The Best Second Date Ideas in Los Angeles

The Huntington is an easy place to turn a second date into an entire afternoon. Nearly 130 acres hold 16 themed gardens, including Japanese, Chinese, desert, and rose gardens, giving you plenty to wander through together without feeling rushed.

If you want to make more of the day, book the Rose Garden Tea Room while you're there. The Huntington is open Wednesday through Monday from 10am to 5pm.

A concert at the Hollywood Bowl gives you a whole evening together without requiring much of an itinerary. Arrive early with drinks and snacks, find a spot to lay out a blanket, then head inside for a band or orchestra under the night sky.

You can also preorder a box if you would rather have dinner handled for you. Aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before the show. The Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland connects to a free Bowl shuttle, which is useful since parking is limited.

The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel is a second date for when you are ready to linger over dinner. The restaurant sits 18 stories above Santa Monica, with wraparound views of the Promenade and Pacific from a bright dining room with chandeliers.

We'd go for the Wagyu steak roll, which can work as a starter or main course, along with the spicy tuna crispy rice. The restaurant stays open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday, so there is no need to rush through the night.

Perch is a rooftop date for when one drink does not feel like enough of a plan. The 16th-floor restaurant and bar overlooks Downtown Los Angeles, with live music and DJs adding something to the night beyond the view.

For a longer evening, Sunday through Friday you can pair dinner at sister restaurant Mrs Fish, a Japanese restaurant and bar 15 floors below, with drinks on the rooftop afterward. Rooftop garden VIP tables seat two to eight guests. The main bar opens at 4pm Monday through Thursday.

The Academy Museum works well for a second date because you can build an afternoon around more than one thing. Wander the film exhibits together, add a screening if something catches your eye, then stop at Fanny's Restaurant and Cafe without having to leave the museum.

Screenings require a separate ticket in addition to same-day museum admission. The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 10am to 6pm, and the Wilshire/Fairfax Metro station is across the street.

Nobu Malibu is the second date you book when you are ready to make dinner the main event. The Japanese restaurant sits right along Pacific Coast Highway, with water views during the day and a moodier setting once the sun goes down.

Signature dishes include miso black cod and yellowtail jalapeño sashimi, along with seasonal plates. For a first visit, the chef suggests sharing at least three of the Eight Highlights, starting with two or three cold dishes. Reservations are by phone only and can be made up to 30 days ahead.

Inn of the Seventh Ray feels made for a long dinner. Outdoor tables are tucked into Topanga Canyon beside a creek, with string lights overhead and heat lamps when the evening cools down.

The menu includes roasted-mushroom toast, filet mignon, and braised short ribs, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available as well. The wine list leans organic. Roads into the canyon are winding and poorly lit at night, so check for closures before heading out. Dinner runs until 9pm on weekdays and 9:30pm on weekends.

Geoffrey's Malibu gives you an ocean view no matter where you sit. The mostly open-air dining room looks out over the water, with tall hedges along the sides and the best tables closest to the railing.

A public beach is accessible from the restaurant, so come early for a walk before dinner. We'd start with the baked Brie in puff pastry, then choose from steaks, seafood, or a vegan red curry.

Malibu Wine Hikes is a second date that gives you two hours to walk, talk, and explore Saddlerock Ranch together. The guided 2.5-mile loop runs through the Santa Monica Mountains, with plenty of stops for views along the way.

Partway through, you stop for a wine tasting, and the route also passes Chumash cave paintings with the chance of spotting llamas, donkeys, goats, and sheep. Guests must be 21 or older, and seasonal hours may affect which tours are available.

Blind Barber is a good second stop when you want the night to feel a little more spontaneous. By day it doubles as a barbershop, but at night it turns into a hidden cocktail bar, with locations in Culver City and Highland Park.

The Culver City outpost draws a local crowd, while Highland Park has a more laid-back feel with 1970s-inspired decor. The Culver City bar opens at 6pm Tuesday through Saturday, and weekends typically have a $10 cover after 10pm.