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With a little creativity, dating in Los Angeles doesn’t have to require stacks of cash. Bring your date under the sun or stars with one of these original yet simple date ideas for outdoors. From laugh-out-loud improv comedy to intimate singer-songwriter showcases, the endless entertainment los angeles cheap date ideas Los Angeles can’t be beat.

Going on dates can be really expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some really great date ideas in Los Angeles that are cheap or free. Hiking tops many lists of cheap date ideas for good reason. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t enjoy getting into nature for a while. Pack a lunch or snack to turn a hike into more of a picnic date. There are tons of places to hike in the Los Angeles area, from the Santa Monica mountains to Culver City to Griffith Park to the San Gabriel Mountains. If you’re more towards mid city, downtown, Burbank, or East LA, there are great hiking trails at Griffith Park.

There are many many others, so check near your area! Many of these do charge for parking but sometimes you can avoid the charge by parking further away and, well, hiking, to the trailhead! Many communities in Los Angeles and Orange County feature free outdoor concerts during the summer. Pack a blanket or beach chair and some food and you’re set! Museums can be a good date idea if you’re into art. Other museums are free on certain days. 3PM every weekday for LA County residents and second Tuesday of every month.

The outdoor Tar Pits are always free. Thursday of every month, requires online reservation, and they sell out quickly. Tuesday of every month except July and August, reserve tickets online. See my full article on the Best Museum Date Ideas. Griffith Park is not only a great place to hike during the day, but at night the observatory is a worthy free attraction in itself. It features great views of the city and free science exhibits.

You might have to park a bit far away and walk, so be prepared. And, the traffic going up the mountain can be VERY bad, especially when there’s a concert a the Greek. Also in Griffith Park each summer is the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. Bring blankets or towels to sit on, or low beach chairs if you don’t mind sitting further back. Downtown Los Angeles is undergoing a renaissance and has tons of cool, cheap things to do, all within walking distance. The Strand is probably the most famous bike ride in the LA area. It goes from Will Rogers State Beach in the north all the way down to Torrance Stage Beach near Palos Verdes.

It goes along the beach for almost the whole time, except for the area around Marina del Rey. Another bike path I really like is the Ballona Creek Bike path. It’s not as famous or quite as picturesque as the Strand, but I like the fact that it’s really mellow and uncrowded. When you’re done, have drinks or dinner in Culver City or Marina del Rey. Everyone already knows about the beach. But here are a few that you might not know about.

The first is Abalone Cove in Palos Verdes. This is more of an experience where you hike and climb rocks rather than lay out or swim, but it leads to some cool caves and tide pools! Similar in terrain, but free, is the nearby Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve. A very secluded sandy beach in Malibu that I recommend is Lechuza Beach. It’s hard to find, so it’s much less crowded than beaches further south. A fun way to spend an afternoon or evening is to go to a flea market!