Cheap Date Ideas in Los Angeles (that are still impressive)
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A List of local date ideas and day trips to impress your next date this Fall.
Apple Picking at Los Rio Rancho
Location: Oak Glen
This is the perfect getaway to take your date for a cute outdoor activity. Put on a good playlist, pack some snacks, and drive over to Los Rios Rancho for the freshest apples this season. You can choose to hike up a small hill or take a $6 tractor ride up to the orchard. For $4.50/lb, fill your bag with Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonagold, and Red Delicious apples, perfect for baking some seasonal pies! Want to stop for a quick pick-me up before the ride back home, drive just up the road to Snow-Line Orchard for some irresistibly hot mini cider donuts and cider.
Pick a pumpkin then go pumpkin carving
Locations: Various Locations, but this specific one is in Culver City
With pumpkin patches around LA, stroll through some locals like Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch, and pick out the perfect pumpkins to carve at home with your date after. Admissions vary at each patch depending on your price point. Mr. Bones ranges between $13-$20 (depending on the day) where you will receive $5 Pumpkin Bucks to apply towards your picked out pumpkin. The rustic setting and festive atmosphere make for a fun, playful, and charming autumn date that will have you feeling young again. Spice up the date with pumpkin carving and wine sipping at home for a cozier date moment.
Link to Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch.
Day trip to Lavender Nights
Location: Beaumont
Take a trip to Lavender Nights at 123 Farms for day or night filled lavender themed activities, shops and goodies. Purchase an À La Carte Dining Option ticket for just $30 (per person - sorry) for access to the garden, drink voucher, and complimentary parking. This romantic date provides a charming walk through the garden as you and your date indulge in lavender-infused treats like the Lavender Fig + Goat Cheese Pizza and Lavender Beer-Marinated Chicken BBQ. Reserve a cozy fire pit for some late night s’mores while enjoying live music. It’s a date that feels like stepping into a fairy tale with twinkling lights to guide your way through the lavender gardens, so secure a spot before the festival ends on the 27th and the new holiday holiday festival begins.
Watch a movie on a Rooftop
Location: Downtown LA
Rooftop Cinema Club is the perfect setting for a cute fall date this cozy season. The intimate atmosphere allows you to immerse yourself in this season’s classic films such as Hocus Pocus, Twilight, Scream and many more films, with comfy deck chairs, personal headphones, and warm blankets that’ll want to have you snuggled up. You can sip on crafted cocktails or enjoy classic snacks from the bar, creating that classic "movie date" experience with a unique blend of comfort and romance. So book yourself an Adirondack Love Seat + Popcorn ticket for just $29 (per person) and cozy up on top of breathtaking rooftop views to enjoy October favorites.
Cozy night in baking fall-themed treats together!
Location: home!
For a cozy night in, get creative by baking spooky or fall-themed treats together. From pumpkin-shaped cookies to spooky cupcakes, you can bond, share childhood stories, and make delicious desserts to enjoy together after. Make it a bonding grocery trip run to pick up ingredients, put on some music in the background, and start baking for an eventful night. The warmth of the kitchen and sweet smells filling the air create an intimate fall date that’s both memorable and seasonally tasty!
Picnic and Live music at Culver City Steps
Location: Culver City
With numerous choices for food/snacks along the Downtown Culver strip to order from, or a personalized charcuterie board you packed yourself, Culver City steps is the perfect place to picnic with your date while sharing stories and people watching at the plaza. Indulge yourself in some dessert after from Salt n Straw just right next door to the steps while you enjoy a night of live music playing across downtown. If you’re spending a date night out with your partner or just getting to know them, this romantic idea is not only affordable but has creativity and effort, sure to impress your date.
Pedal and Picnic at Echo Park!
Location: Echo Park
Enjoy Echo Park’s iconic date night where you and your date can enjoy the crisp autumn air and take in the city’s peaceful lake. Costing just $13 (per person) for an hour on the lake, this peaceful ride offers a perfect setting to get to know your date and laugh together as you paddle along. Day or LED lit boat options are open to the public. So come take a stroll in the park before you surprise your date with an unforgettable date activity. Be sure to stop by Piknik located inside the boathouse for some seasonal Scandinavian bites, coffees, and juices.
Experience Oktoberfest: Food, Music, and Wiener Dog Races!
Location: Huntington Beach
For a more traditional take, Old World Oktoberfest offers an authentic German celebration with folk music, festive costumes, delicious foods from bavarian pretzels, sauerkraut, to various bratwurst. With such a spectacular event offering free admission to tickets up to $35, you and your date can immerse yourselves in the lively atmosphere as you dance the night away with live entertainment. In theme with the event, snag yourself a ticket ($8) to watch weiner dogs race at the 2024 Wiener Nationals Dachshund Races. Make this date special with a seasonal favorite event you won’t want to miss.
Visit Magic of the Jack O’ Lantern
Location: Whittier
Step into a whimsical trail of glowing pumpkins at the Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns. You and your date can stroll through enchanting displays of hand carved jack o’ lanterns, each one telling a different story. The light show is a dreamy atmosphere perfect for a sweet autumn evening together while sipping on hot chocolate and enjoying apple cider donuts. Tickets cost $29 tickets so be sure to book ahead and mesmerize your date with a cozy seasonal activity.
Romantic Date by the Canals!
Location: Venice
The Canals are a charming and idyllic spot for a cute date that feels like a little escape from the city’s noise. The area is lined with charming houses, and pedestrian bridges. It's peaceful and intimate, offering a sense of privacy, making it the perfect setting for a low-key yet meaningful date filled with great conversations and even better company. To make the date even more special, pack a small snack or drink to share as you find a bench or spot by the water.
City Views and Star Gazing at Griffith Observatory
Location: Griffith Park
If you’re new to LA or just looking for a romantic late night drive, Griffith Observatory is a classic must-go destination. The observatory is not only free to check out and watch the planetarium show inside, but offers stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles outside. Impress your date with a picnic on the grass or watch the city sparkle with your date. This destination has plenty of opportunities to stargaze inside and out, creating the perfect romantic movie-moment atmosphere.
Mini Golf Date Night at Castle Park!
Location: Sherman Oaks
Castle Park is the spot for a fun activity filled date night. For only $12 per person, indulge yourselves in a full game of miniature golf filled with challenges, laughs, and new memories. For an extra layer of cheesiness, recreate those romantic movie scene moments and show your partner how to swing. Castle Park not only has mini golf, but also offers arcade games with $25+ game cards, and batting cages. So if you’re tired of drinks on a first date, this is a fun new way to break the ice and see your potential in a new element.
Milkshake Date Night in PJs at Mel’s Drive in
Location: West Hollywood
From now until October 31st, enjoy a FREE milkshake at Mel’s Drive-In! Grab your date and head to their West Hollywood location in your coziest PJs for a touch of romance over a delicious treat. The charming diner atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for a cozy meal followed by a sweet surprise on the house. Plus, rocking PJs for a date is the ultimate fall vibe!
Watch Jazz with a Glass of Wine at LACMA
Location: Mid-Wilshire
Celebrate Los Angeles' top jazz musicians at Jazz at LACMA, happening on Friday evenings through October. Nearby, you’ll find two great dining options: LACMA Café serves up classic L.A. street fare like smash burgers, chicken tenders, fries, and salads, while LACMA Marketplace offers grab-and-go favorites, including full meals, snacks, and drinks. It’s the perfect date idea—enjoy live music, grab a bite, and stroll through the charming area afterward.
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