Randy's Donuts

Photo cred: Thomas Hawk

There are some things that are just so iconic about a city that you have to do them at least once; this is the case with Randy's donuts. Having served the Los Angeles area for more than 50 years, Randy's has become as much a part of the local scene as the Hollywood sign and the Santa Monica pier. Having made several movie appearances, this well know donut shop and sign promise fresh made delights and a piece of history with every bite. Randy's has a standard menu, allowing you to try your way through them all to find your go-to donut. Randy's is also open 24/7 allowing you to get your donut fix anytime during the day or night. So, what are you waiting for?! Head out with your sweetheart tonight and and enjoy!

Rekindle, Revitalize and Reconnect

Since this date is all about the sweets, spend some time talking about the sweet things you most appreciate your hunny doing for you. Not only can this be a great reminder of all the things that they actually do do for you, but it's also a great way to understand how you can better serve your spouse. The book, The Five Love Languages explains how we each feel love differently, so you may find that something you didn't even think was a big deal actually means a lot to your special someone. Maybe throughout the week you can find ways to work these little acts of service into you time together. Nothing keeps a marriage alive like little acts of service!

Brian's Shave Ice

What with the heat wave sweeping through the city there are times that nothing sounds better than a cold, refreshing...something. With a veritable mountain of shaved and flavored ice (with ice cream in the middle should you so choose), Brian's Shave Ice is sure to satisfy your craving! With some of the softest shave ice in the area and some of the greatest flavors, you're sure to love whatever combination you choose. *As a bonus, you can get (Disney lovers beware!) the Dole Whip pineapple sorbet in the middle to add the perfect compliment to any pairing.* SO, take a few minutes to cool down this summer and hit up Brian's Shave Ice for a date to remember.

Rekindle, Revitalize, and Reconnect
Did you know that a pattern in healthy couples is to take time to connect each day? It doesn't have to be anything grandiose or extreme, it can be as simple as having a conversation. Since this date is all about cooling down in the summer, why not talk about your summer's as kids?! Who knows, maybe you'll get to know something about you spouse that you didn't know before! Whatever you do, enjoy this tasty treat and the time together that you have!

Disneyland

Photo cred: LA Times

The place where dreams come true is truly a great place for a date! While this isn't technically in Los Angeles, it's a mere hop, skip, and a jump (and sometimes a traffic jam) away. If you're a local, you probably have a annual pass and if you're not, who could come so close and not go?! There is tangible Disney magic in the air and you're sure to have a great time. While most people have probably been there before, here's a few ideas to spice it up for a date night:

Thunder Mountain: Keep your eye on the goat with the stick of dynamite in its mouth for an extra thrilling ride!

Hit up the Ghirardelli's chocolate shop for a free chocolate square

Stop by Boudin's for a slice of sour dough bread

Have a competition for the highest score at Midway Mania-be sure to check out these easter eggs to boost your scores! 

Get in touch with your artsy side at the Animation Studios-take a short sit down break and learn to draw a Disney character. While you're hear be sure to check out Turtle Talk with Crush, it so totally rocks! (dude!)

Throughout the day have a funny face contest on each of the rides. Take a picture of each of your best ones.

Stop by City Hall and answer a trivia question to become an Honorary Citizen of Disneyland

Head to the Enchanted Tiki Room and get a Dole Whip while waiting to get inside (way better than waiting the 45 minutes in the line outside the attraction). 

See who can name more of the countries referenced in the It's a Small World attraction.

Read about Hidden Mickeys and see who can find more throughout the day.

Have the best corn dog of your life on Main Street USA

See if you can become the rebel spy on Star Tours (make sure to follow all the instructions that your given by the cast member)

Battle one another on Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters

Find a romantic area (amidst the waiting crowds) to enjoy the fireworks and parade together

Mendocino Farms

Every once and a while you stumble upon a place to eat that is so good that it becomes your go to place. It's somewhere you can rely on getting great food every time and somewhere you take all your friends. Mendocino farms is such a place. Should you and your spouse choose to stop by, be it for lunch or dinner, you can rest assured you will thoroughly enjoy your food. Mendocino Farms focuses on incredible artisan sandwiches catering to many different food preferences (veggie, gluten-free), as well as offering different salads and soups. Their cane sugar sodas are also not to be missed. In short, anything that you pick up here is sure to please the tastebuds and leave you coming back for more (and frequently!). There are several locations so you can find the one that's best for you, be aware though that you'll only catch it without a line if you're lucky, this is a popular place! However, the line gives you extra time to talk (and to decide which delectable sandwich you want to order) and the line moves quickly, so don't be dissuaded. 

