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Best LA Neighborhoods For A Car-Less Date Night

323.919.4330travis@travisconklin.comwww.travisconklin.com
(credit: Travis Conklin/LA Tourism)

Anyone that has lived in Los Angeles knows that traffic and parking challenges can ruin the mood on date night. One solution to avoid this frustration is to choose a neighborhood or area that offers restaurants and other attractions like shopping, galleries and theaters so that you can park the car and walk from one venue to the next.

Abbot Kinney DL
(credit: Kristi Marcelle)

Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291
www.abbotkinneyonline.com

Abbot Kinney is a mile stretch of eclectic shops, galleries, bars and restaurants located in Venice. The compact area is ideal for walking and challenging for parking, especially on First Fridays (first Friday of every month) when, from 6 to 10 pm, the street comes alive with music, large crowds and every type of food truck imaginable. If a 15-minute walk is acceptable for date night, park at the end of Venice Boulevard by the pier and stroll along the Venice canals on the way to or from Abbot Kinney.

oldPasadena
(credit: www.oldpasadena.org)

Old Pasadena
Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91105
www.oldpasadena.org

Old Pasadena is the revitalized, original commercial area of Pasadena. With 22 blocks of restaurants, galleries, shopping and clubs there is too much to see and do in just one night. It's an interesting destination with history and character where boutiques mix with more well known stores and vintage shops. With more than 100 restaurants to choose from and a large selection of bars and nightlife venues, Old Pasadena is a great destination for visitors of all ages. Find street parking or use the "Park and Walk" garages.

Date Night LA Culver City John Paul Boomer Iacoangelo
(credit: John Paul Boomer Iacoangelo)

Downtown Culver City
Intersection of Washington and Culver Boulevards
Culver City, CA 90232
www.downtownculvercity.com

The recent renaissance of downtown Culver City revitalized this Westside historical gem and made it one of the best cities in L.A. to experience great food and shopping. Convenient parking in city garages and a compact downtown with award-winning restaurants, movie and stage theaters, wine bars and shops attract crowds on the weekends. And, with restaurants and wine bars in close proximity to each other, it's easy to visit several different venues in an evening. Visit the website for specials on the third Wednesday of every month.

Date Night Third Street photo Michele; Tom Grimm; LA Tourism
(credit: Michele Tom Grimm/LA Tourism)

Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica

Third Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
downtownsm.com

At first glance, the wave of tourists on the pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade doesn't feel like a romantic date-night venue as it's a popular destination. Especially on weekends, the promenade and surrounding streets are very busy. However, its wide variety of restaurants and shops as well as its location just 5 minutes from the pier, make this area a good option for date night. For food ideas, visit our selection for a Santa Monica food tourand if you're interested in music head to Harvelle's on Fourth Street – they've been entertaining Angelenos since 1931.

beverly hills via rodeo
(credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.beverlyhills.org

If you're looking for a great neighborhood of Los Angeles to visit some of the best shops, restaurants and nightlife venues in the world look no further than Beverly Hills. While many of the restaurants and shops are pricey, this mecca of top notch shops and restaurants also offers more affordable options. Restaurants, bars and shops are spread out around the area, but North & South Beverly Drive, and Canon Drive are some of the more popular thoroughfares to enjoy a night out on.

Kristi Marcelle is a travel and lifestyle writer and regular contributor at Ciao Bambino and CBS Los Angeles. She loves planning travel adventures with her family, a good glass of wine at the whining hour and the Green Bay Packers. Follow her on Twitter @kristimarcelle.

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