Romantic LA

Romantic Restaurants and Excursions in Los Angeles

I'm a firm believer that you can make your own romance anywhere with the right person, but let's face it, a stunning backdrop, extravagant gesture or perfect table for two can't hurt. Here are a few things you can do in LA to add a little romance to your visit.

Dinner with a View

Here are some dining opportunities that that provide awe-inspiring backdrops for a romantic evening in LA.

Yamashiro
1999 N. Sycamore Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90068
Phone: (323) 466-5125
This Japanese restaurant with Cal-Asian cuisine offers a fine dining experience perched high above the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are beautiful gardens and views from Hollywood to the Pacific Ocean. You can enjoy the view from most tables even if you're not right next to the window. Tables on the inner courtyard don't have the same view, but are situated in a romantic garden setting. If you're not a sushi fan, don't worry. There's steak and grilled fish on the menu too. Reservations Recommended.

Geoffrey's Malibu
27400 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 457-1519
This classic establishment nestled on a lush Malibu hillside has peerless views of the Pacific coastline. It was voted one of LA's best proposal spots on Citysearch. Good for celebrity sighting too. Reservations Required.

The Sky Room
40 S Locust Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 983-2703
Be Fred Astaire to her Ginger Rogers when you take her for dinner and dancing at the elegant Art Deco Sky Room on top of the historic Breakers building in Long Beach. From this height, you can see up and down the coast, and on a clear winter day, there is a stunning view of the LA basin with snowcapped mountains in the background. Reservations Recommended.

The Restaurant at the Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-6810
The restaurant at the Getty Center in Brentwood has a beautiful view of the Santa Monica Mountains, perfect for a sunset dinner. Unfortunately, they're only open for dinner Friday and Saturday nights. You can get the daytime view over lunch Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations Recommended.

Café at the End of the Universe
2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
This casual café at the Griffith Observatory is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant. It may have an industrial feel with exposed ceiling pipes and plastic tables and chairs, but you can't beat the panoramic view from the Hollywood Sign to Downtown LA and on a really clear day, all the way to Catalina Island. It's the perfect romantic end to a hike in Griffith Park, or a preview to a night of star-gazing through the Observatory's Zeiss telescope, and it won't break the bank.

Going the Extra Mile

Gondola Getaway
5437 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, California
(562) 433-9595
A romantic one-hour Alamitos Bay cruise on an authentic Italian gondola, complete with gondolier (who will croon upon request) and food basket.

Los Angeles Sunset Romance Flight
Watch the sun set and the LA lights come on with a private plane flight for two over Los Angeles with Hollywood Aviators - $210 per couple. Fifty minute flights leave from the Van Nuys Airport. A dinner option, daytime flights and flying lessons are also available.

Los Angeles Romantic Helicopter Night Flight
Spend 40 minutes with a bird's eye view of the city from $233 per person, including hotel pick up. A Champagne and hors d'oeuvres upgrade is available if you're planning to pop the question.

Prices subject to change. Check the venue web sites for most current prices.