Believe it or not, romance isn’t dead… you just have to go looking for it. Luckily, you don’t have to go too far — because we’ve already done all the precious work for you. All you have to do is peruse the incredible options on our list and take a willing participant with you, or even just a solo date. Whether it’s a candlelit date night, a luxurious massage, or a movie in a classic venue — you can’t escape the magic happening this Valentine’s Day. Here are charming ways to celebrate the day of love in Los Angeles:
1. Wander through a cosmic universe at Astra Lumina
The South Coast Botanic Garden is an incredibly romantic place on any given day, but when it’s illuminated with millions of multicolored installations that put the celestial realm right before you, it’s truly magical. Take your crush on a night stroll amongst the stars at the South Coast Botanical Garden’s Astra Lumina experience. Get your tickets for the Astra Lumina experience here.
📍 Location: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
2. Be dazzled at this Valentine’s Day burlesque show
Step into an exclusive soirée like no other! Since its debut in 2009, TRiPTease Burlesque has dazzled audiences with over 1,000 artists, earning its title as L.A.’s longest-running weekly show. Slip through the secret side entrance, past the doorman, and into a vintage, nautical-themed wonderland with a fully stocked bar. Every performance is a one-of-a-kind sultry experience. Don’t miss this iconic LA tradition — grab your tickets for TRiPTease Burlesque Speakeasy by The Dollface Dames today!
3. Take in an ambient Candlelight concert at a beautiful and historic venue in L.A.
There are few things as magical as listening to top musicians playing classical renditions in a historic venue bathed in glimmering candlelight. These exceptional Candlelight Concert series never fail to captivate audiences around the world—which means there’s a good chance your date will be impressed too. To celebrate the month of love, the series is bringing the beloved romantic classics back, from the greatest love songs to Romeo & Juliet. You can even gift the experience to a loved one! Find the perfect evening of candlelit music here.
4. Visit this hidden Japanese garden with an unexpected past
Found in Pasadena, the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful zen retreat with a life full of devastation and triumph. Its constructed bridges, traditional cedar log house, and lush gardens are surrounded by two ponds full of koi fish. As you and your loved one take in the landscape, it’s clear that dedication and patience went into this tranquil masterpiece. Learn more about Storrier Stearns here!
📍 Location: 270 Arlington Dr, Pasadena, CA 91105
5. Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the iconic Ghost
This masterpiece of the seventh art turns 35 this February and what better way to celebrate its anniversary and the month of love, than by doing a rewatch in selected cinemas? Relive the love story of Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) this Valentine’s Day!
6. Bask in history and sip on wine at The 1917
Make your way to this charming romantic restaurant and winery in Downtown L.A., where history and fine wine come together at The 1917 Wine Bar & Bistro. This Valentine’s Day, they’re pulling out all the stops to celebrate love in the most enchanting way. Find a reservation here.
📍 Location: 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031
7. Have a romantic picnic at one of these scenic L.A. parks
Escape the concrete jungle and indulge in a dreamy picnic at one of these enchanting parks in Los Angeles — where nature plays the perfect backdrop for your romantic rendezvous. From a dreamy rose garden to a hidden oasis right in the middle of the city, get the full list of picnic-perfect parks here!
8. Strip down and run for a good cause
The annual Cupid’s Underwear Race is back and better than ever in 2025! If you’re a sports enthusiast, love running, and don’t mind wearing minimal clothing, this is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day differently—all while supporting a great cause: helping raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
🗓️ When: Feb. 15, 2025 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Run starts at 2:00 pm)
📍Location: Mom’s Bar (12238 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025)
9. Choose from Fever’s romantic plans
It can be difficult to come up with new and creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Thankfully, our friends at Fever, the experiential platform, have some of the best events and experiences for you and your Valentine to discover this February. Cabaret performances, wellness days, immersive exhibitions, and a salsa workshop are on Fever’s list of unique activities. What’s more, you can also gift a romantic dinner in the dark for an extra special and sultry experience. Explore all of your options here.
10. Take your significant other to one of these filming locations for a truly cinematic date
Los Angeles is where Hollywood dreams are born and stars are made. It truly is the entertainment capital, and great films have the power to transport you to magical places — and Los Angeles happens to be home to many of them, so why not have a date night that’s straight out of a movie? Whether you’re looking for inspiration or you’re looking for a little reminder that you live in an actual dreamland, here are restaurants you can actually visit from timeless films.
11. Dive into the twinkling universe of Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Infinity Mirrored Rooms’
The iconic installations by the beloved Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama have been illuminating our social feeds for the last decade and we can never seem to get enough. There’s something so magical about this installation that you don’t even need a Valentine’s date for this one. Find out more here.
📍 Location: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
12. Catch romantic flicks on the big screen with Street Food Cinema
Want to make that special someone’s heart flutter? Featuring classics to rom coms, Street Food Cinema will certainly get the job done. Their Valentine’s series is taking place inside one of the oldest movie palaces in DTLA: the Million Dollar Theater. With photo ops, cocktails, and live performances, you’re guaranteed a good time. Find all the seasonal films showing for the month of love here.
