Image Santa Barbara Botanic GardensOur research was enthusiastic while our investigations led us to ask friends and experts for help on the subject matter. The criteria were largely restricted to venues and non-commercial venues, with few exceptions such as the Hollywood Bowl. With its year-round great weather and diverse geographic regions, Southern California offers so many romantic possibilities that copilling a much bigger list should be, maybe, the most correct, but at least, our list is more about narrowing down the most amorous options.

From charming beaches and a dinner date under the sky to some romantic obvious choices and hot spots that you need to pay some fee, we were determined by three main factors: setting, privacy, and ambience. Setting is quite straightforward, referring simply to location and view. Privacy allows amorous couples to say or do what they please without fear of being overheard or disturbing others. Ambience includes a multitude of factors, but we think that one of the most importants is that it encourages intimacy and allows for uninterrupted affectionate discourse.

Brimming with romance, there are a plethora of romantic places to visit with your sweetheart. Let’s go to our list! We initiated with Southern California.

Image L.A Hollywood Bowl1) Hollywood Bowl – One of the best concert venues in the world! So romantic! You and your lover can see legends performing here, from Billy Joel and Sergio Mendes to Earth Wind & Fire and best of the Classic with the L.A Philharmonic. It is also the home of the Playboy Jazz Festival. In 2022 the Bowl is celebrating “100 Years of Summer”. Tucked into rolling hills, its where the bustle of a busy city disappears, replaced by a sense of anticipation and excitement. The world-famous shell plays host to some of the most influential and unforgettable artists, and, beyond the stage, a community forms as Los Angeles shares in a night of music under the stars! If you want romance, this is the best place to see a concert! Yes, you need to pay, but it is totally worth it. Fun and music, memorable and romantic.

2Gondola Amore – Romance amidst the crystal waters. One of the many romantic places to visit in L.A, a gondola ride at Redondo Beach lets you experience Venice in Los Angeles. This is one of the most romantic spots and undoubtedly one of the most romantic things to do in the “City of Angels” at night. Cozy up during the sunset or under the light of the moon, enjoy some fine wine, and admire the picturesque beauty of the city with your better half. Free and PAID options.

Image Burton Chace Park in Los Angeles Web3) Marina Del Rey / Burton Chace Park – Romantic dinner cruise or picnic.The best way to surprise your partner in Los Angeles is by taking them out on a romantic dinner cruise. Dance to the melodic tunes and have the night of your life with your love. Of course, you need to pay for it, but you can access the park totally free and set up a picnic in front of the marina, with a spectacular view! A late afternoon at Burton Chace Park is with no doubt a great option! FREE and PAID options.

4) El Matador State Beach – Home to endless serenity, this small, beautiful, and surrounded majorly by rocky outcrops, this beach is not only one of the best ones to visit, but also one of the most romantic places on the coast of Malibu for a date! Arrive either too early here or later in the evening to enjoy the beauty of the dawn at one of the top spots to kiss, lie down and relax, talk love to each other, and watch the high tides coming. Totally FREE. AQUI TEM IMAGEM

5) Exposition Park Rose Garden – Vibrancy is the second name. Known as one of L.A’s best-kept secrets, this garden is an amazing spot for couples. The colorful aura of the place takes you away from the bustling city life and offers a beautiful backdrop for photography. The park also houses the California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and other great attractions. Get ready to take a romantic stroll by the roses, click some lovey-dovey pictures together, and take home memories for a lifetime at one of the most romantic spots in Los Angeles. Totally FREE.

griffith observatory 3028323 12806) Griffith Observatory – The star studded sky at its best. Being one of Southern California’s top attractions and iconic landmarks, the Observatory gives you the opportunity to admire the sky and the surrounding universe like never before. The Observatory sits 1,134 feet above the sea level and offers some of the most romantic views in Los Angeles. No doubt, it is considered one of the most romantic places in L.A. Totally FREE. 

7) Mulholland Drive – Get a romantic bike ride. While you’re out and about in the serene land of Los Angeles, taking a break from the regular routes is always going to be fun. This is so because there is no shortage of romantic places to visit in L.A. So, rent a bike, get your loved one and ride along the mesmerizing views that Mulholland drive has to offer! It is surely one of the most exhilarating things you guys can do in SoCal. Sounds enticing, doesn’t it? At least, different and romantic too! A fifteen-minute drive from Laurel Canyon Blvd. Totally FREE.

