Hey there hi there!
Welcome to the TTS Love Letter! After a wild week on TikTok (see here and here) I have some fresh learnings from this audience - you want ideas of things to do in the city, and you want them to be affordable. Got it!
Although a few of these ideas get us reallly close to going over budget (and there’s a spendy category at the end $$) - I present to you - 50 date ideas under $50!
Limited Edition Foods + Events
Kumquat’s February drink includes ruby chocolate ganache, pineberry syrup, and rouge chocolate powder. Yum!
Galentine’s Slumber Party at Little Lunch in Venice 2/13 - SO cute!
Singles Only Social Club (SOSO) is hosting an event at Belle’s on 2/14 (for the singles who are feeling brave and want to be out on V-Day)
Rocky’s Matcha x J&V’s are making a limited edition soft serve now through 2/14 - strawberry & matcha twist!
Proof Bakery whipping up some gorgeous romantic pastries
Fritz Coffee is popping up at Sqirl 2/13
Handmade love themed goods at Eyes Peeled this weekend only! (2/10 + 2/11)
Layla Bagels V-Day special looks unreal and I will be copping immediately. Strawberry + hazelnut chocolate goodness!
Buy one get one free (pastry or coffee) at Sweet Lily in Culver when you show your Culver Theater ticket stub!
Picnics
Ocean View Park in Santa Monica - Grab burgers at Heavy Handed and walk over
Silver Lake Reservoir - Grab burgers at Burgers Never Say Die (I guess I love burgers and a picnic)
Echo Park Lake - Grab fried fish sandwiches at Little Fish & fun bevvys at Dada Market
If you’re feeling more of an activity - there’s always the swan boats on the lake! Rentals are $12/hour
Barnsdall Art Park - Grab Home State tacos on your way over
Hollyhock House on the property is available for tours with a $7 donation
Pack your favorite Trader Joe’s snacks and picnic at the beach! Ocean Park, Manhattan Beach, and north of Santa Monica Pier are my favorite spots
Comedy Shows
Catch an improv or stand up show - all of the below have shows planned for 2/14!
Concerts
Wavves is playing at 1720 near the Arts District - tix here
Rooney is playing at Teragram Ballroom (THROWBACK love them)
SoFar Sounds is popping up in Sawtelle - if you’re unfamiliar, this is a secret show with 3 performances by local artists, it’s so fun! A go-to date option for me
Movies
The Notebook is playing at Cinespia DTLA!! Formal dress encouraged. Obsessed
La La Land at Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA
Romeo & Juliet + a cabaret performance at Street Food Cinema
Activities & Amusement
Line Dancing at Desert 5 Spot
Dave & Buster’s - I personally prefer the Hollywood location because you can walk to a lot afterwards and it tends to be more of an adult crowd, but there’s a few locations in the city!
Rent city bikes in Santa Monica and ride the beach path down south
Dance party at Zebulon (and a KCRW party to boot the night before!)
R&B + Roses with Familiar Faces on 2/14 DTLA
Beer flights and skee ball at Arts District Brewing Co
Head to Goodwill with a $20 budget and surprise your partner with an outfit
Order a kettle of tea & pastries at Urth Caffe
Museums & Gardens
Hammer Museum - tour the galleries (for free!) and grab an ice cream sandwich at Diddy Riese or In-N-Out after
Griffith Observatory - I not only love the exterior views outside, but the museum on the inside is rad (and free)
Hike: For a more active visit, start on the Fern Dell side of Griffith Park - grab a bite at Trails Cafe and make your way up the trail to the observatory!
Drive: Stop at STAMP Foods or Fred 62 diner on your way up
Pro Tip: Do not sleep on the shows in the dome - they are $6 and magical!
The Broad - Grand Central Market just down the hill is great for food before or after, and you can ride Angel’s Flight down for $1 or one tap on your Metro card
MOCA - I love exploring Little Tokyo and checking out the galleries at the Geffen Contemporary location
LACMA - Even walking around the exterior of LACMA is magical, with Urban Light and Levitated Mass on display outside 24/7.
The Academy Museum - This is a newer museum and doesn’t get enough love! There’s truly something for everyone here - also a great place to bring your parents
The Getty Museum - mentioned in a previous TTS, but they also allow picnics on the lawn! BYO food but no alcohol
The Getty Villa - a chic Malibu day + you get to enjoy a lovely PCH drive
Petersen Automotive Museum - Cars are cool and all but the real gem of the museum IMO is the vintage auto themed cafe, Meyers Manx. Amazing breakfast burrito!!
Greystone Mansion & Gardens - “Beverly Hills’ best kept secret” and tbh I agree
The Huntington Library & Gardens - You could truly spend an entire day here. If you’re feeling bougie - they recently re-opened their tea room!
Descanso Gardens - Take advantage of being in the Montrose area and check out Lost Books while you’re in the hood
Day Trips
Los Olivos - Wine tasting at Stolpman Fresh Garage / eats at Bar Le Cote or Industrial Eats nearby
Solvang - Stroll about the shops, don’t miss Solvang Spice, and make sure to try aebleskiver (Danish mini pancakes). If you’re feeling crazy, take a visit to the Ostrich Farm right outside of town
Santa Barbara - Helena Ave Bakery for food, walk on the pier, or picnic outside the SB Mission!
Ojai - Browse Bart’s Books, the largest outdoor bookstore in the world, grab a beer and delicious food at Topa Topa Brewing / Little Sama kitchen
Staying In
Order a couple heart-shaped pies from La Morra Pizzeria (coming soon)
DoorDash you & your boo’s favorite food and watch a romance movie set in LA - Ranker has a great list
Pick up a bottle of wine, cook dinner & watercolor or paint at home
For my NA folks & coffee lovers - Flow Good Coffee made two special drinks - one espresso based and one matcha based - available for pick up or delivery! These sound SO delish. Info on how to order in their highlights
If You Feel Like Splurging ($50+)
More ideas on Bucketlisters here
Galentine’s Tea & Valentine’s Day Cooking Class Options at Violet Bistro
Pre-fixe dinner at Grandmaster Recorders
Pre-fixe dinner at Good Clean Fun
Learn to shuck oysters at The Lonely Oyster - various dates available for reservation
I’ll keep adding to this list and live updating in the next couple weeks so y’all have a master guide to all things romance, red and pink <3 see you next week! I’m scrolling on TikTok till then ;)