate, you are bound to have an exciting date by spending a day in Beverly Hills.
🪄 Insider Tip: Beverly Hills is home to a surprising amount of public art installations, so keep an eye out for sculptures, murals, and other artistic displays as you wander through the city streets.
📍 Location: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
⌚ Hours: Daily 10AM-3PM (excluding shows)
💰 Price: FREE
Walt Disney Concert Hall is an architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry, characterized by its gleaming stainless steel curves and modern aesthetic. Its striking visuals, combined with the calming voice of John Lithgow guiding you through your audio tour makes it the perfect setting for a classy date filled with culture and elegance.
🪄 Insider Tip: Some Friday nights, the Concert Hall’s Blue Ribbon Garden offers complimentary pre-show drinks.
📍 Location: Varies
⌚ Hours: Varies
💰 Price: FREE
Joining a live studio audience offers one of the best ways to immerse into what LA is best known for - show business. You and your date will have the opportunity to witness the production of popular TV shows, comedy specials, and talk shows firsthand; it’s perfect if you are looking for an activity that will fill your entire day.
🪄 Insider Tip: Get there early for your best chance to make it on the show.
21. Venice Boardwalk
📍 Location: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles, CA 90291
⌚ Hours: Varies
💰 Price: FREE
The Venice Boardwalk is an eclectic stretch of beachfront promenade, bustling with colorful street performers, artists, and vendors. Its lively atmosphere filled with shops, restaurants, and a beach setting will set you up for a memorable date by the sea make it a great choice from our free date ideas in Los Angeles.
🪄 Insider Tip: Renting a bike, skateboard, or roller skates is a fun way to explore the boardwalk.
What was your favorite free date idea in Los Angeles? Want more free things to do in LA?
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