Adventurous Date Ideas In Los Angeles
If your date nights have gone stale, ditch dinner and a movie for excitement and intrigue. New experiences arouse your psyche and keep things fresh between you and your main squeeze. Read on for ideas that will shake things up.
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park
1750 N. Altadena Dr
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 398-5420
www.ecnca.org
Eaton Canyon is home to a "190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve." A big draw is the easy, three-mile hike to the 50-foot waterfall. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, so plan on heading out early to avoid big crowds. Take your favorite canine companion along to join in on the nature loving. Soak up the scenery and enjoy getting high on feel-good endorphins together.
Marina Paddle
Pier 44 Complex 4625-A Admiralty
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 822-1888
www.venicepaddleboards.com
Provided it's performed in calm waters, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding is a fun way to go on an aquatic adventure with the added benefit of getting physical in a low-impact way. Learning the basics is easy, but lessons are available by appointment if professional guidance is desired.
Marina Paddle offers one to two-hour SUP equipment rentals. Head towards the flat waters of Mother's Beach, an ideal place for beginners to cruise around and get acclimated. The bright side to falling off your board is a shared laugh and a chance for a valiant and romantic rescue.
Hangar 18
4926 W. Rosecrans Avenue
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 973-3388
www.climbhangar18.com
Play out the scenes from the film "Cliffhanger" with the safety net of a padded floor. Located just south of LAX, Hangar 18 is an expansive indoor climbing environment that features a variety of climbing terrains to suit climbers of all levels.
Get started with an introductory package that includes climbing access, all rental gear and belay lessons. You can up the adrenaline ante by signing up for the guided trip program, where a pro takes groups on outdoor climbing excursions.
MB2 Raceway
13943 Balboa Blvd
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 364-8000
mb2raceway.com
Put the pedal to the metal in go-karts as you engage in a little playful competition. This facility features a sophisticated system that displays lap times and race positions on a colossal screen for the ultimate in public bragging rights.
High-speed races are sure to reignite the thrill of the chase all over again. Each round consists of 14 laps; multiple rounds are encouraged for maximum enjoyment.
Kali Dining
Rather than plan a double date at a traditional restaurant, why not make things interesting by joining a table of strangers for dinner in a private residence? Since February of last year, Chef Kevin Meehan, formerly of Patina Group's Café Pinot, has created a unique platform where guests have the chance to get a glimpse of him cooking. The featured four-star tasting menu and installation location are in a constant state of change, so reservation inquiries and advanced planning is a must.
Joy Bitonio has the phrase "Joie de Vivre" tattooed on her shoulder, a reminder to enjoy life every single day. She has a voracious appetite for fun, adventure, food, good cocktails and works out like a madwoman to keep it all together. Her fitness articles can be found on examiner.com. Follow her on Twitter.
