Amble California
Real places all over California, starting in Los Angeles with swan boats on a city lake and a tiny aquarium at the end of a pier.
Looking for date ideas or weekend adventures in California? From Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco to the redwoods, Big Sur and the desert, there's no shortage. Ride the swan boats at Echo Park, watch sea lions in La Jolla, walk among old-growth redwoods up north or count stars in Joshua Tree. Distances are big here, so check the drive before you plan the day.
35 date and adventure ideas in California
Echo Park Swan Boats
Swan boats on Echo Park Lake in LA. Pedal past the fountain and the lotus beds, skyline behind.
Mission 2 · Downtown Manhattan BeachManhattan Beach Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium
Manhattan Beach Pier near LA. Walk to the end and visit the tiny free aquarium at the tip.
Mission 4 · Golden Gate Park, San FranciscoGolden Gate Park: Tower and Bison
Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Ride up the free de Young tower, then go find the bison herd.
Mission 5 · San Marino, near PasadenaThe Huntington Gardens
The Huntington in San Marino. Each pick a garden and lead your group on a tour of it.
Mission 7 · Griffith Park, Los AngelesGriffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory in LA. Watch the sunset over the city, then look through a real telescope.
Mission 11 · La Jolla, San DiegoLa Jolla Cove Sea Lions
La Jolla Cove in San Diego. Watch the sea lions from the cliff path, count them and find a pup.
Mission 12 · El Prado, Balboa Park, San DiegoBalboa Park Free Garden Crawl
Balboa Park in San Diego. Crawl its free gardens, from the lily pond to the cactus, and crown one.
Mission 14 · White Mountains, east of Bishop and Big PineAncient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Bishop. Hike among the oldest trees on Earth.
Mission 16 · Exposition Park, Los AngelesCalifornia Science Center and Endeavour
California Science Center in LA. Stand under Space Shuttle Endeavour, ready to launch.
Mission 17 · Buena ParkKnott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Ride GhostRider, explore Ghost Town, split boysenberry pie.
Mission 18 · Hollywood Hills, Los AngelesPhotograph the Hollywood Sign
Hollywood Sign photo from Lake Hollywood Park in LA. Compete for the best shot with the letters.
Mission 20 · East ArcataArcata Community Forest Redwoods
Arcata Community Forest in Humboldt. Hike the redwoods and stand inside the biggest stump you find.
Mission 22 · Bald Hills Road, near OrickOld-Growth Redwoods at Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Lady Bird Johnson Grove near Orick. Walk the old-growth redwoods, then lie down and look up.
Mission 23 · Big Sur coast, south of CarmelBig Sur: Bixby Bridge to McWay Falls
Drive Highway 1 through Big Sur. Photograph Bixby Bridge, then McWay Falls pouring onto the beach.
Mission 24 · Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree National ParkJoshua Tree Boulders and Stars
Joshua Tree National Park. Climb Hidden Valley's boulders, find Skull Rock, then stay for stars.
Mission 25 · Highway 89, Lake Tahoe west shoreEmerald Bay and Vikingsholm
Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. Photograph Fannette Island, then hike down to Vikingsholm castle.
Mission 26 · Embarcadero, San FranciscoAlcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. Tour the cellhouse and find the cells from the 1962 escape.
Mission 28 · Coronado, San DiegoSunset at the Hotel del Coronado
Hotel del Coronado near San Diego. Walk the beach at sunset, then toast at the Del.
Mission 29 · Southern Big Sur, between Esalen and LuciaBig Creek Cove Vista Point
Big Creek Cove on Highway 1 in Big Sur. Frame the arched bridge and watch for otters and whales.
Mission 30 · Somerset, El Dorado County (Sierra foothills)Wine Tasting with Highland Cattle
Saluti Cellars in Somerset. Taste foothill wine, then meet the shaggy Highland cattle.
Mission 31 · Downtown Sacramento, near Old SacramentoCrocker Art Museum
Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Each pick the painting you'd hang above your couch.
Mission 32 · Placerville, El Dorado CountyPlacerville Community Observatory
Community Observatory in Placerville. Look through big telescopes on a free public night.
Mission 33 · Giant Forest, Sequoia National ParkGeneral Sherman and Moro Rock
Sequoia National Park. Stand under General Sherman, the biggest tree on Earth, then climb Moro Rock.
Mission 34 · West Shaw Ave, FresnoForestiere Underground Gardens
Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno. Tour a hand-dug home with trees growing to skylights.
Mission 35 · Sequoia National ParkCrystal Cave Tour
Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. Tour a glittering marble cave behind a spider-web gate.
Mission 39 · Christmas Circle Community Park, Borrego Springs, CA 92004Borrego Springs Sculptures and Stars
Borrego Springs metal sculptures at sunset, then a dark desert sky full of stars.
Mission 40 · Near Burney, Shasta CountyBurney Falls
Burney Falls near Burney. Walk down to the falls where water pours straight out of the cliff.
Mission 41 · Lassen Volcanic National ParkBumpass Hell, Lassen Volcanic
Bumpass Hell in Lassen Volcanic. Walk the boardwalk over bubbling mud pots and steam vents.
Mission 42 · Near Tulelake, Siskiyou CountyLava Beds Caves
Lava Beds National Monument near Tulelake. Explore lava tube caves on your own, lights off.
Mission 44 · Old SacramentoCalifornia State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento. Climb aboard giant steam locomotives.
Mission 46 · Camino, east of PlacervilleApple Hill Orchards
Apple Hill near Placerville. Pick apples, watch cider pressed, and rate the warm farm-stand treats.
Mission 48 · The Embarcadero, San FranciscoExploratorium After Dark
Exploratorium After Dark in San Francisco. Play with science exhibits on adults-only night.
Mission 52 · San Simeon, Central CoastHearst Castle Tour
Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Tour the hilltop palace and find the famous Neptune Pool.
Mission 57 · Movie Road, near Lone PineMobius Arch at Sunrise
Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine. Frame Mount Whitney through it at sunrise.
Mission 58 · Cahuenga Pass, HollywoodConcert at the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl in LA. Picnic under the stars before a summer concert in the hills.