Unique Date Night Ideas in Los Angeles: Beyond Dinner and a Movie

Los Angeles has no shortage of restaurants, but after a while even the best dinner-and-a-movie routine starts to feel like autopilot. If you want a date night that you will still be talking about next year, it helps to look for experiences rather than reservations: something you do together, something with a story, maybe even a costume. Here are our favorite ideas for a unique date night in Los Angeles, from classic LA outings to a 1970s jet-age dinner, plus practical tips for planning the evening.

What makes a date night feel unique?

The most memorable dates tend to share three ingredients:

• A shared experience. Doing something together, instead of just sitting across a table, gives you more to talk about and laugh about.
• A sense of place or time. Settings that transport you, whether a historic theater or a recreated era, make an ordinary evening feel like a trip.
• A little anticipation. Booking ahead, choosing an outfit and planning the details is half the fun.

Keep those in mind as you browse the ideas below.

10 unique date night ideas in Los Angeles

1. Take a 1970s “flight” with dinner on board

For a date that truly feels like time travel, the Pan Am Experience recreates an evening aboard a Pan Am Boeing 747 in the golden age of flying. It all happens inside Air Hollywood, the aviation-themed film studio in the Los Angeles area, so the plane never leaves the ground. You check in for a 70s-style boarding pass, enjoy a cocktail in the Clipper Club among vintage Pan Am memorabilia, and then board for a safety demonstration and a gourmet five-course dinner served by a uniformed crew: bread selections, an appetizer such as shrimp cocktail, Chateaubriand carved from the trolley, fruit and cheese with port, and a dessert cart. Couples who want a quiet, intimate evening can enjoy the plush Sleeperette seats on the main deck, while the Upper Deck has a more social, lively feel.

2. Stargaze at Griffith Observatory

Few views say “LA” like the city lights from Griffith Observatory. Walk the terraces at dusk, explore the exhibits and, on clear evenings, look through a public telescope. Check opening hours and parking information before you go, and bring a jacket: it gets breezy on the hill.

3. Catch a film in a historic movie palace

Downtown’s Broadway is lined with grand movie palaces from the early days of Hollywood. Screenings and special events in these ornate theaters turn a regular movie night into an occasion. Pair it with drinks nearby and you have a classic date with a twist.

4. Pack a picnic for an outdoor concert

Southern California’s mild evenings are made for music under the stars. Several LA venues let you bring a picnic to summer concerts, which makes it easy to plan a romantic spread of your partner’s favorite snacks.

5. Ride bikes along the beach at sunset

Rent a pair of bikes and cruise the beach path between Santa Monica and Venice as the sun goes down. It is low-key, inexpensive and ends perfectly with tacos or ice cream.

6. Take a cooking class together

Learning a new dish side by side is collaborative, a little chaotic and always delicious. Look for a class focused on a cuisine neither of you has cooked before.

7. Laugh it up at a comedy club

LA is home to some of the country’s best-known comedy stages, and laughter is one of the best ways to break the ice on a new relationship or reconnect on an old one.

8. Explore a farmers market and cook dinner at home

Wander one of the city’s farmers markets, choose ingredients together and turn them into a meal at home. It is a relaxed date that still feels special.

9. Plan a themed night and dress the part

Pick a decade and commit to it: the music, the cocktails and, of course, the outfits. Dressing up in your best 1970s look is a fun way to get into the spirit of a retro evening like the Pan Am Experience, and it makes for fantastic photos.

10. Go behind the scenes of Hollywood

Studio tours and set visits show you the movie magic up close. At the end of a Pan Am Experience “flight”, passengers are offered an optional tour of the production sets at Air Hollywood, including the original cockpit from the film Airplane!

How to plan the perfect retro dinner date

If the jet-age dinner caught your eye, a few tips will help the evening go smoothly:

• Plan your drive. The Pan Am Experience is at Air Hollywood, 27615 Avenue Hopkins, Valencia, CA 91355, in the Santa Clarita Valley north of central Los Angeles. Allow extra time for traffic.
• Mention dietary needs early. Guests with dietary restrictions can request a roasted chicken or vegetarian pasta entree in advance.
• Arrive in time to explore. The Clipper Club and its vintage memorabilia are part of the fun, so do not rush check-in.
• Know the policy. Tickets are non-refundable; if plans change and you cannot gift your seats, call 818-890-0444 to discuss options.
• Relive it later. About 7 to 10 days after your flight, you will receive an email with a link to a private photo gallery of the evening.

Want more detail? Our frequently asked questions cover the menu, seating and more.

Celebrating something bigger?

A unique date night can easily grow into a birthday, anniversary or engagement celebration. The Pan Am Experience has hosted birthday parties, weddings, corporate events and fundraisers since opening in October 2014, with seated dinners for up to 48 guests aboard the 747 and room for up to 150 guests in the Clipper Club. Learn more on our private events page, or read how the Pan Am Experience began.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good unique date night idea in Los Angeles?

Look for experiences you share rather than just a meal: stargazing at Griffith Observatory, a film in a historic movie palace, a sunset bike ride by the beach, or an immersive retro dinner such as the Pan Am Experience, a 1970s-style dinner flight aboard a recreated 747.

Is the Pan Am Experience a real flight?

No. It takes place aboard a detailed 747 interior inside Air Hollywood’s studio in the Los Angeles area, so the whole “flight” happens safely on the ground.

Where is the Pan Am Experience?

At Air Hollywood, 27615 Avenue Hopkins, Valencia, CA 91355. You can call 818-890-0444 with questions.

Can we book it for a private celebration?

Yes. The aircraft seats up to 48 guests for dinner, and the Clipper Club can host up to 150 for cocktails or 125 for a seated banquet. Use the inquiry form on the private events page.

Ready for takeoff?

Swap the usual reservation for an evening you will both remember. Check upcoming Pan Am Experience flight dates and tickets, and start planning your outfits.