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Great Creative Birthday Ideas To Do In Los Angeles

The Beatles said it best, in that, "they say it's your birthday, we're gonna have a good time." As an adult, you are always looking for something fun to do to celebrate that goes beyond grabbing a drink with some friends at a new bar. Luckily throughout Los Angeles there are a plethora of fun birthday ideas from day trips, activities and more that will help you celebrate your next milestone.
Go On A Local Cruise
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(credit: Hornblower Cruises & Events)

Hornblower Cruises & Events
Fisherman's Village
13755 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 301-6000
www.hornblower.com

Regardless of what milestone you are celebrating, a cruise around the Marina harbor is a unique way to celebrate your birthday. At Fisherman's Village in Marina del Rey, Hornblower offers five unique birthday options: dinner birthday celebration, brunch birthday celebration, adventure cruiser birthday celebration, private event birthday Bbash or their create your own party option.

Go Bowling
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(credit: Tamea Agle)

Lucky Strike
6801 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 467-7776
www.bowlluckystrike.com

Lucky Strike features premium bowling, restaurants, bars, live music, dance clubs, billiards and game rooms. Offering state-of-the-art private and semi-private function rooms, Lucky Strike offers party packages for 8-19 people and larger parties of 20 people or more. At their Hollywood location, the "Marilyn Room" is an exclusive private party space including: 4 lanes for bowling, customizable projector screens, a private bar and lounge seating with space up to 100 people. At their location in L.A. Live, reserve "The Luxe Room", which is a completely private bowling suite featuring 4 lanes, 2 billiard tables, a private bar, and custom leather seating with space to accommodate up to 150 people.  
 

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(credit: PINZ Bowling Center)

Pinz
12655 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-7600
www.pinzla.com

Bowling isn't just reserved for kids parties! In addition to its 32 lanes and top-rated arcade downstairs, PINZ offers two exclusive VIP spaces upstairs that make for the ideal adult birthday party. The first VIP space is a private billiards room that can comfortably accommodate up to 30 guests is ideal for more intimate parties. The second is a 3,000 square-foot lounge with a standing capacity of 150, perfect for larger celebration. Both VIP areas offer state-of-the-art sound systems and large flat-screen TVS, in addition to catering and full bar service.

Sing Your Heart Out With Friends
Blind Dragon
(credit: Elizabeth Daniels)

Blind Dragon
9201 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 595-1091
www.blinddragon.com

From Koreatown to Japantown to the Valley, karaoke is everywhere in LA. Screaming renditions of classics can be heard outside karaoke bars throughout the city. At Blind Dragon, start off your birthday festivities with a dinner in the Asian inspired lounge/main dining room, with exotic tiki cocktails to kickstart the night. Then, proceed into your very own private karaoke suite with over 25,000 songs to choose from where the stage is set for you and your friends to sing the night away. Choose between four luxury karaoke rooms and enjoy a special complimentary bottle of champagne for the birthday person. 
 

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The Venue
3470 Wilshire Blvd B-1
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 221-1251
www.thevenuela.com

The Venue is Koreatown's hidden hotspot for craft cocktails, dinner and a night of karaoke in your own private karaoke room. It is a great spot for birthday parties of all sizes, with rooms that can accommodate up to 50 friends. Guests can order birthday platters, bottle service and order cocktails and you can also create a custom birthday shot for your event exclusively for your guests. Each karaoke room varies in size and you can sing the night away with thousands of songs to choose from.

Head To An Arcade
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(credit: Laure Joliet for Design, Bitches)

Button Mash
1391 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 250-9903
www.buttonmashla.com

Button Mash is a vintage video game and pinball arcade combined with an Asian fusion restaurant, a craft beer and wine bar located in Echo Park. Family friendly during the day and a local hot-spot at night, the restaurant's food has been critically acclaimed in nearly every local publication. With over 30 arcade and 10 pinball games, Button Mash takes dinner reservations for parties of 10 or more, as well as private event inquiries. For those interested in planning their next event, email Button Mash for details.

Take A Day Trip
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(credit: Gabriela Herman/Courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara)

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Take the scenic route and drive up the PCH or consider taking the Pacific Surfliner train on Amtrak from Los Angeles to avoid traffic and enjoy the coastal views and get dropped off within walking distance to the beach, State Street and more. Get active on your birthday with Santa Barbara Adventure Company as they offer three different tours ranging from easy to intermediate rides. Each tour showcases different aspects of the Santa Barbara South Coast, from leisurely rides in the scenic mountains to wine country and coastal tours. Those looking to take in some of the sites and eat, try the Eat This, Shoot That! three-hour walking, food tasting and photo tour through Santa Barbara's buzzed-about Funk Zone. Learn about Santa Barbara's history while eating at some of the area's best restaurants and drinking local libations and/or go to Santa Barbara's storied wines in a tour focused on the Wine Collection at El Paseo.
 

