Dating close to home: Eastside, Westside and the SGV
Key facts
| Eastside | Pedal boats at Echo Park Lake, seven days a week |
|---|---|
| Westside | Monthly weekend beach cleanups with Heal the Bay |
| San Gabriel Valley | The Huntington, 10am to 5pm |
| Huntington Free Day | Tickets released last Thursday of each month |
LA is huge, and traffic shapes who you date. A great match across town can still work if you plan around it. Here is one easy idea for each side of the city.
Eastside: a lap of Echo Park Lake
Pedal boat rentals at Echo Park Lake run seven days a week. Check the operator's site for daily hours and night rides. Silver Lake and downtown are a short drive away for dinner after.
Source: LA City Recreation and Parks: Echo Park Pedal Boats Concession, checked 8 November 2026
Westside: a beach morning in Santa Monica
Heal the Bay's Nothin' But Sand beach cleanups happen on weekends each month and need no experience. Do one together, then walk the sand. It is relaxed, useful and a good test of teamwork.
Source: Let's Volunteer LA: Heal the Bay, checked 8 November 2026
San Gabriel Valley: an afternoon at The Huntington
The Huntington in San Marino opens 10am to 5pm, with check in closing at 4.15pm. Tickets are for a chosen day, so check prices, or try for Free Day tickets released on the last Thursday of each month. The Chinese and Japanese gardens are the places to linger.
Source: The Huntington: Plan your visit, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Should I only date people who live near me?
Not only, but it makes seeing each other easier. Many people widen their search once they know what they want.
How do we split the driving?
Take turns, or meet halfway. Metro can help for downtown and Pasadena.
When is the best time to drive to a date?
Avoid weekday rush hours if you can. Weekend mornings are often the easiest.
Read next
Our sister site Smooch covers dating across the US. WhichDating, our sister review site, has a guide to dating in Los Angeles.