Romantic Things to Do in Los Angeles for Valentine's Day

Twinkling lights, fairground rides and theatre tours... spending Valentine's Day in LA is a fabulous idea. Here are our best date ideas.

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
Couple in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the city of lights, filled with glitz and glam and tons of magic. So what better place to spend a romantic weekend with your favorite person? Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day 2020 or another special occasion, there are plenty of captivating things to do in Los Angeles.

Our list of things to do in Los Angeles for couples includes...

  • Get views over all of LA
  • Dine aboard the Queen Mary
  • Explore the Griffith Park Observatory
  • Watch a show at one of LA's gorgeous movie theaters
  • Have an adrenalin-filled day at a theme park

See the City of Angels from above

aerial-view-west-hollywood

Los Angeles is the city of lights, filled with glitz and glam and tons of magic. So what better place to spend a romantic weekend with your favorite person? Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or another special occasion, there are plenty of exciting and romantic things to do in Los Angeles.

Our list of things to do in Los Angeles for couples includes...

  • Get views over all of LA
  • Dine aboard the Queen Mary
  • Explore the Griffith Park Observatory
  • Watch a show at one of LA's gorgeous movie theaters
  • Have an adrenalin-filled day at a theme park

Dine aboard the Queen Mary

night-view-famous-queen-mary

With stunning skyline views from the water and delicious gourmet cuisine, there’s no better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles than aboard the Queen Mary. Guests have three different dining options to choose from, each promising the romantic dinner of a lifetime.

Sir Winston’s Restaurant and Lounge combines world-class cuisine with gorgeous views of the harbor and the Pacific Ocean.

Chelsea Chowder House is more contemporary, offering a great selection of steak and seafood for the classic dining palate. The Promenade Café is the most casual option, but certainly not the least romantic; the special menu and sweeping views of the Pacific will make your evening unforgettable.

There's also a popular bar called the Observation Bar, serving up classic cocktails in a chic atmosphere. It's the perfect spot for a romantic drink if dinner aboard the Queen Mary isn't in your plans. If you want to explore this historic ship beyond the dining options, they also offer tours, shows, and exhibits.

Explore Griffith Park

griffith-observatory-park-los-angeles-skyline

Griffith Park is one of our favorite outdoors destinations in all of Los Angeles. As well as the home of the famous Hollywood sign, it’s got a fascinating observatory, bike paths, hiking trails, picnic spots, and even the awesome Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

The botanical gardens are particularly fascinating, with their wide variety of local and exotic plants. Displays are designed to showcase the relationship between flora and fauna, and how animals depend heavily on all kinds of plants.

So rent a bike and pedal around the park - the weather is pretty mild even in the middle of February.

Enjoy the thrill of a theme park

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There is so much fun to be had in the theme parks around the greater LA area, make sure you check off at least one! You don't need kids to tag along, there are plenty of adult rides and experiences to keep you and your other half entertained. This is an ideal date if you’re both the fun-loving, active type who gets a kick out of movie magic and mayhem.

Movie fans will love Universal Studios Hollywood, which combines state-of-the-art rides with shows and the famous backlot tour which takes you around real-life movie and TV sets. There are tons of things to do there that showcase the behind-the-scenes parts of Hollywood.

If you want to go old school and enjoy a few amusement park rides with a view, then Pacific Park is a good option for you. It's nostalgic and modern at the same time – you'll feel like you're on a date at the fairground.

Check out the museum scene

If you love arts and culture but are looking for something a little less movie-centric, then a visit to an art museum or two might do the trick. This Valentine’s Day, check out the Getty Museum, which offers a diversity of beautiful things to look at, from the gorgeous Getty Villa architecture to the lush gardens surrounding the building. Of course, there are plenty of works of art, with a particular focus on antiquities.

More of a fan of the natural world? Then you’ll want to hit up the prehistoric La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, which showcases the research done on the artifacts and fossils found within.

Just can’t decide what you love more – nature, culture, or art? Then the Huntington Library is an absolute must for your romantic endeavors. In addition to a lush and gorgeous rose garden nestled among other gardens (the very epitome of love!), you’ll also find an astonishing manuscript collection, a vibrant art gallery, and a world-class research library.

Indulge your fandom at Madame Tussauds Hollywood

So you love nothing more than a cozy evening in with your partner and some Netflix? There’s no reason why your love of TV and movies needs to stay at home when you embark on a romantic evening. Pay a visit to Madame Tussauds Hollywood for some unparalleled fan experiences. This popular wax museum is organized into separate, themed sections that cover everything from famous athletes to pop icons to movie stars.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood is bound to have a version of someone you admire so you can take plenty of selfies with your favorite stars. After you’ve had the chance to “meet” the celebrities in amazing wax replicas, head to the Hollywood Museum to pore over their vast collections of movie memorabilia and artifacts. A visit here is a great opportunity to go behind the scenes of some of your favorite movie franchises.

Take in a show

chinese-theatre-hollywood-road

With such a large population of talented actors, musicians, artists, and more, it's no surprise that LA has an amazing theater scene. From high-class performances like opera and classical music to indie theater and funky art installations, you’ll find it all here. Be sure to look out for some free or low-cost community events, too.

If you prefer to keep your entertainment in the spirit of Hollywood, watch a romantic movie! As you might expect, there are also several beautiful movie theaters to enjoy, like the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre and Egyptian Theatre.

For fans of the Academy Awards, don't miss the chance to take a tour of the Dolby Theatre. It's an elegant building with a grand spiral staircase and an intricately-decorated ceiling. A visit here will bring you to the same backstage areas that the biggest names in Hollywood have inhabited. While you're here, be sure to stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see if you can spot your favorite celeb's star.

Enjoy a scenic cruise

What could be better than a romantic afternoon with your loved one aboard a sightseeing cruise? If you're visiting LA on a romantic getaway and aren't familiar with the city, the Long Beach Harbor Cruise can be an excellent way to see the sights and enjoy some quality time together.

If you're taking the cruise around Valentine's Day, it's important to remember that February falls in the middle of grey whale season. Keep an eye out for these rare beauties! A big fan of whales and other marine mammals? The whale watching option from Long Beach Cruises may be right for you.

A cornucopia of romantic activities

So there you have it. Our list of some romantic things to do in Los Angeles, just in time for Valentine's Day. Please note that the special events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed. Happy Valentine's!

Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®  

Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Stuart Bak

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