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(credit: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa)

Ojai

A 90-minute drive north from DTLA, Ojai gives travelers a relaxed and quaint feel totally different from normal busy L.A. life. Drive up in the early morning and take advantage of some of the town's exclusive birthday offerings. Grab a group of friends (up to 7) for a Cloud Climbers Jeep Tour to tour Ojai and visit an olive oil farm/estate for a tour and tasting as well as a local winery. Explore Ojai on a horseback tour or a bike tour with the Mob Shop or head over to one of the city's many wine-tasting rooms like Topa Mountain Winery, Ojai Vineyard or Casa Barranca, and then reserve private dining space for larger parties at Azu, Deer Lodge, and more.
 
Visit Palm Springs

An easy drive from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is the ultimate birthday oasis for visitors seeking relaxation, adventure, culture and entertainment. To start the party in Los Angeles, hire a driver less car from Tesloop to bring you and your guests to Palm Springs for a little more than $200 for five people. When you get to the dessert, bring 16 of your closet friends for a limo-bike ride bar crawl around Palm Springs with Sunnycycle. This fun-colored electric bike has a dance floor, 16 pedals for riders to cruise around the city in style and stop at several Palm Springs hot spots for cocktails and appetizers. Take advantage of the Aerial Tramway Ride n Dine Package, which offers riders a great deal to experience the world's largest rotating tram car and have a meal with a breathtaking view, with larger private rooms available.
 
Boat To Catalina Island

Located approximately 25 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is accessible by Catalina Express boats from three ports (San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point) and the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach, as well as IEX Helicopters. While in Avalon, head to Descanso Canyon to enjoy the Zip Line Eco Tour, as well as the thrilling, just launched Catalina Aerial Adventure, a series of ropes courses and aerial trails featuring suspended bridges, balance beams, zip lines and more. To explore more of the island, take the Discover Two Harbors or enjoy other outdoor activities such as: snorkeling, kayaking and golf at Catalina Island Golf Course and then head over to Island Spa Catalina, the island's only full-service experiential spa to relax before a wonderful meal with views of Avalon Bay at Avalon Grille.

Go Wine Tasting
Malibu Wines safari - verified jarone
(credit: MVMT)

Malibu Family Wines
Malibu Wines
31740 Mulholland Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
(818) 865-0605
www.malibuwines.com

Malibu Family Wines is located in the mountains around the 1,000 acre vineyard. With up to 20 of your closest friends, hop on a custom safari vehicle, drink some vino in the outdoors, and feed exotic animals all with picturesque views. Open seven days a week, visitors can also go to the beautiful outdoor tasting 'room', bring picnic materials, and purchase wine by the bottle, all while taking in the breathtaking views. The rustic outdoor setting is the perfect place to reserve a table/event space to decorate and celebrate your special day.

A Day Trip To Disneyland
Disneyland- Verified Ashley
(Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)

Disneyland
1313 Disneyland Dr
Anaheim, CA 92802
www.disneyland.com

Planning a birthday? Head over to the happiest place on earth and take in the rides, eats and more at the magical theme park. Gather some friends and head down the I-5 to take pictures with your favorite childhood characters, go on some fun rides, eat some delicious bites and stay the evening to see the fireworks. And for those that want to feel a little more special, stop by City Hall on your way in and pick up a pin-on birthday button and nearly every employee you encounter will wish you a happy birthday for the rest of the day.

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Have A Picnic

Thanks to the near-perfect weather year-round, grabbing a group of friends and heading to a park or the beach for a picnic is always a good option. Dine al fresco on a blanket with your close friends either under the sun or watching the sunset and enjoy the good vibes. Bring a blanket, cooler with drinks, snacks or make a list for what people should bring and enjoy your special day out in nature. Want some great places to go on your picnic? Visit our list of the Best Picnic Spots In L.A., and make sure to visit Top Places To Pick Up Food For Your Picnic

Jarone Ashkenazi is a freelance writer who covers restaurants, bars, dating, relationships, sports and other lifestyle topics. View his work at www.jaroneashkenazi.com, or connect with him on Twitter: @JaroneAsh.
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