fun date ideas (because love don't cost a thing)

A quick laundry list of fun date ideas that go beyond dinner-and-a-movie. For specifics and more details on venues and pricing, visit my other Entertainment pages “Free Events & Things to Do” and “Cheap, Fun Things to Do”. 

• Malibu Wines (picnic, you can bring outside food but no outside alcohol)

• Malibu Safari (zoo + wine tasting)

• Picnics (visit my blog for the top scenic spots to have a beach picnic) 

• Sample fruits and other artisanal treats at a Farmer’s Market

• Outlet shopping (Orange, Camarillo, Citadel)

• Day Trips (Daycation ideas on the blog) 

Sports & Athleticism! Because science keeps reminding us, the couple who elevates their heart rates together stays together!

• Driving range (Westchester, Lakes at El Segundo, Rancho Park, Aroma) It’s typically about $5 - $8 for a basket of balls, bring cash!

• LAX gun range (will occasionally have a Groupon for gun rental and ammo)

• Tennis - play doubles (need courts? Hermosa Beach, Playa Vista, Glen Alla park in Marina del Rey, Culver City on Culver Blvd & Elenda St)

• Ice skating at Toyota Center 

• Pier to Pier running or walking Manhattan to Hermosa Piers and grabbing lunch and real estate window shopping the houses on the Strand  

• Bowling

• Batting cages 

• Archery (free weekend classes) visit my "Free Events & Things to Do" page for more info

• Participate in a themed run (Mud Run, Color Run)

• Indoor rock climbing (Check Groupon for deals) 

• Hiking (easy hikes, minimal snakes here) visit my "Free Events & Things to Do" page for places to hike

• Grocery shopping (while high) and cooking random things while Netflix plays in the background

• Rollerblading and grabbing ice cream at the Venice Beach boardwalk

• Free Cooking Classes at Revolutionario (call for availability)

• Take a yin yoga class together - it’s restorative and what better way to unwind together than by laying in different poses (while possibly falling asleep!) I love these studios: Green Yogi (Manhattan Beach), Yoga Bliss (Westchester), Mind Body Soul Yoga (Playa Vista). For free yoga classes, visit my "Free Events & Things to Do" page

• Public Karaoke (Bars such as Blue Goose Lounge in Los Feliz is the shit, Gaslight in Santa Monica, Boardwalk 11 in Mar Vista) For more Public Karaoke places in LA, visit my "Cheap, Fun Things to Do" page

• Hookah Lounge (For places to Hookah, visit my "Unique Things to Do" page)

• Rollerblade at World on Wheels (Mid-City) or Moonlight (Glendale) (World on Wheels - average $15 - $20 for admission & free skate rental, depending on time and day of the week; Moonlight average $11 admission + $5 skate rental)

• Meditation (use sites like meetup.com to search for free Meditation groups & RSVP together)

• Take a dance class together (For first-time-free dance class offerings, visit my “First Class Free” page under the Fitness tab)

• Couples Massage (check Groupon for a deal or visit my "Unique Things to Do" page for couples massage place listings) 

• Do a weekend trip to visit a hot springs such as Remington Hot Springs or Gaviotta Hot Springs in Santa Barbara, both which top my list of being the 2 most hassle-free options of all the hot springs in SoCal.

• Participate in a 5 cent wine & beer tasting at BevMo every Friday from 4 - 7 pm!

• Peruse sites like Rush49 to look up various events and activities, anything from adrenaline-building hand gliding to 5k’s to watching your favorite sports team in Premier Suite seating.