13. Discover your inner winemaker Blending Lab Winery
You and your love can discover the inner winemaker with educational tastings and wine-blending experiences at The Blending Lab winery in Los Angeles! They offer a fun and interactive experience where couples can learn the process of winemaking, different flavor notes, and more. Who knows, maybe you’ll both become wine sommeliers! Book your class here.
📍Location: 5151 w. Adams Blvd. LA CA 90016
14. Take up pottery as a new hobby together in 2025
Whether you’re a duo looking to make some magic at the wheel or you want to take a shot at hand-building, these are the best ceramics classes in Los Angeles to officially launch your pottery couple era. Get the full list of pottery spots here!
15. Ice things up with a couples cold therapy plunge
Embrace an icy adventure together and make this Valentine’s Day truly unforgettable! You can relax and pamper yourselves with an infrared sauna, salt therapy, massage — and even take on the challenge of a cold plunge at LIV in West Hollywood. Brace yourselves for a chilly spine-tingling rush and a heartwarming connection like never before. Find more info here!
📍 Location: 7918 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
16. Indulge your taste buds in an unforgettable adventure with Dining in the Dark
This Valentine’s Day, let Dining in the Dark take you on a romantic culinary journey like no other. With a blindfold enhancing your senses, every flavor and aroma becomes a new adventure, transforming each bite into pure magic. In an intimate setting, you’ll break away from the ordinary and rediscover the joy of taste. Make it a night to remember — reserve your spot for Dining in the Dark!
17. Surprise your partner with a romantic Valentine’s getaway
You don’t have to be in L.A. to create special memories together. Just a three-hour drive away, you’ll discover stunning spots in the mountains, desert, or by the beach, perfect for any budget, from cozy and affordable to a little more luxurious! Check out some romantic getaways that are worth the day trip here.
18. Experience some serious pampering with your lover
Luxury can be tricky to navigate in a city filled with endless indulgences, but L.A.’s spa scene makes relaxation effortless. From Michelin-starred dining to world-famous five-star hotels, the possibilities for pampering are limitless. Whether you want to sink into frothy bubble baths, be wrapped in soothing aromatherapy oils, or relax in an elegant marble steam chamber, this guide has it all. Perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day date, a rejuvenating outing with friends, or a little solo self-care, these are the best day spas Los Angeles has to offer.
19. Catch a new release at a drive-in cinema
Netflix and chill is always a good plan… But if you want to take it up a notch and make it more romantic and special, head to one of the most iconic and nostalgic drive-in cinemas around Los Angeles to catch one of the latest releases. Grab your blanket and a bucket of popcorn to enjoy a magical night under the stars with your special someone!
20. Go on a kayaking adventure in the Pacific Ocean
Romance doesn’t have to be limited to indoors because Valentine’s Day is in the middle of February. If you and your special someone like adrenaline, then it’s time to get in a kayak and go out and tame the seas that bathe our coasts. Winter is ideal for this as the water is usually a little calmer and clearer!
21. Have a sultry evening with Gothicumbia
Gothicumbia encourages everyone to dance the night away with “your Boo or come out and find your future tóxica/tóxico!” Get ready to dance the night away to all of your favorite goth, cumbia, and rock en español.
📍 Location: The Regent Theater
🗓️ When: Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
22. Get your partner’s name tattooed on your skin
Want to do something bold and special this February 14th? Then go ahead and take the plunge—no, I’m not talking about marriage or anything traditional. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by carrying your special someone’s name with you forever on your skin with this special tattoo deals. There’s no better tribute than that (and if the relationship doesn’t last, you can always cover it up with something else).
23. Tacos and Tarot
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Tacolina with tacos and tarot! Enjoy a special $65 prix-fixe menu featuring delectable dishes like Oyster Aguachile, Risotto Verde, and Chocolate Tres Leches. Each table will enjoy a complimentary tarot card reading while dining on the romantic outdoor patio.
24. Have a Valentine’s Day dinner to remember
This Valentine’s Day, 1212 Santa Monica offers the ultimate destination for a Valentine’s Day date to remember with roses for couples, a romantic live band, and prix fixe menu. Indulge in a $145 per couple prix-fixe menu, featuring dishes like beef tartare, lobster risotto, and veal loin for a romantic evening.
25. Have a snow-covered weekend getaway at Big Bear plus a giveaway!
The resort town of Big Bear is ideal for a romantic Valentine’s weekend getaway for couples. The fresh snow-covered mountains aren’t the only draw this weekend. The first 100 couples that walk through the Big Bear Visitors Center’s doors on Friday, February 14 get a complimentary Valentine’s Day gift-bag filled with sweetheart goodies. Each gift bag contains locally hand-crafted chocolates, a fresh-cut carnation, a keepsake plush bear, and a club card that offers discounts to various Big Bear restaurants, shops, and attractions.
Originally written by Sophie Len and edited by Sarah Nash.