Budget Friendly Date Ideas To Try This Summer

Goodbye, dinner and a movie. With a little creativity, dating in Los Angeles doesn't have to require stacks of cash. Think outside the box with these fun ideas to have a memorable date without breaking the bank.

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Set Up a Picnic While You Watch Shakespeare in the Park

When: Every Wednesday until September 1st

Where: Griffith Park

Shake out your picnic blankets, gather a few of your favorite snacks and drinks, and get ready for a truly magical night of Shakespeare in Griffith Park! It’s one of our favorite things to do every summer, and the best part is that it’s freeeeee (donations are encouraged though).

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Visit the Getty Villa then drive a few miles to Casa Nostra for a Meal

When: Whenever! But this is especially good on a Mon, Tues, Wed because you can bring your own wine without a corkage fee

Where: Pacific Palisades

Venture out to the Getty Villa, where you'll enjoy art, architecture and free admission (parking is about $15 though). After you show off your love for the arts, take a short, beautiful drive (3 miles) to Casa Nostra where you can bring your favorite bottle of wine on Mon/Tues/Weds (free corkage!). 

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Grab a glass of wine and watch a live band at Bar Bandini

When: Every Sunday

Where: Echo Park

Every Sunday Bar Bandini hosts ‘Sunset Sounds’ on their back patio. It’s a live jazz band that plays music while the sunsets. Bar Bandini also has one of the best wine selections in the city, so the environment is perfect for a lowkey (yet still impressive) date night.

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Visit the Museum of Jurassic Technology then grab a bite to eat

When: Whenever! (but you need to make an appointment)

Where: Culver City

Have a hearty debate over what is and isn't real at the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Admission is $12, and you’ll need to make an appointment prior to showing up (someone who plans ahead is guaranteed to impress their date). If the date goes well you can walk over to the  Citizen Public Market and grab a bite to eat or a drink.

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Browse the galleries at Bergamot Station 

When: Tuesday - Saturday

Where: Santa Monica

Browse the galleries at Bergamot Station (there’s no admission fee) and enjoy a snack at the Bergamot Cafe. This a great place to walk, talk, explore the art scene, and as a bonus it’s dog friendly so you can even bring your pup!

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Go on a long walk (or bike ride) on a beach

When: Anytime!

Where: Santa Monica (The Strand)...or any beach really

This 22-mile bike path follows nearly the entire length of LA's westward coastline, starting at Will Rogers State Beach and stretching down to Torrance County Beach. For a date, though, we recommend strolling instead of cycling. Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach offer particularly pedestrian-friendly stretches, ideal for admiring beautiful oceanfront homes, dining at seaside restaurants, or even setting up a picnic.

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Watch a Film Screening with ‘Silver Lake Shorts’

When: Varies every month

Where: Silver Lake

We are such big fans of the ‘Silver Lake Shorts’ monthly screening at El Cid in Silver Lake (plus it’s free!). We recommend showing up early to grab a drink and an ideal seat inside the venue. Sitting inside at a table is the best place to order food while you watch the films (we love dinner and a show). Once the show is over the venue will become very crowded, so head out of El Cid and walk down Sunset Blvd toward some other iconic spots in town where you can continue the conversation without yelling over a crowd.

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Go on a Bike Ride along the LA River 

When: Whenever!

Where: Frogtown

We love the bike path along the LA River near Frogtown. It’s a super easy ride, so you and your date and cruise together without breaking too much of a sweat. The best part about this bike path are all of the food and drink options available right off the path. Every venue is bike friendly too so you can lock up your bike while you enjoy a snack (or meal) along the route. We recommend parking your car at the Griffith Park Dog Park, and take the route south toward At Water/Frogtown (this is where all of the restaurants are).

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