By Aurelio Locsin
Fun Things to Do on a Date in Los Angeles
Though often billed as a tourist mecca,
Los Angeles also offers many attractions for locals, especially those out on a date. Interested in outdoor activities, people-watching, luxury or bargain-hunting? This list offers seven varied options. For a more intimate experience, you can avoid crowds at these attractions by timing your visit early in the day.
Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car
Rolls Royce Phantom
Ramp up the cool factor by cruising the streets and visiting night clubs in an exotic luxury car. An Aston Martin Roadster costs $1,950 a day, while a Rolls Royce Phantom costs just under $3,000 per day. Miles are free for the first 50 and $1 to $2 each after that. You'll require a credit card, driver's license and an excellent driving record. Full coverage insurance is also needed.
Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car
9732 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(800) 479-5996
www.bhrentacar.com
Warner Brothers Studio Tour
"Friends" set at Warner Brothers
This working studio offers a peek into Hollywood magic without the adrenalin hype of Universal. It has two-across seating in 12-person trams as you view the street from "Casablanca," the sound stage from "Jurassic Park" and a prop shop with guns from "Lethal Weapon." Tours cost $45, last about 2 hours and run weekdays, 8:20 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Warner Brothers Studio Tour
3400 Riverside Dr.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 972-8687
www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour
Gondola Getaways
Long Beach with Naples in the top left
Want to cruise in a Venetian-style gondola down the waterways of Naples, near Long beach? Not all the gondoliers sing, but they'll steer you through some expansive yachts and distinctive houses. Bring some wine and book a sunset time slot for more romance. cruises start at $75 for two people and last about 50 minutes. A small food basket is provided, but gourmet appetizers are available for $3 to $5 a person.
Gondola Cruises
5437 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 433-9595
www.gondolagetawayinc.com
Rose Bowl Flea Market
With over 2,500 vendors, this world-famous swap meet is a secret way of finding out what gifts your date likes to receive. Antique sideboards, hand-made dolls, vintage clothing and as-seen-on-TV devices seem pricey at first, but some haggling drops their cost to bargain levels. Admission is $8 per person, though parking is free. The market runs every second Sunday of the month.
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Pasadena Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Dr.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(323) 560-7469 (M to F, 9 to 5)
www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowlFleaMarket/tabid/52/Default.aspx
Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory
Over 4,100 acres of hiking, picnicking and horseback riding as well as a railroad, theater and zoo offer a lifetime of dating options. The most romantic views of Los Angeles are from the observatory, but only when smog doesn't shroud the city. Though the park itself is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., trails and mountain roads close at sunset.
Griffith Park
4400 Crystal Springs Dr.
Los Feliz, CA 90027
(323) 913-4688
www.ci.la.CAus/rap/dos/parks/griffithPK/index.htm
Venice Boardwalk
Venice Beach
As you stroll down the concrete boardwalk known as Ocean Front Walk, see how your date reacts to different kinds of characters: bikini-clad grannies, bare-chested bodybuilders, roller-skating guitarists, easel-bound street artists and camera-toting tourists. The people-watching is most interesting when it's most crowded on weekends. Start your tour of L.A. personalities at the end of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and continue north for 2 miles onto the Santa Monica pier.
Venice Beach
N. Venice Blvd and Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
www.venicebeach.com
About the Author:
Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.
Photo Credits:
R.B. Canning. Wikimedia commons under GNU Free Documentation License, Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike.
