Summer lovin’

Forget the average dinner and movie date — with summer comes a new set of dating opportunities.  Use the relaxed summer vibe to your advantage and woo your sweetheart on these romantic summer outings.

Tea party at the Getty Central Garden

Walk through Robert Irwin’s intricately decorated archways and admire the abundance of roses in this Southern California treasure. When the sun starts to set, have a romantic tea party á la Alice and Wonderland, cuddle up with your date and take in the intermixing of luscious flowers and a vibrant pink and orange sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Get your adrenaline pumping on a surfing date

Who wants to go out with someone who is just going to tan and listen to their iPod? Move beyond your average low-energy beach date and try out surfing for a change.  As if the adrenaline rush weren’t enough, experiencing something new and exciting together will connect you two on a deeper level and make you stand apart from the standard moonlit-walk-on-the-beach types.

Scavenge for unique vintage finds at flea markets

The Fairfax and Rose Bowl flea markets both feature a motley assortment of clothes, art and jewelry.  Try on things you would never wear in any other circumstance, look through old photographs and posters, and create an original experience by revisiting the past — it’s a lot more interesting than your average Sunday brunch.

Snuggle up to some classics at an outdoor movie

Immerse yourself in the beauty of classic films at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  The unusual movie spot has featured the likes of Casablanca and, most recently, The Shining. Mix it up with this change of scenery and outdoor setting as you watch some of Hollywood’s finest and snuggle under the stars.

Picnic at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overview

For the active couple, hike up to this new and improved overlook of beautiful Los Angeles, featuring views from the beach to Downtown, to keep things interesting and adventurous.  Afterwards enjoy a romantic picnic as you take in an all-inclusive view of everything our stunning city has to offer.

Rock out at an outdoor concert

Check out Hard Summer, because nothing says romance like the electronic Boys Noize (note the sarcasm), and the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series.  And besides, every couple has to have their song — one option is “Kill Everybody” by Skrillex, one of the artists performing at Hard — so why not find yours together at a live show?  But seriously, music has a way of connecting people without words and these concerts provide the perfect opportunity for your relationship to go deeper than the superficial level.

Have a very Venice experience

Go retro with some ’80s-era roller blades and check out the unique finds specific only to Venice like custom jewelry and henna.  And of course you have to look out for the most outrageous characters you can find — be sure to keep an eye out for the rollerblading guitar player.

Flowers, Olvera Street and Romance, Oh My!

Visit the Downtown flower mart and pick out a bouquet together — summery sunflowers are a good bet — then visit the nearby Olvera Street and indulge in a spicy Latino experience. Look past the assumptions of the center as a tourist trap and admire the traditional architecture, hand-carved artwork and authentic Mexican food to create something special and different with your date.

Immerse yourself in beach culture

Nothing says summer romance more than an epic beach adventure.  Take a boat to Catalina and admire the traveling pods of dolphins, soak in the relaxing and beachy vibes, interact with the friendly islanders and see our sea life for what it truly is: stunningly beautiful.  Share a moment with your date observing our calm oceans and luscious sunsets and have the ultimate beach experience all at once.