Looking for a romantic getaway in the heart of the city? Find it in Los Angeles! We’ve partnered with Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal to discover her favorite ways to enjoy this bustling city with your better half.
A city as beautiful as Los Angeles offers endless romantic ideas for couples. It can start with something as simple as a stroll on one of the world’s most famous beaches or a ride in a luxury convertible down a palm tree-lined street. Los Angeles offers a huge array of activities — both economical and luxe — to give couples enough choices to have a date night daily. Enjoy my top picks of how to do L.A. like a local couple.
Relaxing walk to the pool at Island Hotel Newport Beach
Outdoor Shopping:
Well it is L.A. isn’t it? Rodeo Drive is more like a tourist attraction than a shopping experience. A true L.A. couple heads out to Fashion Island in the Newport Beach a. It is the mecca of retail shopping for all that is trendy and cool in California. New and upcoming brands like Brandy Melville, features affordable bohemian styles with beach comfort. My personal favorite is nearby … the relaxing Koi Pond, where one will find my favorite store, Kendra Scott, a Hollywood elite household name.
Koi Pond at Fashion Island
Quick Getaway:
Right across the street from the mall is the Island Hotel Newport Beach. This hotel represents the region so well it has a Californian pulse. Find many local couples enjoying outdoor dining at Oak Grill, while being entertained by live music. Here, Chef March Johnson uses an artisanal approach to craft a bold, creative, simple-yet-elegant menu. From anywhere in California it is worth the drive. Utilize the 20th floor Island Club while staying there for both upgraded luxury amenities and sweeping views of the Newport Beach coast and harbor. Let the Island Club concierge arrange a couple’s massage at their spa, which has one of the best massage therapists in the world. Therapists here have worked on L.A.’s elite, so be sure to experience a massage like a true star. Then you will be ready for an evening in the Aqua Lounge, where the perfect cocktail awaits.
Duffy Boat headed to Balboa Island
Get Outdoors:
One of the most unique and so-Cali weekend morning activities is renting a Duffy boat at the Bayside Marina and discovering Balboa Island. Locals pack a champagne picnic brunch and view seas lions, yachts and location-inspired homes. Still hungry? There a ton of dining spots on the island. Get there early since parking is extremely limited. After brunch, check out some of the postage-stamp sized multi-million dollar homes on the island that the epitome of location, location, location!
Ritz-Carlton LA Club Lounge
Have a Staycation:
Many couples enjoy a staycation evolving around entertainment. The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles is perfectly located within the L.A. LIVE entertainment district. Just steps away one can enjoy The GRAMMY Museum and the Staples Center. You in L.A., so dine at the celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 for both stunning views and Asian-inspired cuisine on the 24th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles. Need more star-powered food? The perfect lunch can be found at Ford’s Filling Station in the lobby of the JW Marriott Los Angeles. Harrison Ford’s son Ben Ford, has perfected the American meal just for your enjoyment. Staying on the Ritz-Carlton club floor will make your trip seamless as their top concierges anticipate your needs almost before you do. Need the perfect cup of espresso or Disneyland tickets? Just stay seated enjoying your mimosa while they do the rest. I have stayed on several club floors in the past, including those at multiple Ritz-Carltons, and the staff here go way above the call-of-duty.
Ritz-Carlton LA Couples Treatment Room
Spa Day:
Couples who get away together need to relax together, too. While in L.A., I checked out the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles Spa and found the Spa Sanctuary almost too good to be true. Get treated like a starlet in classic Hollywood glamour at this 8,000-squ-foot spa. Reserve the Couple’s Suite for your own private serenity during your treatments. VIP inspired spa treatments range from a Champagne and Shimmer Body Treatment to a Red Carpet Radiance. You and your loved one can then unwind in their co-ed Sanctuary. Continue the VIP Status when you return to your Ritz L.A. hotel room with a star “Do Not Disturb” sign adorned with your very own gold VIP rope on your door!
Pink’s Hot Dogs in Hollywood
Cheap Date:
Everyone in L.A. is obsessed with hot dogs and doughnuts. While they also seem OCD with outdoor exercise, this seems to be their cheat outlet. While doughnuts can be found at multiple chains like Krispy Kreme, hot dogs get serious at independent restaurants. The king of hot dogs in L.A. is Pink’s Hot Dogs, a Hollywood tradition since 1939. Take a brisk jog on the beach and then head to Pink’s!
Early Coffee:
Early morning coffee is a ritual in L.A. taken both quick and slow. An exciting random find was in the lobby of the JW Marriott L.A. While around town, my husband and I spotted numerous cafes featuring illy coffee, my fave. Imagine my delight to find one in the lobby of the JW Marriott! I found all baristas here to take their coffee creations seriously to the delight of my tastebuds.
Chocolate:
After eating some of the finest chocolates around the world, I did not expect to find a refined flavor in L.A. John Kelly Chocolates were not only a vision for the eyes, but made sure my tastebuds felt like a VIP too. This chocolate shop got started on Sunset Boulevard, and it is said that even those that don’t like chocolate love theirs!
Luxury Ride:
When you arrive in L.A., don’t rent one of those little box cars. Yes, there those in L.A. who love a tiny eco-friendly car, but my experience says that is all that will fit in their steep driveways. A true L.A. VIP drives a luxury car to ease the large amount of time they spend in L.A. traffic. If you want to feel like a local, rent a Silvercar. Not only will your star-studded service start directly at the airport luggage a, it will follow you throughout your visit. Take that Silvercar and tour Beverly Hills with the Weezer song cranked up high. Then cruise down the infamous palm tree-lined street while Randy Newman decls “I Love L.A.”!
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