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Best Date Ideas For Art Lovers In Los Angeles

Getty Museum Hosts Vast Collection Of Art And Antiquities
(credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

Common likes and sensibilities are the binding elements of every successful couple's relationship. For lovers of art, the Southland has an abundant and eclectic mix of opportunities to share and appreciate the creative works of classical, avant-garde, modern and contemporary artists. These five choices offer dating couples a chance to grow together with the positive distractions that the greatest and most recent objects of art can invoke. Nearby or on-site venues offer food, drink and entertainment to round out a day or evening, and all of the experiences will create lasting memories and the building blocks of friendship and love.

Hollywood Downtown Art Walk
(credit: David K./Yelp)

Hollywood Downtown Art Walk
411 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-4929
www.downtownartwalk.org

Every second Thursday afternoon and evening, downtown blooms with street art of every kind. In the area of Spring and Main streets, couples can take in art, restaurants, clubs and all of the entertainment that makes a date special. Arts lovers will especially enjoy this experience to remember, and it is one that can be repeated as the seasons come and go. The Art Walk is renowned for its many art events and related activities. Completely self-directed, this evening in downtown is a blending of the arts and culture of our reviving and renewing Los Angeles.

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Museum of Ventura County
(credit: Museum of Ventura County)

Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 653-0323
www.venturamuseum.org

The Museum of Ventura County offers Los Angelenos a road trip destination to the north. Via the Coast Highway or the 101, in little more than an hour, you will enjoy a more settled pace in Ventura County. In the ocean breeze-cooled city are restaurants, clubs and more to explore. The museum has a California historic artifacts collection as well as fine art. Local artists stand out in the collection such as Beatrice Wood, John Nava and George Stuart. The coastal area is a tourist destination where couples take in the sights, visit the beach, shop the downtown and much more.

Visitors view exhibits from the Wild Wes
credit: Mark Ralston/Getty Images

J. Paul Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300
www.getty.edu

The J. Paul Getty Museum is the Southland's most comprehensive and varied collection of art works. A full day is not enough time to take it all in. At the Getty Center, tours of its architecture, gardens, collections and exhibitions are offered daily. Couples will enjoy a dramatic view of the Santa Monica Mountains at "The Restaurant," along with its fine dining. On a lower level, a self-service café has standard fare with indoor and outdoor dining areas, and quality beers and wines are available. The Garden Terrace Café overlooks the Central Garden and offers snacks, coffee and lunch. From drawings to sculpture, and from paintings to photography, the Getty's mission continues to ";inspire curiosity" and bring "enjoyment and understanding" of every art form. Home to scholarly research and public education, the center inspires all in gaining a deeper appreciation of artistic creativity. For couples, it's a complete experience.

jan27-lacma.org
(credit: lacma.org)

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org

Our Los Angeles County Museum of Art has the largest collection of art west of the Mississippi. Art objects from the dawn of history to today are available for viewing, and the collection is drawn from all parts of the globe. Internationally respected, the museum is situated in Hancock Park and is adjacent to many shopping, eating and entertainment establishments. The collection, through public and private support, has grown its inventory to over 150,000 objects of art since 1965. For art-loving couples, the always-changing exhibitions offer a great one-time date, or better yet, many years of pleasure and renewal.

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MOCA's Annual Gala "The Artist's Museum Happening" - Cocktail Reception
(credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for MOCA)

The Museum of Contemporary Art
250 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-6222
www.moca.org

Exclusively dedicated to contemporary art makes this museum unique. Contemporary art creations challenge established norms of the classical and earlier ";modern" artists. Couples will enjoy the challenge to the mind and senses. One unique aspect the curators seek to create is one of interpretation with every exhibition. All artistic media available in the collection, from the 40s to date, deals with every experience valued by society and our local community. Over 6,000 objects collide in the collection creating the best cultural repository of art in the Southland. It's also "one museum in three locations," offering many repeated and shared experiences. Shopping at the Moca Store is a great place to buy meaningful gifts, as well.

Robert Cuthbert is a freelance writer covering all things Los Angeles. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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