If you're looking for something to do on your date, let the casual atmosphere of the restaurant be your guide; keep your conversation casual, take this time to catch up on the day and the planned events for the rest of the week. Did you know that it's the little daily conversations that have the biggest impact on our relationships? Even though you may not feel like you discuss anything very profound, keeping tabs on the little ups and downs of life can do more for your relationship than an exotic trip or a marathon date. Enjoy the novelty of doing something simple (and delicious)!

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Are you and your spouse looking for a thrill? As far as thrilling roller coasters go in California, Six Flags Magic Mountain takes the cake! With rides for all different comfort levels, you're sure to find one that's right for you; the park's map is conveniently keyed with the rides' various thrill levels so you can be sure you're not getting in over your head. With coasters that seat you in everything from flying to standing positions, the variety offered in the park is remarkable and with affordable rates and great deals offered, there's no reason to not test your nerves of steel here at least once (and let's be honest, feeling like you've just survived something extreme has an odd way of brining people closer together...a perfect by product for a date!). While you're waiting in line you can spend some time reconnecting with renowned psychologist and relationship researcher John Gottman's Love Map 20 Questions exercise (click here). Taking time to do this together can help you to recognize if you and your spouse are connecting in the important ways both day to day, as well as overall (and what can be more thrilling than that?!). 

Descanso Gardens

Photo cred: AOL Travel

Living in Los Angeles it's sometimes easy to forget that the plants that the plants around us are actually not native to the area (although there's no doubt that just about anything and everything thrives here). However, Descanso Gardens was founded to preserve that natural Southern California beauty; it offers acres upon acres of beautiful land to roam through and with features with ponds, waterfalls, rose gardens, and pagodas, there's no doubt that it's a beautiful refuge. With events continually on going (such as jazz music nights and the upcoming carved pumpkin festival) there's certain to be something that tickles your fancy. If you're lucky, while you're visiting you may even see some wedding festivities going on! This can be a great segue to talking about that happy event in your own lives. If you're already married talk about what you remember from your big day; who was there? did anything funny happen? what were your thoughts when you saw each other for the first time that day? Go over any details that stand out in your mind. Talking about past special occasions  can be a way to reignite the spark in the here and now. If you haven't gotten married yet, maybe take some time (if appropriate) to talk about your future plans. You can talk in vague generalities or get as specific as mentioning the decor for your own wedding. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take full advantage of this time with your main squeeze.

For more info on admission prices and upcoming events please visit: https://www.descansogardens.org

Santa Monica Airport

View from the observation deck. Photo cred: michaelsikovcom

View from observation deck. Photo cred: LA weekly

There has been many a song written about sitting and watching airplanes take off into the sunset and as romantic as it sounds, it doesn't seem to be a reality anymore in our times. What with high security measures at airports it seems the closest you can get is a couple miles away, at best. However, this is not the case at Santa Monica Airport. This small, private airport has an observation deck open to the public that is right on the airstrip! As you sit, you may see anything from a small one man airplane take off to a private jet (and everything in-between). Helping the ambiance the airport pipes in the communication between the air traffic control and the pilots. This combined with the friendly crowd that this airport typically attracts makes it a fun place to come and visit. While there you could both share about your dream vacations; where would you like to go and what would you like to do? While some of the more exotic trips may be out of reach for a while, it can be fun to dream and to see if you have any places that match up. Who knows, maybe your dreams will turn into a reality someday! After watching the planes you can look up fun place to eat that relates to somewhere you talked about going, this airport is located in the middle of some great restaurants, so you have some great picks for excellent ethnic cuisine. Here are just a few suggestions:

Crimson-Mediterranean Restaurant

Euro Deli-Mart Lituanica-Lithuania/European market and deli

Sunny Blue-Japanese

Satdha Plant-Based Thai Kitchen-Thai

Border Grill-Mexican

Marvin Braude Bike Trail

This well know bike trail runs most of the length of the beaches in Los Angeles; from Pacific Palisades to Torrance, it run along some of the most beautiful scenery Los Angeles has to offer. The northern half of the trail hits the well known areas of Muscle Beach and Santa Monica Pier, while the southern path hits the pristine beaches of Marina and Playa Del Rey. No matter what way you end up traveling on the trail you are sure to enjoy beautiful views of crashing waves and sandy beaches, as well as a healthy dose of entertaining people watching. You and your spouse are sure to have a good time. If you don't have a bike, or don't want to pack it down to the beach there's no need to worry, there are several great options for bike rentals along the route. *

Now biking and beautiful surroundings (and a little exercise thrown in) are all great, but you may be thinking that it doesn't offer you much of a chance to talk or reconnect, which is one of the main reasons of going on a date. Your challenge? Find a spot along the way to pull off and take some fun pictures. With a beautiful backdrop it doesn't matter what time of day your doing this, morning, noon, or night, ahem, dusk (let's be honest, night pictures just don't really turn out :). Have fun! Take some corny/cute ones, take some silly ones, go splashing in the ocean; sometimes the chance just to goof off together and laugh together does more than any conversation ever could. Besides, you'll have some great pictures to look back on and talk about later. Most of all, just enjoy yourselves! 

On a separate note, this is also a great activity with the littles, should you have them!

* Here are two options for bike rentals, but as always, I encourage you to find the best fit for you!

• http://www.perryscafe.com/12-locations.html
• http://danielsbikerentals.com

A Weekend Getaway

Need a break from the big city? This date idea is for those who have a day or two to spend to get away from it all; while Los Angeles holds innumerable amazing date ideas, just outside its borders are many natural beauties untold. One of these beauties happens to be Sequoia National Park, located just outside of Visalia; this national park is not to be missed. Sequoias are some of the largest trees in the world, growing upwards of 200 feet and 30-40 feet across. While that sounds big in writing, it’s nothing compared to seeing them up close!

This date is all about getting back to nature and includes camping at the KOA campground just outside the park, outfitted with camping spots as well as cabins for those who prefer more solid shelter. This campground offers a great respite from the day’s activities with BBQs, a pool, and friendly fellow campers, you’re sure to enjoy your time (please note that there are many campgrounds in the area offering varying amenities, further research may help you find one most suitable to your specific needs) .

While in the park itself, spend the day checking out the General Grant and General Sherman, the sequoias with the largest diameter and mass, respectively, make your way to the fire look out at Buck Rock (an off road adventure), and chow down on some grub from one of the local lodges. Filled with hikes and picturesque car time, this date is sure to bring you and your spouse closer. Take advantage of this together time and share about other beautiful places you’ve been, or other trips that you’ve taken together.

Enjoy the beauties together, and be awestruck as you drink in the sights of this incredible place!

More information on availability and amenities of the Visalia KOA campground:

http://koa.com/campgrounds/visalia/

More information on Sequoia National Park:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoia_National_Park

Griffith Observatory

A night view of Griffith Observatory.
Photo Credit: Ron Reiring via flickr

Griffith Park is a beloved hangout of many Angelinos and a landmark of the city. At the top of Griffith Park sits Griffith Observatory, a beautiful building with magnificent views overlooking Los Angeles. While here you can look through telescopes, learn about the cosmos, go to a show in the planetarium, and get a breathtaking view of the big city, and the best part is admission is free! Come prepared to explore new horizons and travel to galaxies far, far away. 

For the latest shows and show times please visit:

http://www.griffithobservatory.org

Perhaps you could plan your date to fall on the one Saturday a month that Griffith Observatory offers a free star party. After gazing through the telescopes you can return your views earthwards as you and your date look out over the immense city of Los Angeles. Wrap up the evening doing the wonder intimacy exercise from the The Marriage First Aid Kit. This entails making a list of sentences all starting with the phrase, “I wonder…” and then sharing them with your spouse (as you both promise to listen without judgement). While this many feel a little funny or awkward at first, you may be surprised at what you find out are some hope, dreams, or thoughts that are on your spouse's mind.