8) Santa Barbara Botanic Garden – Specializing in West Coast flora, this stunning botanic garden features a variety of habitats that focus on showcasing – and conserving, California’s native plants. Across 75 acres of terrain are desert, meadow, ridge and redwood forest vistas. Other displays illustrate how to use similar plants, particularly drought tolerant varieties, in domestic environments. Guided tours are available on weekends and themed self-guided tours are accessible at any time. Throughout the year, concerts, lectures and other special programs expand the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s educational efforts. There is also a retail shop on site, offering books, nature-inspired gifts and locally made wildflower honey. Yes, this place has romance in the air! Totally FREE.

9) Butterfly Beach – This beach in Santa Barbara looks west, unlike most of Santa Barbara’s south-facing beaches. That makes it one of the few Californian beaches where you can watch the sunset instead of the sunrise. This beautiful sandy beach is perfect for romantic strolls. Bring a bottle of champagne and take a seat on the rock wall that lines the upper part of the beach, offering a comfortable vantage point with stunning views (even on not-so-sunny days). Because it’s located in the celeb haven of Montecito, there is no shortage of nearby post-beach fun. Fancy shopping, award-winning eats and luxury spas are just minutes away. Totally FREE.

Image Torrey Panes Estate Reserve10) Hike Torrey Pines State Reserve – Getting away from it all makes for some of the best romantic things to do in San Diego and there is no better place than this reserve. Spend a few hours walking along the rocky cliffs of the San Diego coastline and watch colorful gliders cruising through the sky. Hike one of the trails or relax on the nearby beach (if you hike down to the beach, remember that you have to hike back up). Totally FREE. AQUI TEM IMAGEM

11) Walk Along the Embarcadero to Seaport Village – The pedestrianized Embarcadero along the San Diego Bay is a great romantic destination in San Diego for couples. The many parks in the area are perfect for picnics and scenery or you can later go to one of the many popular restaurants. Along the way, you’ll spot pieces of public art like the (controversial) Unconditional Surrender statue near the USS Midway Museum. The couple can also stop at the new Portside Pier for some pub fare or gelato. Those who just want to admire the view can snap some pics and rest on the second-floor viewing deck. If you keep heading south you’ll wind up at Seaport Village, another stop for some fun, shopping, and even kite flying. Seaport Village is also the embarkation point for the Old Town Trolley Tour, which is a great way to scope out other romantic things to do in San Diego as the tour takes you through city attractions like the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Balboa Park, and even over to Coronado. Totally FREE.

 Image San Diego Sunset Cliffs12) Catch the Sunset at Sunset Cliffs – One of the top romantic date ideas is to watch the sunset from the top of Sunset Cliffs. No matter what time of the day you come here, you and your special someone will revel in the natural beauty of this west coast attraction. Located just south of Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs is named for its craggy bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The cliffs are popular year-round in San Diego for lovers who want to watch the sun sink into the surf. However, make sure to get to the park early as both locals and tourists flock to this area to witness the fiery colors. Totally FREE. 

13) La Jolla Cove – Adventures and romance. An ideal date spot because of its sheer beauty. It’s one of the most photographed places in all of San Diego. From here, you can take a leisurely walk along the picturesque shoreline north or south (though you’ll likely stop to see the antics of the resident sea lions). Walk south to the Children’s Pool where the seals rest on the beach (Dec to May), passing smaller, more rustic, and less crowded beaches like Shell Beach along the way. Walk north up to The Cave Store (maybe taking a pit stop into Sunny Jim Sea Cave) to enter Coast Walk Trail. The seaside trail hugs the coastline, with panoramic views of the La Jolla Underwater Park, all the way to La Jolla Shores Beach. Remember, you can start or end your adventure at restaurants located in one of the remaining historic beach cottages – or pack to set up a picnic! Totally FREE. AQUI TEM IMAGEM

14) Cruise San Diego Bay – There’s no better way to see San Diego than from the deck of a boat. You’ll have several options for romantic sailing date ideas, including a casual daytime harbor cruise with drinks or a more formal dinner cruise. Sunset cruises are among the most popular as you and your special someone can spend time viewing the city skyline at night. Enjoy the antics of seabirds, sea breezes, and picturesque downtown San Diego. Make sure to steal a smooch with your sweetie under the Coronado Bridge as legend says doing so will bring good luck. Of course, in this case, you need some dollars upfront.

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